Thanked God for life, with quickened breath,

And groaned that too late,

From a terrible fate

To rescue their comrades was their desire,

Ere they sunk in a river of death and fire.

Pity for them who, helpless, died,

And sunk in the river's merciless tide:

And blessings infold

The driver bold,

Who, daring for honor, and not for hire,