The Irish standard., 1900-04-21
FLATLY CoNTRADlCTS JULIAN RALPH
London Liars are Exposed in the
Globe-Demoorat.
THEY MAGNIFY THE BoER STRENGTH
Young Burgher Who Talks Like
an Englishman.

| II. Hales, correspondent of the
London Daily News, who was wounded
and taken prisoner to Bloemfontein be-
fore that place fell into the hands OF the
British, has written vivid description
Of his experiences. His companion was
Mr.. Lambie OF the Melbourne Age. Mr.
Hales' story follows:
| "Wc had drifted few hundred yards
behind the advance party, but were a
good distance in front OF the rear guard,
when number OF horsemen made a
dasl, from the kopjes which we were
skirting and the rifles began to speak
There was no time for poetry, it was a
case of sit tight and ride hard or sur
render and be made prisoners. Lambie
shouted to me, Let's make dash
Hales,' and we made it. The Beers
we're very close to us before we knew
anything concerning their presence
Some of them were behind us and some
| extended along the edge OF the kopjes
| by which we had to pass to get to the
British line in front. All OF them were
galloping in on us, shooting as they rode
and shouting to us to surrender, and
had we been wise men we would have
thrown up our hands, for it was almost
hopeless to try and ride through the
rain of lead that whistled around u.s.
"All at once saw my comrade throw
up lis hands with spasmodic gesture
He rose in his stirrups and fairly bound
cd high out of his saddle, and as he spun
around in the air saw the red blood
on the white face and knew that death
had come to him sudden and sharp
Again the rifles spoke and the lead was
closer to me than ever a friend sticks in
time OF trouble and knew in my heart
that the next few strides would settle
things. The black pony was galloping
gamely under my weight. Would he
carry me safely out OF that line of fire
Or would he fail me? Suddenly some
thing touched me on the right temple;
it was not Ike Ike blow; it was not a
shock; for half second 1 was con-
scious. I knew 1 was hit; knew that
the reins had fallen from my ncrveless
hands; knew that l was lying down
upon the horses back and my head
hanging below his throat. Then all the
world went out in one mad wllirl.
Earth and heaven seemed to meet as if
by magic. My horse seemed to rise
with me, not to fall, and thcn-cl1aos.
"Wfcn next knew was still on this
planet l found myself in the saddle
again, riding between two Beers, who
were supporting me in the saddle as
swayed from side to side. There was a
halt; man with kindly face took my
head i'll the hollow OF his arm while
another poured water down my throat.
Then they carried me to a shady spot
beneath some shrubbery and laid me
gently down. One man bent over me
and washed the blood that had dried on
my face and then carefully bound up my
wounded temple. began to see things
more painly-a blue sky above me; a
group of rough, hardy men, all armed
with rifles, around me. l saw that was
not prisoner, and when tried to move
l soon knew l was damaged.
"The: same good-looking young fel-
low with the curly beard bent over me
again. Feel any better now, old fcl-
low" l stared hard at the speaker, for
he spoke like all Englisfman and we'll
educated fellow. yes, I'm better. am
a prisoner, amt ~ Yes Are you an
Englislman" asked. He laughed.
Not l. he said. I'm Boer born and
bred, and I am the man who bowled
you over. What on earth made you do
such FOOLS trick as to try and ride
away from our rifles at that distancc?
Didn't think | was welcome in these
parts. Don't make a jest OF it, man,
the Boer said, gravcly; rather thank
God you are a living man at this mo-
ment, 1t was His hand that saved you;
nothing else could have done So He
spoke revercntly; there was no cant in
the sentiment he uttcred-hs face was
too open, too manly, too fearless, for
hypocrisy. How long is it since l was
knocked ovcr?' About three hours
Is my comrade dead?' Quite dead,'
the Bocr replied; death came instantly
to him; he was shot through the brain
! Poor ~beggar,' l muttered; and he'll