Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11


more galloping Late that night came upon the
Beers in camp near Newcastle
Through mud and rain and fog that lay SO heavily
on the valley that it obscured all objects than
ten yards away, pushed on to the south for
couple of days. moving cautiously; for knew that
the British were just ahead, falling back on Dundee
We were in camp on a hillside about six miles from
the town. when Just after rolled out of my blanket
in the early morning, had my first glimpse of the
enemy. Leveling a field glass across the valley:
from which the fog was lifting l was astonshed
to see a long column of horsemen issue from the
white cloud on the opposite slope.
Irishmen on Their Mettle
THE English The English! l yelled Every
where about men began to jump up and run
for their horses Saddles were bucked on with hasty
Jerks. Beers and Irishmen leaped into them and
without waiting for commands tore down the hill
in little groups and in struggling ones and twos.
Not more than forty were together as they struck
the level and swept the two miles of valley
toward the snakelike file of British. whose lances
glistening in the slanting This haphazard
attack against all the tenets OF modern warfare
but it stirred the blood.
Suddenly the British column broke and there be-
gan scramble each horseman for himself back
up the slope. They had caught sight of our furious
party emerging from the fog Rifles began to speak,
firing they raced on and some of the
1ancers replying they retreated. The mist, rising
like great curtain from the hills, revealed farm
house. and near it big stone kraal. Through my
glass l saw the Engshmen leap from their horses
and tumble each other into this ready made
ratification. Across the valley l could hear the
quick popping of their carbines but our little force
still swept on.
There was virtually no leadership in this impetu-
and spontaneous attack. 1t was made by no
particular command, but Just by those who had
been able get into their saddles first We officers
however, not idle Reinforcing parties were
quickly organized. lined up my Irish boys ready
down the hill. shell rose gracefully, and went
screaming toward the kraal but tore up the earth
few rods short. The Boer gunners sighted again
(they were afterward to prove remarkable artillery
shell exploded
horses of the English. The animals scattered in
panic, and then. whirling with one accord, came
Stanpeding down the treeleSS slope toward
advancing band They had seen our horses and in
their fright were rushing to their kind. They ran
into force, and there was wild confusion of
plunging animals. In moment, however, our men
pulled their mounts clear of the ENHANCEMENT and
kept Then white flag suddenly futtered from
the kraal The British had surrendered.
Some of our officers rode over to them, and after
a considerable delay they came struggling in They
were the Eighteenth Hussars, under Colonel Moler,
one hundred and ninety six men strong-and they
had been captured by forty raw recruits All OF them
afoot, since our boys had retained their horses
One Tommy, touching his cap spoke to me-
Faith. and it's bad marnin' for the Irish!
suppose, now, yell be afther ShOOtln the bunch OF
We'll. WE'LL and you Irshman" ex-
claimed.
"Yis. every dvil of us, except the officers.
is IrishwOrSe luck to us'
What makes you think going to shoot
your"
Sure, and amt we been told all about the wild
and bloody Beers? Oh, we've had it drummed into
what an untamed lot O cannibals have to
dale with, and how must stick we like pigs be-
we'd be tr'ated in like touchin' way if
got caught"
Well" said. "you ought to be. for believing
such yarns and for fighting with the enemies of old
Ireland But you won't even be shot You'll just
be packed up to Pretoria to while away the time at
football and cricket"
Eye don't name itT' exclaimed the Irish Tom
N.Y. again saluting. Its great ye're teln
mel And now. if yell excuse me, III be off to cir