| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 925. A Savage |
| | | By John Boyle O’Reilly |
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| 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. | |
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| “Return on Friday, to be shot to death!” | 5 |
| 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. | |
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| The days sped slowly; but the Friday came, | |
| And flocked the miners to the shooting-ground; | 10 |
| They chose six riflemen of deadly aim, | |
| And with low voices sat and lounged around. | |
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| “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 | 15 |
| Smiled proudly, with raised head, as Dixon came. | |
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| 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. | 20 |
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