The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-07
CINCHING UP FOR TROUBLE,
Curious Impulse That Soldiers Feel in
Moments of Danger.

There were two men lowering a heavy
cask of wine into cellar the other day
and one of them asked his comrade to
stand by a moment. The man stood by
and the first speaker took an extra hitch
in the belt Of his overalls.
That's queer said Perry Ingram, who
was passing at the time: II saw ten men
do that in the face of certain death and
OF the other 80 who were with us |
guess nine in every ten did the same. /
know ] did, anyhow. Can't tell why, be-
cause 1 never thought the matter over, but
I'll swear that If ever l get into another
fix like that again I'll do the same thing
over
1T was during the Basutu war Of 1890.
was trooper there, and was one OF
the 800 and odd that composed the Kim
berry Horse. II there ever was a set Of
Observation-Disclosures -scallawags I'm queen
Nictoria's uniform it was that same gang
of rough riders
1--WE fought all right. OF course, but that
was all we were good for. Honestly
think half the troop was made up of ex-
| convicts. and the balance Of that class of
adventurers who had pioneered the road
TO the South African diamond fields.
eve were I'm fort On Thlotsa Heights;
the Basutus, about 5000 strong. were
amusing themselves plotting at us from
the other side OF the Thlotse river, and
one day they took it into their heads TO
send about 1900 warriors across the
stream. over fords above and below us,
TO do Tie uD.
"As it happened that morning. about
go of us were detailed to escort a couple
of six-pounders up the hill to the fort
from below. and on our return trip the
Basutus got between us and the encamp-
| ment.
I'VE threw out in oren file while they
rode Down on us-they We're well mounted
were those Basutus-and we had orders
to hold fire until they were about 100
yards away
well. when they came within the
given distance we fired, but instead Of
gearing them by killing off a hundred or
so, the beggars still came on. Dismount-
/ ing from their horses they seized their
| assegais-the hill was black with them
| and they rushed on us like the hounds
Of he'll.
Its all up now. boys. thought 7. for
when those chaps take It into their heads
to go the whole hog and charge they do
IT,
while l was thrusting another car
fridge into my rifle | felt a bit queer
about the throat, ard somehow, / can't
tell how, IL seemed as though my stomach
was empty.
Now, l know what It is 10 be scared
but | was not frightened then. There
was no time 10 get frightened. II was
Just stand and fight till you dropped dead
full of spear holes.
Il laid down my rifle for second 10
loosen my revolver In its case. and then.
from some involuntary instinct that
cannot explain, / dew In my belt a
couple of inches around ny waist. As I
did so looked around at the fellows near
est me- Every one OF them was cinch-
ing up just the same as myself
Just for a moment everything on our
side was silence. and the Basutus were
not seventy yards away. Then we all
| began blazing away sgain and yelling,
| as men DO IN battle.
1.-THE fire frightened the blacks. They
| came within fifty yards Of us. thea turned
tail and fed We kept blazing away at
| the beggars as long as they were in range,
/ and then suddenly ceased.
"The strain was gone. the peril OF death
/ OYER. Only a moment before ii had
seemed as though our little band was "a
/ be wiped OF the earth II was sufO-
| eating day, so | laid down my gun 10
wipe the sweat and powder from my
! forehead.
Then / set about loosening my belt
| AS | did so / turned TO the ten fellows
nearest me. Every one OF them was
! doinc the same
Queer. isn't e. that fellow wants 70
cinch himself up in the face OF certain
death?"-San Francisco Examiner.