Trailed dull, reluctant thunders in its path,

And up along a broken stair of cloud

The Dawn came creeping whitely. Like a shroud

Gray vapors clung along the sodden plain.

Up rose the sun to wipe the final stain

Of fury from the sky and drink the mist.

Against a flawless arch of amethyst

The butte soared, like a soul serene and white

Because of the katharsis of the night.

All day Hugh fought with sleep and struggled on