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

the frontier, all saying. that the attitude o
the natives had changed greatly within tn,
last few weeks, and that all sorts of alarm
ing rumors were current. and it was feared
that in spite of the solemn treaties they haG
made two years before, the natives wert
again going to take up arms.
II think that's good enough" he said te
himself. 'There are likely to be stirring
times again here. Nothing would suit my
case better than an active life, hard work,
and plenty of excitement"
Having finished his wine, he inquired
the way to the barracks of the detachment
of the corpe stationed at Cape Town, and
being directed to it, entered the gates. he
smiled to himself at his momentary feeling
of surprise at the sentry on the gate neglect
ing to salute him, and then inquiring for the
orderly room, he went across the little bar
racks yard and entered. The Adjutant
looked up from the table at which he was
writing.
81 see notice that you want men, sir, -
the new conner said.
"Yes, we are raising two fresh troops.
What age are you?"
"Twenty-eight.
"You have served before, have you not?"
the Adjutant said. looking at the well-knit
eyes, / have served before"
"Infantry or Cavalry?"
"The Infantry, but 1 can ride
Have you your papers of discharge?"
"No."
Have you anyone to speak to your char
acter?"
'tNo one here. only landed this morn
ing by the Thalia, which came in from En-
gland last night.
''That is awkward" the officer said.
sfYou know that as rule we only enlist in
England, and only take applicants of good
character.
II am aware of that, sir; but as Just at
present you are likely to want men who can
fight, character is not of SO much import
ance."
The Adiutant smiled and again scrutin-
lied the applicant closely.
"The man has been an officer" he said to
himself well, that is nothing to me; he
has the cut of a soldier all over''
"Do you know the conditions of service?
You provide your own horse and uniform.
Government provides arms. In the event
of your not being able'to find your horse
and uniform-Go will, as it is
anxious to fill up the ranks as soon as pos
sible-provide them, and stop the money
from your pay"
''Very well, then, will take you, !" the
officer said.
'I enlist as Harry Blunt. NAV say. sir.
that 1 should feel very greatly obliged if, as
l know my duty, you could post me to q
troop already up the country instead of to
one of those you are raising, and who will
have to learn their drill and how to SIT
horse before they can be sent,uD on active
duty"
81 can do that" the officer said; SIT is
only yesterday that we called for recruits,
and we have only had two or three applica-
tions at present; there is draft going on to
Port Elizabeth next week, and if find that
you are, as you say, up in your drill, will
send you up with them"
''Thank you, sir, 1 am very much obliged
to you"
'The Major will be here at o'clock"
the Adjutant said, "come in at that time,
and you can be attested and sworn in"
"After all, Ronald Mervyn said to him.
self, as he strobe away, "there's nothing
like soldering. 1 know I should have
fretted for the old work if I had settled
down on a farm, or even if had gone in, as
I half thought of doing, for shooting for
year or so before settling down. If these
natives really mean to make trouble, we
shall have an exciting time of it, for the
last war here say that they have any amount
of pluck, and are enemies not to be despised.
Now will be off and look for horse. I'd
better not order my uniform until am
sworn in; the Major may, perhaps, refuse
me on the ground of want of character" BE
went up to two or three young farmers who
were standing talking in the street.
Il am a stranger, gentlemen, and have
just landed. want to buy a good horse;
can you tell me what is the best way to set
about it?"
"You will have no difficulty about that"
one of them replied, "for there's been a no.
tice up that Government wants to buy
horses, and at 2 o'clock this afternoon, those
who have animals to dispose of fit for cav
airy service, are to bring them into the pa
rade ground in front of the infantry bar |
racks. Government have only asked for 80 |
horses, and there will probably be two or |
three times that number brought in; we |
have each brought in horse or two, but |
they are rather expensive animals. be- |
lieve the horses are intended for mounts for |
staff officers. They want more bone and |
strength than is general in the horses here"
Il don't much mind what 1 pay" Ronald |
said carelessly. However, gentlemen, |
may see you down there, and it Government |
ioes not take your horses, perhaps may
make deal with one OF you"
At the appointed hour Ronald strolled
iown to the parade. There were good /
many officers assembled there, and large
number of young Boer farmers, each with |
,ne or more horses, led by natives. The |
Major and Adjutant of the Cape Mounted |
Rifles were examining the horses, which |
we're ridden up and down before them by
heir owners, and the Adjutant himself |
sometimes mounting and taking them
urn. Presently his eyes fell upon Ronald, |
Fho was closely scrutinising the horses.
That Is the young fellow I was speaking |