Nor how full thirty men at least Did one old man attack, Nor dared to fight him face to face, But shot him in the back. How good Sir Frank a flag of truce With Rolph and Baldwin sent Unto the rebel camp, to ask Them what was their intent; And how they (prompted by the twain) Declared ’twas their intention To settle all the State affairs By General Convention. And then Toronto in a blaze They threatened for to set, But nearer than Montgomery’s They ne’er to it could get. ’Twas on the seventh of that month Which we do call December, Sir Francis Head led out his men,-- That day we’ll long remember. And then ’twas glorious fun to see What rabble rout could do,-- They every man took to his heels, The word was, _Sauve qui peut_. Some hundred taken prisoners were On that eventful day; Sir Francis with too kind a heart He let them all away. But “Which way did the leaders run?” I think I hear you ask; To tell which way they took, I ween, Would be an arduous task. Soon as the news of this outbreak Had gone the country through, It was a glorious sight to see How quick to arms they flew; And ’mongst the foremost in the ranks To quell the rebel band, Old Erin’s dauntless shamrock stood A guardian of the land. And then was seen old England’s rose In all its pride and glory; And Scotland’s thistle, which is known In many a deathless story. And with them joined thy valiant sons, My own adopted land, To form around the Queen and laws A glorious valiant band. MacNab his gallant volunteers Led anxious to the fight, And all the west poured in her troops To stand in freedom’s right. Newcastle, too, her quota sent Of men both good and true; In truth it was a cheering sight Their bearing high to view. Of Cobourg, too, I needs must sing, Which on that trying day The fire of virtuous loyalty Did to our eyes display. There Conger with his company, With Calcutt and with Clarke, And Warren, with his rifle band, Whom every eye did mark. And on they went, a gallant set, To stop the foes rebelling; How many prisoners they took Would take some time in telling. Meanwhile Mackenzie, safe and sound, Had got to Buffalo; The Yankees sympathized with him And made him quite a show. Neutrality it was their law, But that they never minded, They sympathized with rebels so It quite their reason blinded. Their papers, too, were filled with stuff, With nonsense and with lies: So fast they told them, that you’d think They lied but for some prize. At length, when after much ado They got two hundred men, Mackenzie in high spunk set off To try the job again.