The Highlander's Defiance

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This story deals with the lives of two Scotch lads, Hector MacDonald and Lareu MacDougal. The call for volunteers for the Boer War had reached their out-of-the-way home in Scotland and they determined to answer the call. In the first scene we see the Scotch lads breaking the news of their determination to their sweethearts. Two weeks later they bid good-bye to their fair lassies aboard the warship that is to bear them on their long journey to South Africa, it is then that the colonel of the regiment in which they have enlisted grants MacDonald and MacDougal a great favor, little thinking how soon and under what strange circumstances the lads will repay him for his kindness. Six months later we find the colonel and his staff inspecting the enemy's earthworks through their field glasses. They are accompanied by troopers among whom are our friends, MacDougal and MacDonald. As the colonel stands apart with glasses raised, there conies the ominous "spit" of a Mauser bullet and the colonel's arm drops useless to his side. With a yell, a company of Boers rise from ambush and dash onward toward the helpless man, intending to make him prisoner. With full realization of the situation, the two Scottish lads, full of enthusiasm, spring to their commander's aid and immediately open fire on the Boers and then, with the rapidity born of intense excitement, they carry the colonel over the brow of the hill, beyond the view of and much to the surprise of the advancing enemy. And that surprise is accelerated by the sudden and unexpected appearance of a half regiment of English cavalry, who drive them from the field. In recognition of the heroic efforts of our two Highlanders, their colonel requests and is granted a commission for them both, in token of appreciation of the work they have done in braving the enemy's fire. Our scene changes. We are on the mountain known as "Spion Kop." Three companies of Gordon Highlanders have been left to hold the side of Steep Hill, while the artillery is planting batteries above their heads. Cronje has outwitted the English commanders and made a flank movement and our little band of Highlanders find themselves isolated, retreat cut off and under heavy fire. Cronje, seeing their helpless position, sends a messenger to the officer in command demanding surrender. Hector MacDonald, though only a lieutenant, finds that he and MacDougal are the only officers left alive. He reads the demand to the Gordon troopers, and to a man they express the wish to die rather than suffer disgrace. Surely help will come. Then Hector writes the Highlanders' defiance: "To h-1 with you, the Gordons never surrender." The Boers open fire again, and the last hero of that little band sells his life for the flag he loves. Without patriotism, manhood lies dormant. Even Cronje is touched by such bravery, and be himself sends forward to Lord Roberts the last written words of the brave Scotch lads who preferred death rather than bring disgrace on their famous regiment. Our scene shifts to the cottage home in Scotland where we first met the lads. Their sweethearts' mother returns from the post office and the girls eagerly asks: "Mother, any news?" She sadly shakes her head. The youngest girl, with that hope that springs eternal in the human breast, places a light in the window, and so our story ends with this little group of fond hearts waiting for the loved ones who will never return.