The Springfield herald., 1913-04-18


church."
But somehow I felt was being
''joshed." for the twinkle in Ross eyes
belied his words. But ever after he
called me Deacon" l often wonder
whether he told his bride about his
Mormon proclivities. rather fancy
he would. for he was not a man to
hide joke. nor to hide truth.
After leaving the northwest mount
ed police. Ross came back to the
States and enlisted. after naturaltz-
Ing. for come Indian campaign. He
also fought through the Red River
war. His career was varied to q
marked degree until the South Afri-
can war broke out.
Ross Joined the Canadian mounted
rifles and went out to South Africa
with them as trooper. He saw con-
siderable service with them. but event
ually got into trouble through an ex-
cesive fondness for looting. He was
dropped from the force and I'M
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. AZ result OF an
interview with the great British gem
eral. Ross was empowered to raise an
irregular corps of cavalry. He call
ed the Canadian Mounted Scouts. So
was born little corps which wrote
its name big in the annals OF the
greatest war of modern times.
Ross gathered together a number
of kindred spirits and soon had reg
iment of scouts which would be hard
to 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 1t to be wondered at that the
Canadian Mounted Scouts were soon
heard of?
They fought In every part OF the
Transvaal. Orange River Colony, and
Cape Colony. The Beers trembled at
the mere mention of the name OF
Ross. 1t would take a 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 is 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 Boers were liable for
their breach Of law to be tried by
drumhead court-martial. with death as
the penalty II found guilty.
Ross Is a 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
lected 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.
I 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 gol-durned 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 five minutes to
make your peace with your Creator,
and then I'll pass you out. l guess
the good God won't listen to such YER
min as you, but I'm game to let you
try your hand at it. Step lively now
with them petitions to your good
Maker!"
With a revolver in each hand and
his three men covering the 15 prison
ers with their guns. Ross counted out
the minutes. The Beers had not yet
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 on four minutes He step
ped toward the first man and held his
revolver at the mans head. The
Boer covered back and began to beg
for mercy.
Cut out that woman business" :"
commanded Ross. IL guess the good
God won't listen to you, and, II he
won't you can't expect me to. Time
up! 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 at
a sallop after their regiment
The story leaked out. and Ross was
sent for by Lord Kitchener at
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 a companion Of the Dis
tinguished Service order. which ranks
next to the Victoria Cross.
Another story told about Major
Ross. which I happen to know to be
true In every detail. IL that when rid
ing into Pretoria one morning from
an expedition after a Boer commando,
\ A DV EACITDE