Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-02-03
MR.. HARRY SOTHERN.

ably nave been right. Nevertheless the
Colonel would have been telling you
the exact truth. Kentucky had be-
come too warm for him The immedl-
ate cause of this warmth In his old
home was slight disagreement with
another gentleman during game of
cards, in the course Of which he had
been forced to use his pistol In order
That the other gentleman might moi use
his. The other gentleman happened
TO be an EX-Congressmnn, man Of
National reputation, of one of the first
families or Kentucky. The Eek Con
CHEESEMAN'S son. received Sothern
bullet through his pistol arm. Mr.
Sothcrn felt that the people. with that
Imperfect reasoning for which he had
no use. blamed him for the occurrence,
ana knowing people rs well as he did,
he knew that their blame would take
the tangible form Of IA lynchlng. He
ala not stop to argue the matter, but
left for parts unknown until the people
should have time to reflect
Mr.. Sothern had had the good luck to
come out In n steamer chartered by the
British Government for the transporta.
ton of supplies to Africa On the way
'"h NV hhi
of the officer in charge with an assldu-
ity that can be appreciated only by
those who have made long voyage In
supply ship. AT first the gentleman,
n lieutenant In her Majesty's service,
did not respond cordially to these ad-
vances. He had sized up Mr.. Sotbern
at his nrst appearance as n missionary.
He changed his mind few days later.
He was practicing with his pistol at
the time with Indifferent success.
Harry Sothern, who had been watch
Ing him. suggested that his aim was
too deliberate. The lieutenant turned
quickly and handed the revolver to his
critic, who showed him how II ought
to be done. When they reached Natal
the lieutenant introduced him to the
people whom it was desirable for him
to know. just at this time the Mat
tabele war was on" After weeks of
waiting he got his permit to Join a
bullock train which was on the way to
the front where the fighting was going
on.
The main division of the British
South African corps had Just defeated
division of the Matabclr army at
Kraal, and had set fire to the villages
around the place. Captain Williams,
with about thirty-five men, while pur-
suing the enemy, was led into an am
bush and found himself cut of from all
chances of escape In small plain sur
rounded by foothills fairly swarmlng
with the enemy. There was absolutely
no chance for him. The pass by which
they had entered was already occupied
by the enemy There was nothing to
do but whit for help or nnnIhilntlon.
He dismOuntrd his men In the middle
Of the plain among a clump Of bushes
and small trees. The natives clrcled
around out of range, INDUCING In
what seemed TO be war dance
when get out Of this" began
Harry Sothrrn, I'm going into the I'M
dcrlaking business. There seems to be
II good field for 1t here"
An old sergeant near by replied: ooh,
no, you're not. When You get out of
this you're going Ia heaven. II you're
been n good boy. If these devils leave
enough of you, youll he n III subject
for undertaking yourself
Harry did not reply. He had taken
of his coat and was rolling It up TO
put under the head of young ensign
who had been wounded as they entered
the pass. and whom SOthcrn, amid
shower of nssegals and bullets, had
thrown across his saddle and had then
gall0pcd after the rest. lie could see
now that the boy was dying and II
gave him great thrOb Of pity and OF
rage against those who had done IT,
lie wondered If the boy knew his con.
ditlOn.
A few minutes later the young sol.
der was dead Harry gently laid the
boys head back upon the ground, and
then picked up his Winchester with an
oath. The natives were advancing all
around them with continuous shout.
ing and beating of shields. The Brit
ish soldiers were picking Off the Mat
abele warriors with II certainty and
precision that nothing could withstand.
The natives broke and fed. With
ringing cheer the men sprang 10 their
feet and fired and cheercd together.
Harry Sothern staggered back with
n bullet in his thigh.
Captain williams helped his men
move the wounded TO "a more sheltered |
spot behind trees Harry objected to |
the arrangement for himself, snylng:
Don't bother about moving me back. |
lust turn me over 50 can shoot. I've |
got nm engagement 10 kill half dozen
nlggers yet"
The captain laughed. Then turning
10 his men, and for the first time In his
life speaking TO them ns equals, he
said; "GcntIcmon, let's sing God Save
he Queen
Harry leaned back on his elbow and
watched them with an amused smile.
He had seen a good many men die In
)ne way and another. But he had
never seen men take II just like this
before.
Across the valley to the savagcs who
were waiting like vultures for their
prey there hOated the sound OF the Ma.
Ii0nal song from the thrOats OF men
who knew they would never sing II
again A Mntabelc chief, who WAS
'apturcd n few weeks later, says that
he 5000 savagcs stood awe bound for
/ moment before the handful OF men
who were teaching them no easily how
not TO he afraid OF death. He says |
hat az they came across the valley for |
he attack he could see man In epau- |
cites (the captain evidently taking |
he loaded rife from wounded sol.
Her who was lying beside him load
ng them as fast ns the captain empied |
hem And he saw. too, a man In civil |
ans clOthes-the same man who had |
Jumped Off his horse 10 pick up
man as they entered the val. |
ey- lying on his face and firing very |
.npIdly. And every time he fired "a say. |
,Rc fell dead. Soon the crack crack
II the winchester ceased, and there
was nothing left TO show for the su.
,erlority Of tho Anglo-Ssx0n race but
hundred Matabele warriors who fail. |
d to Join In the war dance that fol
owed.
sound Advice to sermon Makers.
Kousseau'B advice for the compost |
ton Of a love letter no preacher should |
follow In the composition OF his SER
mon Begin without knowing what
you are going to say, and ending with