Read "Big Bear the Indian Chief" by James McIntyre online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The following impromptu was given at a banquet to one of the captives of Fort Pit after he had related his experience.
Sad memories it doth awake, / The death of those fell at Frog Lake, / And trials of captives of Fort Pit / When savages did capture it.
But soon Generals Strange and Steel / Made savage hordes their power to feel, / And they rescued women fair / From the paws of the Big Bear.
Captives for days had naught to eat / But steaks of tough and lean dog meat, / In daily danger of their lives / From bullets and from scalping knives.
When building big lodge for war dance, / The cry is heard, the troops advance, / To the white captives sounds so sweet, / But savages they quick retreat.
A thrilling tale our guest28 did tell, / That close to him fell bursting shell, / This shot it was not fired in vain, / For several savages were slain.
Our bold troops great danger braved, / So that white captives might be saved, / Who suffered hunger, cold and damp, / 'Mong savage hordes in bush and swamp.
Big Bear now they have pared his claws, / He must atone for broken laws, / Far away from his native lair, / In prison strong they put Big Bear.