A Gallant Officer.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 19 September 1890, Page 2

A Gallant Officer.

Tn the Nile campaigne of 1889 Serra was the scene of an act of great personal bravery on the part of an English officer which it is a pleasure to record. It will we'l explain, Bays B ackwood's Magazine, the kind of warfare they were entrap din. Bimbashi Judge, of the thirteenth Battalia had been, ordered to land at Serra village with fifty men, as a strong party of dervishes threatened an attack there. He •anded his men and taking twlv of th^m with him, he proceeded on foot to the western side of the village to BPe if there was any sign of {the enemy. Suddenly a numbpr of the enemy's cavalry appeared from behind the s aid hills. The men with him precipitately fe'l back and left him alone. Ca'li"g on them to stand, he fell back slowly. Thpre were seven dervish horsemen altogether. Instead of charging 1 down on him in a body and despatching him, they tried to deliberately surround him. This enabled him to use his revolver and dia >ble three of them as they closed round him. By this time the fourth man, an Emir, whs on him. Jad-? finding that his sword had no efiect on the thick pidded coat and turban of the Emir, and being a very tall and powerful man himself, as a 'ast desperate resort, seize! the mnn b}' (he co'lar, tore him from his horse, and ran his awed through him. Just then all his m^n came up and despatched the remainder of the enemy. The twelve men who hnd suddenly lost their presence of mind and deserted him, on their return to their regiment went up to their commnnding officer and reported the matter.