YEARS AGO, a British army drummer boy, only fifteen years of age, went with his regiment to fight the French. One night he strolled out of the camp for a walk and was captured by an enemy patrol. He was promptly marched before the French commander, who accused him of being a spy.
“Spy! I’m no spy, sir,” replied the lad. “I am a drummer in the British service.”
Finally the young prisoner was taken before Napoleon himself, when he again affirmed that he was 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 the Emperor was still unsatisfied.
“Now beat a retreat,” he commanded.
For a moment the boy hesitated, then threw down the 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. British soldiers 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 general wrote a letter to the drummer boy’s own commander, complementing him on the British courage and spirit.
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
ML-04/07/1974