The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1888-08-15 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

CYCLIST VOLUNTEERS IN CIIESHIRE.  BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.  Having heard so many rumours of the intended volunteer cyclist manoinvres for the August Bank Holiday, I ma le up my mind with two or three from Birkenhead to run over to East Chesrare and see for ourselves the pros and roes of amateur warfare on wheels. Strapping on my knapsack and mounting my trusty Cruppe trycicle I started forward at noon on Saturday for Chester and Crewe. The weather looked very threatening, so much so that my intended companions, who are not enthusiastic volunteers, declined to start, preferring to wait until Sunday and then see the state of the weather. So I proceeded forward alone and soon arrived at Chester, where, after partaking of a refreener at the noted cyclist house the Pied Ball, Northgate.street, Isped on for Crewe. Passing over Stamford Bridge (not the famous historical structure) but one giving access to a I quiet country inn some three miles from Chester, I found myself at tire village of Warvin, and putting np at the George and Dragon, was soon sitting doen to a wellearned and much eujoyed tea. Feeling now better able to face the weather, which was about as bad as it possibly coold be, the rain devcending in torrents, and the streets, preventing the appearance of miniature lakes, I gave up the idea of reaching Crewe, deciding to push on as far as this Abbey Arms Hotel. vitnati d in a•lamere Forest. This resuletion was arrtived at because my obliging hostess, Mrs. Smithson, was unable to put me up for the night. Lighting and greasing, I again moulted my steed and arrived at Delarnere in a sorry plight, short of wind and wet to the skin. Well for me was it I had telegraphed forward for a bed, for on my arrival at the hotel it was literally besieged by a famished and watery (outside) crowd of wheelrueu, among the number being two or three it while the genial host, lilt. Wilson, and his wife were trying to soothe the sava,re breast,, and savage they wore n finding that every room in the hotel was engaged, and sire was nothing else for it but to push on in the rain and hope for better luck. The beaten expected eight wheelmen from Manchester, and et course kept their beds, turning many guests sway. The party not turning up. the hotel stood the loss. If the cyclists front Cottenopo. lie bad wired when they decided not to ride it would have facilitated the work of all concerned. After a rub down and a few "time scotch's," I turned in and slept like a trooper. tan shining, but Sunday—up at 5 a.m ; blowing big gnus. Nothing daunted, !dressed and had a light breakfast; and striding my now rusty steed I speed on to Warrington vie Weaverham and Preston on the Hill. arriving at that town in time as 1 fondly believed for the church parade of the cyclist corps. But I was disappointed, the parade having been countermanded to allow the volunteers a longer repose, which they no doubt needed after the extraordinary exertions of the previous evening. They had ridden from Crewe through about the most severe rain we have had during the exceptionally rainy season ; the advance guard arriving about 12 o'clock, the main body not until 3.30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Riding through the town my first sign of wheel life was met in the form of two men out for repairs, and looking for the nearest blacksmith's shop. Wishing them every success, I proceeded to the Warrington volunteer drill shed. Hero were the officers and BMW of the men, who were now preparing for the retreat towards Chester. And here I may say that after the hard ride of Saturday night—through an almost unknown county, pitchy darkness, and an almost second deluge few regulars would have shown a more smart and soldierly appearance than did our amateurs. The varied uniforms and iron steeds, the men being equipped with rifles and the cfficers with revolv.rs, presented a grand appearance glistening in the morning sun. Ab int midday the bugle sounded the retreat, and in donble quick time, we were off for Chester through the &laths of Delamere Forest, the wind blowing strongly from the north-east. Arriving at Sandiway, two or three miles from Hartford, pickets were sent out all along the road as far as Kelsall, three miles from Tarvin. Feeling warlike and thirsting for somebady's blood, I rode on through the forest to the Vale Royal Abbey Arms Hotel, where I despatched a tenderhearted chicken and sundries, untroubled with the thought that the French were upon us and that our only hope lay in reaching Chester before nightfall. But, hark I hear a shot, followed by a second, and then a volley. So securing my revolver and nearly forgetting to " square up" for dinner— unpremeditated, 'pon my soul—l rushed out into the open to find that some scouts of the enemy bad beets sighted and bad fired at two of our men who were now giving chase and out of sight. After a few more alarms and with the capture of two other scoots we fell back upon Chester, arriving there about? p.m. and billeting at the Queen's Hotel, pleased with our day's work. Monday.—Another day of it—drip, drip, drip. We draw lots to see who is the first to commit suicide, but, breakfast appearing and despatched, brings a more cheerful feeling, aucrat 915 we are again in the saddle on the retreat to Crewe. Reads one nia.ss of mud and heavy going. Stamford Bridge is the scone of the first fight, where, having despatched the enemy, we pushed on to Tarvin after a refresher. 1 The retreat and plucky resistance strewn by the defenders to Crewe i+ now matter of history, and I will not enter more into details than to say that all credit is due to the , officers, Colonel Saville, Lieut. Balfour, &a., and all the men who took part in what I hope : is but the preface to long cheoters in history.  Editnr. to amistant : "In this obitinvy uotie.., Mr. Getaroundiate, you say his many • friends will shed a tsar! lined a tear .s trifle weak "—Assistant: "How would ' shed a tear or two' answer ?"—Editor (dnbiotisly): "That's not much of an unproveiner.t."— Amistaut : "Well, make it ' his many friends will sbed two or three tears,' theu."—Bditor "All right. Let it go at that."