Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-21

of the amir's book on 'Johad': his assump-
ton of the position of caliph of Islam
ana much indiscreet writing in the Anglo
!rdtan press united to produce a boom
in Mahommedanism.
The fighting began Unexpectedly and
is thus described:
'On the afternoon of the 2Sth of July
the subaltorns and younger officers of the
Mainland garrison proceeded to hhar
to play polo. Thther also came Lieuten-
an. Rattray, riding over from Chakdara
tribesmen of the neighboring village
watched ii as usual in little groups with
keen interest. Nothing in the demeanor
betrayed their thoughts or intentions. The
young soldiers saw nothing, knew nothing.
and had they known would have cared
less. There would be no rising. II there
WAS, SO much the better. They were ready
for it. The game ended, and the officers
cantered back to their camps and posts.
1T was then that strange incident oc-
cuired-an incident eminently characters
tic of the frontier tribes. AS the syces
were putting the rugs and clothing on the
polo ponies and lettering about the ground
after the game the watching natives drew
near, and advised them to be oil home at
once for there was going 10 be fight.
They knew, these Pathans, what was COM
Suddenly in the stiffness of the night
busle-call sounded on the parade ground
OF the Crater Camp. Every one sprang up.
1t was the Assembly For moment
there was silence while the officers seized
fastened them on. Several, thinking that it
was merely the warning Tor the movable
column to fall in. waited to light their
cigarettes. Then from many Quarters the
loud explosion of musketry burst forth, a
sound which for six days and nights was TO
know no intermission.
The attack on the Malakand and the
great frontier war had begun
VaIOr ON Both Sides.
Six days and nights of fierce fighting fol-
lowed and numberless deeds of valor were
recorded on both sides. Here is a sample
of the incidents recalled:
"Brigadier General Meikiejohn at once
ordered u party of the Twenty-fourth to re-
take it, the captured Quarter guard).
Few men could be spared from the line of
defense. AT length a small hut devoted
band collected. II consisted OF Captain Hol-
land. Lieutenant Clirno, Lieutenant MaHley,
the generals orderly. a Sepoy of the Forty
fifth Sikhs. two or three sappers and three
men of the Twenty-fourth in all about a
dozen.
bcsG he sa Fsaet PLACED drew Rm5ef hs rtorH at shTr
The men We're instructed to use the bayo-
net only. Then they advanced. The ground
is by nature broken and confused To an
extraordinary degree. Great rocks. undula-
tions and trees rendered all movements
difficult: numeroLS tents. sheds and other
buildings increased its intrcaces. Amongst
all this were the figures of the enemy, nu-
merous and well armed. The twelve men
charged. The tribesmen advanced to meet
them. The officers shot down man after
man with their pistols. The soldiers bay
oneted others. The enemy drew off discom-
fitted. but half the party We're killed or
wounded. The orderly was shot dead. a
sapper and havildar of the Twenty fourth
self was struck by sword on the neck.
The second attempt to regain the quarter
guard was also unsuccessful, and the sol
diers recoled with further loss. but with
that undaunted spirit which refuses TO adj
nit defeat they continued their efforts and
at the third charge dashed across the open
space bowling over and crushing back the
enemy. and the post was thus recovered.
All the ammunition had, however. been car
ried off by the enemy. and as the eNpendi-
ture of that night had already been enor-
nous 1t was serious loss.
THE next morning no fewer than twen-
ty-nine corpses of tribesmen were found
space over which the three charges had
taken place. This. when it is remembered
that perhaps twice as many had been
wounded and had crawled away. enables
an estimate to be formed of the desperate
nature of the fight for the quarter guard. y
Spirit of the British Troops.
Some idea of the spirit of the British In
dian troops can be formed from this de-
scrption:
1.-THE Guides cavalry had already arrived.
Their infantry. under Lieutenant Lockhart.
reahed the kotal at 7:So p. m. on the 9th;
having. in spite of the intense heat and
choking dust. covered thirty-two miles In
seventeen and a half hours. This Won
derful feat was accomplished wit.--di I'M
pairing the efficiency of the soldiers who
were sent into the piquetbline. and became
engaged as soon as they arrived. An officer
who commanded the Dargai post told me
that as they passed the guard there. they
shouldered arms with parade precision to
show that twenty-six miles under the hot
test sun in the world would not take the
polish off the corps of Guides. Then they
pass. encouraged by the sound Of firing,
which grew louder at every step"
OF the examples of heroism contained In
the book the following is taken, at hap
hazard:
.Ieutenant Ford was dangerously
wounded in the shoulder. The bullet cut
when Surgeon Lieutenant V. Hugo came to
his aid. The fire was too hot to allow
of lights being used There was no cover
OF any sort was ,bs at shs bottom OF the
match at the peril of his life and examined
the wound: The match went out amid a
dust all around. but by its uncertain light
he saw the nature of the injury. The officer
had already tainted from the loss Of blood.
The doctor seized the artery. and. as no
mained under fire for three hours holding
a mans life between his finger and thumb.
broken into the camp he picked up the still
unconscious officer in his arms. and, with
out relaxing his hold bore him to place
of safety. His arm was many hours paral-
yzed with cramp from the effects Of the
exertion Of compressins the artery. l think
there are few. whatever may be their views
Of interest. who will not applaud this
The book abounds in strong descriptions
of gallant fighting, pleasing to all. young
or old civilian or military men. But space
will not allow further lifting of the veil.
India Rebels Give Hostages.