The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-05-21
How Durnsby Died;
Londcn Gable Special.

M: Burleigh, tho war correspondent,
who wes wounded At Abu Kles, has
under the inspiration of his hurt, written
to the Daily Telegraph thrilling &C.
count Of tho battle. and in it occurs this
description Of Colonel Burnaby's death,
which must become historical:
"still down upon US tn dark Arat
wave rolled: It had arrived within three
hundred yards undiminished in volume
unbroken in strengths rush of spears.
men and swordsmen. Their rifle fire had
ceased. Other Arab forces surround
ing us-the Mahdi's troops, plunderine
Bedouins and pillaging villagers from
the river side-stood eager on the hill.
sides watching the charge upon the Brit.
ish square. In wild excitement, their
white teeth glistening and the sheen Of
their brandished weapons flashing like
thousands of mirrors, onward they came
charging straight into our ranks.
I was at that instant inside the square;
not tar from the Gardner gun; when
saw the left face move somewhat back:
ward. Colonel Burnaby himself, whose
every action at the time / saw from q
distance of about thirty yards, rode
out in front Of the rear left face, appar-
emily to assist two or three skirmishers
running in hard pressed. All but one
man of them succeeded in reaching our
lines. Colonel Burnaby went forward
to his assistance sword in hand: As
the dauntless Colonel rode forward he
put himself in the way CT sheik charg:
ing down ON horseback.
ERE the Arab closed with him a
bullet from some one in our ranks
brought the shelk headlong to the
ground. The enemy's spearsmeu were
close behind, ond one of them suddenly
dashed at Colonel Burnaby, pointing
the long blade of his spear at his throat.
Checking his horse and pulling it back
ward, Burnaby leapt forward in his sad
die and parted the Moslem s rapid and
ferocious thrusts. But the length of the
mans weapon-eight feet-put it out of
his power to return with interest the
Arabs nurderous intent. Once or twice
Colonel Burnaby just touched his man,
only to make him more wary and eager.
The sffray was the work of seconds
only, for the savage horde of swarthy
negroes from Kordofan and straight
haired tawny complexionei Arabs of
the Bayuda steppe were fast closing in
upon our square.
Colonel Burnaby fenced the swarthy
Arab as if he were playing in an assault
ut arms, and there was smile on his
features a. he drove off the mans
awkward points. The scene was taken
in at q glance. With that lightning in
stinct which I have seen desert warriors
before now display in battle while
coming to one another's aid, an Arab,
who was pursuing soldier and had
passed five PAGES to Burnaby's right and
rear turned with sudden spring, and
this second Arab ran his spear point in
to the cclonels right shoulder. It was
but slight wound. Enough though,
to cause Burnaby to twist around in his
saddle and defend himself from this un-
attack.
Before tho savage could repeat his
for blow, so near the ranks of
the square was the scene now being en-
acted, soldier ran out and drove his
sword bayonet through the second as
sailant. Brief as was Burnaby's glance
backward at the fatal episode, it was
long enough to enable the first Arab to
deliver his spear point full in the brave
officers throat. The blow drove Burn
aby ont of his saddle, but it required a
second one before he let 60 his grip Of
the reins and tumbled upon the ground.
"Half dozen Arabs were now about
him. With blood gushing in streams
from his gashed throat, the dauntless
guardsman leaped to his feet sword in
hand, and slashed at the ferocious
group. They were the wild strokes Of
a proud brave man dying hard, and he
was quickly overborne and left helpless
and dying"