As part of the military band for centuries, bugle boys as young as fifteen were recruited to follow the British army into the field. At the time of the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 the custom was nearing the end of its useful life. In this story, based on historical events and characters, the fate of Albert Allgood the bugle boy on the side of the British is briefly linked to that of Willem Lategan, a farm boy who joins the Republican burgher forces. Due to Lord Kitchener's draconian methods and despite his age, Willem faces a charge of treason as a Cape Rebel, and makes the ultimate sacrifice that symbolises the unwillingness of the Boers to live under the yoke of British rule.