And I said good-by and prepared to die

As the current wrenched my wrists.

But just as I loosened my dragging clutch,

Out of the spume and fogs

A chap drove through—one o’ Connor’s crew—

Riding two hemlock logs.

He was holding his pick-pole couched at Death

As though it were lance in rest,

And his spike-sole boots, as firm as roots,

In the splintered bark were pressed.