Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-12-31

'-<1GSs 18th to the 18th
xss of June, an
thence onward for many terrible days
almost every hour brought tragic It'd
ings. Prospectors, miners and trsv-
elers, unsuspicious OF danger, were
being slaughtered in all directions.
Stores and lonely houses were be-
seised, looted and burned, after the
owners were slain.
Judge Vincent, the Chartered Com
pany's active administrator, could
only muster $50 burghers armed with
but eighty rifles and one Maxim be-
tween them, to protect the 800 women
and children in Salisbury.
Mr.. Dan Judson, chief inspector of
the Chartered Company's Telegraphs,
and then recently gazetted captain
in the Rhodesia Horse, was one of the
few men who had prophesied that the
Mashoaas would rebel. Though a
young man, he was an old pioneer,
had taken part in two campaigns, and
knew the country well.
Having friends at the Mazoe-a
small settlement centering round the
Alice Mine at the head of the Mazoe
Valley, about twenty-seven miles from
Salisbury-Judson wired to Mr.. Salt.
house, manager of the Goldields OF
Mazoe Company, the news of the
murders as it came in.
When, however, early on Wednes.
day, the 18th of June, the inspector
had occasion to wire tho Mazoe peo-
pie the terrible list of murders end
ing with the blood-curdling Norton
massacre, he suggested that their
women folk, at least, had better
come into Salisbury, where a strong
lager was being constructed.
Consequently at midnight wagon,
or large wagonette, and six mules left
the telegraph Office in charge of Mr..
j. o. Blakiston, Captain Judson's
clerk, aud Trooper Zimmerman of the
Rhodosia Horse.
| At nine the next morning Thurs.
day, the 1Sth) telegram was received
from Blakiston announcing his safe
arrival, that he had met nothing on
the road, and was ready to leave with
the women as soon as they had break
tasted.
Judson then-by wire, of course
ordered the Mazoe telegraph Office to
be closed, after first instructing
Blakiston, Salthouse, and the men
with them to start off at once with the
ladies. The insp passed the next
few hours feverishly anticipating their
arrival,
On going into the office later on. he
was MISUNDERSTANDING Mazoe to
have been deserted since morning-to
hear the Mazoe instrument clicking.
It ceased as he entered, and Lieuten-
ant Harrison, then in charge of the
Salisbury Telegraph, silently handed
him this message:
"Blakiston to Inspector Judson.
Three men killed. Alice Mine sur
rounded. Send help at once. Our
only chance. Goodbye" -------
The news from the Mazoe greatly
distressed Judge Vincent, for be was
now being harassed on all sides with
the most piteous appeals for assist
ance, which, for the most part, he was
unable to grant. Now, when Judson
asked him if nothing could be done to
assist the Mazoe people, he said he
was afraid no men could be spared.
After some talk, however, the inspec-
tor was granted permission to take
four men, and these he chose from the
members of the Rhodesia Horse.
Just before sunset, the little patrol
of one officer and four men rode out
of the town on its forlorn errand.
The party consistedo of Captain Judson
and Troopers Honey, Guyon, Godfrey
King and Hendricks; but three miles
out it was joined by Captain Stamford
Brown, who was chief paymaster of
the Rhodesia Horse, but not on it's
ordinary fighting strength.
The patrol then pushed on, and n ear
the Gwebi River unearthed native,
who, when challenged, fed precipi-
tately. With one brief halt to loosen
girths and allow horses and men a
hssty meal, the patrol rode on to
Mount Hampton, and again halted,
keeping q sharp lookout the while.
Here, at half-past three in the morn
ing, they were joined by reinforce
ment from Salisbury, consisting of
Troopers Finch, Pollett, Niebuhr,
Coward, Mulvaney and King.
Before starting, Judson addressed
his comrades, pointing out that they
were about to enter what might prove
. veritable death trap, and that there
must be no thought of turning back
after they had once started. Not a
man of them. however, shrank from
the mission; and descending the rise
ON which the farm stands, they crossed
the Tatagors River and proceeded in
single file, Judson leading. with Cap
tain Brown q close second.
After covering half mile or more,
they entered q stretch of tall, dense
grass, in length about 800 yards,
terminating in q perfect jungle. II
was an ideal spot for an ambuscsde,
and turning in his saddle, Judson
gave the abrupt order, "Gallop!
Still going in single file they tore
along, the only sound being the thun
der of the hoofs of the horses.
Judson dashed through the ex'
tremity of the patch about ten yards
ahead of Brown, who was closely fol-
lowed by the others. Then he wheeled
his horse round, and raising his CUR
covered the thickest clump of grass
past which Niebuhr and Pollett were
then gslloping. As he did so, 6
dozen shots rang ont in rapid sue
cession; fire aud smoke burst out Of
the grass not six yards from the two
men, and at the same moment both o.
them were on the ground, horses and
oil. In the same instant Judsor
caught sight OF the natives crouchine
in the grass and fred his slug-charged
barrels, telling two Of them. This
alone prevented q volley being free
ON Honey and Coward, the latter o
whom was thrown by his horse-wht
was frightened at the sudden dis
! cheroo- ri0hk in front If tho enemv