THE SOUDAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 142, 21 May 1885, Page 3

THE SOUDAN.

Two regiments of the Indian Brigade escorted a convoy half-way out from Suakim to the zarcbus. taking with them a captive balloon. The balloon was secured by two ropes, one attached to a mule carriage, the other to the saddle of mounted horseman. Messages were sent up and down the latter rope to and from the officer m the car of tne balloon. A correspondent of a London paper says : — " There can be no question of the great advantages which will be derived from the use of the balloon, and had it been m the air above the zarebas on Sunday the surprises and heavy losses would have been avoided. The* bush here is so dense that even a mounted man cannot see bodies of men crawling towards him until they are within twenty paces. From the* altitude of the balloon, however, the observer -will be able to look down between the bushes, and could at once detect persons moving amongst them. It is probable, too, that the sight of this strange object floating high m the air above the British post will greatly exercise the minds of the Arabs, and will excite much alarm as well as surprise." The convoy over which the balloon floated was not molested, which can scarcely be wondered at if the rebels were as astonished at the strange spectele as were the natives of Suakim. The bazaars have been m a perfect ferment upon the subject.