Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-30

ants, and her son, my foster brother,
became greatly attached to me. We
played together as children, and when
obtained my commission he enlisted
in the same regiment in order to be
near me. Finally he became my body
servant, and together We fought
through the war. On one occasion |
pulled him out of tight corner,
which made him, if possible, more de-
voted to me than ever.
our battalion was retreating from
Dunsdorp, my company forming the
rear guards. We were passing through
difficult country, with plenty of cover,
the Beers hanging on to us and har-
assing us at every step. 1t was very
CALLING for so well did they conceal
themselves that we could not tell
whether we were being followed by a
large or by small body.
So many men did / lose by their
shipping tactics that | grew desperate
| decided to try to draw the enemy out
into the open by a ruse and them, II
they were not too numerous, to attack
and crush them, or. If that proved TO
he ous of the question, to continue the
retreat and ask for endorsements.
We were Just then holding kop1e
which commanded wide plain dotted
with scrub and low trees. My plan
was to evaeuate this position during
the night moving my men a few miles
nearer the main body. and to leave a
trusty soldier on the kepje, a swift
horse being concealed at the foot ready
to aid his escape. His duty was to
watch for the enemy to reveal them
selves, to get an idea of the size of the
force, and then to rejoin us with this
informa ton. 1t was dangerous task.
of course, and one which called for a
volunteer | brought the men together
explained my plan. and added that
proposed to place good horse at the
disposal of the volunteer. Davie Glen
my foster brother, was the first man
to step out, and, although l tried to
dissuade him, he insisted on undertake
ing the perious duty
Darkness came at last. Half of the
men lay down and rested. while the
others maintained a desultory fire to
keep in touch with the enemy's move
ments At A. NJ. we struck camp
and were soon ready to start. Hav-
ing disposed my men in proper March
ing order, | ran back to say Sood-Dy
10 Davie at the top of the kopJe, al
ter seeing that his horse was securely
fastened to tree in gully at the foot
1t was a painful parting, for we were
like two brothers, and the black dark
ness lit UP now and again by a distant
flash. with the stiffness of the veldt
broken only occasionally by faint re-
port and the ping" of the bullet on
some neighbering rock, filled US with
a sense of foreboding which all the
horrors of a daylight fight never raise
in the breast of a soldier. | left him
at last, wrapped in his blanket, stretch
ed at full length on the top of the
kopje, where presently he would be
able to see without being seen. and
rejoined my men. | am not
ashamed to tell you, gentlemen, that
there were tears in my eyes.
We marched swiftly and quietly
southwark for an hour, and then camp
ed to await developments. Soon after
we heard distant firing ana
waited anxiously straining our eyes
for the first glimpse of our brave COM
rade. At 3 o'clock in the morning, un-
able to bear the suspense any longer
| sent out a party of men to feconhoi-
tire. BY 10 they were back again with
the report that the enemy, IN STRONG
force, occupied not only our OLD posi-
ton, nut part of the track we had al
ready traversed, and | realized that we
had only lust saved ourselves from
being trapped by thanking movement,
"A
pied in covering our own further re-
treat that we had no chance to take
any further steps to ascertain what
had become of Davie, and to this da z,
although | have tried every possible
means, have never been able to learn
anything about his fate-whethef he
escaped, or was made prisoner or
died on the top of that lonely kopJe
at the post of duty. It's the uncet-
tainty which worries me. III hle"
definitely what happened to hihl' h.s
mind would be at rest.
The captain stopped, and overcome,
doubtless by old memories. sat III
silence, which none of the company
seemed inclined TO break.
AT last a sneering laugh rang AZ
discordantly. 1T is all very SAD, bnt
the senior need be troubled no longer.
The whole company started To at
tention as one man, and % pairs 81
ewes were fixed on the speaker Rod-
rigueZ Manaos, a Portuguese ranchcf'
who sc estancio lay Is miles TO tas
west ward Just then some one turne"
up the light indoors, SO that we were
able To see one another's faces.
What do you mean, sir - asked the
captain. sharply.
Il mean what | say, senior, repllea
Manaos. You say your mind VIII no
longer be troubled if you konw Tor
certain what befell your Davie. Is u
not so?'