Then Walker’s name—another shout!—and each one, with content
In breast and brain, accoutred, rushed delighted from his tent.
We all knew what was coming, when at the reveillé,
We saw the Texan head his men, and heard the laugh of May,
For all had learned the news, and knew, that ere two suns went down
Our army would be rolling, like a tempest, on Fort Brown;
And that the foe in thousands were gathering in our way —
Human panthers, couched in silence, expectant of their prey.
At last we heard the order, and along the grassy plain
Our army, like a sparkling snake, uncoiled its glittering train,