The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-06-22
HE CAPTURED THE GUNS.
Sir George Campbell Describes a
Crisis IN His military Carccr. =,

Sic George Campbell Describes a
Crisis In His military Carcer. D.
Sir George Campbell .devoses one
chapter Of his Indian Memoirs" Is the
Sepoy mutiny, and in the course az his
narrative gives lively account Of
what he calls q crisis in his military
career. The rebels had been put TO
flight and the British were In h6t pur.
suit Sir George. who seems to have
been serving as volunteer, was fresh.
ly mounted upon an Arab horse, and
easily kept In the front ranks Of
the pursuers, who were constantly be.
coming fewer and fewer. Tile rebels,
meanwhile. had become entirely dis
ordered. Then came Sir Georges nd.
venture, which he thus describes:
i fancted that / saw among the
crops, away at one side Of the road,
something like the CLEAN of large
wheels. and thought 1t might be the
encmy's guns trying to escape by by
road. 1 could not ut the moment get
any one to attend to my view. and,
having no force OF my own. thought
1t best to gallOp in that direction and
see for myself
Approaching the spot where l sus-
pected the cnemy's guns to he retreat.
Ing had to go through high field Of
standing millet. and when l came out
on the other side saw right before
me, only Il little way or. crowd Of
rebels with train OF guns which they
We're urging along in hasty retreat.
Naturally, being quite alone, l tried
to pull up my horse. hut lie was great
y excited aud l could not manage It.
lie carried me straight OH toward the
enemy.
"rhe situation was desperate. I
could do nothing but wave my sword
anu shout, partly in the hope Of bring
my assistance to my side and partly to
1righten the enemy. was never more
renewed than when saw that the men
with the rcarmost Of the enemy's guns,
taking me for an officer leading the
pursuit, fled at once and tiisannea ral
III the crops beyond.
''The splendid bullocks with whicl,
the guns We're hOrsetl came to a stand
still. and found myself in possession
OF the guns-these guns, with all their
equipments. That was a proud mo-
ment. But with victory came embar-
rnssment looked around and found
that l was entirely cut Off by the high
crops from all communication with my
own people. The enemy had lisap-
pearcd on the other side Of the field.
but for aught knew might be watch
ing for me there.
Il did not like to shout very much.
for fear Of showing my embarrass.
ment. An idea occurred to me. [
would shoot one Of the leading bull.
locks In each gun. and, leaving him ell
tangled. would go to fetch assistance,
There was no time to bc lost. l put
my pistol to the ear of the first bull
lock. To this day l remember the look
OF that very fine animal as he turned
his mild eye Oh me, unsuspicious of
my murdclous intent. My heart rather
sank within me, but l had become
habituated to deeds Of blood and per-
severed. pulled the trigger; tho pis-
toll snapped. l pulled another barrel
and another. The wrctchctl pistol
snapped all around and was helpless
ut was IL painful situation, but there
was nothing for 1t. galloped wildly
back to ask for assistance. met.
Mai. Turner Of the artillery, and he
gave me corporal and five men. re-.
turned with them as quickly as posi-.
bic. found that the enemy had not
come buck and we secured the guns"