The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-12-04
FROM OLD KENTUCKY


Port Natal. South Africa. be would
have grayeIy told you that the Ken
lucky summer climate did not suit his
health because II was too hot, and
you might have suspected that the
colonel was guying yon. and you
would probably have been right. New
ertheless the colonel would have been
telling You the exact truth. Kentucky
bad become too warm for him. The
Immediate cause OF this warmth In his
old home was slight disagreement
with another gentleman during a
game OF cards, In the course OF which
he had been forced TO use his pistol In
order that the other gentleman might
not use his.
Mr.. Sothern had had the good luck
20 come out In a steamer chartered by
the British government for the trans
portation OF supplies 10 Africa. On the
way out he had cultivated the &C
quaintance OF the officer In charge
with an assiduity that can be app
ciated only by those who have made
long voyage In supply ship. At
that gentleman. a lieutenant In
majesty's service. did not respond
daily 10 these advances. He chang,
his mind few days later. He was
practicing with his pistol Mt the time
with Indifferent success.
Harry Sotbern, who had been watch
ing him, suggested that bis aim was
too deliberate. Tho lieutenant turned
quickly and handed the revolver TO
his critic. who showed him how II
ought 20 be done. When they reached
Natal the lieutenant introduced him
10 the people whom IL was desirable
for him 10 know. Just at this time the
Matabele war was "on." After weeks
OF waiting be got his permit TO join
bullock train which was on the way
10 the front. where the fighting was
going on.
The main division OF the British
South African corps had just defeated
a division Of the Matabele army at
Kraal aud had set FIRE 10 the villages
around that place. Captain Williams.
with about thlrty-fve men. whiIegnur
bush and found himself cut of from
all chance OF escape In a small plain
surrounded by foothills fairly swarm
ing with the enemy. There was abb
solutely no chance for him. The pass
by which they had entered was al
ready occupied by the enemy. There
was nothing TO do but wait for help
or humiliation. He dismounted his
men In the middle OF the plain among
clump OF bushes and small trees
The natives circled around out OF
range. INDUCING In what seemed TO be
n war dance.
when l get out OF this" began Har-
~ Sothern. I'm going into the under
taking business. There seems to be n
good field for II here"
An old sergeant near by replied: ooh,
no: you're not. When you get out Of
this you're going TO heaven II you've
been a good boy. IL these devils leave
enough OF you. you'll be a at subject
for undertaking yourself"
Harry did not reply. He had taken
OF his coat and was rolling II up 10
put under the head Of a young ensign
who had been wounded as they enter
cd the pass and whom Sothern, amid
n shower OF assagais and bullets. had
thrown across his saddle and had then
galloped after the rest He could see
now that the boy was dying. and II
gave him great throb OF pity and OF
rage against those who had done It.
He wondered II the boy knew his con-
dition.
A few minutes later the young sol
der was dead. Harry gently laid the
boys head back upon the ground and
then picked up bis Winchester with an
oath. The natives were advancing all
around them with continuous shout
ing and beating Of shields. The Eng
lish soldiers Were picking OF the Matu-
belle warriors with a certainty and pre-
cislon that nothing could Withstand.
The natives broke and fed. With
ringing cheer the men sprang 10 their
feet and fred and cheered together. |
Harry Sothern staggered back with a
bullet In his thigh.
Captain williams helped his men |
move the wounded 10 a more sheltered |
spot behind the trees. Harry objected |
20 the arrangement for himself. say
ing: Don't bother about moving me
back. Just turn me over 50 ! can
shoot I've got an engagement 10 Kill
half a dozen niggers yet"
The captain laughed. Then. turning
10 his men and for the hrst time
speaking to them as equals. he said.
"Gentlemen. let's sing God Save the
Queen"
Across the valley 10 the savages.
who were waiting like vuitures for
their prey. there noated the sound OF
the national song from the threats OF
men who knsw they would never sing
II again. A Matabele chief who was
captured a few weeks later says that
the 1000 savages stood awe bound for
moment before the handful OF men
who were reaching them 80 easily how