Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-26
A HERO'S DEATH.
HOW COL. eURNAev MET hIs FATE
At AeUkLeA


LONDON DAILY Telegra&h.l
Still down upon u the dark Arab wave
rolled. It had arrived within 800 yards, un-
diminished In volume, unbroksn In strength
"a rush Of spearsmen and swordsmen Their
rife fire had ceased Other Arab forces
surrounding US -ths mahdis troops, plum.
dsring Bedouins, and pillaging villagers
from the riversids-stood eager on the hill
sidss Watching the charge upon the British
square. In wild excitsmsnt their whits
teeth glistening and the sheen Of
their brandished weapons flashing Ike
thousands Of mirrors onward they
came, charging straight into our
ranks was at that instant inside
the square, not far from the Gardiner gun,
when l saw the left dank move somewhat
backward. Col. Burnaby himself, whose
every action at the time I saw, from dis.
tance Of about thirty yards, rode out in
front Of the roar left face, apparently to -.
sist two or three skirmishers running In hard
pressed. All but one man of them succeeded
In reaching our lines Col Burnsby went
forward to his aAistAnos. sword In hand.
As the dauntless colonel rode forward he
put himself in the way Of sheik charging
down on horseback. Ere the Arab closed
with him bullet from some ono In our
ranks brought the shsik headlong 70 the
ground.
The enemys spearsmen were close behind,
and one Of them suddenly dashed at Col
Burnaby, pointing the long blade Of his
spear at his throat Checking bis horse and
pulling 1t backward, Burnaby lsapt forward
In his saddle and parried the Moslsm's rapid
and ferocious thrusts. but the length Of the
mans weapon-eight feet-put IL out Of his
power to return with interest the Arabs
murderous intent. Once or twice Col. Burn
aby just touched his man, only to make him
more wary and eager. The ARRAY was the
work Of seconds only, for the savage horde
straight-haired, tawny-complexioned Arabs
Of the Bayuda Steppe were fast closing In
upon our square,
Col Burnaby fenced the swarthy Arab as
II be were playing in an assault Of arms,
and there wa, q smile on his features as he
drove of the mans awkward points. The
scene was taken In at glance. With that
lightning instinct which have seen desert
warriors before now display in battle while
coming to another's aid, an Arab, who was
pursuing q soldier and had passed five PAGES
to Burnaby's right and rear, turned with Q
sudden spring, and this second Arab ran his
spear point into the colonel's right shoulder.
1t was but slight wound. Enough, though,
to cause Burnaby to twist around in his sad.
die and defend himself from this unex.
pected attack. Before the savage could re-
peat his unlooked-for blow, 80 near the r lnkl
Of the square was the scene now being en-
acted, a soldier ran out and drove his sword
bayonet through the second assailant.
Brief as was Burnaby's glance backward
at this fatsl episode, 1t was long enough te
enable the first Arab to deliver his spear
point full in the brave officers throat. The
blow drove Burnaby out Of his saddle, but
it required second one before he would lst
go of his grip Of the reins and tumbled upon
the ground. Half dozsn Arabs were now
about him. With blood gushing in streams
from his gashed throat tho dauntless guards
man leaped to his feet, sword In hand and
slashed at the ferocious group. They were
the wild strokes Of . proud, brave man dy.
ing hard, and he was quickly overborne and
left helpless and dying.