Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-07
CAPTURED BY AFRIDIs.

I have obtained from Calor Sergeant
Walker Of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, the
following narrative of his experiences
while prisoner with the Afridis. He
said:
"A wing of our regiment formed part
of the Fourth brigade during Gen.
Westmacott's march down the Bara riv-
err on Dec. 10, and my company was
acting as escort to a mountain battery.
At 10 in the morning the battery moved
to take up position in order to cover
the rear guards retirement. The enc
my pressed US holly after we left the
river bed, and when the battery retired
the sun was getting low. We, however,
still held on to the knoll where we were,
having been ordered to protect the left
flank
"a little later we heard the signal for
our company to retire. 1t then became
apparent that the rear guard had passed
US unnoticed in the gloom of the Jungle,
our captain accordingly ordered us
TO retire IN threes and tours at a time
When only eight of us remained 1 was
told to select four of the most active to
retire last. 1t was a difficult Job, as the
men Were. worn out by a harassing
ously had been without sleep and with
out kits
Captain Short, Lieutenant Mott,
Private Pooles and myself were in the
rear of the company, trying to get the
men up the hill, when heard wells. and
saw that the Afridis were close behind
US. The captain ordered us to turn
ABOUT and fire at them. ran forward
TO convey the order, but as was doing
SO l tripped and fell down the rayine. IN
an instant several Afridis were on me,
struggling for my rifle. One shot me
through the arm; another fred point
blank at my head, and the bullet Just
grazed my temple.
Il then tainted. When I recovered
consciousness I found myself stripped
to the shirt and drawers, and the Afri-
qls dispdting the spoil. This having
oeen settled, my captors dragged me off,
and by signs impressed upon me the fu-
tility OF attempting to escape. / was
carried helpless past many Of the
enemy's camp-fiPes to the Afridi head
quarters. There, through the interces-
sion Of an Afridi who had been a sewer
In the Bengal cavalry, my clothes were
returned to me. / was very tired and
hungry and eagerly accepted some chu-
paths which were offered me.
The enemy had secured a quantity
OF loot, among which was the box of
Sergt. Cross of the Kings Own Bor-
derers. The Afrids with eager curiosity
examined its contents, frequently re-
ferring to me for an explanation as to
their uses. I noticed that the Afridis
were armed with Lee-Metrords, Marta-
mis-, Sniders, and a few nuzzIe-loaders
but had no jezails. After a short halt
the march was resumed. I was taken
TO the mouse occupied by the Gordon
Highlanders on the 18th. There re-
manned nine days a close prisoner I
was treated kindly.
"On the night of December % two
armed men entered the room where I
was confined, and, after much whisper
ing together, ordered me to follow them.
We marched in a westerly direction,
and in the morning arrived In a cult
waited valley surrounded by snow-clati
mountains. We halted at the village Of
Sandapul, where the headman treated
me kindly and dressed my wound regu-
larly. While here Jared we'll generally,
l received kind letters from Gen. West
macott, while Mr.. Hastings, the political
officer, forwarded tea, sugar, news
papers and writing material, which en-
abled me to keep diary, and SO Tighten
my. captivity.
My original captor, Hozrat Nur, at
this time continually absented himself
on the pretence of securing my release.
during one OF these absences a bunnia
(trader) arrived with a letter from
Hangu, and at midnight whispered sug-
gestions that should attempt to escape.
But. reading in the paper which had
been sent me that four other soldiers
were captives in the hands of the Arid
u.s. l decided to refuse the tempting Of
fer, fearing that my escape might en-
danger their hves.
DAY followed day monotonously until
January 5. when the malik arrived, and
at jirgahs which were held 1t was de-
cided to march on the 10th. We started
early on that day and marched by un-
frequented mountain paths to the Bara
valley. There we halted two days, dur
ing which constant jirgahs were held.
AT midnight on the third day the
journey was resumed, and at midday we
reached the village Of Barwan, nine
miles from Mamani. In the course of the
afternoon an English-speaking native
was sent by the political officer to es-
cort me to Mamani, When arrived here
at in the evening my delight knew no
bounds.
Thus ended my captivity, which be-
gan on December Is and lasted till jan
uary 14"-London Times India dis
patch, January 49,
James q. Smith. proprietor Of the paper
H.. aas ~.