When from a distance came the tramp of horse,

While louder still the spectre madly cries,

'Revenge, revenge, ere chance for ever flies!'

'Twas dark, I groped until the babe I found,

Then scrunched its neck, until without a sound

It died—then flung it lifeless to the ground.

A knock, a call, the door wide open flew,

With hurried step the stranger hastens through.

"The child! be quick, I'm 'fore the hour I told,

But there you'll find the promised sum of gold.'