FREMONT'S RIDE.
Night on creek and rancho, bound in sleep we lay,
Dreaming of señoritas and maidens far away,
The heavy tropic moonlight its plates of silver spread
Over Sonoma's valleys, and the gully's rocky bed.
Dreaming of señoritas and maidens far away,
The heavy tropic moonlight its plates of silver spread
Over Sonoma's valleys, and the gully's rocky bed.
Through the dreams, like thunder, came, rolling loud and long
At the gate of ranch and corral, the beat of knuckles strong:
"Boys! rouse up! they're on us. Quick! the gateway bends,
Who's out there?" "Americans! Open the gate to friends."
At the gate of ranch and corral, the beat of knuckles strong:
"Boys! rouse up! they're on us. Quick! the gateway bends,
Who's out there?" "Americans! Open the gate to friends."
Through the portal pouring, eager, hot, and grim,
A hundred bearded horsemen stream in the midnight dim.
First and least and greatest, set on a mustang stout,
The leader of the hundred, the chief of hunt and scout.
A hundred bearded horsemen stream in the midnight dim.
First and least and greatest, set on a mustang stout,
The leader of the hundred, the chief of hunt and scout.
