6

Tearing at the ragged bundle
Lodged between the horse's feet,
Clutching at the frozen blanket,
Brushing back the crusted sleet,
Faithful in his rude endeavors,
Rousing by his loud commands,
Roughly shaking, turning, rubbing,
Zach breathed on his face and hands;
Till the stiffened limbs responded
And the closed eyes opened wide,
Dazed and puzzled at the stranger
Working fiercely at his side.
Billy felt the strong arms raise him,
Felt the Frost King's stinging breath
As he struggled, half unconscious,
In the wav'ring fight with death.


7

In the east, the sun dogs glistened
Like tall shafts of marble, bright,
O'er the whitened grave of nature,--
Ghostly spires of frozen light,
Flying frost flakes snapping, sparkling,
Dancing in a wild display,