Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-05-21
How Burnaby Died.
london Cable Enecial

Mr.. Burleigh, the war correspondent,
who was wounded at Abu Klea Ia.
under the inspiration of his hurt, written
to the Daily Telegraph a thrilling &C.
count OF the battle, and in it occurs this
description of Colonel Burnaby's death
which must become historical:
stiii down upon us the dark Arab
wave rolled. It had arrived within three
hundred yards undiminished in volume
unbroken in strength rush of spears.
men and swordsmen. Their rifle FIRE had
ceased. Other Arab forces sursr1nd.
ing us-the Mahdi's troops, plunderinO
Bedonins 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 glistenihg and the sheen OF
their brandished weapons flashing like
thousands Of mirrors, onward they came
charging straight into our ranks.
was at that instant inside the sauare
not far from the Gardner gun, when I
saw the left face move somewhat lask.
ward. Colonel Burnaby himself, whose
every action at the time / saw from a
distance of about thirty yards, rc1e
out In front of the rear left ffce, 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
20 his assistance sword in hGHd. As
the dauntless Colonel rode forward he
put himself in the way Of sheik charg.
ing down on horseback.
Ere the Arab closed with him A
bullet from some one in our rS,ka
brought the sheik .heatlons TO the
ground, The enefoy's spearsmen 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 il back =.
ward, Burnaby leapt forward in his sad
die and parted the Moslem' rapid and
ferocious thrusts. But the length CT the
mans weapon-eight feet--put it out of
bis power to return with interest the
Arabs n1urderous intent Once or twice
Colonel Burnaby Just touched his man,
only to make him more wary and eager.
The atfray was the work of seconds
only Tor the savage horde Of swarthy
negroes from Kordofan and straight,
haired tawny complexioned Arabs of
the Bayuds steppe were fast closing in
upon our square.
Colonel Burnaby fenced the swarthy
Arab as if he were playing in an assault
at arms, and there was a smile on his
features as he drove off the mans
awkward points. The scene was taken
in at glance. With that lightning in.
stinct which have seen desert warriors
before now display in battle while
coming TO one anothers aid, an Arab,
who was pursuing soldier and had
passed five PAGES to Burnabys right and
rear turned with q sudden spring, and
this second Arab ran his spear point in
to the colonels right shoulder. 1t was
but slight wound. Enough though,
10 cause Burnaby to twist around in his
saddle and defend himself from this IN
expected attack.
Before the savage could repeat his
unlocked for blow, so near the ranks of
the square was the scene now being en-
acted, a 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 Grove Burn
ably out of his saddle, Int ii required a
second one before he let go 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" ~