"The schooner's kedge to a rocky ledge,
By a hempen cable tied,
With silent stealth, for the raiders' health,
Was lowered overside.
"Then with muffled oars they reached the shores
Near a crowded rookery;
Where the voice of seals, in loud appeals,
Drowned the moan of wind and sea.
"There were clubbed ten score and some dozens more
Of the seals which in panic came
Like frightened sheep before the sweep
Of the raiders' far-flung chain;
"For they took their stand, where the rocky land
Slopes down to the surf-worn beach,
To intercept the herd that swept
Like a torrent, the sea to reach.
"Their dories lay in a tiny bay
On a bit of sandy shore;
And they loaded seals by heads or heels
Till the boats would hold no more.
"On many a trip to the little ship
The skiffs went back and fore,
Till she streamed with blood in a crimson flood
From the deck to the cabin door.
"The seals were piled in confusion wild
On deck, by a seaman there;
While the hold was stored and the cabin floored
Whenever he'd time to spare,
"For they had to sail before the pale
Light came of a breaking day;
Lest the sealing guard should follow hard
And capture them with their prey."
* * * *
"In the dawn's pale light that followed the night
The sealing guard went round;
But the bloody turf, by the edge of the surf,
Was the only sign they found;