Forbes's Rivals.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 159, 3 June 1884, Page 2

Forbes's Rivals.

I "Atlas," wiiting m the World, remarks that the Times telegraphed descriptions both of El Teb and of the more recent combat — which I suppose should be called the battle of Tamanieb — were so good that they could bear comparison with those* of Mr Cameron to the Standard, and no higher praise could be given them. Many people, who knew and loved the father, will be glad to learn that they were written by the son of my dear old friend Frank I. fcJcadamore, who died at Constantinople the other Jay. Young Mr Scudamore's work has notable characteristics, all the more meritorious when the youth and experience of the writer are considered.* ft is vivid and picturesque ; but all through it is noticeable the attribute — so rare m a young correspondent — of self-restraint. The Times has been well served m these Soudan troubles. Mr St. Leger Herbert, civilian pure and simple, but "entered " to soldiering as Lord Wolseley's private secretary, was taken out by Herbert Stewart as his galloper, and it was he who wrote the admirable account for the Times of the part the cavalry took m the El Teb fight. But his telegram after. Tamanieb m evory whit as good ; and the spirit of i the man amounts to absolute journalistic heroism, for a severe bulletwound m the thigh did not stop Mia from fulfilling loyally the duty he had undertaken. The short campaign has l»een a singularly trying one all round for the war correspondents. The proximity of telegrams all night as well as all day ; and from that weird bullet- perturbed bivouac the night before the Tamanie > fight the messages, written m the moonlight, came almost like minute guns. "When Da vis's square broke they had to draw their revolvers and shoot for theiv lives. But when St. Leger Herbert did, m dictating I don't suppose he could have written it sua ipsius mrna a long, picturesque, • and detailed narrative while suffering from the first shock of a severe wound, is a feat yet unparalleled ia war -correspondence.