Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-08-11
| BRITISH DISASTER AT. CooMAssIE


When, at noon, on Aug. IA, it was
discovered that the Royal East African
regiment had been ambushed the re-
treat was sounded The regiment had
to cross an open space Of some 900
yards, swept by the enemy's fire
Most of the troops had reached cover
on the farther side, when Lieutenant
Acknowledgements in the assault and
last to turn his back on the enemy
appeared.
''The hidden natives Immediately
rained down a storm of bullets, and
Lieutenant Anderson fell. Some IF
the Ashantees rushed out from cover.
but Private Williams was before them
Dashing out, seemingly from the
enemy's midst, and holly pursued by
the yelling Ashantees, he lifted his
lieutenant on his back and ran swiftly
across the zone of fire. Thus vas
Lieutenant Anderson saved.
I'm the evening Colonel Dorian, n
command Of the British force, sent for
Private Williams He was found
sitting alone talking to himself. His
fellows said he would speak to no
one. Colonel Dorian praised his
bravery, and told him he would be
recommended for the Victoria Cross.
Z" Not that!' cried Private Williams
Shoot me, used Lieutenant And u
son as a guard for my own body
Guessing the excitement and strain
had been too great the colonel ordered
Williams to see the doctor. He was
sent to ais tent, and given sleeping
draft. During the night the men in
the same tent heard some one moving,
but seeing it was only Private Will.
Jams turned over and went to sleep
again. When reveille sounded Private
Williams had disappeared.
CAS- the jungle was full of native
snipers watching for stragglers,
Private Williams must have been
killed.
"Thus did he give his life for his
officer"
AS the girl finished reading a great
hush fell over the empty church, and
the last touch of light from the sink
ing sun lit the Christ's face into a
look of yearning pity
A deep sob shook the mans body.
and he turned away his face. The
silence grew deeper.
The girl lifted the simple wreath of
white flow ers from the basket, anC
kissing it, hung it on the tablet
AS she moved the man turned
toward her, but seeing her action
turned away again. Then, leaning
against the pillar for support. he
whispered:
Il loved girl. and enlisted thinking
to win a commission and fame. I
served in Africa. During one of our
fights with the natives saved a mans
life as Private Williams did. He ac-
cused himself of wanting to save his
own skin. That was by reason. They
wanted to give me the Victoria Cross.
but I bolted''
His voice grew huskier.
After many years I came back 20
England. Days and nights in the
African jungle had stolen my youth.
BY chance met a man who had been
my chum at school and in after life. !
talked with him for more than an
hour. The conversation veered round
to the doings in our village. He told
me | was a hero, and lauded nv
actions before my eyes. I am proud
to have been his friend he said. lot
knowing to whom he spoke.
Il went down to my native village.
MY father and mother were dead, but
the girl [ loved was still there. She
mad not married. I head how in her
eye I was a hero. how she had re-
fused all offers of marriage for nv
sake. l met her one day and she did
not know me. She looked for me
among the saints I dared not tell
her, yet was running her life"
The man stopped speaking The sun
had set and great gloom filed the
church. He leaned down and touched
the girls arm lightly.
Tell me-" he whispered: SHOULD I
have told her all?"
There were tears in the girls eyes.
1T would have broken her heart"
she said.
The man turned away with a groan.
He moved as if staggering under a
great burden. The girl touched his
arm.
'You have acted like a hero,' she
said, simply.
The man picked up the girls basket.
and they moved towards the church
door. When they came to the curtain
the man held it aside, and as the girl
passed through, a great sob broke
from him.
He took the church key from the
basket and locked the door.
There were some crump1ed little
white flowers from the wreath of
Private Williams lying in the basket.
He picked them up.
''May keep these?" he said, as he
gave the basket to the girl.
The girl answered eyes"