Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-18
FOR THE WOMEN'S SAKE.

Sergeant-Major Bolitho, of the til
Hussars, was summoned into his col
onePs presence one very hot morning. |
The Indian mutiny was just COM
mencing, and most, if not all, the Eu-
ropeans thought that it would be
easily quelled, and would be quite local
i'm it's effects The station of Bholpoor
was in a district which was very well
affected to the British, and no alarm
had been caused to the regiment there
encamped.
Sergeant, | have telegram from
the general, saying that this con-
founded mutiny has broken out in this
province. Take ten men, with four
spare horses, and ride down at once;
tell them they are to return with you
as soon as the horses are rested"
Yes, sir; may l pick my own men,"
Certainly" The colonel rose and
walked over to the sergeant. II don't
mind telling you, Bolitho, what l have
not told any one else-I feel very nerv-
Gus; my wife and her sisters would go
to this place last week, and my chill
dren are with them"
Trust me, sir; l will bring them
back 81 fely. Rest quite assured about
that. | will start at once" Saluting
gravely, he left his chiefs room, leav-
ing him at ease about his wife and
children.
Ernest BolithO was the sphinx of
the gallant Seventh. No one knew
why he was in the ranks; every one
liked him, no one could help seeing
that he was a thorough gentleman.
All they knew was that his past had
been an unhappy one, and that he had
been more sinned against than sin
ming
He had steadily refused to take
commission, telling the colonel
privately that he could do more good
by living with his men. Foremost in
sports and manly exercise, he strove to
wean his men from the deadly canteen
by interesting them ia shooting.
cricket and such like
In an hour the party trotted out of
the station into the Slaring heat of the
sun. By dint of very careful riding
and JudiciOuS short halts the bungalow
was reached in four hours.
BOlithO dismounted his men in the
compound and unSaddled the horses
The natives struck him as looking
surly, and full of apprehension he en-
tered the house where the ladies were
at tea. The butler started when he
saw Bolltho enter. and after a pause
drew him into an adjoining room.
Quick, man, What do you want?"
"Sahib,' said the butler, CHANGING
neryously round "you saved nv Door
boys life when the tiger had got him
down, and if I'm killed for it | will
repay YOU"
The servants have heard that a
party of native cavalry is coming up to
loot the house"
hapldly entering the tearoom he, III
a few terse sentences, informed the
ladies that the colonel was very ILL.,"
and they We're to lose no time, but to
ride as they were
Mrs. Rose, with pale face, placed her
children in the troopers arms. and
after helping her sister to mount. was
placed in the saddle by Bolitho.
Twelve miles were covered and they
had arrived at the foot of a steep hill.
crowned on the top With a small wood.
round which a low, broad mud wall
had been built.
In pressing up this hill, Mrs. Roses
horse fell, fortunately not injuring the
rider. Instead of rising it remained
on the ground and Bolitho found that
it was dying.
calling the men aside, the sergeant
ordered them to place their carbines
against the wall, and to put Mrs.
Roses saddle on his horse. at the
same time informing them in an an
rhorltative tone that they were to
make the best of speed on to camp.
Madam, kindly send horse for me
When you get back to camp, as it is
TOO hot to walk
Mrs. Rose, grateful for his consid-
eratlon and quite unaware of the real
FACTS OF the case, promised she would.
Away they went, the children laugh
ing and waving their hands to him.
standing alone in the road. and the
ladies' wondering how they would find
the colonel.
Bolitho had seen the dust coming in
a cloud about three miles behind them
he guessed their enemies were on
their track, and saw certain death toi
the whole party before him.
Clasping the carbines in his arms
he got over the low wall and arranged
them in such a way as to be readily |
able to fire them rapidly. He. opened |
his cartridge case and laid that ready. |
and then knelt down with a gun in his
hand behind the wall.
Suddenly, over the brow of the near
est hill, poured a squadron of native
cavalry, coming at gallop down to
the foot of the hill upon the top of
which Bolitho was entrenched.
He judged then they were in range,
and taking a quick shot, he fired his
clutched another and another !
as that was discharged. He poured
i've shots in quick succession into the ;
mass of troopers.
His aim was deadly, and, deceived t