Onward to her destination, <br />O'er the stream that Hannah sped, <br />When a cry of consternation <br />Smote and chilled our hearts with dread. <br /> <br />Wildly leaping, madly sweeping, <br />All relentless in their sway, <br />Like a band of cruel demons <br />Flames were closing 'round our way <br /> <br />Oh! the horror of those moments; <br />Flames above and waves below- <br />Oh! the agony of ages <br />Crowded in one hour of woe. <br /> <br />Fainter grew our hearts with anguish <br />In that hour with peril rife, <br />When we saw the pilot flying, <br />Terror-stricken, for his life. <br /> <br />Then a man up rose before us- <br />We had once despised his race- <br />But we saw a lofty purpose <br />Lighting up his darkened face. <br /> <br />While the flames were madly roaring, <br />With a courage grand and high, <br />Forth he rushed unto our rescue, <br />Strong to suffer, brave to die. <br /> <br />Helplessly the boat was drifting, <br />Death was staring in each face, <br />When he grasped the fallen rudder, <br />Took the pilot's vacant place. <br /> <br />Could he save us? Would he save us? <br />All his hope of life give o'er? <br />Could he hold that fated vessel <br />'Till she reached the nearer shore? <br /> <br />All our hopes and fears were centered <br />'Round his strong, unfaltering hand; <br />If he failed us we must perish, <br />Perish just in sight of land. <br /> <br />Breathlessly we watched and waited <br />While the flames were raging fast; <br />When our anguish changed to rapture- <br />We were saved, yes, saved at last. <br /> <br />Never strains of sweetest music <br />Brought to us more welcome sound.<br /><br />Frances Ellen Watkins Harper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/our-hero-6/
