A wondrous tale we now do trace + 

Of little children fell in race, + 

The youngest of these little dears, + 

The boy’s age is but three years. + 

While coasting o’er the treacherous ice, + 

These precious pearls of great price, + 

The elder Ruby, the daughter, + 

Was rescued from the ice cold water. + 

But horrid death each one did feel, + 

Had sure befallen little Neil, + 

Consternation all did fill, + 

And they cried shut down the mill. + 

But still no person they could tell + 

What had the poor child befell, + 

The covered race, so long and dark, + 

Of hopes there scarcely seemed a spark. + 

Was he held fast as if in vice, + 

Wedged ’mong the timbers and the ice, + 

Or was there for him ample room + 

For to float down the narrow flume. + 

Had he found there a watery grave, + 

Or borne along on crest of wave, + 

Think of the mother’s agony wild, + 

Gazing through dark tunnel for her child. + 

But soon as Partlo’ started mill, + 

Through crowd there ran a joyous thrill, + 

When he was quickly borne along, + 

The little hero of our song. + 

Alas! of life there is no trace, + 

And he is black all over face, + 

Though he then seemed as if in death, + 

Yet quickly they restored his breath. + 

Think now how mother she adored + 

Her sweet dear child to her restored, + 

And her boundless gratitude + 

Unto the author of all good. + 

Swept through dark passage ’neath the road, + 

Saved only by the hand of God, + 

No wonder Father now feels proud + 

Of little Niel McKay McLeod. + 