21G AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
until he fell mortally wounded just as the assault, 
after very heavy fighting, was proving successful. 
He knew he was dying, and gave me messages for 
his wife and family. He was evidently a man of 
strong faith, and had no fear of death. Just 
before his valiant spirit passed away, he whispered, 
' Oh, if I could only see the high hills again before 
I die.' His words deeply impressed me, and I 
have often thought of them since." 
This story of the dying piper, told to me in 
such simple and touching language, set me 
thinking and wondering. I could not help feeling 
that those last words of the gallant Highlander 
would strike a sympathetic chord in the hearts 
not only of those whose most cherished and 
sacred memories are bound up with the High- 
lands of Scotland, but of countless numbers of 
others who also love that country. In the days 
of peace I had often pondered over the irresistible 
fascination of this call from the North. 
The Highlands of Scotland ! Is there any one 
who has ever seen them, or who knows even 
slightly something of their romantic and enchant- 
ing history, who can fail to understand the 
passionate devotion of any one with Highland 
blood in his veins to that wonderful land ? 
