Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-08-07
BRITISH DISASTER AT cooMAssrE

discovered that the Royal East Afrioa,
regiment had been ambushed the 70
treat was sounded. The regiment bat
10 cross an open space of some %,
sarus' swept by the enemy's fire
MOST or the troops had reached cove,
on the farther side, when Lieutenan
Anderson--foremost in the assault am
last to turn his back on the enemy
| appeared.
ihe hidden natives immediate y
raihed down storm of bullets anf
Lieutenant Anderson fell. Some n
the Ashantees rushed out from cover
put Private Williams was before them
Dasning out, seemingly from the
enemy's midst, and hotly pursued Nv
.ne yelling Ashantees, he lifted his
lieutenant on his back and ran swiftly
across the zone of fire. Thus was
Lieutenant Anderson saved.
In the evening Colonel Dorian n
command OF the British force, sent TO,
PRIVATE Williams He was foupd
sitting alone talking TO himself His
Fellows said he would speak to nr
one. Colonel Dorian praised his
bravery, and told him he would he
recommended for the Victoria Cross
=, Not that cried Private Williams
shoot me, l used Lieutenant And,r
son as guard for my own BODY
Guess.ng the excitement and strain
mad been too great the colonel ordered
Williams to see the doctor. He was
sent to lis tent, and given a sleepine
araft. During the night the men in
the same tent heard some one moving
put seeing it was only Private Will
lams turned over and went to slaen
again. When reveille sounded Private
Williams had disappeared.
AS the jungle was full of native
snipers watching for straeglars
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 sinl.
ing sun lit the Christ's face into 4
iooh vi yGdfnlng pity.
A deep sob shook the mans body
and he turned away his face. The
silence grew deeper.
The girl lifted the simple wreath ot
white flowers 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:
loved girl. and enlisted thinking
10 win commission and fame.
served in Africa. During one of on,
nghts with the natives saved a man.
|, life as Private Williams did He az
cused himself of wanting to save hrs
own skin. That was by reason. The,
wanted to give me the Victoria Cross
but I bolted."
His voice grew huskier.
After many years l came back e
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. 4 am prous]
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. hui
the girl loved was still there. Sb,
mad not married. l herd how in hel
eye | was hero. how she had re
. fused all offers of marriage for m,
sake | met her one day and she die
not know me. She looked for ms
among the saints. dared not tel
! Ter. yet was running her life."
The man stopped speaking. The sur
mad set and a great gloom filled the
| church. He leaned down and touched
the girls arm lightly.
Tell me-" he whispered: SHOULD
have told her ALP"
There were tears in the girls eyes.
1T would have broken her heart. >
she said.
The man turned away with 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, great sob broke
from him.
] He took the chuSch key from the
basket and locked the door.
There were some crumpled 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,
They stood irresolute for moment.
"Good-by," said the man, and
turned towards the little wicket gate
which cuts the churchyard off from
the London road.
| Before he had gone three yards he
felt light touch on his arm. He
turned The girl was standing beside