The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-11-07


We could not ses them-galloD "a 6.
werds CaWnpore. shouting b each
other; We have heml They are not
laT ahead" Fortunately we were not
discovered, SO again we had - decide
what was to be done, knowing our awk-
ward position between the rebels az
hnsseerutgunge and those on the road
TO Cawnpore.
But we were bound to face the NIUE
SIC" After resting for "a hour We pro-
eeeded. and got through Onoa without
being in any way molested. Then at
Mnnglewan which was only eight miles
from % destination, We were tod BY
r native traveller from Cawnpdre that
9 large body of rebel cavalry had passad
through the town about an hour before.
most Of them squabbling with n sR-
other 90 the stupidity 81 allowing TIVE
hnglishmen 10 outpaoe them and ea-
cape. He also added that he had seen
them leave the road about half a mile
of and make for a tope Of trees On
hearing this Butler proposed that we
should set on and ride as hard as We
could for the banks of the Ganges OPP
posite CaWnpore. But that would not
DO; as, il the rebels should see us (and.
It was very probable they would, as
daylight was breaking) or if they over
took Us (Which they would do unless
the horses were fresh), our end would
not be far on. Therefore we made up
our minds to proceed at a walk for the
rest Of the journey, and that in the event.
Of being waylaid or chased we would SIT
down in our saddles and ride as we had
never ridden before.
We got along unmolested within
three miles Of our destination, when at
sunrise we heard numerous trumpet
calls on our left. "Ah! ah!" both Of us
exclaimed almost simultaneously; $50
there you are! Well, you beggars, you
shall ride for it. Cur horses are fresh.
and by the time you get into your sad
dies and form up we will have had a
good start; and, il the worst comes to.
the worst, the odds are that all that
can happen is that we may have to swim
our horses across the Ganges." Away
we went at a ripping galIop, and on
came the rebel cavalry in hundreds.
They chased us for over a mile, but
never got within 300 yards; and they
gave up the pursuit when the Cawnpore
garrison, seeing the fix we were in,
loosed of a few shells in the midst Of
them, making them retreat pretty
sharp. On arrival at the banks Of the
Gauges we found a large 1at-bottomed
boat waiting for us with a party Of
armed men; and within a quarter Of an
hour were landed safe and sound at
Cawnpore, where we were entertained
for a week like kings.
1t was considered by Sir John Inglis
too risky to let us return to the Alum
Bagh alone; therefore we were ordered
to await the departure of a convoy that
was to leave for that place in a few
days; SO we had to stay. This weeks
absence made Gen. Outram decide that
we had fallen into the hands Of the
enemy and been killed, which was the
fate of nearly all those who were cap
tured by the rebels, You can picture
to yourself how we were welcomed on
our return.
I cannot conclude without bringing to
notice the heroic conduct Of sergt.
Butler during the trying night we spent
together, and also the fate of his poor
horse. Butler was a very stout man,
and when he began to ride fast, when
chased by the cavalry, his weight be-.
gan to tell on the animal. Butler felt
this and said: Ride on and save your
self; leave me to my fate. There is no
need for both Of us to be caught" But,
thanks to a mercifuI Providence there
was no necessity for this, as the game
old horse seemed to waken up sudden
" to the danger Of falling behind, made
a desperate effort and carried his rider
safely to the Ganges. But, alas! the
effort was too much for him and he died
the next day.-Chambers' Journal.