Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-03

don't know that want to go through an
other, for these beggars fight great deal too
we'll for it to be pleasant, 1 can tell you.
The job OF carrying dispatches or escorting
wagons through bush where these fellows
are known to be lurking, is about as nasty
a one as a man can wish. AT any moment
without the least notice, you may have halt
a dozen assegais stuck in your body. And
they can shoot straight, too; their guns are
long and clumsy, but they carry long dis
tances-quite as far as our rifles, while as
for the line muskets, they haven't a chance
with them"
Two more days marching and the troop
arrived at Grahamstown. Here they en-
camped near Fort England, where a wing
of the Ninety-frst Regiment was quartered,
and the next fortnight was spent in con-
stant drills. The rifles were then ordered
forward to King WiIliamstown, where two
days later they were jointed by the in
fantry.
Before starting, the Adjutant had
specially called the attention of Captain
Twentyman, who commanded the troop, to
his last Joined recruit.
"You will find that man Blunt, who
Joined us yesterday, good soldier, Twenty
man. 1t may be he has been an officer and
has got into a row at home and been Obliged
to leave the service. OF course you noticed
his horse on parade this morning; we have
nothing like it in the corps. The farmer
who owned it offered it to US yesterday
afternoon, and wanted e120 pounds for it.
He said that both its sire and dam were En-
glish hunters, the sire he had bought from
an English officer, and the grandsire was
thoroug hbred horse. The man has large
farm, about % miles from CapetowH, and
goes in for horse-breeding; but have seen
nothing before of his as good as that. ex-
pect the young fellow has spent his last
penny in buying it. OF course 1 don't
know what he will turn out in the way of
conduct; but you will find, if he is all right
in that respect, that he will make a first
rate non-commissioned officer, and mounted
as he is, will, at any rate, be most useful
man for carrying dispatches and thatsort of
thing. l confess l am very much taken
with him. He has steady, resolute sort of
face; looks pleasant and good-tempered, too.
Keep your eye upon him,
Captain Twentyman had done so during
the voyage and on the line of march, and
Ronald's quickness, alacrity and acquaint-
ance with his duty convinced him that the
Adjutant's supposition was a correct one.
"By Jove, Twentyman," an officer of the
Ninety-first said as he was standing beside
him when Ronald rode up and delivered
message, "that fellow of yours is wonder
fully we'll mounted. He's fine, soldierly
looking fellow, too, and don't know why,
but his face seems quite familiar to Inc"
'T fancy he has been an officer" Captain
Twentyman replied. "We have several in
the corps-men who have been obliged for
some reason or other to sell out, and who.
finding nothing else to do, have enlisted
with us. You see, the pay is great deal
b1r tbou 10 in bo nava1rv and
the men as a whole are a superior class, for
you see they find their own horses and uni
forms, so the life is altogether pleasanter for
o man of that kind than the regular service.
Almost all the men are of respectable
family"
81 certainly seem to know his face" said
the officer, thoughtfully, although where 1
saw it have not the least idea. What is
his name?'
HE enlisted as Harry Blunt, but no
doubt that's not his real name. Very few
men of his kind, who enlist in the army, do
so under their own names"
81 don't know anyone of that name, the
officer said, "but 1 certainly fancy that 1
have seen your man before; however, don't
suppose in any case he would like being
recognized; men who are under cloud
don t care about meeting former acquaint-
ances."
A week later, to Ronald's great satisfac-
tion, party OF 20 men, under troop-Lieu-
tenant Daniels, were ordered to march that
afternoon to the Kalousie river, whence the
settlers had written praying that force
might be sent for their protection, as the
Kaffirs in the neighborhood were becoming
more and more insoIent in their manner.
Many of their cattle had been driven off,
and thev were in daily expectation of an at
tack. Ronald was one of the party told off,
and small shelter tents were served out;
these would be carried on their horses. No
baggage was taken, as there would be no
difficulty in obtaining provisions from the
farmers. The men chosen for the service
were all in high glee at the prospect of a
change from the dullness of the life at King
Williamstown, and were the objects of envy
by their comrades.
The start was made at daybreak, and af-
ter two days long marching they reached
their destination. The country was fertile
one, the farm houses were frequent, most of
them embedded in orchards and vineyards,
showing signs of comfort and prosperity.
''This is the first place that have seen
since reached the Colony" Ronald said to
the trooper riding next to him, "where I
should care about settling"
"There are a good many similar spots in
this part of the country" the man said,
"and 1 believe the folks here are every
where doing we'll. and would do better if it
were not iOr these native troubles. They
suffered lot in the last war, and will, Of
course, bear the brunt of it if the natives
break out again. There are good many
English and Scotch settlers in this part.
There are, of course, some Dutch, but as
rule they go in more for cattle farming on a
big scale. Besides. they do not care about
English neighbors; they are an unsociable
selves to themselves as much as possible"
(To be continued ne1t Saturday,