Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01
iii. When the British Hemmed Us In
BY COL. J. Y. F. BLAKE
Edited by J. Herbert WEIGH

spurred them to their speed along dip in the
plain that concealed race, and being somewhat
nearer the hills than the English cavalry, in
the high places among the rocks when, depoying
of bullets. They Immediately wheeled and gaoped
back, leaving behind them fallen men. and horses
rolling and kicking from the pain of wounds. Numer
Gus animals, nderless, ran here and there amlessly
and raced after the retreating horde.
Cannon were rushed into position. We watched
the and heard the angry screaming of shells
that sailed toward US Heavy explosions and the
abrupt pounding of machine guns beat and rent the
Soldiers extended lines of infantry, beautiful
pictures from the height, forward with swing
ing steps and with automatic regularity dropped to
their knees to fire. Thousands of small messengers
OF lead sped by US. singing vicious little songs of
death. But most of them above our heads
1t impressive spectacle, this of the great
army spread out on the plain In the thin air of
the highlands l could see individual figures with
wonderful distinctness l watched orderes gal
lop UP to commanding officers. salute. and receive
instructions. | gunners wipe their perspiring
brows doctors leaning over wounded men, heuten-
ants admonshlng tagging prvates Far back, till
they grew very small in the distance reached this
sea OF men, and it seemed laughable to that
they should be making much ado about the few
hundreds of us lying among the rocks.
My enjoyment OF the scene OF martial movement
and excitement was marred only by the fear that
upon TANKS. They would lose to be sure, at
least thousand men in assault like this, for the
hill was steep; but once upon the crest IN hand to
hand conflicts, they could have annihated with
force of numbers. l concluded that they afraid
there many of us than there really were;
that they still had vivid memories of Colenso, when
rocks that lay calm and quiet beneath the
suddenly burst into eruption of Boer shells and
bullets My conclusion, learned little later, was
far it went; but it did not go far enough
The English indeed afraid to attempt to carry
the kopje by assault just then but they felt that this
needless. They had safer plan,-a plan to
surround US, off from the main force of the
Beers, and then roll from all sides, like high
tide engulfng sailors stranded on sand bar.
General Spruits Warning
THE sun had begun its westward course down the
sky; but the thrill of the fight still on We
enjoying ourselves with fine sense of power
and exhiaraton. Suddenly noticed the lone figure
of man climbing up over the rocks behind US. He
came running toward me; but was still some yards
away when he called out. General Spruit says to
get your out of here quick you CAM
Then he turned on his heel and hurried back the
way he had come.
Whats the trouble?" shouted after him. He
taking long strides down the hillside and paid
no attention Because of his refusal to explain |
gazed after him in anger; but to learn that
he was brave man who had run a gauntlet to
save us from destruction I well acquainted
with the character of General Spruit and knew that
when he sent message to get out quickly" it was
time to get.
Boys commanded, making my way rapidly
along the line cease firing! Something's wrong!
We must leave this place!"
In five minutes all Scrambllng down the
hill for our horses. When had mounted and
ridden around the kopje that had shut off view
to the rear what the trouble was. The hill that
ndQ Oeen occupied by IHc I1clueIDeIS COIIldHuO III
the morning was bare of men. 1t was evident that
allies had long since fled: And the tall kopje
across the plain toward Brandfort, from which
had viewed the situation at sunrise. covered
with British soldiers Yet this hill directly overlooked
the pass that was only line of retreat
through the mountains, only outlet from the
trap.
If went in the opposite direction, should
run into the big force had been fighting. If
we rode straight across the valley should
be confronted by abrupt walls of rock that no
horse could climb. We were henmed in
l thought of my resolve not to be caught alive, and
hard A WE could do was to