The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-03-23
DICK HADLOW'S
RIDE.
A Tale of the War
In South Africa.
BY N. A. Dryden.

3 BY N. A. Dryden. 3
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On the last day of October, 1899, Dick
Hadlow made his final preparations for
leaving Mafeking, in British Bechuana-
land, where the English under Colonel
Baden-Powell were beleaguered by the
Transvaal Beers. Dick was a young col
onist of 90, typical specimen of the
South African born Englishman, strong,
self reliant, enterprising, well used to
veldt life. Just now, for more reasons
than one, he was burning for the ap-
proach of nightfall and the beginning Of
an adventurous ride which lay before
him.
Hadlow had been selected to carry dis
patches from Mafeking down to the Or
ange river. The telegraph wires had
long since been cut, the rails torn up,
and the only way Of holding communica-
ton with the south was by means Of
bold and we'll mounted riders who knew
the wild veldt through Bechuanaland and
lands west and were content to take
gantlet through the Gordon of watchful
Rocrs encircling the town. Dick had, as
has been limited, several reasons for un-
dertaking the ride - first, because the
colonel was anxious to get through some
dispatches; second, for the reason that
two prominent storekeepers had offered
a handsome premium to any one sue
ceeding in carrying very important bust
latf Of fhairC 70 fha roiIrno6 81
Orange River. To these two commits
sions were added the dispatch of cables
and letters from various newspaper cor
respondents. These matters alone were
worth q couple Of hundred pounds to
terprise jumped exactly with his keen
and adventurous spirit, and finally he
was exceedingly anxious to see and get
news Of Edie Janson, girl for whom he
had q very tender admiration.
Dick rode quietly for the Molopo, no
great way beyond. Crossing the river, he
struck into the veldt and, after being
challenged by one of the garrison out
posts and giving the password, now be-
gan to enter seriously upon the business
of the night.
Suddenly from out Of the vast silence
bhSte SuASy SOhlS oOO away W thS
right, the shrill neigh of a horse-a
Dutchman's horse undoubtedly, which
had got his own nag's wind and was
questioning 1t. Next instant, despite Dicks
attempt to quell the sound, his horse lift
ed its head and uttered loud, clear call
Of response. There was nothing for it
but bolt, and, striking in his spurs. Dick
galloped straight ahead, reckless of meer-
l-o hnla nd oil fha ofhar r,ifPollo 49, M
veldt. Three rifles were discharged In
idly many yards behind him. He heard
hurried voices in cultural, Boer tones,
more shots were fired, and then the thud
of galloping horses came toward him.
He pressed on. Hank! From behind him
came the conclusion of a fall. That was
surely horse down, and a sharp, smoth-
cred exclamation from the rider confirm
ed his surmise. One pursuer the less.
At last the shelter of some friendly bush
doomed before him in the starlit dark
ness.
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 country permitted.
l. W lCe AS Ol suuultu De1OEG lhS ud"h
came. Just as the light began to quick
en- in the eastern sky he ate some break
fast, gave his good nag 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 IL o'clock Dick rode up the
To- ehol nd hafnra a
single storied, little, whitewashed farm
ran out to the stoep.
"Dickw she exclaimed, with a pretty
flush upon her smooth cheek and q warm
sparkle in her brown eyes, where 10 the
world have you sprung fromT
"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.
"Edie, declare you're looking sweeter
than ever. l must He looked around;
not soul was within eyeshot; he took
the girl by the shoulders and imprinted
warm kiss upon not altogether unrespon-
sive lips. She pushed him gently away.
OlCh, yOu AucEe are ndulkB
about and all sorts Of people, and-well,
never mind. You are a dear to come.
and how long can you stay, and where
are you off to? Father will be back in
half an hour for lunch. He'll be delight
ed to see you. Now, take your horse
round to the stable"
"Why, what's up in this quiet part Of
the world, Eide" questioned Dick. you
H. I ~
"No, not exactly" laughed the girl.
"But that wretched man Frans Stry-
dom, our next neighbor, has collected a
number of Dutchmen here and is talking
very big about commanders and what
he's going to do, and so forth"
Dick whistled.
"In that case / must lie low till night.
fall and the nag is rested" he said. "It's
awkward. ] wanted to push on"
Mr.. Janson came in presently. They
had merry meal together and sat just
within doors, with the windows wide
open, exchanging news, the two men
smoking and all three discussing with q
keen interest the prospects Of early re-
endorsements from England, the chances
of the great struggle in Natal and the
fate of Kimberley. Presently Dick went
and lay down for a couple of hours sleep.
When he awoke, it was o'clock.
There were ten armed Beers in the room,
and Mr.. Janson was by his side, plucking
at his sleeve.
"Wake up, Dick" he said. "Here's
bad news. These fellows suspect you of
carrying messages out of Mafeking, and
they're going to arrest you. l am afraid,
my lad, you'll have to go quietly. They
are too many for us, and resistance is out
of the question. It's a dashed nuisance,
but you won't come to harm. They'll
take you to Vryburg, and when our
troops come up country you'll be re-
leased"
Dick looked round and admitted that
struggle was useless. Luckily he had in
trusted all his papers to Edie before re-
firing for his nap, and, although the
Beers searched him, even down to his
boots and CATERS, they found nothing.
He was hauled off to Strydom's farm,
a quarter of a mile distant, with his
hands and legs tied, and put into room
by himself. All the Beers except Stry-
dom and one other, who remained to
guard their prisoner, rode off on u patrol
to another Englishman's farm, promising
to call for Hadlow next day on their way
into Vryburg.
Just at sunset Edia Janson arrived ct