The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-13
a SOLDIER EXPERIENCE.
From the Chicas Inter-ocran.


This is a question that is often asked
Of an old soldier, sometimes it is easily
answered: oftener it gives rise to don bt
and misgivings as to ones actual re-
| spOnsibility for fellow-creature's
| blood. l will give an instance of the
latter phase by relating an event that
occurred to myself during the Zulu war
in South Africa.
Having been severely wounded at the
battle of Uhlundi was on my way to
Maritz burgh, where a very near rela-
tive was high official in the British
civil service. | was borne on the shout
ders of natives in species of palan-
quin, called by them pukra, and had
to bear the burning heat of the day
and the no less oppressive closeness Of
the night, with naught between me
and the elements save the palm
leaf roof of the pukra. After the sec
ond days journey toward nightfall we
came upon the snug home of Dutch
settler. When Livingstone first caught
a glimpse of the Nyanza he did not feel
deeper sense Of gratitude and relief
than l did on beholding the humble
residence. Soon was lying on a rough
but not uncomforta BILE lounge in the
room that represented parlor, dinner
and drawing-room, while our sa BILE at
PENDANTS curled up on the veranda
with the zest for slumber characteristic
of the African, whether on that or this
side of the Atlantic. The good frau
did her best to make me feel easier,
and after the long-drawn pain of the
tedious journey, L soon fell asleep. How
long i slept 1 know not, but l was
aroused by the creaking of the lattice
on the window close to where
my couch stood. 1t had been
thrown open and the moon was casting
its rays into the spacious, if barren,
dining-room. L gaZed dreamily out
upon the peaceful African landscape,
bathed in the light of the midnight
moon, and was thinking of another
landscape thousands of miles away,
and wondering if | should ever see it
again, when suddenly a shadow fell
across the lattice, and there but a few
feet from me stood a man dressed in
the uniform of a private of the British !
infantry. AS my relative and his two
sons We're the only white men in our |
party. and they were lying in various |
picturesque attitudes, taking a much |
needed rest in the same apartment with !
myself, / could not imagine how this |
English private came among us. He /
was advancing stealthily toward the 4
and. gracious heavens, how NV 4
enfeebled blood froze as | saw the glis-
ten of a sword bayonet in his hand! 4
But my heart beat still fainter when,
on nearer approach, | saw the maniac's
fire glisten in his blazing eyeballs. I
was too weak too rise from my couch,
but the sense of self-preservation re-
and after my life being pre-
served at least through the fury OF
Uhlundis struggle ! determined not to
die tamely by the hands of a mailman.
On the table close by my couch the good
frau had placed pitcher of milk, and
one of my relatives had lain brace of
revolvers. | reached out and eagerly
clutched one of the trusty weapons.
As | turned my head the mailman was
through the window; the ter
rible eyes Were fixed full upon me, the
right arm was appraised while the
eft held the lattice. ! fired. and be
ng but boy at the time and
weak from loss of blood. prompt
y tainted. On recovering my friends
odd me that on the report OF the revol-
Ter they all sprsng TO their feet. when
hey beheld the form Of the soldier "
Rg across the window-sill with the
blood pouring from wound in his
breast They rushed forward 20 seize
him, when. 20 their establishment, he
sprang erect, and with a yell
hat made them step back in horror
pounded of into the night Whether
le was a staggler from our army who J
lad become demented from sunstroke
,r some other cause we never ascer-
aimed. Proi'a bly, his name appeared
amongst the list OF missing in the re-
,ort of that battle that laid Zululapd
L the feet of England