Then sped that cowboy band away,
  Full of revengeful wrath,
  And Kendall Evans rode ahead
  Upon a hickory lath.

  And next came gallant Dady Field
  And Willie’s brother Kent,
  The Eddy boys and Robbie James,
  On murderous purpose bent.

  For they were much beholden to
  That maid—­in sooth, the lot
  Were very, very much in love
  With charming Sissy Knott.

[Illustration:  JAMES BRECKINRIDGE WALLER, JR.—­“A ‘WALLER LOT’ COWBOY OF RARE PROMISE” (NOTE BY EUGENE FIELD ON PHOTOGRAPH).

From a photograph by Gehrig & Windeatt, Chicago.]

  What wonder?  She was beauty’s queen,
  And good beyond compare;
  Moreover, it was known she was
  Her wealthy father’s heir!

  Now when the Injuns saw that band
  They trembled with affright,
  And yet they thought the cheapest thing
  To do was stay and fight.

  So sturdily they stood their ground,
  Nor would their prisoner yield,
  Despite the wrath of Willie Clow
  And gallant Dady Field.

  Oh, never fiercer battle raged
  Upon the Waller Lot,
  And never blood more freely flowed
  Than flowed for Sissy Knott!

[Illustration:  KENDALL EVANS.—­“HE RODE A HICKORY LATH IN THE FAMOUS BATTLE OF ‘THE WALLER LOT’” (NOTE BY EUGENE FIELD ON PHOTOGRAPH).

From a photograph by Coover, Chicago.]

  An Injun chief of monstrous size
  Got Kendall Evans down,
  And Robbie James was soon o’erthrown
  By one of great renown.

  And Dady Field was sorely done,
  And Willie Clow was hurt,
  And all that gallant cowboy band
  Lay wallowing in the dirt.

  But still they strove with might and main
  Till all the Waller Lot
  Was strewn with hair and gouts of gore—­
  All, all for Sissy Knott!

  Then cried the maiden in despair: 
  “Alas, I sadly fear
  The battle and my hopes are lost,
  Unless some help appear!”

  Lo, as she spoke, she saw afar
  The rescuer looming up—­
  The pride of all Buena Park,
  Clow’s famous yellow pup!

[Illustration:  WILLIAM AND KENT CLOW.—­“TWO REDOUBTABLE HEROES OF ’THE WALLER LOT’” (NOTE BY EUGENE FIELD ON PHOTOGRAPH).

  From a photograph by D.R.  Coover, Chicago.]

  “Now, sick ’em, Don,” the maiden cried,
  “Now, sick ’em, Don!” cried she;
  Obedient Don at once complied—­
  As ordered, so did he.

  He sicked ’em all so passing well
  That, overcome by fright,
  The Indian horde gave up the fray
  And safety sought in flight.

  They ran and ran and ran and ran
  O’er valley, plain, and hill;
  And if they are not walking now,
  Why, then, they’re running still.

  The cowboys rose up from the dust
  With faces black and blue;
  “Remember, beauteous maid,” said they,
  “We’ve bled and died for you!