The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-12-22
How lie Won the Cross
GOriginal.l
This story of Henry Ka

ing with his family at Lucknow. The
long beleaguerment of this town is one
of the famous sieges Of history. Sol
diers and citizens alike took part in
the defense, and Mrs. Kavanagh was
once wounded, while her husband was
wounded several times. At last it was
announced that Sir Colin Campbell was
advancing with strong British force
to relieve the garrison. Then came
Kunoujee Lal, native spy from
Cawnpur. Kavanagh heard of his ar
rival and that he was going back to
Colin. 1t was essential that the latter's
advance be fastened and that he be
furnished with a guide. But it 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 Outram,
after many protestat.ons 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, col
oring his face and other exposed parts
with burnt cork dipped in oil. On re-
porting to the general in this disguise
he was not recognized. Having learn
ed the commanders plans, he set forth
with Kunoujee 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
They were 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 a stone bridge, unnoticed by the
with g native.
Passing into the green fields, KAY
anagh pulled up carrot. Since he had
not had vegetables for five months it
tasted delicious. After walking a few
miles they found they had taken the
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 a Sepoy guard,
who questioned them. Here Kunoujee
Lal became frightened and got rid of a
letter he was carrying to Sir Colin
Campbell.
Then they waded for several hours in
a swamp, and when they emerged
Kavanagh was SO exhausted that he
insisted on q short rest This his COM
panion objected to, but Kavanagh took
a quarter of an hour, then arose and
pressed on About 4 o'clock in the
morning they @anaged 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? 1t 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 were within Sir Colin Camp
BELLS lines, which they believed to be
miles distant An officer took Kav-
anagh to his tent and gave him 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.
81 an Sir Colin Campbell. Who are
you?'
This will explain, sir,' and Kava-
nagh, taking his note of introduction
from his turban, handed it 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 ]
was obliged to take sleep before telling
the story. When he awoke he was re-
called at Sir Collins table and told the
commander and his staff his adven-
lures.
Meanwhile the garrison of Lucknow
had been signaling, "is Kavanagh
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 GU
tram and Kavanagh. A flag was raised
on the Alum Bagh.
Then Mrs. Kavanagh was told that
her husband had passed through an al
most impossible journey and had sud-
denly become a 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