The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-04-25

But somehow | felt | was being
Joshed, for the twinkle in Ross eyes
Delied his words. But ever after he
called me Deacon" ] often wonder
whether no told his bride about his
Mormon proclivities. | rather fancy
ne would, for he was not man to
hide Joke, nor to hide truth.
After leaving the northwest mount
ed police. Ross came back to the
states and enlisted, after naturaliz-
Ing. for some Indian campaign. He
also fought through the Red River
war. Ills career was varied to a
marked degree until the South Afri-
can war broke out.
I Ross Joined the Canadian mounted
rihes and went out to South Africa
with them as trooper. He saw con-
siderable service with them, but event
uaiiy got into trouble through an ex-
cesive fondness for footing. He was
cropped from the force and Inn
mediately went to Pretoria and Joined
another irregular corps as lieuten-
ant. His wonderful scouting and dar-
Ing earned for him the notice of
Lord Kitchener. AS result OF an
Interview with the great British gem
erai, Ross was empowered to raise an
irregular corps OF cavalry He call
ca the Canadian Mounted Scouts. So
was born little corps which wrote
It's name big In the annals OF the
greatest war OF modern times.
Ross gathered together number
OF kindred spirits and soon had reg
iment OF scouts which would be hard
70 equal, let alone beat. They were all
men who had travelled the world In
search Of adventure. men who faced
death daily with unflinching eyes, and
who knew no hardship too difficult to
endure or overcome With such ma
terial Is II to be wondered at that the
Canadian Mounted Scouts were soon
heard of?
Ihey fought in every part of the
Transyaal, Orange River Colony. and
Cape Colony. The Beers trembled at
the mere mention OF the name OF
Ross. It would take book to write
the history OF their deeds of marvel
GUS daring. They used no kid gloves
In their warfare, either.
Perhaps the most famous episode In
their adventurous exploits was the
shooting OF 10 Boer prisoners. whom
they had captured when wearing the
British uniform, This act was against
all usages of modern warfare, and In
defiance OF the acts Of The Hague and
Geneva; the Beers were liable for
their breach of law to be tried BY
drumhead court-martial, with death as
the penalty II found guilty.
Ross is man OF quick action. He
had caught the men In the act Of
crime and wearing the uniforms. That
was enough. He dispensed with the
drumhead court-martial and sentenced
them to death by shooting. He Sc
iected three Of his most trusted fol-
lowers to assist him in the execution
OF the Beers. Then he sent in the
remainder OF his regiment, warning
them to take no notice OF any shooting
they might hear In the course OF the
next few minutes. He waited until
they were out OF sight and then turned
to the covering Beers.
wish that could reproduce the
story OF the subsequent events with
the vivid detail and quaint phraseol.
ogy used by Ross when telling me the
story. He speaks with drawl and
| pronounced American accent.
Say. you goldurned dogs" Ross
said to them. i've caught YOU with
the goods on you. and you got TO ante
up. I'll give you Just i've minutes to
make your peace with your Creator.
and then I'll pass you out. guess
the good God won't listen to such yer.
min as you, but I'm game to let Won
try your hand at IT, Step lively now
with them petitions to your good
Makerl"
With a revolver in each hand and
his three men coy-fing the Is prison.
ers with their guns, Ross counted out
the .Tains.es. The Beers had net vet
realized that he was in earnest and
stood watching him anxiously.
.One moro minute and out you get ="
Ross snapped at them as he finished
counting of four minutes. He stem.
ped toward the first man and held his
/ I0NuAfci ~ tnc ihdH 3 ucdu. The
Boer covered back and began to beg
for mercy.
Cut out that woman business.
commanded Ross. 81 guess the good
God won't listen to you. and, II he
won't you cant expect me TO. Time
upl Here's where you go to see your
God. II he'll see you, which ! doubts !"
Bang! went the revolver, and the
man sank dead at the majors feet
One after the other he sent them on
their way into the Great Unknown :,
The work completed. Ross and his
men mounted their horses and rode al
gallop after their regiment.
The story leaked out. and Ross was
sent for by Lord Kitchener ar
Pretoria. No record OF this meeting
is obtainable. and Ross will not speak
il IT. AT least his offense did NOT
interfere. later on. with Ross, be.
Ing appointed companion OF the Dis.
tinguished Service order. which ranks