Classmates were Cedric Vaughn and Homer Lee. Cedric from the southland came, and in his Veins there flowed--tho’ mixed with Anglo-Saxon-- A trace of Montezuma blood, the same As that of those who met with sharpened steel The hosts of Cortez on the bloody plains Of Otumba. In the lightsome morning Of his happy youth, he saw that twain who Gave him life and love, with all his kindred, By savage hands _struck down_! struck down and flung Amid the blazing ruins of their home. With superhuman strength he stood beside His father ’till he fell; and then fought on Like wounded tiger, grimly courting death. Filled with pagan superstition, that wild Robber chief--when he saw brave Cedric’s blade Cleave skull and flesh, and break like slender reeds The spears of those who came upon him three To one--thought him protected by the gods And made immune to blows of mortal hands; Stricken with fear lest in revengeful wrath They turn on him, fell on his spear and died. Then the others fled and Cedric’s life was Spared. He, wand’ring aimless o’er the waste Scarce knowing where his footsteps led, came where Terraced hills sloped to a narrow harbor. He knew the place and knew his father had Been well known there and much respected for Fair dealing, when in trade he bought and sold; Not many days before, they together Had come down this dusty trail and returned With family stores. Sadly he walked on, his Poor heart bleeding at remembrance of those Happy hours now gone, when suddenly he Came upon the spot where they had rested By a spring and led their horses down; Here lay the branch his father’s hand had used To urge the horses on; and half trodden In the mold, and scattered round, the paper Which he had seen his mother’s loving hands Wrap ’round the food prepared by her for them. Now, for the first, he realized his loss.