The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-22

some time 4Kte1 the feI1e1 OF Lazy
smith there were found several manu-
scripts Of the late George W. Stevens
which he had been unable to get through
the Boer lines. The London Daily Mail
has been publishing them, and the follow.
ing tells Of the charge Of the thirty"
The day before the siege began moved
into Mulberry Grove.
It was . charming four-roomed burga-
low. two rooms papered and glazed. fur
nished with a dining table. a wicker chair
We elegantly furnished 1t with saddlery
and timed goods. 1t had also kitchen
seven by three; q commodious stable with
loose box for four horses and harness
room. garden Of half an acre. paddock
Of a quarter, and, In short, the usual CT
fees. The garden sported rose tree, pink
Towering shrubs like giant azaleas, a patch
Of sugar canes and row Of black. dripping
mulberry trees. It was Paradise.
And then sin entered In with the Inn
perial Light Horse.
This force-about 500 mounted infantry,
divided into six squadrons. OF which one
was at Estcourt-was mainly composed Of
Uitlanders from the Rand. The men en-
listed mainly with view to vengeance On
the Beers. and the regiment had already
made itself as famous for physical fitness
and courage in the field as for se:r-suhi-
cheney and laxity out OF It
When / awoke in the chill morning flies
made dark dado on the plastered wall.
The ceiling Of the kitchen was quite black
with flies, dead and alive. They browsed
abundantly On my cropped head. They
filed the air with buzz as distracting as
ho nue. ~ for daad1far
The only relief from flies was TO OBJ
serve the Imperial Light Horse.
A Curious Regiment.
They were a curious regiment. They
appeared to consider that 1t rested with
themselves when they rose in the morn
ing, and demonstrated loudly with the
commissioned officers when, as rarely
befell. they were ordered en- fatigue. They
grumbled about everything. especially their
food being accustomed to eat twenty-four
hours rations at a meal.
They considered that no imperial officers
knew anything. No imperial troops could
do anything. They considered that they
won Elandslaagte, and alone averted ois-
aster at Lombard's Kop.
As for talk-never was there such q
corps to talk The false rumors originated
and circulated from their camp alone
would have kept o dozen American news
papers.
Withal, they were an honest. sober. and
well-behayed lot Of men. They were as
conspicuously clean in camp as they were
consistently brave in action. And when
a few regular officers and sergeants were
imported among them their discipline i'm
proved every hour.
There had been the usual dialogue be-
~ m
November 8, and, as usual. Tom, who was
rapidly becoming a sort OF Osman Digna,
was reported killed. About the middle OF
the morning we heard heavy gun fire west
ward, whittier had gone out reconnois-
sance,. including two squadrons OF the !.
L. H. Just before lunch a storm OF shrap-
mel from Bulwan indicated that REINFORCE
ments were passing along the same road,
and that the Beers could see them And
then, Just after lunch-blowing horse. pale
face-dashed up trooper OF the Light
Horse.
Come out, chaps" he yelled. Stretch
ers. ambulance, water carts. Here, put
white bands on your arms, some OF you,
and come out. The men are falling like
sheep. l don't suppose there's one OF
Squadron left alive!"
An Imperial Middle.
'AnOtnGT DldSleu lmpSllAA huAAASS
groused a sergeant.
In a moment the whole lines were astir.
Men were mipding their putties. rushing
at horses with saddles, rushing for white
tearing them to strips. ty-
ing them round arms. mounting, and
squirting away.
spurred too, sick at the thought of an
other disaster to be chronicled. There
we're shells falling from Bulwan a little
way of the road.
Presently saw two men with stretch
er and glimpse OF bandaged head. The
next thing was horse over whose back
tangled limp, and swinging with every
the body Of an officer.
Beyond the Range Post anil the little
pass by which. the Van Reenen's Road
runs out of our lines, the gun fire quick
sned. On the walls at the post sat the
mere remnant Of the Irish Fusiliers,
but defiant, bending black
,rows southwestward.
where's the massacre" asked.
Reconnaissance out there" pointed the
major. l remembered that the fight Of
Lombard's Kop had been officially de-
;cribed as reconnaissance.
/ cantered over large bit of cavalry |
.ountry-a wide basin Of young grass with |
loft blue hills enclosing ito point at
he far end. On the right, film blue, fan
astically carved, shimmered the goblin |
,astles Of the Drakensburg. Below the
learer hill, evidently guarding the right |
lank, was battery unlimbered and two |
avalry regiments. Under a couple Of |
lumpy hills to the left were lines Of NOV |
ing horses; our volunteers on top were |
evidently guarding the left. In front, at |
he point Of the plain, on that white kopje,
must be the Boer position and the disas- |
er.
The squadrons Charge.
I dismounted by the guns, and my horse
ed greedily on the fresh green. 1 looked
through my glasses. and could see moth
ng-and suddenly l saw the prettiest |
light in the world.
Up out Of dip in front Of the Boer
.opje came tearing two squadrons Of |
Mounted men. Belly to earth, helter-
keller. hell-for-leather they gslloped,
eads forward they came laundering in.
On the instant the Boer lines-that I
mpty, silent white hill-sparkled into
rackle Of rife fire. as II the white earth /
vas dry wood blazing. In that same |
Instant our own guns sf--se; and gun on gun
be hoarse report banged down the line.
nd back and back again till the kopje |
,ore coronet of snowy shrapnel. All in |
moment, and then the scurrying riders,
ut Of range. drew rein. shook themselves
ito order out Of tumult, dismounted, lay |
own, and began to IRE.
An fnstant's peace and then another Il
rhirlwind Of maniac riders came storming |
D the slope. Again the hill shot up in /
lasing flashes again the guns spouted
rhite shrapneI over the hill.
Then the madmen drew rein and steadied
,to line.
al oroao mt nj the DrOdfgaI vaIor OF