The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-05-16
The Ambush,
A slovenly lotl

command, surely not knit together
as one expects to see men who are
playing at the terrible game OF war.
But look closerl
Sc how they ride. How easily
they sit their wiry ponies, how
smoothly, carelessly, they cover the
ground The glance their leader
eastp, now this way, now that, is
.urely but keen. Each glance takes
in every little particular that lies
10 that direction, for he has been
bred and born in this keen suolight
aud rarifed air. From childhood
he has hunted over this ground,
matching his wit against the wit and
Instinct OF tina wary beasts that
roamed the veldt and scramble up
tue boulder strewn sides of the
kopjes.
Watch him
There, he is off his pony, off as
silently as a snake slides over Shiny
stone in it's search for prey. He is
on his hands aud knees beside his
mount, and see how suddenly his
followers stopped, how no selessly
they stand, how eagerly they watch
him.
What is he doing there?
About him are rocky ridges rolling
off to the horizon. Never has man
campaigned over more uneven,
rough, irregular ground; not that
the heights are great, or the valleys
deep; neither precipice nor canon
are here, but boulder-shaped hills,
themselves strewn thick with bould-
ers; harsh ground, the very back
bone of this ragged country. And
the Boer? He is on his hands and
knees, his cheek is pressed close to
the ground. He is listening. Now
he is up again, and at the quick mo-
tion Of his hand, every man of his
company has slid to earth and grab
bed his rifle.
The leader? Seel he scuds across
the rock.strewn ground at the foot
OF this kopje, he throws himself
down and again his ear is clapped
to the earth. This time it is only
for an instant. Quick as flash be
is on his feet once more, and by mo-
tions more than words, gives his or
ders. The ponies are off in charge
Of few men to take shelter behind
yon clump of bushes, the BURGERS
are scattering like covey Of start
led cartridges. But their faces!
There is no sign of fear; a sort of
animal eagerness is in every mans
looks, thirst for blood. Now each
man is crouched close down behind
boulder. There they wait.
For what Go they wait?
See yonder, just round the sweep
of the kopje! LancArs? Yes. Scout
ing? Certainly. Sweeping he couu.
try for sight of foe, keeping
touch" with an enemy whom they
fail to find. The leader believes that
he is miles from danger, but he is
wrongI nevertheless, he is no fool
Watch the brave fellows; they are
scattered wide, yet still we'll in hand.
Splendid riders, too, but how differ.
ent from the Beers we have been
watching. No slouching here, no
slackness, but man and horse do not
make such unit as does the ungain-
ly force. On they come straight for
the ambush. Good Heavenp. Is
there nothing to warn them OF their
peril2 DOES no man hear a Whisper
Can no eye among them all catch a
glimpse OF the CLINT OF sun on rife
barrel? Will no Boer in his excite
mept prematurely let off his rifle to
bark a fierce alarm upon the silent
air.
Hah! See!
The captain has halted his Lam
GERS. What has told him that dan
ger is afoot' He does not know.
In animals it is called instinct, in
man premonition. He turns to his
meu and says two words:
"Who yolunteers?"