The Bowbells tribune., 1900-05-18
THE BOER SOLDIER.
A HIGH TRIBUTE TO THEIR
HUMANITY.
english Corrsspondsnt's Graceful Ap-
preciation Of Their fKindness-Taken
Prisoner and Treated In . Christian
Manner While In Their Hands.

H. Hales,a correspondent Of the Lon
don Daily News, who was wounded
and taken prisoner by the Beers, pays
high tribute to the humanity and
kindness Of the latter. Hales and an
Australian named Lambie were en-
deavoring to escape from Boer pa
troll when they were fired upon AMI
both were hit. In describing the affair
Hales said:
Suddenly something touched me on
the right temple; it was not like a
blow; it was not shock; for half
second was conscious. knew l was
hit; knew that the reins had fallen
from my nerveless hands; knew that
I was lying down upon the horses
back and my head hanging below his
throat. Then all the world went out
in one mad whirl. Earth and heaven
seemed to meet as if by magic. My
horse seemed to rise with me, not to
fall and then-chaos.
when next knew I was still on
this planet found myself in the saddle
again, riding between two Beers, who
were supporting me in the saddle as l
swayed from side to side. There was a
halt; man with kindly face took my
head in the hollow of his arm while
another poured water down my throat.
Then they carried me to shady spot
beneath some shrubbery and laid me
gently down. One man bent over me
and washed the blood that had dried
on my face and then carefully bound
up my wounded temple. began to see
things more plainly-a blue sky above
me; a group Of rough, hardy men, all
armed with rifles. around me. saw
that I was a prisoner, and when
tried to move l soon knew l. was dam
aged.
''The same good looking young fell
tow with the curly beard bent over me
again. Feel any better now, old fell
low?' l stared hard at the speaker, for
he spoke like an Englishman and a
well-educated fellow. Yes, I'm better.
I am a prisoner, amt ~ Yes Are
you an Englishman?' I asked. He
laughed. Not H. he said. I'm Boer
born and bred, and am the man who
bowled you over. What on earth made
you do such a fools trick as to try
and ride from our rifles at that dis
tance? Didn't think was welcome
in these parts Don't make jest OF
it, man. the Boer said, gravely; rather
thank God you are living man this
moment. 1t was His hand that saved
you; nothing else could have done so.
He spoke reverently; there was no
cant in the sentiment he uttered-his
face was too open, too manly, too fear
less, for hypocrisy. How long is it
since was knocked over?' About
three hours rs my comrade dead?
Quite dead.' the Boer replied; death
came instantly to him; he was shot
through the BRAIN Poor beggar.' l
muttered; and he'll have to rot on
the open veldt, I suppose?'
"The Boer leaders, face flushed an
grily. DO you take us for savages"
he asked. Rest easy; your friend will
get decent burial. What was his
rank? War correspondent And
your own?' War correspondent, also.
My papers are in my pocket. some
where Sir said the Boer leader, you
dress exactly like two British officers;
you ride out with fighting party; you
try to ride off at gallop under the
very muzzles of our rifles when we
tell you to surrender. You can blame
no one but yourselves for this days
work. I blame no man; played the
game and am paying the penalty.
Mr.. Hales adds: ~ have made it my
business to get about among the pri-
vate soldiers to question them con-
cerning the treatment they have re-
ceived since the moment the Mauser
rifles tumbled them over. and say
emphatically that in every instance
our countrymen declare they have been
grandly treated. Not by the hospital
nurses only; not by the oflcials alone,
but by the very men whom they were
fighting"