But this the tale. Along a wide

And sounding stream some silent braves,

That stole along the farther side

Through sweeping wood that swept the waves

Like long arms reach'd across the tide,

Kept watch and ward and still defied....

A low black boat that hugg'd the shores,

An ugly boat, an ugly crew,

Thick-lipp'd and woolly-headed slaves,

That bow'd, that bent the white-ash oars,