Quote of The Day
July 31, 2009
"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates loot on Treasure Island, and best of all you can enjoy these riches every day of your life!" - Walt Disney
"Killiekrankie, O!"
July 27, 2009
Here's an interesting "on this day" note; this is the 320th anniversary of the battle of Killiecrankie. On July 27, 1689, during one of the numerous Jacobite" rebellions", the Battle of Killiecrankie took place at the town of Killiecrankie, in Scotland. This battle is a rather interesting example of the old adage that "a victory can also be loss."
Clavers decided to start the battle off in spite of his inferior numbers. Mackay responded by extending his line (which meant thinning it.) Dundee extended his line to match in length but increased the gaps between his highlanders. The battle of Killecrankie really only lasted 10 minutes. But, that's not too surprising when you consider the fact that the Highlanders didn't like to dilly or dally on the field of battle. Their favorite tactics: a wild highland charge and than close quarter fighting.
The first and last sign that the battle was over was the highland charge of the Jacobites, which took the government forces, under MacKay, by surprise. Mackay and his men were completely overwhelmed in only 10 minutes. Only a quarter of the government force made it back to Stirling 36 hours after the battle.
Over the generations the Scots have remembered all their greatest (and lowest) moments in song. I first heard about the battle of Killiekrankie listening to Mr. Charlie Zahm sing the great Scottish Ballads. One of my favorites is the song "Braes O' Killiekrankie." This is a very fun ballad which tells of the battle from the perspective of one of Mackay's soldiers.
JT
"Dashing in a Tree"
July 24, 2009
Said One to the other "come jump with me."
Said Two to the third, "yes, come, be free!"
Said Three to the two, "I shall for thee."
So, the three booted boys jumped from that tree.
As they jumped to ground, they all could see,
The ground come up to hit the three.
They all had smash, and dash, and glee;
And so cried for "more" in ecstasy!
So, the three booted boys went back to the tree.
Three booted boys climbing up a tree,
Said One to Two, "'tis the life for me!"
Said Two to Three, "I ever shall be..."
And Three finished up, "...dashing in a tree!"
So, the three booted boys jumped from that tree...
[Photo courtesy of Audri Vernier.]
New Book Review! The Pioneers & Fast in the Ice
July 18, 2009
I have recently posted a book review by Joshua Horn on two of R.M. Ballantyne's shorter stories; The Pioneers and Fast in the Ice.
The first book, The Pioneers, is the tale of Reuben Guff and his son Lawrence as they travel on voyages of discovery in the northern wilderness of Canada in the 1780s.
The second story in this binding is Fast in the Ice. It tells of a voyage made by Captain Harvey and his nephew Tom Gregory in search for the North Pole. The story tells of how they were protected through all their dangers once they arrive in the Arctic region. An interesting aspect of this book is that it was written long before anyone had actually made it to the North Pole, and so Ballentyne has a lot of very interesting pre- 20th century conjecture.
To read the book review by Joshua Horn, you can click here. -JT
Book Review of Condemned as a Nihilist
By Kaitland Conley — July 18, 2009
Condemned as a Nihilist is the exciting story of Godfrey Bullen. At sixteen years old, the fun is only beginning for this young boy at the [Read more...]
New Book Review! Condemned as a Nihilist
July 17, 2009
Another new book review is up. This time on G.A.Henty's book Condemned as a Nihilist.
Condemned as a Nihilist is the exciting story of Godfrey Bullen. At age sixteen adventure is rapidly approaching young Godfrey as his father informs him that he would like Godfrey to travel to St. Petersburg, Russia. Godfrey had lived there for ten years, so it was not as if he was going to a completely strange place. He takes the next two months to brush up on his Russian, spend a bit o' time with his family, and work on his penmanship. And than he's off!
To read the book review by Kaitland Conley, you can click here. -JT
Gallantry on The Field of Battle.
July 17, 2009
At a recent gathering of heroes and heroines from the past a number of gallant and noble young warriors came together under the banner of gentlemanliness, manhood, and bravery and decided to practice and grow accustomed to the manly arts. One of these arts is the art of fencing, swordplay, or whatsoever one deigns to call it.
At this gathering a number of combats came up whereupon these gentlemen plied nobly for honor and for right. I have one such of these events recorded below. I am sure that many of you will find this interesting.
Joshua Titus
P.S. I would bring to attention, as a question has been broached, that, in fact, using a knife, blade, or dagger in open or single combat is a part of the rules and not against classical swordplay rules. JT
An Epic Battle
July 17, 2009
The Dark Warrior flexes his iron brawn to the dawn of a new day.
The Booted Lad spies him and realizes that this is the morn of battle!
After challenging the Dark Warrior, the Booted Lad checks his weapon.
The Dark Warrior grins grimly at the Booted Lad as the Lad swings his rapier.
July 17, 2009
But as night begins to fall...The Dark Warrior edges the Booted Lad over the brink of disaster!
A full 40 feet from the ground, the Booted Lad manages to hang on to the edge of the roof. Just one more reason not to fight on high buildings...
Ouch! The Warrior's blade slices lightly through the Lad's face. "Give me but one chance!" thinks the Lad.
Gritting his teeth he prepares for his final thrust against the Dark Warrior!
As he pulls one boot over the edge of the roof he stabs at the his opponent's sword guard...and...
...and flings him over the edge as he comes to a final victory!
He sees something on a roof in the distance, and realizes that...
...his battle is not over! "Sink me," says the Lad, " I must start once again..."
"Well, a good sword bout never hurt anyone, so far as I've heard..."
Book Review of The Pioneers & Fast in the Ice
By Joshua Horn — July 10, 2009
The Pioneers. It is the tale of Reuben Guff and his son Lawrence as they travel on voyages of discovery in the northern wilderness [Read more...]
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