Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-05

way toward the rear until he was rid
ing in the last wagon OF all a few
yards behind that rode six mounted
men. and quarter Of mile further
back rode the rear guard. BurhaIn
waited.
That evening, as the column was
crossing a drift, the rear wagons were
delayed, and the prisoners who were
able TO walk were allowed TO get down
and stretch their legs. one OF the
British officers caught sight OF the
scout and hailed him.
Hello. Durham, he said cheertullyi
80 they've got you%
Shut up" retorted Durham IN
fierce whisper The Boer commandant
had half heard the name Of the IA
nous scout, and wheeled around sharp
ly When the wagons finally got across
the drift he called up a bushmani one
Of those wonderful little natives who
have the keen instincts Of animals, ana
told him to watch Burnham. Then
began a silent duel The American
scout almost met his match.
As the long column moved slowly
along the dim track I'm the veldt the
two scouts tested each others skill.
Burnham lay at the front Of the wagon
his hat of and his eyes closed. The
bushman trotted silently beside the
front wheel. With less sound than a
snake among dry leaves the American
wormed himself along under the MOOD
10 the back and peered out into the
darkness. There was patter OF feet
right under him. and he could see
little black shape jogging along
through the dust He carefully ar
ranged his broad brimmed hat over the
tailboard and crawled back 10 the
front. In three seconds the little BUSH
man was az his side and silently hand
ed him his hat
Every device that he could think OF
Burnham tried, but II seemed no use.
SO ne settled himself down In absolute
stiffness, with eyes and ears wide open
Hour after hour passed, yet with dog
ged patience he hung on and waited.
II was nearly dawn when his chance
came. The bushmau ran forward a
few steps TO speak 20 the driver or the
team. who was swinging his long whip
over the plodding line Of oxen. Those
few seconds We're enough.
silently Burnham slipped forward on
his face, out on 20 the disselboom-the
heavy pole between the wheel oxen.
He lay dow on the big timber run
length, clasped It with his arms and
legs, swung himself TO the under side
and dropped on his back on the SOFT
dust.
The heavy wheels creaked past;
then came the six mounted guards In
the black darkness the man on the
ground had only his ears 10 guide MN.
Lying Hat and straight, with his arms
A. Ia rfHri0.rHInH few
inches 10 one side and lay still, and on
each side OF him passed three horses.
their hoofs kicking dust into
his face. Two seconds more and
he was free. He gave them ifty yards
start. then rolled over and over away
from the track for twenty yards ana
lay stll until the wagon train had
passed out Of hearing. The first sireaks
OF dawn were showing
Getting his direction. he started on
rapidly-without a limp-towards where
he would strike the British lines sud
denly he sow In the dim light within
800 yards. Boer farm house and three
or four armed men on hill near uy.
He dropped like a weasel and Wrlggied
through the grass 90 little dll.h
where a tiny creek runs IN the rainy
season Dogs were barking around me
farm house. lie lay down ON Z back.
put his hat over his eyes and kvpJ stlll
II wasn't so bad for an hour or TWO
except that be was little hungry. hul
the chill OF the night gave way 90 s.ii-
ling heat as the sun rose and ogat
down on the plain by cautiously
peering out he could see that me
armed men were stiil on watch, ana
there was nothing 20 do but De still
The sun rose until IL stood almost
straight overhead and Burnham was
tortured by thirst more than by hum
ger. lie hardly dared move a muscle
while he lay motlonless his khaN /
uniform could not De distinguished
from the dry grass His hair over Ais
face kept the glare out OF his eyes ON
~ his parched lips and dry throat hurt
him.
But sunset came al last the tNi.
light FOR a few minutes then The cool .
darkness. When the last glimmar of
light was gone Burnham began 20
crawl away on his hands and knees.
In an hour or two he had circled tar .
enough away from the Hill where The /
Beers were 20 set on his feet All that /
night he Kept up his weary march ana I
at daybreak sighted the British OUT /
posts.
what did the sentries say when you 1
walked into campo" / asked.
"Oh, ] didn't bother the sentrcs' DE /
said. II Just went past them in the /
usual way. IL is much less trouble 90 !
pass a British sentry quietly. when YOU 4
don't know the countersign thJn D. is :
10 let him stop you. always avoided I
giving them a chance so see me
That is the man who taught The Brit
ish leaders what It means TO be scout
He knows.