The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-15


been gobbled up by the enemy and sent
on 10 languish In the retirement OF the race
course at Pretoria. Even their old rivals,
the Tyrone Fusleers, with whom they
had met and fought in all parts Of the
world with belts and fists, had nothing
but pity for them, and delicatelly for
bore to make any remarks upon the news.
Since they were under orders for the
Cape, the Tyrone Fusileers were on their
best behavior. and the Pink Dragons at
the depot felt too low spirited even to de-
sire n farewell fight with the Irishmen.
SO they chummed instead. For the first
time I'm the history OF the British army,
Pink Dragons and Tyrone Fusileers
were seen walking together drinking to-
gether and smoking each others tobacco.
Some of them even walked out with the
same girl, and proud were the damseis
who walked out escorted by a Fusileer
and Dragon, thus forming link, as It
were twixt two gallant regiments which
had been at enmity since the days of
Wellington.
No man could rightly trace the cause
OF the quarrel between them. One his
torian claimed that at the battle Of Water
loo the Fusieers had peppered the ORA
goons under the mistaken impression that
they were French cavalry. thus adding
injury to insult Another authority held
that the trouble arose between the regi-
ments during the Peninsular war, when,
after the fierce battle of Albuera, the Fu-
sleers had come up for their share of
some pipes OF looted valdepenas wine. TO
ind that the Pink Dragons had absorbed
the last gassful and had filled up tho
pipes with water.
Perhaps the truest story of the feud
was that which told how. when quartered
in the same town. after the Crimean war.
the Dragons and Fusileers had intermar-
lad heV nj
most as one family. All had gone well
until the daughters OF the Fusileers who
had welded Dragons began to patron
ize the daughters OF Dragons who had
married Fusileers. referring to their hus-
bands az "fut sojers."
Anyhow. all these wrongs were forgot
ten In the one great trouble which had
befallen the Pinks. sympathy found beer
to drown sorrow. and no one rejoiced but
the wives OF the men who had been made
prisoners.
When the day of departure came for
the Fusileers. the band OF the Pinks play
ed them down to the station. Then the
Dragons hung on the footboards of the
carriages to bid them last farewell, and
close-cropped heads were cuffed affection
Rtely.
well bring 'em back, don't you fear
an their 'orses. too" said the Tyrone
Fusileers
AN ouid Kruger wild en-" interposed
corporal on his own account.
Although there was plenty of room in
the special train the Tyrone FuSileers pre-
ferred 10 travel fifteen In a compartment,
as being more sociable and cornwall than
tho orthodox Ave side. so the bugler had
a compartment all to himself. and was
spreading himself accordingly
Dent you be afraid. Fanny" ne said 70
the trumpater: I'm keep a good look out
for your chaps when We reaches Pra.orier,
an I'll see what can do for 'emr
Don't you he too sharp an get n-cuttin
yersclf. Busler simmons replied the
trumpter, with gentle sarcasm. especially
along o that now bay'nit o. yours. an II
you see my .pertlckler friend 'Corpra
'Awkey along ~ them pris'ners. give Inn
my love an arsk I'm II e likes Pretoria
better'n Portland. Al right. guy nor-aIl
right Keep yer 'ands orr the army. can't
yer It's n-lnvin' it's precious lives for tho
likes o. you. atn't to-
These last remarks we're addressed TO the
guard
Don't forget them calls | taught vert"
cried the trumpetcr 10 his departing friend
mot arr shouted back the busler ap.
preciatively,
Then. having made a ermace At the
guard. he pulled In hts head and settled
himself comfortably IN the codner 10 start
cigarettes which had been pressed on him
by a sympathetic friend as they marched
out Of tho barracks
Beyond the trumpeter OF the Pink Drag
oons. BuSler simmons had had no friend.
TO see him on He had not missed this las;
tribute TO tho departing soldier. since
throughout HE short nfc he had neecr en-
Joyed the privileges 81 relationship
He had bcen an orphan az the tender age
of slS months. had been raised IN a work
house school and had driftcd into the army
bv reason ~ MS proficiency IN sounding
winS Instruments
one inGy. indeed as the troops had
marched down ic the train had. mush 90
hts Indignation. Hftcd him In her arms ami
kissed him
Just a. " was hloomin' baby" he
remarked ec1rntuny 90 hiniself a. he sat
IN the corner pulling hraNcly at his gar
cite, "Nait tiil We comes across some %
them pocrs. that's an
Five weeks later the had luck OF the FINK
prs gcona fen upon the Tyrone Fusnerrs
and Rugler simmons had his first cnauve
~ tasting the stern realities Of war Is the
uttrrmost Groes of the cup
OF course tt was notoAy's fault tn partl-
cuiar and cycrybody's fAuit IN general. and
the F,lsilccrs cursed nothing but their own
pruverblal luck when they found them
sely@N al the ntghtfali ~ q DAY ~ battle
cut on from the army and surrounded BY
an Overwhelming gorCv ~ Beers
They oc-upicd a position % some
strength. Sich as the boers themselves hive
a t.swider-streNn kopie standing higA
above tho surroundings plain In che middle
81 the afternoon as order hai come shat
they were 60 take TIRE position.
They had taken ". with loss ~ over a
hundred meu
Later on a message hat come saying
"Hola position until you are reinforced"
They hal held tho position Wt,h the loss
81 another hundred men against ana ovcr-
whclmInx Boer attack hut the reinforce
msnts had never arrived. Hri the cart
Ridge were beglnnirs &C. run short rhen
WITH twilight. the heavy nrtng of cannon
on the surrounding hills bad t!v3 away.
The are of their oFpouest~, toe as The
aav crew 60 a livid streak ~ sray over
,he Western mountains. hal s'ackcne3
soun 10 an occasional sn!plug shot
Rarier simmons had been vcry happy
all thc afternoon He hAd found "a snug
corner between two large powders. occu-
n,es bv a wounded Bocr. one 90 the de-
tenders OF the hin who hal been lett Re
hind in the fight
-, - ~, nm the R0pr's leg With teu-