The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-26
HOW BuRNABY DIED.
Struggling With a Crowd OF Arabs
The Sword Against the Spear.

Mr.. Burleigh, the war correspondent
who was wounded at Abu Klea, under the
inspiration of his hurt, wrote to the
Telegraph thrilling account of the bat
tie, and in it occurs this vivid dcscrip-
ton of Colonel Burnaby's death:
''Still down upon US the dark Arab
wave rolled. 1t had arrived within
three hundred yards undiminished in
volume, unbroken in strength-a rush
of spearsmen and .swordsmen Their
rife fire had ceased. Other Arab forces
surrounding us-The Madhi's troops,
plundering Bedouins and pillaging viii
layers from the river s:de-stood eager
On the hillsides watching the charge
upon the British square. In wild ex-
citement, their white teeth glistening
and the sheen of their brandished
weapons flashing like thousands of mir
rors, onward they came, charging
straight into our ranks.
II was at that instant inside the square,
not far from the Gardner gun, when |
saw the left face move somewhat back
ward. Colonel Burnaby himself, whose
every action at the time | saw from dis
tance of about thirty yards, rcde out in
front Of the rear left face, apparently to
assist two or three skirmlshers running
in hard pressed. All but one man of
them succeeded in reaching our lines.
Colonel Burnaby went forward to his as
sistance sword in hand. AS the daunt-
less colonel rode forward he put himself
in the way of a sheik charging down on
horseback.
ERE the Arab closed with him bull
let from Some one in our ranks brought
the sheik headlong to the ground. The
! enemys sportsman were closed behind
and one of them suddenly dashed at Col
onel Burnaby, pointing the long blade of
his spear at his throat Checking his
horse and pulling it backward, Burnaby
leapt forward in his saddle and parried
the AIoslcm's rapid and ferocious
thrusts. But the length Of the
mans weapon-eight feet-put it
out of his power to Ie
| turn with interest the Arabs murderous
intent Once or twice Colonel Burnaby
, just touched his man, only to make him
more wary and eager. The aifray was
the work of seconds only, for the savage
horde of swarthy negroes from kordofar
and straight haired, tawny compley!oned
Arabs of the Bayuda steppe were fast
! Closing Ill upon our ST udIe
"Colonel Burnaby fenced the swarthy
Arab as if he were playing in an assault
at arms, and there was Il smile Oh his fea
lures as he drove Oil the mans awkward
points. The scene was taken in at ;
glance. With that lightning instinc
which [ have seen desert warriors before
now display in battle while coming tt
one another's aid, an Arab, who was pur
suing soldier and had passed five pace
to Burnaby's- right and rear, turnce
with sudden spring, and this secona
Arab ran his spear point into TIN
coloners right shoulder. 1t was but ;
slight wound. Enough, though, tt
cause Burnabv to twist around in hi
saddle and defend himself from this un
expected attack. -.
Before the savage could repeat hi
unlocked for blow, SO near the ranks O
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 this fatal episode it was
long enough to enable the first Arab tC
deliver his spear point full in the brave
officers throat. The blow drove Bur
naby out of his saddle but it required q
second one before he let go his grip OF
the reins and tumbled upon the grou nd.
''Haf dozen Arabs were now about
him. With blood gushing in streams
from his gashed throat the dauntless
guardsman leapt to his feet sword in
hand and slashcd at the ferocious group.
| They we're the wild strokes of proud,
brave man dying hard, and he was
quickly overborne and left helpless and
| n dvinr -