New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-29

self-and he was q competent judge-that suiei-
mans effort spent and that Gourko could
hold his own, and then made his way out again.
hoping TO reach Bucharest in time for dispatch
that night TO 1.-THE Daily News" AT or near
Tirnovs he was stopped by the Russians and
taken before the Gar.
The Gar like the rest of the world.
without news He had sent one aide-de-camp
after another TO the pass; not one had re-
turned. Forbes used 10 say that the Gear
treated him very well He asked IL IL was true
that Forbes had been with Gourko. and when
told Il was desired that the exact situation
should be explained TO him. Forbes set IL forth
with that military clearness and precision which
made his work in the field invaluable. The Car
asked him 81 he could draw a plan. He drew
II. All sorts OF questions were put to him
He answered all. He asked for his opinion
''I told his imperial majesty that had been
a soldier, that had had much experience OF
battles as a correspondent and that had no
doubt Gourko would hold the pass.
The interview lasted hour or more.
at the end besought his matesty's permits
sion 90 continue my Journey saying thousht
nothing was known IN Europe and that IT was
for the interest of Russia that the facts which
had had the honor 20 lay before his majesty
should be made public The Car thanked me
for the information had given. declared him
self convinced IL was true and my Judgment Wei
founded and dismissed me-"
So Forbes rode on. arriving at bucharest the
first point from which Il was possible 10 tele-
graph, at s o'clock in the evening. II was
Forbes himself who told me the story:
II had been in the saddle or in the trenches
and under fire for three days and nights, without
sleep and with little food. When I walked into
the hotel at Bucharest was beaten man. /
felt as II could not keep awake or sit in my
chair, much less write. Yet Il was an oppor-
tunity which does not come twice in mans
life. had. and nobody else had. the news for
which all Europe was hungering-the most mo-
mentous news since Sedan: but not one word
written, and not an ounce OF strength left"
''well, what did you dor
The answer was curious. indeed.
II called the waiter and told him TO bring me
a pint OF champagne. unopened uncorked 1t.
put the neck Of the bottle into my mouth before
the gas had time TO escape. and drank the
whole OF the wine Then sat up and wrote the
four columns which appeared next morning In
The Daily News"
remember that narrative well. There was
not In II from beginning TO end trace of
fatigue or confusion. II was bulletin Of war.
written with mastery ease. with the most adj
mirsble freshness and force. Nothing better OF
the kind was ever done. II rang from one end
Of Europe 20 the other. and across the Atlantic.
The Hour and the Man in the case had come to-
gether and IL Forbes had done nothing else this
would entitle him TO the immortality which is
bis.
All the same. the pint Of champagne was q
hazardous experiment. Forbes knew that but.
as he said Il was that or nothing. The next
man who tries II ought TO be very sure that he
has both the intellectual elasticity Forbes had
and his physique. q. w. 3