The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-07-16

| left at p. M, amid cnoerS. One
troop consisted of Africanders, the
other of Englishmen. l attached my
! self to the AfricanGers. The first
night we were attacked, but repnlsed
the enemy with ease. We got down
to Gwanda in thirty hours without
more fighting. On the way we found
stores looted and burnt. They even
stabbed the pigs and dogs. 1t was
good travelling-seventy-five miles in
thirty hours, in full marching order.
I started with no kit, only horse sad
die, ETC., and rifle and revolver. We
decided to stay there five days, as the
store had not yet been looted, and we
had plenty of provisions. l was issu-
or, so my mess lived high. About the
fifth day we started back. About an
hour after we started felt my horse
was not right, SO l jumped off, took off
the saddle, and put in small spring
wagon we had with us that used to
carry rations in and extra ammdnitio /.
In about an hour saw it was all up
with the poor old chap. He walked
slower and slower, the froth streaming
from his nose; at last he stopped. l
told the other fellows to go on, as |
should stop with him to the last.
They wanted to shoot him, but l said
the first one that shot my horse I
should loose off into him.
$50 they left me, and stayed with
the poor old chap until he died-his
head on my knees. tell you l felt
sick. Poor old fellow he knew me to
the last. I walked on, and caught the
troop up five miles further on. The
Captain and all we're sorry for me, as
he was far and away the best horse
and the best looked after. Hay down
under little bush and fell asleep. |
was so tired; l had had no sleep and
hard work for the last twenty-four
hours. When | awoke every one was
gone. | thanked God l was still alive.
Then walked after them and caught
them up at night. We did not sleep
much that night. and the next day at
dawn started. We did twelve miles
then rested for an hour, then went on
for twelve miles more. We were in a
nasty cloof. We found about twelve
head of cattle and of course took
them, after exchanging few shots
with the herds. l said that it was q
trap. was right.
"About half a mile on we were 60
ing through neck, hills on each side.
[ was on the front seat of the little
wagon when l saw sheet of fame
and heard a roar; the bullets came like
hail. The mules turned and broke the
pole. l jumped down got them
straight, and set to work to mend the
pole with the driver, but the bullets
were thick and they made me target;
one grazed my cheek, another went
between my legs, while a third took a
button off my leggings. got behind
tree alongside the wagon, rested my
rifle on branch and began. I let
them have it. l saw three fall the
first three shots, as they we're only a
hundred yards off. But our fellows
were falling fast, and horses dropping
everywhere, so we had to advance.
eve got on to bit of open, but the
niggers were close behind in the long
grass. We went on advancing for four
miles, fighting hard the whole time.
At last we got to rise and made
stand, as it was pretty clear we had
lost heavily. But they kept on us just
as heavy fire as we kept on them.
Our ammunition was nearly run out.
"The Captain asked me if 1 would
try and ride through to Bulawayo for
requirements and ammunition, which
was terribly short. l said I'll try
81 took the best horse l could see
near, cut the equipment loose, and
jumped into the saddle. AS l left
them l had a hailstorm of bullets after
me. All of sudden a bullet struck
me in the head, went right through
my hat, and cut groove along my
skull. l fell forward and heard man
say, Poor old, pipped.' Jumped
up and said No fear. Where's that
blooming Ksffir?' l saw him and he
didn't go far. A fellow came up and
tied up my head, and l went on firing.
My head and face was covered with
h1oo1 No,u about %bo i'd