[NOTE.-The great Sioux massacre in Minnesota commenced
at the Agency village, on the Minnesota River, early in the
morning of the 16th day of August, 1862, precipitated,
doubtless, by the murders at Acton on the day previous. The
massacre and the Indian war that followed developed many
brave men, but no truer hero than Mauley, an obscure
Frenchman, the ferry-man at the Agency. Continually under
fire, he resolutely ran his ferry-boat back and forth across
the river, affording the terror-stricken people the only
chance for escape. He was shot down on his boat just as he
had landed on the opposite shore the last of those who fled
from the burning village to the ferry-landing. The Indians
disemboweled his dead body, cut off the head, hands and feet
and thrust them into the cavity. See Heard's Hist. Sioux
War, p 67.]

Crouching in the early morning,
Came the swarth and naked “Sioux;”[CF]
On the village, without warning,
Fell the sudden, savage blow.
Horrid yell and crack of rifle
Mingle as the flames arise;-
With the tomahawk they stifle
Mothers' wails and children's cries.
Men and women to the ferry
Fly from many a blazing cot;-
Brave and ready-grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.

Can they cross the ambushed river?
'Tis for life the only chance;
Only this may some deliver
From the scalping-knife and lance.
Through the throng of wailing women
Frantic men in terror burst;-
“Back, ye cowards!” thundered Mauley,-
“I will take the women first!”
Then with brawny arms and lever
Back the craven men he smote.
Brave and ready-grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.

To and fro across the river
Plies the little mercy-craft,
While from ambushed gun and quiver
On it falls the fatal shaft.
Trembling from the burning village,
Still the terror-stricken fly,
For the Indians' love of pillage
Stays the bloody tragedy.
At the windlass-bar bare-headed-
Bare his brawny arms and throat-
Brave and ready-grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.

Hark!-a sudden burst of war-whoops!
They are bent on murder now;
Down the ferry-road they rally,
Led by furious Little Crow.
Frantic mothers clasp their children,
And the help of God implore;
Frantic men leap in the river
Ere the boat can reach the shore.
Mauley helps the weak and wounded
Till the last soul is afloat;-
Brave and ready-grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.

Speed the craft!-The fierce Dakotas
Whoop and hasten to the shore,
And a shower of shot and arrows
On the crowded boat they pour.
Fast it floats across the river,
Managed by the master hand,
Laden with a freight so precious,-
God be thanked!-it reaches land.
Where is Mauley-grim and steady,
Shall his brave deed be forgot?
Grasping still the windlass-lever,
Dead he lies upon the boat.

[CF] Pronounced Soo; a name given to the Dakotas in early days by the
French traders.