"Grand were the men who sailed away, And he is young and brave; 'Tis small in heart the weak to slay, 'Tis great in heart to save." He saw the torches sweep the air, He heard the Song of Doom,-- "Fly, fly, ye hawks, in the open sky, Fly, wings of the warrior's plume!" "My girl, I know thy heart would spare The wanderer from the sea." "The man is fair, and I am fair, And thou art great," said she. The dance of fire went on and on, And on the Song of Doom,-- "Fly, fly, ye hawks, in the open sky, Fly, wings of the warrior's plume!" The dark chief felt his pride abate: "I will the wanderer spare, My Bird of Peace, since I am great, And he, like thee, is fair!" They dropped the torches, stopped the dance, And died the Song of Doom,-- "Fly, fly, ye hawks, in the open sky, _Away_ with the warrior's plume!" HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. In 1538 Hernando de Soto was appointed governor of Cuba and Florida, with orders to explore and settle the latter country. He landed at Tampa Bay with nearly a thousand men and started into the interior. He was forced to fight his way across the country against the tribes of the Creek confederacy, and in October, 1540, had a desperate battle with them at a palisaded village called Maubila, at the mouth of the Alabama River. THE FALL OF MAUBILA [October 18, 1540] Hearken the stirring story The soldier has to tell, Of fierce and bloody battle, Contested long and well. Ere walled Maubila, stoutly held, Before our forces fell. Now many years have circled Since that October day, When proudly to Maubila De Soto took his way, With men-at-arms and cavaliers In terrible array. Oh, never sight more goodly In any land was seen; And never better soldiers Than those he led have been, More prompt to handle arquebus, Or wield their sabres keen. The sun was at meridian, His hottest rays fell down Alike on soldier's corselet And on the friar's gown; The breeze was hushed as on we rode Right proudly to the town. First came the bold De Soto, In all his manly pride, The gallant Don Diego, His nephew, by his side; A yard behind Juan Ortiz rode, Interpreter and guide. Baltasar de Gallegos, Impetuous, fierce and hot; Francisco de Figarro, Since by an arrow shot; And slender Juan de Guzman, who In battle faltered not. Luis Bravo de Xeres, That gallant cavalier; Alonzo de Carmono, Whose spirit knew no fear; The marquis of Astorga, and Vasquez, the cannoneer. Andres de Vasconcellos, Juan Cales, young and fair, Roma de Cardenoso, Him of the yellow hair-- Rode gallant in their bravery, Straight to the public square.