The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-02-02
DICK HADLOW'S RIDE
A South African War Story.

vi the last uey VI OCtODSI, 1879,
Dick Hadlow made his final prepera.
tions for leaving Mafeking, in British
Bechuanaland, where the English I'M
der Col. Baden-Powell were beleag-
uered by the Beers. Dick was young
colonist of 20, typical specimen of
the South African born Englishman,
strong, self-reliant, enterprising, well
used to weld life; just now, for more
reasons than one, he was burning for
the approach of nightfall and the be-
ginning of an adventurous ride which
lay before him.
Dick, who had knocked about in
various parts Of South Africa in quest
of adventure, dollars and experience
ever since the age of Is, had, three
years back, made a little money in
johannesburg, and for the last two
years had been farming just outside
of Mafeking. When the war broke out
he had. with other Englishmen in
that district come into the town for
reasons of safety. and had taken his
part in that vigorous defense which
the resourceful Baden Powell was now
opposing to the strong force of Beers
gathered around.
Hadlow, after volunteering his ser
vices, had been selected to carry dis
patches from Mafekng down TO the
Orange River The telegraph wires
had long since been cut, the rails torn
up, and the only way of holding COM
munication with the south was by
means of bold and well-mounted rid
ers. who knew the wild weld through
Bechuanaland and Griqualand West
and were content to take their lives
in their hands and run the gantlet
through the Gordon of watchful Beers
encircling the town. Dick had, as has
been limited, several reasons for under
taking the ride First, because the
Colonel was anxious to get through
some dispatches. Second, for the rea-
son that two prominent storekeepers
had offered a handsome premium for
any one succeeding in carrying very
important business letters of theirs
down to the railroad at Orange River.
To these two commissions We're add
ed the dispatch of cables. and letters
from various newspaper correspond
ents. These matters alone were worth
a couple of hundred pounds to him If
he succeeded. Folrthly, the enter
prise jumped exactly with his keen
and adventurous spirit And finally he
was exceedingly anxious to see and
get news of Edie Janson. a girl for
whom he had very tender admira-
tion.
The afternoon wore ON slowly. Ma
feking was somnolent under the heat.
Commandant Cronje's bombardment
had ceased for some time; the men
under arms were mostly some way
out of town. Dick lIadlow had made
all his plans, seen Col Baden-Powell
for the last time, and was now wait
ing impatiently for darkness and the
close of the long day.
At 8 he sauntered off to his bed
room, and thence, half an hour later.
went to the stable and saddled up his
good nag. handsome black, rather
over fourteen hands, in sound, hard
condition; then he quickly walked
across the broad market square, The
last man to shake hands with him
was a wellknown up-country trader
and storekeeper, for whom he was
carrying dispatches. Just before quit
ting the square, Dick mounted and
grasped his friends hand
"Good-by, old chap" he said. land
good luck to all You fellows here"
friend Take care of yourself and a
lucky journey to you"
They parted with a strong friendly
grip. and Dick rode Off quietly for the
Molopo, no great way beyond. Cross
ing the river. he struck into the veldt,
and after being challenged by one of
the garrison outpos:s and giving the
password. now began to enter seri-
hn hftg rxR atrrt4k
Suddenly from odt OF the vast ST.
lence there came. some 300 yards
away to the right. the shrill neigh OF
a horse, Dutchman's horse, undoubt.
eddy, which had gotten his own nag's
wind and was questioning it. Next
instant, in spite of his attempt to
quell the sound, his horse lifted its
head and uttered a loud. clear call of
response. There was nothing for It
but bolt, and, sticking in his spurs,
Dick galloped straight ahead, reckless
of meerkat holes and all the other pit
falls of the veldt. Three rifles were
discharged in his direction, but the
bullets cut the air idly many safe
yards behind him. He heard hurried
$1,000 IN gutteral Boer tones, more
shots we're Aired, end Jnel. sAs es
of galloping horses came toward him.
He pressed on. Hark! From behind
him came the conclusion of fall.
That was surely horse down, and
sharp smothered exclamation from
the rider confirmed his surmise. One
71ursuer the less. At last the shelter
al some friendly bush doomed up De-
fore him in the starlit darkness,
All that night, setting his course by
the stars, Dick Hadlow pushed on at
a steady pace; sometimes walking
when the bush was troublesome, anon
cantering where glades of open coun-
try PERMITTED. Twice. he off-saddled
before the dawn came. Just as the
light began to thicken in the eastern
sky he ate some breakfast, gave his
good nag a feed of mealie, drank some
cold coffee from his water bottle-he
was afraid to light fire-and as the
wonderful colors of the sunrise began
to emblazon the heavens, lit his pipe,
climbed into the saddle and rode on
again At o'clock Dick rode up the
last shallow valley and halted before
a single-storied, little, white-washed
farm house. AS he climbed stiffiy down
a girl ran out to the stoop.
"Dicki" she exclaimed, with pretty
flush upon her smooth cheek and a
warm sparkle in her brown eyes,
where in the world have you sprung
from?"
''Why, from Mafeking, of course,
Edie; I've been there for the last
month in lager"
He had taken the girls proffered
hand, and now. holding it in his own,
gazed with admiration into her face.