Ossian Collection > Romance of the Highlands

144 T^HE ROMANCE OF THE HIGHLANDS.
In no battle, however, was the impetuous dash and
fury of the Highlanders more evident than at
Ticonderoga in 1759, where the Black Watch lost no
fewer than 25 officers and 622 men. In all quarters, civil
and military, praise for the Highlanders was on every lip.
Very shortly after this General Wolfe had to face the
problem of landing his men on the north bank of the St.
Lawrence in the teeth of Montcalm and his 16,000 troops.
Every device possible was tried, but without success.
Wolfe then determined to attempt a landing where the
danger was greatest, and least likely to be expected.
Slowly, and in perfect silence, boats dropped down the
river at the dead of night, and the Seaforths had the
honour of being the first to land. Above them towered
the beetling cliffs of the Heights of Abraham. In this
enterprise it was possible to climb the rocks only in
single file, but so carefully was this accomplished that
morning saw 3,000 men lined up on top. During the
battle that ensued was laid the foundation of Britain's
vast dominions in the west.
In 1801 the Highlanders were with Abercromby in
Egypt, and won for themselves by their intrepid bearing
many honours in that campaign. In the crisis of a battle
Abercromby 's heart-rending words to them were, "My
brave Highlanders. Remember your forefathers ;
remember your country." His appeal was not spoken in
vain. The Highlanders redoubled their efforts, and
carried all before them, including the defeat of the French
Invincibles.
They were again in the land of Pharaoh under Lord
Kitchener, and still the same story of fearless courage and
honourable conduct has to be told. So popular did they
make themselves that even the 9th Soudanese received
them as brothers at Berber, and ever since this black
regiment has been nicknamed "The 2nd Camerons."