The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-04-06
DICK HADLOW'H RIDE
A South African War Story.

Dick Hadlow made his final prcpera'
tions for leaving Mafekng, in British
Bechuanaland, where the English un-
der Col. Baden.Powcll were bcleag'
uered by the Beers. Dick was n young
colonist OF 26 a typical specimen Of
the South African born Englishman,
strong, selfrcliant, entcrprisng, well
used TO weld life; just now, for more
reasons than one, ne was burning Tor
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 49, 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 Mafeling 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 tho south was by
means of bold and well-mOunted rid.
ers. who knew tho wild weld through
Bechuanaland and Griqualand West,
and were content to take their lives
I'm their hands and run the gantlct
through the Gordon OF watchful Beers
encircling the town. Dick had, as has
been hinted, several reasons for under
taking the ride First, because tho
Colonel was anxious to get through
some dispatches. Second, for the rea.
son that two prominent storekcepcrs
had offered n 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 were 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 TX
he succeeded. Fourthly. the enter
prise jumped exactly with his keen
and adventurous spirit And finally no
was exceedingly anxious TO see and
get news of Edie Janson. a girl for
whom he had very tender admira'
ton.
The afternoon wore on slowly. Ma.
feking was somnolcnt under the heat.
Commandant Crodje's bombardment
had ceased for some time; the mon
under arms were mostly some way
out of town. Dick IIadlow had mada
all his plans. seen Col Baden Powell
for tho last time. and was now wait
ing impatiently for darkness and the
close of tho long day,
At he sauntcrcd off To his bed
room and thence. half an hour later
went TO the stable and saddlcd 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 n wcll-known up-country trader
and storekeepcr. for whom he was
carrying dispatches. Just before quit.
ting the square, Dick mounted and
grasped his friends hand.
"Goodby old chap" he said "and
good luck TO all y0G fellows here"
Good night. Dick" returned his
friend. Take care of yourself and o
lucky journey to yol.'
They parted with a strong friendly
grip. and Dick rode of quietly for tho
Molopo no great way beyond. Cross
ing the river he struck into the veldt.
and after being challenged by one OF
the garrison outpISts and giving tho
password. now BEGAN TO enter seri.
ously upon the business OF the night.
Suddenly from out of the vast ST.
lcnce there came, some 300 yards
away to the right, the shrill neigh OF
a horse. n Dutchmaa's horse, undoubt.
edly. which had gotten his own nag's
wind and was questioning II. Next
instant, in spite Of his attempt To
auell the sound. h,s horse lifted its
head and uttered y loud clear call OF
response. There vas nothing for IL
but bolt. and sticking In his spurs.
Dick galloped straight ahead, reckless
of meerkat holes aLd all the other pit.
falls of the veldt. Three rifles were
discharged in his direction, but tho
bullets cut the air idly many safe
yards behind him. He heard hurried
voices I'm gutteral Boer tones, moro
shots were fired. and then the thud
OF galloping horses came toward him.
He pressed on. Hark, From behind
him came the concussion of fall
That was surely horse down. and \
sharp smothered exclamation from
the rider confirmed his surmise. One
pursuer the less. At last the shelter
OF some friendly bash loomed up be.
fore him in the starlit darkness.
All that night setting his course by
.he stars. Dick Hadlow pushed on at
steady pace: sometimes walking
when the bush was troublesome sron
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 n 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
20 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
single storied. little, white.washed
farm house AS he climbed stifliy down
a girl ran out TO the stoop.
"Dickl" she exclaimed. with pretty
flush upon her smooth cheek and a
warm sparkle in her brown eyes. !"
where In the world have you sprung