The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-10-15
HAS CHARMED LIFE
British Colonel Goes Through Terrific Dangers Unscathed.
Passes Uninjured Through Battle in Which 1,5oo Men Fall, CnIy to Be Hit When Enemy Could
 Not See Him.

Js McCay, leader of the Second Victo- rian infantry brigade in the attacks on Gaba Tepe and Cape Helles, Gal llpoli, bears a charmed life, according to the remarkable account telegraphed here by an Australian newspaper cor respondent at Alexandria. Egypt.
 The colonel has just returned to the firing line after fortnight in hospital, having been hit in the leg by a stray bullet in the dark after going through terrific dangers unscathed.
 In the attack on Gaba Tepe, Colonel McCay was in one of the first barges to touch Turkish territory, and he Jumped into water chest deep. When the first landing party had seized the forward trenches Colonel McCay went back to the beach to meet the second units and to show them the way
 On the climb down the cliff his cap was knocked off, and on picking it up he was surprised to find bullet-hole through rim and crown.
 Scarcely had he replaced the cap on his head than it was snatched off again, the bullet this time entering the crown and coming out above the peak. The brigadier decided to carry the cap in his hand for the remainder of the distance.
 He conducted the second line into position, and then went back for the third, bullet passing through his sleeve in the course of the journey.
 On returning to the occupied trenches Colonel McCay left his body exposed while examining the position with his field glasses. One soldier be- coming exasperated at his leaders daring, called out: Don't be -- fool! Come in here out of the wetl"
 The brigadier smiled and answered, "Oh, it's all right; they cant hit mel"
 Just at that instant a bullet knocked the walking stick from under his arm. Colonel McCay calmly picked up the 1 longer piece and continued his obser- vation. Then he sat down on the parapet and directed the fire, with bull l lets buzzing all around him. It seemed impossible that any man should be | able to remain unharmed in such a | dangerous position, but for two hours enemy marksmen tried in vain, to move him.
 Then came instructions for the Vic | torian brigade to move on. With con- cealed field guns and hidden rifiemen pouring a hail of missiles directly in front it seemed to be matter of inn | possibility for any single soldier to advance But Colonel McCay, carry ing only a broken cane, pointed the way and asked his troops to follow | him.
 He just stood up in the middle of that storm of shot and shell as if only grasshoppers were flying past him in- stead of bullets remarked one Dayles- ford man in referring to the incident.
 He looked serious, but was no diff ferent to what we were accustomed to see him on parade at Mena. Then he said, I'm going to my stick. You can follow me with your rifles if you like. Are you coming?' Someone called out My blooming oath!' And after that it was a race. to see who would have his bayonet at work first. The brigadier finished a good second. The first man up was killed"
 Seven days later came the fight at Cape Helles, in which the Victorian brigade re-enforced the attacking party. Once more Colonel McCay ap- peared to be invulnerable. Bullets plucked his clothing right and left, but none touched his skin. Between brigade headquarters and the firing line was one dangerous passage 60 yards wide. AS officers crossed this space they afforded the Turkish marks, men much the same kind of practice as is enjoyed by crack shots in run. ming man" competition.
 Officer after officer was winged or killed as he crossed this spot. Major w. B. H. Cass, Colonel McCay's bri gade major was already down with g bullet through the chest when his chief made his first crossing. A ma chine gun traversed the position, even commanding a bush which provided the only piece of cover on the way A periscope which the brigadier car. ried in his left hand was hit on tor first, and then at the opposite end Finally the remaining portion was whisked out of his hand, the concus sion causing sudden numbness. Colo nel McCay got across safely, however and covered the same ground fou1 times more during the afternoon Once bullet broke of short what remained of the stick, and the briga dier threw the other part away. A soldier subsequently, picked it up as @ keepsake and talisman.
 Out of 4,O00 odd men who went into battle behind Colonel McCay, ii is believed that 1,500 were put out o1 action. In view of these figures il will be possible to form some opinion as to the extraordinary good fortune of the commander. The firing ceased as much as it ever does just now ir