Dramatic Moments. A SOLDIER’S DARING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 106, 29 January 1935, Page 7

Dramatic Moments. A SOLDIER’S DARING

The audacity of an English soldier in the Peninsula War has hardly ever been equalled. Wellington was in the neighbourhood of Vic Bigor.e. and the French were drawn up in an excellent position by that distinguished general, Jean Soult. Owing to the way Soult had musteyed his men, and. to the curious configuration of the land. It was impossible for Wellington to gain any adequate idea of the strength of the opposing force. It was imperative' that he should be supplied with Information on this score, and that he should have the information quickly. How it could have been obtained without Captain William Knight it is hard to say. A pretence of skirmishing was made at one point along the Hue, and William Knight dashed forward to the enemy, and then rolled over on his horse as if he had been shot, and hung limply while the steed galloped o'i Cleverly he guided it through tbe* enemy’s lines, and then, once behind them, be sat upright. noted the contours, and then, with incredible coolness, rode along fl’.e rear of the lines, reckoning their strength as he went The French no doubt took him for one of their own officers —he was dressed in blue —and having calculated the total strength he calmly rode round the wing and joined (lie English, giving Wellington all the information be required.