"Brothers! the paleface Ella Ree,
Whose words from guile are always free,
Will tell you all you need to know.
Who scorns her words must brave my blow!"
Thus Ulca spake, then glared around
With a mighty monarch's haughty frown,
"That held his hearers more in awe
Of his dread prowess than his law."
"Chief! Warriors! Braves in battle tried,
Your blood Saluda's stream has dyed;
Your brothers sleep no more to wake!
Will you sit by nor vengeance take?"
"A traitor warned the doomed paleface;
Shall he yet live to brave our race?
How the white lily wrought the spell,
Caucanoe, and not I, must tell!"
"Caucanoe does not fear to die!
'Twas he that bade the paleface fly;
Let these women now be set free;
Vent your hate alone on me."
"Paralee I loved, and her alone;
Mine was the fault—let me atone.
Ella Ree, herself, shall light the fire
And chant around my funeral pyre."
"Loose the captive! Raise the stake!
It shall be thus," brave Ulca spake.
"If love shall brave the cruel flame,
Yon captives go from whence they came."
In haste they reared the ready stake,
And bade the Chief his place to take.
He lightly stepped in proper place,
A conquering smile upon his face.
The signal given—a lighted brand—
Ella Ree raised with trembling hand,
Yet begged Caucanoe not to die,
But to her willing arms to fly.
Pardon was his, both full and free,
As the proud brave of Ella Ree;
The hated captives should atone
For all blood spilt, and they alone!