Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-08
DAILY SHORT STORY.
HOW HE WON THE CROSS.

of the famous siegeS of history. Sol
the defense and Mrs. Kavanagh was
once wounded. while her husband was
wounded several times. At last it was
announced that scr Colin Campbell was
advancing with strong British force
TO relieve the garrison. Then came
kunoujee Lal. a native spy from
Cawnpur. Kavanagh heard OF his ar
rival and that he was going back to
Alcm Bagh with dispatches for Sir
Colin. II was essential that the latter's
advance be FASTENED and that he be
furnished with guide. But il was
next TO impossible for any European
TO make his way undetected through
the sepoys. and if detected he would
Immediately be murdered.
Kavanagh volunteered TO make the
attempt in company with Kunoujee
Lal, and the offer was accepted by the
commanding officer, Sir James DURAN,
after many protestations that the feat
was impossible. One stipulation. and
one only, kavanagh made, and that
WAS that his wife should be kept} in
ignorance of his perilous attempt until
his fate should be determined. He
dressed himself as sepoy soldier,S col
oring his face and other exposed parts
with burnt cork dipped in oil. On le-
porting 10 the general in this disguise
be was not recognized. Having learn
Ell the commanders plans, he set forth
with kunouiee Lal. Proceeding to the
Gomtee river. they undressed and, hold
ing their clothes above their heads,
forded to the opposite shore.
In dressing Kavanagh came very
near exposing his white flesh to q
Sepoy who had come down to battle.
They We're questioned by Sepoy Of
ficer of the picket, but kavanagh kept
back in the dark and left his compan-
ion to do the talking. Then they pro-
ceeded down the river and recrOssed
at Il stone bridge. unnoticed by the
sentry guarding it. who was talking
with n native.
Passing into the green fields. KAY
anagh pulled up carrot Since he had
not had vegetables for five months il
tasted delicious. After walking a few
miles they found they had taken the
wrong direction and were in a region
held by the enemy Kavanagh greatly
distressed his comrade by going within
twenty yards of the guns to find out
the Sepoy strength. After wandering
about for two hours two women put
them in the right direction. Proceed
ing. they fell in with n Sepoy guard,
who questioned them. Here Kunoujee
Lal becdme frightened and got rid of Il
letter he was carrying to Sir Colin
Campbell.
Then they waded for several hours in
Il swamp, ana when they emerged
Kavanagh was so exhausted that lie
insisted on Il short rest This his com
panion objected to, but Kavanagh took
quarter of an hour, then arose and
pressed on. About o'clock in the
morning they managed to steal be-
tween two of the enemy's pickets, after
which Kavanagh lay down to sleep.
who comes there:'
Could anything sound more delight
full: II was British challenge and
told them that their danger was over;
it told them that their mission had been
successful: it spoke encouragingly of
the relief of their starving friends In
Lucknow
They We're within Sir Colin Camp
bells lines. which they believed TO be
miles distant. An officer took Kav-
anagh to his tent and gave him a glass
of brandy Then Kavanagh asked the
way To the commanders tent. Meeting
an elderly man coming out of the tent,
he asked where he could find Sir Colin
Campbell.
Il am Sir Colin Campbell Who are
you:'
This will explain. sir" and Kava-
nagh. taking his note OF introduction
from his turban, handed il To the gen
eral. Sir Colin could hardly believe
what had been accomplished. He wish
ed to hear an account OF the journey,
but kavanagh was so worn that he
was obliged To take sleep before telling
the story. When he awoke he was re
called at Sir Collins table and tod the
and his staff his adven-
lures.
Meanwhile the garrison of Lucknow
had been signaling, lis Kavansgh
safe:' but the signal was not under
stood. But now from the relief camp
was given the signal that had been
agreed upon between Sir James Ou-
tram and Kavanagh. A flag was raised
ON the Alum Bagh.
Then Mrs. kayanagh was told that
her husband had PASSED through an al
most impossible journey and had sud
denly become hero.
Kavanagh guided the relieving army
to Lucknow. He was the first man TO
enter the city and was received with
shouts of welcome by the starving gar
rison.
There is one part of the story that
can never be written-the meeting be-
tween the husband and wife who,
when they last parted. had been but
ordinary mortals. but who now were
singled for congratulations and honors.
From that day the wife was Mrs.
Lucknow Kavanagh.
But there Is another, faal, scene to
the story. At Windsor castle the SOW
En1Ianh