A Weird Prophesy Fulfilled.

Hastings Standard, Issue 118, 11 September 1896, Page 4

A Weird Prophesy Fulfilled.

An extraordinary story is told in connection with the death of the late Mr Herbert Ingram, a member of the family who own the Illustrated London News. Mr Ingram, it appears, was deeply interested in the Gordon Kelief Expedition, so much so that he took out to Egypt his own steam launch to join the relief force, and was present at several of the battles of that campaign, such as Abu Klea and Meterameh. While at Luxor, the ancient Thebes, he bought the mummy of a priest which bore an incription. After obtaining, at Cairo, the necessary permits, Ingram sent the mummy home in a big case, which was opened by his brothers at the officers of the Illustrated London News. Over the face was a papier wache mask, which is now deposited in the British Museum. The last-named institution was asked to send along an expert to decipher and translate the inscription, which was long and blood-curdling. It set forth that whosoever disturbed the body of this priest should himself be deprived of decent burial; he would meet with a violent death, and his mangled remains would be " carried down by a rush of waters to the sea." This is the first part of a fascinating romance of real life. Some time after sending the mummy home, Mr Ingram and Sir Henry Meux were elephant shooting in Somaliland, when one day the natives brought in a great chunk of dried earth, saying it was the spoor of the biggest elephant in the world. The temptation was too much for the two sportsmen, so they hunted up that herd. " I've left my elephant-gun behind," cried Sir Henry, in dismay. " Take mine," said Ingram, generously, leaving himself with a comparatively impotent small-bore. When they sighted the elephants, Sir Henry went after a bull, and Mr Ingram turned his attention to an enormous cow. His method was to turn round in his saddle, fire a shot, and then gallop his pony on ahead, dodging the infuriated animal among the trees. At last, looking back for another shot, he was swept out of his saddle by the drooping of a tree. The moment he reached the ground the wounded elephant was upon him, goring and trampling him to death, notwithstanding the heroism of his Somali sen-ant, who poured a charge of shot right into the monster's ear. For days the elephant would not let anyone approach the spot, but eventually Mr Ingram's remains were reverently gathered up and buried for the time being in a nullah or ravine. Never again was the body seen, for, when an expedition was afterwards despatched to the spot, only one sock and part of a human bone were found : these pitiful relics were subsequently interred at Aden with military honors. It was found that the floods caused by heavy rains had washed away Mr Ingram's remains thereby fulfilling the ancient prophecy —the awful threat of the priest of Thetis. The mummy is now in the possession of Lady Meux, and Sir Harry has the tusks of the elephant.— Strand Magazine.