Page:The stuff of manhood (1917).djvu/101

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character and temper of the city. They sorrowed in what had gone out from them; but they rejoiced in the way that it had gone. That regiment had been organized as a Scotch kirk. The chaplain was the minister of the kirk. The officers constituted the kirk's session. I believe almost every man in the regiment was a member of the kirk, and I was told that as they went down through the streets of Cork to embark for South Africa, although not under orders or restraint, the men walked with arms on one another's shoulders, singing:

"I'm not ashamed to own my Lord,
  Or to defend His cause,
Maintain the honour of His Word,
  The glory of His laws."

And when they were disembarked at Cape Town and were taking their train to go to the front, they went on board singing the old Gospel soldier's hymn:

"When the roll is called up yonder,
  I'll be there."

They were sent right up and almost at once into that fateful battle. General Wauchope knew somebody had blundered, and he said to the men: "Men, do not blame me for this." And without any fear they went into the ending from which no soldier such as they would draw back, unafraid of anything that might come to