“And so I chose for my first attempt: ‘The Seminole’s Reply,’
You’ll find it in some old reader—tells how Indians defy—
And Kate she taught it to me, taught me to speak each line—
’Twas for the exhibition; I practiced what hours were mine.
“I practiced when I went after the cows, when I went to gather eggs,
And frightened the hens and roosters off of their yellow legs.
Up in the garret chamber, back the old rafters gave:
‘I ne’er will ask you quarter, and I ne’er will be your slave!’
“The day of exhibition came, as all such days will come,
The schoolroom was packed and crowded—all of them went from home—