The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-21

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. where they preserve old
time traditions They
the upon every possible OCCASION
they 'sired each other left and right and the junior
subatern expected to opinion upon
question whatever. Tho regiment had fighting
record behind It, and good any OF the other
shire regiments and that that 1t good as
that ever wore red or khaki.
Now, this day 1T had marched twelve South
African miles (Which means good twenty this side OF
the water. and incidentally 1t had climbed one or two
rocky kopjes and struggled through half OF Dry
sandy Suits down bank and up the other. 1t had
wadcd three drifts deep cngng black mud; and when
I. had settled down for the evening the bulk of the trans
matter of four miles behind. Most of
It was going be cold. Twilight had merged into
light and overhead in the clear African sky early
the great stars blazing and twinkling. and
how Ut may have been the march tho moon)
seemed much inclined to talk The not very
large To look at It, would have recognized in tho
thin-faced tredlookins in the smudsed yellow uni
forms the officers of of the smartest of the ine
would have after seeing the blyouac that
II a regiment at all
When the troopshp left England it had numbered 1880
stalwart young fellows keen life and eager fight
Ing Most of them talked with bit of their shire
twist in their speech that betrayed them much the
little printed narncwhite redon the left side OF their
helmets But now the sergeant could have
told you that they exactly
the colonel and the buger boy.
The rest--Lord knows where they Some
back to England to be repaired perhaps damaged
beyond all hope: others still in the hospitals,
tered far back the long trail extended
details thumping along with the NJ. J. some),
the rest who not present names.
lay beneath rocky heaps lost and for
gotter somewhere Understanding yedt. They
show place. however, where twenty lie together;
and they show you hill That Is remembered
they something do with making different
from other hills
But to back to this night. The colonel
grumpy because the little that his
ried his particular brand OF whisky cigars
down at the second drift. and the wagon which
belongings had been transferred had arrived
rest of the grumpy at having go this
have stopped in the town back there. which
qnered one, with conquered club and privi-
lcges.
II thnk'-began Junior sub. suddenly breaking the
silence. and then he faltered. They him.
and the colonel from his the biscuit stopped
spreading some caviar on big piece OF sosgy Boer bread
and glared at him.
I'll think" began boy again, this time stammer-
ing Slightly.
We'll" remarked the captain what the devil
you thnk?'
II think that the cavalry has gone through the rex
And what the devil you think that?" put in
the colonel. taking his from the senior captain
II don't know sir" returned the boy. II Just
thinking and we don't see their fires
they me s tsss sssss.
IN oa the aaan
s e s kept ssa s m. he s a s
out
third haven't any soles their boots. What
soay that Ss s osrs vege @ hsl
this very place." put in the boy.
There .Kahlr- by the road spoke to OF
our Satllr boys, and asked him. and he told sir
1T was reported to at the time, colonel" spoke
;!s!:,s
ana tel white men only the things he thought they
81 NV was g very ntsllgentookng Kar ata
you better go turn into blankets youngster"
PVT on in sb the y,;
Have you stationed tho outnnss?" asked the colonel
tutant, who was better soldier than Vas and
Yes sir. was the reply tho Official voice 'There's
one back there near the drift, sir and Mao and his
get EN- to the top; It's too Steep the men were
sa 5 sSsps x5s
INTO soft shadow and rounded outline by the mooniigit
5ergeant and eight men over there sir Besides /
through the They probably set their ostposts
np the hill and Is they don't they're guardin the other
Don'l think there Is Boer within twenty niles" OBJ
erved colonel adding good six to his previous esti
o sgs aaa
delight began 70 climb the iii the
Aluon was only lieutenant. hut he was In command
thS the fact that y was good
q a