Told of iron will, resolved to win a home for his darling bride.

Tender he was, but the plains were vast, toilsome and tedious the
way,
Developing soon the fever germs that within her latent lay,
And daily the velvet azure eyes with a brighter lustre burned,
And the hectic flush of the waxen cheek to a deeper carmine
turned.

Oh! dread was the time 'neath that canvas close when she bravely
fought for breath,
Fire in her veins, while panting came each laboring painful
breath!
At length one eve she clasped his neck, with a wild and wailing
cry:
"O, darling, lay me on God's green earth, 'neath his sun bright
clouds to die!"

Mutely the bridegroom caught her up after that touching appeal;
Why refuse her prayer when on her brow was already set death's
seal?
To proffered help and rough words of hope, to protests whispered
low,
He murmured, "Leave us, go on your way! Comrades it must be so."

Then, in the eyes of those reckless men bright tears were
glistening seen,
For in their rugged, though willing, way most kindly had they
been;
No selfish fears of sickness dire had they shown by look or word,