The Red Cloud chief., 1913-04-17
all surprising under the circum'

all surprising under the c'rcuHi'
| stances.
think that few men have had moro
Interesting and exciting experiences
with big game than Major Ross, yet
he will not talk about them. for he
Is a very modest man. totally unaware
of his own sterling qualities. His
work carries him continually among
the denizens Of forest and plain. and
few men know the habits and traits
| OF the wild game In Natures Zoo
better than Ross.
feel rather like telling tales out OF
school by narrating the following lit.
tie story OF Ross II is SO typical OF
the great, big, boyish heart Of the
man. that I can not refrain from tell
ing It.
| 1t so happened that Ross foregath.
cred with three other Americans In
Nairobi to celebrate Independence
day. They had very lively dinner,
and afterward proceeded to loose on
steam by firing OF a number OF crack.
ers and rockets. Tiring of this tame
pastime. they started in to turn Nal.
r0bi Into wild West" town by
shooting out the street lamps from the
veranda of the hotel This sport soon
palled. and they went for walk down
town with the object Of seeking new
fields Of enjoyment. They happened
to pass tho bank and saw the win.
dow open, and a Parsee clerk working
at ledger under light.
The temptation was too strong for
Ross and his three American compan.
Ions. They lit some crackers and
threw them into the bank building
through the open window. The clerk
mistook them for bombs and rushed
out, shouting "Murder!" The negro
constable on the beat below blew his
whistle for help, and the barracks be.
Ing close at hand, soon had some 20
dusky policemen respond to the
alarm" call. In the general mix.up.
and to avoid arrest for their prank.
Ross and his companions roughly han.
died the policemen and put them to
flight.
happened to be In command of the
police at Nairobi. and soon came upon
the scene In answer to a telephone
call. arrested the four practical jok.
ers for disturbing the peace" and
resisting police officer in the exc.
cution or his duty" They were all
released on bail, and subsequently
stood their trial before the sessions
Judge and white jury.
The jury, In the face Of the weight
OF evidence, brought in a verdict of
not guilty. and all were acquitted.
Ross made an ample apology to all
: concerned for his share in the es.
capade, and laughingly told me that
he thought 1t pretty hard that a good
American could not enjoy his national
holiday without being arrested.
When Colonel Roosevelt visited
East Africa he met Major Ross, and
the two men found much in common
, At the banquet given in Nairobi to the
, ex-president, Major Ross was selected
l to present rhinOceros-foot box tC
. the distinguished visitor as a token ol
3 regard from the Americans In the
colony. In a short speech at the pre-
3 sensation, Major Ross, to every ones
4 keen delight and particularly that o.
h Colonel Roosevelt, repeatedly referred
!. to the famous hunter as "Colone
: Rosenfelt." In his reply the colone
= referred to the many years Major
t Ross had spent In America and par
I ticularly In the west, saying that they
r were both pretty good Rocky noun
9 tain men,"
= 1t Is somewhat surprising to thinl
d how this man Of many weird expert
Q ences and continuous adventure ha
q settled down to his official life IL
East Africa. See him in his spotles
Il white duck government uniform will
8 his breast glittering with his four OF
8 ders and medals, and you will hard
:. ly credit that this Is the man who's
>. reckless daring and Quick-handed met
l. ing out of justice In the Boer war Sc
;. all the British army talking.
IS See him as | have seen him, cla
e in evening dress at gevernmen
II house function. smoking a short pipe
d and you may laugh for moment be
s cause he looks like a duck out of ws
n ter. But you will not laugh long, TO
you will quickly recognize that her
II Is q MAN. 1t is because he Is pre-
I. eminently man that he is leade
IT among men.
I. The spirit OF the rover of the plain
,r and the seeker after adventure
10 strong within him. and 1t is plain I
le the naked eye He Is no social mimi
n Of civilized customs. He Is not po
10 ished. his hands are not manicuret
n. his face Is not massaged. his clothe
Is are anything but fashionable. but
is cares not. and after few minute
conversation with him you do nc
Is care either.
v. Again, see him playing with chi
r.. dren, as ] have seen him. laughin
is and happy, and you will begin to vi
I'd derstand that though a man may b
It, quick to snun out life when 1t
es necessary. this does not imply that b
~, | 4, hoo rtl lass Or crual No man who "a