Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 6, 1898

'iHE CELTIC MONTHLY.
S9
"Why so, when your love can do lue no good,
and why encumber yourself with a plaid I "
'• Oh ! how could I see my mother had you
been killed or wounded, and I not there to
carry you to the doctor, or to Christian burial ;
and how could I do either without my plaid to
wrap you in 'l "
Upon enquiry it was fouud that the faithful
foster-brother had crawled out on his hands and
knees between the sentinels, then followed the
party at some distance till he thought they were
approaching the place of assault, and then again
crept in the same manner to the ground beside
his master, that he might be near him
unobserved.
The faithful adherent soon had occasion to
assist at the obsequies of his foster-brother, who
was killed a few dnys afterwards by an accidental
shot, as he was viewing the operations of the
enemy from the ramparts.
Uerefoid. JoUX MaCKAV.
The hissing shot came down like hail,
And promptly killed or lamed full many.
But yet must not the remnant fail
To force their way while spared was any ;
On, on — though panting, do not pause,
And let your arms brook no denial,
For victory forsakes the cause
Of those who pause in hour of trial.
" Cock o' the North " the war-pipes blew,
" Cock o' the North" the rocks repeated,
Which when they heard, the tribesmen knew
Their troops were doomed to be defeated ;
A trackless route, a steep, steep climb,
With gallant comrades dead or dying.
Till now arrives the wisbed-for time.
The Gordons charge — their foes are flying !
Blest be the dead who bravely died.
To keep alive fair Scotland's glory.
Blest be the brave who still abide,
To tell their fine heroic story ;
We bless you for your valour's sake.
With all the praise that we can make it,
And trust, when there's a prize at stake,
" The Gordon Highlanders will take it."
THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS.
By Surgeon Lieut. -Colonel John MaoGregor.
'AT ANY cost;
(Respectfully dedicated to the Officers and
Men of the said regiment.)
ijT^ HE path was rough, the rocks were high,
'^'J_ ' And bard it was, I ween, to scale them.
And woe to those who climbed Dargai,
It that last try should likewise fail them ;
A dreadful space was placed between,
Swept over by the foemen's firing,
And those who dared to cross that scene.
The moment next might lie expiring.
For there, upon the topmost height,
Were hordes of warlike tribes assembled.
Beneath whose deadly aim and sight,
The stoutest hearts might well have trembled ;
Concealed among the rocks so sure.
And well inured to toils and dangers.
They vainly deemed themselves secure.
Against the rudest brunt of strangers.
Again, again our brave troops tried,
But failed to climb those rocks and boulders.
Till to his men Mathias cried.
And thus addressed his Higliland soldiers :
" The General says that yonder post,
(However hostile they may make it),
Must taken be at any cost —
The Gordon Highlanders will take it."
Then rose the slogan loud and shrill,
On Scotland's heath that often sounded,
And to its wild and warlike thrill.
The true and brave right gaily bounded ;
The bagpipes skirled with all their might.
And Milne tell down both limp and gory.
But still strove on to cheer the tight.
And played his pipes tor death or glory.
The Gordon Highlander.s at Dargai,
October 27th, 1897.
e^jOLONEL MATHIAS said: "Men of the
<'i© Gordon Highlanders, the General says the
position must be taken at any cost. The
Gordon Highlanders will take it."
" At any cost," the Gfeneral said,
But ah ! what fearful price to pay
Ere the grand shout of victory
Went up above the gallant dead.
A hero band, by heroes led,
Their's the high duty to obey.
The laurel wreath, the thistle grey.
Alike to dye with honour's red ;
No doubt, no faltering lay between.
Their country dear, their noble Queen
Bade loyal Scotland lead the way.
Then pibroch wild, and slogan grim.
Swelled in that mighty battle hymn
That swept thy conquered heights, Dargai.
Wolverhampton. JaNET A. M'CuLLOCH.
"Hlstory of the Clan MagRae." — Clansmen
and others who have subscribed for copies of this
exhaustive work by the Rev. Alexander MacRae,
will be pleased to learn that the volume is nearly
through the press, and will be published at the
beginning of the year. The wurk is being got up
in a tasteful style, and will be a welcome addition
to oiu- Highland library. (Orders should be sent to
the Editor of the G-Uic M<„iflihi. price 21s.