Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-07


them.
II begin TO hope that we shall get through
now" Ronald said, after emerging from one OF
these kloofs; I'VE have only one bad place to
pass, but, of course. the danger is greatest
there as from that the Kaffirs will be watch
ing against any advance of the troops from the
town."
The Fingoes were evidently of the same
opinion for as they approachediit Kreta stopped
to speak to Ronald.
"Kafir sure to be here" he said, "but me
and my men can creep through; but we must
not call to you, incos; the Kaffirs would hear us
and be on the watch. Safest plan for us to go
through first, not go along paths, but through
bush; then for you to gallop straight through;
even if they close to path, you get before they
time to stop you. think that best way"
# think so too, Kreta. If they hear the
suppose it is mounted messenger from the
hills. Anyhow, 1 think that dash for it is our
best chance"
Il think SO, incos. think you get through
How long will you be getting through.
Kreta!"
"ouarter of an hour" the chief said; must
go slow. You ride four, fye minutes"
Kreta stood thoughtfully for minute or
two.
"Me don't like it, incos Me tell you what we
do. We keep over to left, and then when we
get just through the bush we fire our guns.
Then the Kafirs very much surprised and all
run that way, and you ride straight through"
But they might overtake you. kreta,"
fdently. 1--WE run fast and get good start.
Williamstown only one hours walk; run less
than half hour. They no catch us"
When the Fingoes had been gone about ten
minutes, Ronald, assured that the kaftirs would
be gathered at the far end of the kloof, went
forward at walk. Presently he heard six
shots fired in rapid succession. This was fol-
lowed by an outburst of yells and cries in front,
and he set spurs to his horse and dashed for
ward at a gallon. He was nearly through the
kloof when body of Kafirs who were running
through the wood from the right, burst sud-
denly from the bushes into the path. So as
tonished were they at seeing the white man
within few yards of them that for moment
they did not think of using their weapons. and
to right and left But others sprang from the
bushes. Ronald shot down two men. WHO
sprang at the horses bride, and he heard
Mary Armstrong; pistol on the other
side. He had drawn his sword before
setting off at gallop. Hold tight, Mary" he
said, as he relaxed his hold of her and cut
down a native who was springing upon him
from the bushes. Another fell from bullet
from the pistol and then he was through them.
"Stoop down, Mary" he said, pressing her for
ward on the horses neck and bending down
over her. He felt his horse give sudden
gai; while almost at the same instant he felt
a sensation as of a hot iron running from his
belt to his shoulder as spear ripped up
cloth and flesh and then glanced along over his
shoulders.
Amoment later and they were out of the kloof
ana riding at full speed across the open. Look
ing over his shoulder. he saw that the er kafnrs
gave up pursuit after following for 100 yards.
Over on the left he heard dropping Shots and
presently caught a glimpse in that direction of
the Fingoes running in a close body, pursued
at the distance of 100 yards or SO by large
number of Kafirs. But others had heard the
sound of firing; for minute or two he saw
body of horsemen riding at full speed from
Williamstown in the direction of the firing.
He at once checked the speed of his horse.
1--WE are safe now. Mary; that is troop of
our corps. Are you hit"
mo, l am not touched. Are you hurt, Ronaldf
/ thought 1 felt you start"
Il have got bit of a scratch on the back, but
it's nothing serious. / will get OFF in moment,
Mary; the horse has an assegai in his quarters.
and must get it out"
Take me down. too, please; feel giddy now
it is all over"
Ronald lifted her down, and then pulled the
assegai from the horses back.
u don't think much harm is DONE" he said:
"a fortnight in the stable and he will be all
right again."
"YOu are bleeding dreadfully,' the girl ex-
claimed. as she caught sight of his back. Its
a terrible wound to look at
Then it looks worse than it is" he laughed.
THE spear only glanced along on the ribs. It's
lucky | was STOPPING SO much: After going
through what we have We may think ourselves
well off indeed that we have escaped with such
a scratch as this between u.s."
"1t's not a scrach at ali, the girl said, indig
nantly; Its a very deep, bad cut"
Perhaps it is bad cut" Ronald smiled,
but a cut is of no consequence one say or
the other. Now let us join the others. Ah,
here they come, with Kreta showing them the
way"
The troopers had chased the Kafirs back to
the bush, and, led by the Fingo. were now
coming up at a gallop to the spot where Ron
aid and Mary Armstrong were standing by the
horse.
"Ah,i it is you, Sergeant" Lieutenant Daniels
said for it was portion of Ronald's old troop
that had ridden up. Il never expected to see
IN for hoor flo dav hot
day from the levy officer who came in with the
ammunition wagons that you had gone off to
try to rescue three ladies who had been carried
off by the Kafirs 1t was mad business
but you have partly succeeded, l am glad to
see," and he lifted his cap to Mary Arm
strong.
killed the other two the day they carried them
off. This is Miss Armstrong. l think you
stopped at her fathers house one day when we
were out on the Kabousie."
'Xes, of course" the lieutenant said alight-
ing. "E1cuse me for not recognizing you. Miss
Armstrong, but. in fact"
''In fact, look very pale, and ragged, and
tattered."
II am not surprised at that Miss Armstrong.
You must have gone through terrible time,
and heartily congratulate Sergeant Blunt on
the success Of his gallant attempt to rescue
you"
Your father, Miss Armstrong; have
heard nothing about him since l heard from
Sergeant Blunt that you had all got safely
away after that attack"
He was in the wagon, sir" Ronald ex-
planned, "he was hurt in the fight with the
Kaffirs, and Mr.. Nolan brought him back in
the wagons"
''oh, l heard he had brought wounded man
with him; but did not hear the name. Nolan
said he had been badly wounded. but the sur
geon said that he thought he might get round.
have no doubt that the sight OF Miss Arm.
strong will do him good"
perhaps, sir" Ronald said, family, "you
will let one of the troop ride on with Miss Arm
strong at once. I think l must wait for bit.'
why, what is it, Sergeant?" the lieutenant
asked, catching him by the arm, for he saw
that he was on the point Of falling. You are
wounded, see; and here am | talking about
other things and not thinking of you"
Two of the troop leapt from their horses and
laid Ronald down, for he had tainted. overcome
partly by the pain and loss of blood, but more
Of the last four days.
1T is only flesh wound, Miss Armstrong
There is no occasion for fear, He has tainted
from loss of blood. and have no doubt for a
moment but he will soon be all right again.
johnson, hand your horse over to Miss Arm
strong and do you. Williams, ride over with
her to the hospital We will have Sergeant
Blunt in the hospital half an hour after you get
there, Miss Armstrong"
at seems very unkind to leave him." the girl
said, "after all he has done for me-"
HE will understand it, my dear young lady,
and you can see him in the hospital directly you
get there"
Mary reluctantly allowed herself to be lifted
into the saddle and rode of with the trooper.
Now take his jacket and shirt of" the
Lieutenant said, Its a nasty rip that he has
got suppose that he was leaning forward in
the saddle when the spear touched him. It's
lucky that it glanced up instead of going
through him."
The soldiers removed Ronald's coat. There
was no shirt underneath, for he had not waited
to put one on when he mounted. The troopers
had heard from their comrades, on the return
of the escort that the sergeant had, before