No hapless brother gopher might be found.

And while, with stripéd nose above his mound,

The sentinel chirped shrilly to his clan

Scare-tales of that anomaly, the man

Devoured the chance-flung manna of the plains

That some vague reminiscence of old rains

Kept succulent, despite the burning drouth.

So with new vigor Hugh assailed the South,

His pockets laden with the precious roots

Against that coming traverse, where no fruits