The Washington herald., 1915-07-25
Edited by MARY MARSHALL.
miss Fanny"
A Story of the British Army.
By EVERETT UPTON.


regiment. At least so all we young Of
fcers thought. Walters had nicknamed
him Miss Fanny'-his baptismal name
by ill-luck was Francis-and l fear we
all in turn made use of the appellation.
A lot of US youngsters were collected
on the quarter deck chatting one an
other. Our regiment had been ordered
out to assist in quelling a native rising
in South Africa and We were now on
the voyage thither. Walters was the cid
est of US by few years. taller and big
ger than the rest of the lieutenants.
During the entire voyage 1t was certain
ly patent to all that Walters never lost
, an opportunity of sneering either covert
ly or openly at poor Curtis.
l took upon myself the Office of cham
pion. and vowed Id see fair play. but
it did my protege more harm than good.
| for it invariably evoked from Walters
whitening sarcasm upon fair-haired
darlnss tied to their brother officers
sword-tassels.
But the wearisome voyage came to
! an end at last. and one fine day we
steamed into Table Bay and cast anchor
outside Capetown. After a little delay
proceeded on our march.
On the evening of the third day We
reached our destination. and encamped
not far from the Buffalo River on
Hide plateau.
White. Curtis. and shared one
small tent. It was very close quar-
tiers. but we were getting used to
roughing it.
We prepared to sup off such dain-
ties as we could lay our hands upon.
beef. some timed meats, and jar
of jam. We bounced on the viands.
however. like hungry vultures.
Scarcely had we finished our repast
when we became aware of an IN
wonted excitement in the camp. Some
spies had brought word that the enc
my was on their way to meet us and
had taken up their positions at
kraal only twelve miles distant. The
troops were ordered to lie down fully
equipped. ready to turn out at mo-
ment's notice Then we were dis
night. and the camp settled down
a. gain.
At reveille next morning the sem
tries reported all quiet. but 1t was
soon known that the enemy was
marching on toward us. and the gen
eral decided to move out and attack
them in the open. leaving a sufficient
force to garrison the camp. Our regi-
ment was one of those ordered to the
front. AT midday we took up our
position at a spot some nine miles
distant from our own camp. The gen.
eral rode down the lines issuing final
instructions. The men responded with
hearty cheer. The enemy drew
near in a compact black mass. brand
ishing their shields and assegais. The
first shot was fired. and the battle
began.
For the next half hour the booming
of the cannon, the rafting Of mus
kerry, the flashing of firearms, the
glitter of sabres, the whizzing of bull
lets, went on without intermission.
But all the time we were steadily
losing ground. Inch by inch the enc
my was driving us back. On they
came in vast overwhelming masses. a
great. relentless horde. shouting their
war cry and hurting their weapons
with destructive aim.
The general was forced at length to
see that We had lost the day. and the
bugles reluctantly sounded a retreat. But
the retreat soon became a rout. and the
ro' quickly resolved itself into case
of every one for himself. The uneven
nature of the ground. scanned as it was
with ravines and precipitous dongas. rem
dered it impossible for the Officers to keep
their men together. Discipline was at an
end
And all the time the enemy were pur-
suing hard after US. and. with yells Of
triumph. were hurting their assegais with
fatal precision. The air was dark with
closely pressed fugitives. Those who were
mounted or could secure a horse had the
best chance to safety, though it was small
enough: but those Who had only their
own feet to trust to were in a dire case
indeed. as soon found to my bitter cost.
/ had never been very fleet of foot,
and I was quickly separated from my
comrades. In descending a donga I re-
ceived a wound in my sword arm The
sudden sharp pain caused me to miss my
footing and sent me rolling to the bot
tom. where l lay sprawling in a shallow |
muddy stream.
At once l gave myself up for lost!
Why was not then and there dispatched |
never knew. Possibly the enemy con-
sidered me dead already. and found it |
better sport to chase the knot of red
coated fugitives who were crossing the
donga higher up.
I lay there some moments, faint with |
pain and loss Of blood Then the in
stinct of self-preservation and the love
of life came back to me. Sitting up. |
staunched the blood and bound up my |
arm as best I could. And then I climb |
ed the other side of the donga and looked |
about me.