e pistol barrels are
empty quite,
And the poor old charger's piteous eyes bear evidence clear of the
desperate fight.
There's many a wound and many a gash, and the sun-burned face is
scarred and red;
There's many a trooper safe and sound, and many a tear for the "pal"
who's dead!
I care so little for rights and wrongs of a terrible war; but the
world at large--
It knows so well when duty's done!--it will think sometimes of our
cavalry charge!
Brothers in arms and brothers in heart! we have solemnly taken an
oath! and then,
In all the battles throughout the world, we have followed our fathers
like Englishmen!
So pass this blessing the lips between--
'Tis the soldier's oath--GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

MAFEKING.

"_ADSUM!_"

BY REV. A. FREWEN AYLWARD.

At the evening roll call at the "Charterhouse" School, where
Baden-Powell was educated, it is customary for the boys to respond to
the call of their names by saying "Adsum--I'm here!"

Oft as the shades of evening fell,
In the school-boy days of old,--
The form work done, or the game played well,--
Clanging aloft the old school bell
Uttered its summons bold;
And a bright lad answered the roll call clear,
"Adsum,--I'm here!"

A foe-girt town and a captain true
Out on the Afric plain;--
High overhead his Queen's flag flew,
But foes were many and friends but few;
Who shall guard that flag from stain?
And calm 'mid confusion a voice rang clear,
"Adsum,--I'm here!"

The slow weeks passed, and no succour came,
Famine and death were rife;
Yet still that banner of deathless fame,
Floated, unsullied by fear or shame,
Over the scene of strife;
And the voice,--though weaker--was full of cheer,
"Adsum,--I'm here!"

Heaven send, that when many a heart's dismayed,
In dark days yet in store,--
Should foemen gather; or, faith betrayed,
The country call for a strong man's aid
As she never called before,--
A voice like his may make answer clear,
Banishing panic, and calming fear,
"Adsum,--I'm here!"

THE FIGHT AT RORKE'S DRIFT

(January 23, 1879.)

BY EMILY PFEIFFER.

It was over at Isandula, the bloody work was done,
And the yet unburied dead looked up unblinking at the sun;
Eight h