THE HERO OF OMDURMAN.
MAJOR-GENERAL H.A. MACDONALD, C.B., D.S.O.
[_Told in the Ranks_.]
BY F. HARALD WILLIAMS.
There were lots of lies and tattle
In dispatches and on wire,
But 'twas Mac who saved the battle
When the word came to retire.
"I'll no do it"--he cried, ready
For what peril lay in store,
With his ranks like steel and steady--
"And I'll see them hanged before!
O, we maun jist fight!" And bolder
Slewed his front the Dervish way,
Smart with shoulder knit to shoulder,
White and black that bloody day.
Then a hell of fire, and sputtered
Iron blast and leaden hail,
While the Maxims stormed and stuttered
And our rifles did not fail.
For the destiny of nations
With an agony intense,
And our Empire's own foundations
Hung a minute in suspense.
But old Mac was cool as ever,
And his words like leaping flame
Flashed in confident endeavour
To avert that evil shame.
Swung his lines on hinges, rolling
Right and left like very doom,
Till our fate nigh past controlling
Brake in glory out of gloom.
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