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An Incident of the Crimean War: Sandie

For Sandie's aye been good and gentle, And I've nothing else to love, Nothing-but the grave off yonder, And the Father up above."

Then, her rough hand gently laying On the curl-encircled head, She blessed her boy. The tent was silent, And not another word was said; For Captain Graham was sadly dreaming Of a benison, long ago, Breathed above his head, then golden, Bending now, and touched with snow. "Good-bye, Sandie." "Good-bye, mother, I'll come back some summer day; Don't you fear - they don't shoot drummers Ever. Do they, Captain Gra- One more kiss--watch for me, mother, You will know 'tis surely me Coming home--for you will hear me Playing soft the reveille."

After battle. Moonbeams ghastly Seemed to link in strange affright, As the scudding clouds before them Shadowed faces dead and white; And the night-wind softly whispered, When low moans its light wing bore- Moans that ferried spirits over Death's dark wave to yonder shore.

Wandering where a footstep careless Might go splashing down in blood, Or a helpless hand lie grasping Death and daisies from the sod- Captain Graham walked swift onward, While a faintly-beaten drum Quickened heart and step together: "Sandie Murray! See, I come ! "Is it thus I find you, laddie?

Wounded, lonely, lying here, Playing thus the reveille?

See, the morning is not near."

A moment paused the drummer boy, And lifted up his drooping head : "Oh, Captain Graham, the light is coming, 'Tis morning, and my prayers are said. "Morning! See, the plains grow brighter- Morning-and I'm going home; That is why I play the measure, Mother will not see me come; But you'll tell her; won't you, Captain-" Hush, the boy has spoken true; To him the day has dawned forever, Unbroken by the night's tattoo.