Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26
How He Met His End

FIFTEEN wears later in $50, adds the American
L narrator), happened to be at the World Fair
in Chicago and found myself in the vicinity OF the
British building. down near the lake: l knew that
my friend Viiers the war correspondent, was stop
ping there: but put my hand on the gate OF the
front yard. the sentinel guard stopped me, say
ing that the house closed visitors for the day
He was a tall, bonv. soldiery fellow, with the
stripes of sergeant his arm and the number OF
whether he had been in the recent campaign n
Egypt, where the British square attacked by
the Fuzzv-wuzzies.
The man seves glowed Indeed, then, was. sir"
he replied Twas in the front of the line that day.
Why, in that case said l, YOU must have seen
Burnaby.'
He Strengthened up instantly. if on parade. All
stared at me with sort of herceness: Did ycl
know him. he said; and went Immediately,
Il him, strand | him when he died.
We went into executive session forthwith. an
the sergeant told me his story. Burnaby had
joined the expedition, having been assigned to -
command, but for the sake Of adventure, and 1or
the sport of the thing. He became the favorite
of the officers and the idol of the rank and file HIS
experience in campaigning in wild countries. his
quick perceptions, sound Judgment. and cool dare
devil courage, made him valuable and stimulating
companion.
On the day of the battle he assisted in choosing
the position for the British force and in forming the
square. When the FuZZv-wuZZieS charged, and, n
spite OF the fire of the infantry. engaged IN hand D
hand fighting with parts of the British line, Burnaby
stepped to the point where the attack was flerces
and with his drawn saber fenced with the native
spearmen. He didn't to kill none of EN-, sir,
said the sergeant, being there unofficial. l
might say, though he had chance enough as could
being only about fifteen PAGES to his right; bat
he just stood there and played with em, a
plays with boys, parrying the thrusts and sole-
times taking three of EN- at once: All
he laughing, in quiet way he had, ali tie
time. 1t WAS just pasti1Ile for him, you could
that
By and by. my mate. that was standing next ME,
got prOdded through the stomach by one of those
devils; and it made that mad that, in place 81
giving the fellow the bayonet, l dubbed my rife
and Dashed his head open I'd stepped bit for
ward to do it and as stepped back looked round
toward Burnaby 4 big blackamoor, pretty neaT
tall he was had made thrust his face AM
Burnaby's sword had sent the spear up in the al.
Just then, his raised, fellow who i
been Crouching down close to him gave jab To
ward with his weapon and sent the point rigf1.
through Burnabv 5 heart. He was dead before he
fel-and the fellow that killed him, for Phil
Bowman, private in the ranks, gave him a kick
that broke his jaw, and then pinned him through
the neck with his bayonet. But Burnaby dead;
and If we i killed every Fuzzv-wuzZy in Egypt, Il
wouldn't have made up for him.
This account OF the Young heros death, though
differing slightly from Of the stories, has the
credit due eye witness close quarters. It
seems lie thrown away; and Yet the example If
such Man helps to inspire the spirit in British
troops that has made their far flung battle lire,
victorious all round the world