DIXON, a Choctaw, twenty years of age,
Had killed a miner in a Leadville brawl;
Tried and condemned, the rough-beards curb their rage,
And watch him stride in freedom from the hall.
“Return on Friday, to be shot to death!”
So ran the sentence-it was Monday night.
The dead man’s comrades drew a well-pleased breath;
Then all night long the gambling dens were bright.
The days sped slowly; but the Friday came,
And flocked the miners to the shooting-ground;
They chose six riflemen of deadly aim,
And with low voices sat and lounged around.
“He will not come.” “He’s not a fool.” “The men
Who set the savage free must face the blame.”
A Choctaw brave smiled bitterly, and then
Smiled proudly, with raised head, as Dixon came.
Silent and stern-a woman at his heels;
He motions to the brave, who stays her tread.
Next minute-flame the guns: the woman reels
And drops without a moan-Dixon is dead.
(John Boyle O Reilly)
More Poetry from John Boyle O Reilly:
John Boyle O Reilly Poems based on Topics: Man, Death & Dying, Night, Liberty & Freedom, Courage, Anger, Woman, Age, Fool, Gambling- The Amber Whale: A Harpooneer's Story (John Boyle O Reilly Poems)
- Uncle Ned's Tale: An Old Dragoon's Story (John Boyle O Reilly Poems)
- Uncle Ned's Tales: How The Flag Was Saved (John Boyle O Reilly Poems)
- The Pilgrim's Fathers (John Boyle O Reilly Poems)
- The Statues In The Block (John Boyle O Reilly Poems)
- The Mutiny Of The Chains (John Boyle O Reilly Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Night Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Woman Poems, Anger Poems, Age Poems, Courage Poems, Liberty & Freedom Poems, Fool Poems, Gambling PoemsBased on Keywords: well-pleased, lounged, riflemen, choctaw