Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-05-15
~, 81 "a ~. 4.alshESi &"'t
How Burnaby. Died.
y fE-T- 81 = ID, -
ldOn Cable Special.

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, plundering
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 far from the Gardner gun, when I
saw the left face move somewhat back
ward. Colonel Burnaby himself, whose
every action at the time I saw from a
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 we're
close behind, ond one of them suddenly
dashed at Colonel Burnaby, pointing
the long blade Of his spear at his throat.
Checking lis horse and pulling it back
ward, Burnaby leapt forward in his sad
die and parted the Moslem IS rapid and
ferocious thrusts. But the length of the
mans weapon-eight feet-put it out of
lis power to return with interest the
Arabs murderous intent. Once or twice
Colonel Burnaby just touched his man.
only to make him more wary and eager.
The affray 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. l.,, ~ ,. ,3ae-, d,
Colonel BurnabY fenced the swarthy
Arab as if he were playing in an assault
at arms, and there was smile on his
features as: he drove off the mans
awkward points. s,Thesscene was taken
in at a glance. With that lightning in
stinct which I have seen, desert warriors
before now display in battle while
coming to one anotheris aid, an Arab,
who was pursuing a soldier and had
passed five PAGES to Burnaby's right and
rear turned With a sudden spring, and
this second Arab ran his spear point in
to the coloneps right shoulder. 1t was
but q slight wound, Enough though,
to cause Burnaby to twist around in his
saddle and defend himself from this un-
expected attack. - ....,.,. ,.-f,
~ Before the savage could repeat his
unlocked for blow, so near the ranks OF
the square was the scene now being en-
acted, q 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 tie first Arab to
deliver his spear point full in the brave
officers throat. The blow drove Burn
eaby out Of His saddle, but it required 8
second one before he let go his grip Of
the reins and stumhled upon the ground
"Half a5dozen Arabs were now about
him. With blood gushing in streams
from his gashed throat, the dauntless
guardsman leaped to his feet sword ir
hand, and slashed at the ferocious
group. They were the wild strokes o.
. proud brave man dying hard ,andshe
was quickly overborne and left helpless
and dying" +.