The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-04-04 00:00:00

A FAITHLESS HUSBAND "SOLD."

An incident has just occurred in Surrey which has
created much amusement, and has by no means
elicited sympathy for the "victim." James Steele,
a gardener, a married man, eloped with a young
servant, Rose Fairman, and took passages for America.
He gave the tickets, with money and jewellery, to
Fairman for safe custody. On the way to Liverpool
he left the train for a short time, and was left
behind. On following to Liverpool he discovered
that Fairman had sailed with all his property, leaving
him penniless. He has since written to his wife asking
her forgiveness, and promising, if she would take him
back, "he would never do it any more. It is lucky
for him that he escaped a ducking at the hands of
his neighbours.

k SUPPRESSED PASSAGE IN
GORDON'S DIARY:
Gordon's diarYt says the St. James's Gazette, will
never be published in anything like its entirety, of
that we may be quite sure. We happen to have
learned something about its contents already—it in-
cludes many pen-and-ink drawings of extraordinary
interest—and that something assures us that if our
Ministers can expurgate the murdered man's diary
they certainly will. We are able to give one little
extract from it of the kind that awaits the pruning
Anife, should the Government find itself at liberty to
wield that instrument. The following words appear
in the diary under the date December 14, a fortnight
before Gordon's death: "I can quite imagine the
1 ollowing scene: Weimer Castle. Enter Lord Gran-
Tille--reads the paper, 'Khartoum still holds out.
Mings the bell for secretary. 'How long did Gordon
say he could hold out for 2.'—Six months, my lord.'
Then why the devil has he held out eight? He
ought to have given up two months ago, Confound

fiITE NARRATiVE OF THF.: WAR.

BALLOON WARFARE.

Deyond the attacks upon couvoys the events in The
Sopsdan at the close of last week were unimportant,
the news of the greatest interest being that fur-
nished by Mr. Huish, the special correspondent of
the Times, as to the success of the first balleou ascent
as a part of the military tactics of the campaign in
the early part of the week, and which before Satur-
day last had only been incidentally mentioned in
despatches. Lieut. Mackenzie, of the Balloon Corps,
made the ascent, which is recorded as the first on
Retire serviee in the English army in presence of an
enemy. These officers furnished the Times correspon-
dent with the following particulars: The balloon was
taken to the right Water Fort on Tuesday, March 24,
and filled from the compressed reservoirs during the
night. At daylight, when the convoy was ready
to start for the zereba, Lieut. Mackenzie
ascended 200 ft., and was then towed by a rope,
attached to a waggon, in the centre of the
square. Major Templar was in charge below
—a post requiring much care and attention, in order
to keep the waggon steady, if possible, so as to avoid
breaking the rope. Lieutenant Mackenzie says that
the bush, which seen from the ground is dense and
obscures the view, seems quite open from a height.
He saw the enemy's camel posts out a mile on the
road towards Hasheen. Another body was retiring
towards Tamai, and a third, near th 9 sea-shore, was
engaged in capturing or destroying the stampeded
camels. The enemy were also seen at some 400 yards'
distance from the convoy, and they came out into
the open space left in front to examine the balloon.
Messages passed between Lieutenant Mackenzie
and Major Templar, written on small pieces of
paper attached by a loop to a rope. On the arrival of
the convoy in the zereba the balloon was hauled down,
packed, and brought back to Souakim. It is made
of goldbeater's skin, contains 7000 cubic feet
of gas, is 23 feet in diameter, and its total
weight is 901 b. I asked Lieutenant Mackenzie what
he would do in the event of a disaster below. He
replied that he had thought of that point while in the
air, and had decided to come down and anchor 50ft.
from the ground, and defend the anchor from the
balloon until rescued. Major Templar is much
pleased with the result of the ascent, as proving that
a war balloon can render good servica far from hpine,
and remain for nine hours with gas made in Chatham.
Besides the balloon, he has a portable lime searchlight,
which is cAinstantly used in the camp and zareba with
success.

The same correspondent ht-A an interview with the
chief of the "friendlies," who stated that Osman
Digma has issued orders to his followers to pursue the
following tactics: Small parties of his men are to lie
concealed in bushes and pits in the sand; others are
to divert our attention by attackirt, us with their fire.
Those in ambush are then to try atiSbreak- the square;
and, if successful, the main body is to attack in force.
The chief also asserts that the men who were told off
for the assault on the convoy, in which the Guards
lost fifteen men wounded, hesitated to charge, owing
to Sunday's experience; but being called cowards by
Osman Digma, they mae their futile attempt.
A telegram dated March 28th says: General
Graham's whole force intended to take part in the
advance are now at McNeill's zereba. A detachment
of fifty belonging to each regiment is left to garrison
Souakim. There has been a heavy sandstorm, and this
has delayed operations. The temperature here is
now 87. Osman Digna's losses are estimated at 4000
during the week, and spies report that he is willing to
come to terms. _

The news received March 30th was to the effect
that the rebels round Souakim had made no further
attacks upon our convoys or zerebas, although a con-
siderable body of them who had come from Tainni
with, it is supposed, the intention of attacking a con-
voy on its way to the advanced post, were dispersed
by some rounds from the Krupp in the zereba. This
latter defence has been much strengthened, and a
tower erected from which an excellent view of the
surrounding country can be obtained. Redoubts are
also to be erected. This morning (March 30) all the
troops at the advanced zereba, with the excep-
tion of a garrison regiment, moved forward
to a point five miles near Tarnai; the next
move will be upon Osman Digna's stronghold.
Much sickness exists among the troops, particularly
among the Marines, who have been very hard worked.
The New South Wales contingent arrived at Souakim
on St:turday, and met with an enthusiastic reception
from the rest of the troops. They were received by
General Graham and his staff, the General addressing
scine complimentary words to them. A special cor-
respondent with .the Nile force announces the arrival
of Lord Wolseley at Dongola, bound for Cairo, and
from thence in all probability to Souakim.
Telegraphing from Souakim on March 30, 7.40
p.m., the special correspondent of the Morning Po,,t
says: A convoy started this morning for the zereba.
It consisted of 1500 baggage animals, which carried
19,000 gallons of water. The work of the transport
department here is enormous, and, indeed, is such as
few persons in England can conceive. It is admirably
worked by Colonel Walton, who is most ably assisted
by the Hon. Guy Dawnay and Captain Do Cosson.
The whole of the staff were up and busily engaged
all last night in arranging for to-day's convoy.
The work of 7000 camels is being accomplished by
half that number owing to the enormous losses of
transport animals and men, and the task thrown
upon the Transport Department requires the most
active and energetic exertions from its officers. This
will probably prove to be the last convoy of stores
taken out previous to the general advance on Tamai.
When the escort for the convoy was mustered, the
Marines, who had taken their place as a portion of it,
were ordered to fall out, as the escort was sufficiently
strong without them. General Sir Gerald Graham then
inspected them, and thanked them for their past excel-
lent service, being very glad to be able to allow them a
day's rest in camp, which he considered that they had
fairly earned. The Australians will move forward
with the force on Wednesday. As these colonists are
well accustomed to bush work, they may rightly be
expected to prove of the greatest service in such a
movement through scrub and rough ground as has to
be made by the troops. They are thoroughly de-
lighted with the hearty welcome they have received
from their companions in arms. The Australasian
has just arrived in the bay with the artillery from
New South Wales. The road to the first zerebr. is now
clear of bushes, but many of the enemy's dead are still
lying about. Early to-day a white flag was observed flying
from a spot where it had been planted on the zereba
at Hasheen which was abandoned by the Surrey
Regiment. It was soon removed, and the meaning
of its appearance is as yet doubtful. It is thought
that possibly the Arnarar tribes, who desire to be
friendly with the English, had meant to display some
sign of a wish to have communication with the
General. The convoy returned into camp this even-
ing without having seen the enemy. It is reported
that Osman Digma has retired into the hills for four-
teen miles.