Another Lark by Prisoners.

Manawatu Herald, 18 September 1900, Page 2

Another Lark by Prisoners.

" Anything for a lark " was always played out to the last chuckle, and most amusing sights have offten caused the British prisoners and their burgher guards to explode in one huge roar of merriment. One of the funniest sights I ever saw was a prank played on the Racecourse in December on the day the prisoners had to parade for removal to the new Waterval Camp. While waiting for the " fall in," the attentions of a few men were devoted to dressing up a derelict donkey which grazed there. A blue jersey was pulled over his head, with the sleeves dangling from the ears ; two pairs of trousers were adjusted to both pairs of legs, and these habiliments, with the addition of a haversack and a water bottle, produced a more " absentminded mule" than had ever been Kiplinged. The puzzled animal slowly walked into the open field. He would stop a momemt, look downwards, wag his head and his unique pendants in a fashion so ludicrous that screams of laughter pealed from all sides. Grizzled Boer guards twisted themselves double in the efforts to suppress their paroxysms of laughter and the prisoners lining the fence in hundreds chimed in the general chorus of amusement. It was a funny sight, indeed. The poor donkey tried to get to close quarters with a lot of horses grazing, but they were dead-off a close acquaintance with the strange apparition, and fled in affright. Some of the young burghers mounted their horses I to try and drive the donkey in amongst the other animals, and here again tha fun began. The horses and riders would keep company a little way, bat as soon as the former saw the absurd caricature of quadruped life, with a snort of fear they kicked up their heels and fled, their venturesome riders getting croppers, which added to the general amusement. " Tommy " never lacked a laugh, however badly he may have wanted a drink I