DEATH-SONG OF AN INDIAN PRISONER, FOR A LONG TIME CONFINED AT FORT SNELLING.

Here, in these hated walls A prisoner I; Vainly my young wife calls, As night-winds sigh. Brightly the white stars shine: Upwards I gaze, Seeking this soul of mine From earth to raise. Strong Wind, my comrade brave, Looks sternly by, Watching the death-film dim His brother's eye. Chained are these useless hands; Cold is my heart; Soon to the spirits' land Must I depart. Pacing my prison dark, Arms do I see,— While measured the sentry's step,— Glance gleamingly. Once, like the wild deer, Or eagle, as free,— Now, closely guarded here, Prisoners we! When has the red man felt Woman's weak fears? But from these wearied eyes Fall warriors' tears. Father of Waters, I Ne'er shall see more,— List to its waves pass by, Beating the shore. Sleeps my brave comrade now?— Dreams he of home? See, o'er his haughty brow Dark shadows come. Like me, he fain would be Where, from the bow, Piercing the wild deer's side, Swift arrows go. When from the waters bright Fades the red sun, Following the evening light, Darkness comes on. So has my spirit drooped, Since from my home Traced I my weary steps, Ne'er to return. Hark! in the evening air Low voices come,— Bring they to this sad heart Breathings of home. Now do the whispers rise, Mighty the sound, Like the thunder-bird,16 from the skies Hurled to the ground. "Come to our hunting-lands! Proudly we roam Here, where the white man Never may come. From our forests on earth Oft driven back, We are free now, and follow The buffalo's track. "Here is the bright glance, From maiden's dark eye; While the song of the feast and dance Rings through the sky. Here do we wait thy step, While soon, for thee, Bursted the prison bars, The warrior free!"