A. E. W. Mason 
Four Feathers 

Alfred Edward Woodley Mason (7 May 1865 Dulwich, London — 22 November 1948 London) was an eng author and politician. He is best remembered for his 1902 novel "The Four Feathers". The novel has inspired many films of the same title. Against the background of the Mahdist War, young Faversham disgraces himself by quitting the army, which friends perceive as cowardice, symbolised by the four white feathers they give him. He redeems himself, feather by feather, with acts of physical courage to save his friends. He also wins back the heart of the woman he loves. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)