A British drummer boy, only fifteen, was captured by one of Napoleon's patrols. It was evening as he strolled off-duty outside the camp. He was promptly marched before the French commander, who accused him of being a spy.
"Spy! I'm no spy, sir," exclaimed the lad, "I am a drummer in the British army."
Eventually he was brought before the Emperor himself. Again the young prisoner stoutly protested that he was not a spy, but a British drummer.
"Bring a drum," ordered the Emperor. "Here, lad, beat a march."
Hope rising in his heart, the boy beat a couple of marches. But Napoleon was not satisfied. "Now beat a retreat," he commanded.
For a moment the boy hesitated, then threw down his drum. Holding his head high and looking the Emperor full in the face he answered: "A retreat, sir! I don't know what that is. A British soldier would rather die than retreat."
A smile lit up Napoleon's face as he looked at the brave boy. He ordered him to be released, and the commanding officer wrote a letter to the drummer boy's general, complimenting him on the British courage and spirit.
Are you a soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:33Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3))? Then by grace may you sing along with the rest, "I have decided to follow Jesus.... No turning back."