The lights went out in the Captain's tent,
and night sounds filled the air.
The sentry moved around his `post,
though his thoughts were `off elsewhere.

Out to the side in a wooded patch,
the enemy studied the scene.
They watched the guard making his `rounds,
the time was twelve-fifteen.

Slowly now, with the stealth of a cat,
they easily silenced the guard.
They left him there, a knife in his back,
like a `trinket in discard.

Onward then to the ammo tent,
and the stores of clothing and food.
To fill their sacks with needed supplies,
all manner of things `to include.

There were cartridges and rifles
and shirts, and pants, and shoes.
Pork and beans, and sardines,
and several bottles of `booze.

The lookout signals that danger is near,
for someone is stirring about.
Silently then go back to the `line,
and wait for the word from the scout.

The word comes back, they're changing the guard,
and soon will give the alarm.
So get out of there, don't waste any time,
for caution can cause you no harm.

A few minutes passed, then a shout `went up,
and the camp awoke with a roar.
They saddled their mounts and started out,
it looked like the whole damn corps.

"Fan out men," the Captain cried,
"and search every inch of the road.
They can't get far this time of night,
and besides, they're carrying a `load."

The enemy heard `most every word,
and took to the woods in flight.
That was their way, to strike and run,
never to stand and fight.

Then up ahead, somebody said,
"I hear the river nearby.
We must get over as soon as we can,
for failing in this, we die."

The water was deep, the current was swift,
and most of the men couldn't swim.
They floated on by, with `death in their cry,
going this way sure was grim.

The troopers arrived and stopped at the shore,
they heard the cries of the doomed.
Yet, all they could do what stand there and watch,
the poor devils being `entombed.

Not one man survived that deathly swim,
the river had taken its toll.
It claimed all the loot the enemy got,
as well as their body and soul.

Quietly then the troopers turned `round,
and headed off into the night.
Though in vengeance they rode to even a score,
it was fate that ended the flight.

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