Escort Duty.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 275, 23 June 1888, Page 6

Escort Duty.

Extract from District Ordors. Piotermaritzburß, May 10th, 1879. " Captain Kllicott, 94th Regiment, will report himself without delay to Major Matilqy, Chief Paymaster, in order to receive instructions that ■will bo conveyed to him by that oftk'or." In t obedience to the foregoing, I presented myself at the head office of bho Army Pay Department, and requested to be shown to Major Mnnley's room. " Good-morning, sir,' 1 1 said on boing nd mittfid. "1 am diroefced to report; myself to you." " Yes, Ellicott," answered the everclieory chief, who had always kindly words of advice and encouragement to offer tho.se who served under his orders. " I am about, to detail you for a difficult and somewhat ] dangerous duty. Monoy must bo conveyed I to Nowcastle for the payment of draft?, as ' the Boers refuse to receive our paper ; and oven if drafts were accopted there is not/ sufficient spocio in the small up-country banks to meet all tho domands that would be mado upon them. So 1 want to send you up with fifty thousand pounds in gold to bo handed over to Air Martin, now in Commissariat charge at Newcastle, who will account to me direct for all payments made." '• Am 1 not to have the usual escort detailed in the Treasury Instructions ''." 1 asked. " No, thoro's the pinch. Our losses were so groat at Isandhlwana that we have not a single man to spare. All clerks and employed men must take their tuin ol duty. Besides, I w ish to avoid an escort, as it would only have the effect of unnecessarily advertising the matter. In tho piesont state of the country, with shoalsof doubtful characters about, this would bo injudicious and almost invite an attack. So the General \ux< fallen in with my .-uggestion as to the manner of conveyance, I taking tho responsibility of its safe delivery. Now listen.'' And he proceeded to unfold his plan. The money was to bo packed in empty ammunition boxes, with the usual descriptive labeloFcontenf sremainingonthctu. Then it was to be loaded in an oidinary Cape cait (a marvel of lightness and strength) and placed under charge of an officer, who, he was to say, should be a man of courage and resource ; posing it. on to the tiont, as was frequently done at the time, as ammunition. There iras a great scarcity of stores of all kinds after our lo^cs at Isandhlwana, where immense quantities of supplies had to be abandoned. " Now,"' he went on to <ay, " the gieatest risk you will run is fiom tho .swarm of men who, '•'under the guise of somebody's ' Horse ' or somebod}' elae's ' R-angcrs,' et hoc y</>N> omiu , are spread over the country at the present time. Should you come across any of the^e, they would make nothing of taking youi life if they got an inkling of what you Imvo in chaige. Now, Captain Kllicott, do you feel equal to the tisk ?" continued Major Manlcy. My spirits rose at the prospect. The tu<k was no doubt a difficult one, but 1 reflected that this was a chance that might 'ne\ercomein my way again, and I felt a not unpaidonable pride in the hope of obtaining a little distinction should I Miccessfull} carry out the duty now entrusted to mo " I am your man, Major," J replied. " When am 1 to start .'"' "Good, 1 ' he said, grasping m_> hand. " Your ready acceptance of what, to be plain with you, is a hazardous undertaking, shall not go unrepresented in the proper quarter." In order to throw the loafer element off the scent, a paragraph was inseited in the Xa/(il Witw vs, stating that Captain Ellicott, of the 94th Regiment, was in oidoivto join the headquarters of hi? corps, and take with him a supply of ie*erve ammunition, the Transport Department, being duected to provide conveyance, and two (lays after the interview, the cart containing my valuable consignment wound slowly upwauls along the milc^ ot steep hill- leading to liowick. After a long and weaiisome crawl upwaid, we i cached 'it length the comparatively level road which terminated at the hotel. I wa« disagreeably surprised, on my anival, to find here a body of \olunteers, about forty in number; composed princi pally, as it appeared to me, ot that dubious class known as the "canteen loafti,'' a product peculiar to parts of South Afiica. They were under tho leadership ot a smooth-tongued individual named Osierton, whom I had frequently met at Pictcrmarit/burg, and was said to be very well connected — a reckless g-imblci, re.id\ to bofc on anything ot everything, having tho additional loputation of being an utterly unscrupulous scoundrel. His second in command was a drunken, quarrelsome ruffian named Mondrum, who was strongly •suspected of being concerned in a robbery committed at a farmhouse on the Mooi Ri\er some months previously. His knowledge of the Zulu language (he having lived among the natives for .several years) was the recommendation for the post he held. On my requesting Mrs Padley, the landlady, to oblige me with a separate room in which to deposit the ammunition, hhe became alarmed and refused to allow it to enter the house. So with many misgivings J piled the bo\e-» in front ol a little tunct mom ;tt the end of the verandah that had been allotted to me as a sleening place. \ I tried to ascertain from Osicrton where i he was bound to, and when he intended to march, being desirous of giving him and hie men a wide berth. He smiled furtively, and replied in his smooth, almost musical voice, "Really, captain, I am not quite .sure yet. I was 1 cietailed by General Clifford to proceed to Harrismith ; but I understand that that has now been changed, and lam waiting here for ordors. Where might you be going ?" I thought it well to conceal my destination, and said, "Oh ! I'm going for the Bushman's River, at Weston." This conversation took place in tho verandah outside my room, in the vicinity of the boxes. Mondrum coming out of the hotel at the moment with a pipe in his mouth, reeled up i to where he heard voices. i " What's up ?" he demanded. " Who says we're to move on ? Devilish unlikely, ! with comfortable quarters and tive bob a day for doing nothing. Time enough to do the fighting when it comes. I vote for staying here and holding the laager." A laager adjacent to, and partly joining the hotel, had just been completed by the neighbouring farmers, as a place of retreat should an attack be mado. "What do you say, commandant?" he inquired, addressing Osicrton, and seating himself on the boxes. " Don't smoke over the ammunition," I said. " One doesn't know how a spark might reach it." " Let it go off, then," he answered with an ugly word, kicking at the pile and dislodging one of the boxes, which fell to tho I ground. " Hullo !" he cried. "Jt jingles like coin. Let us lift it up again." This random shot made mo hold my breath for a moment. Then J hurriedly stepped forward and replaced it. I invited them to join me in a glass of whisky, and my offer was met with noisy approval ; seating ourselves on the steps of the hotel we proceeded to discuss the liquor. After

a while I pretended to fall asleep, and | they, when two bottlos had been finished, were soon snoring beside me. I rose cautiously, on ascertaining that all round were doop in clumber, ana went towards my room, very anxious as rogarded tho action I should tako. The money* was made up at the bank in rouleaus of twenty sovereigns each, and packed tightly in the boxes. But aftor tho last had been filled, there remained over and abovo eighty sovereigns ; ! too fow to fill another box,and too bulky to j tit in, made up in the same manner as the others. So they were distributed loosoly over the top of the last box, and some sheets of paper pressed heavily down upon thorn to prevent any rolling about. To this circumstance my thoughts reverted when Mondrum spoke of "tho jingle of coin;'' for undoubtedly the same impression had been conveyed to my own mind whon the box fell. It would be singularly unfortunato if this should be tho idor.tical box in which the loose money had boon placed. 1 also began to have doubts of the crafty commandant. I had noticed him eyeing mo once or twice, and I might, unknown to myself, have shown more anxiety than the occasion seemed to wan ant. I was in much perplexity as to what course 1 .should pursue L nover closed my eyes during the night, and just as the grey light of dawn began to appear, 1 got up and looked round. CNiorton and Mondrum where still lying whore 1 hail left them, and a number of oL hex s w ere scattered about the stoep. At this, moment 1 heard a quiet step pass tho end of the houvo near tho laager, and was a little startled to sec tho dark face of an Italian named Marco Dinelli, './ho had been employed a° a lempomry cleik in tho oflice of the Chief Paymaster. From that post lie had been quietly dismissed on account of a doubtful money transaction. The ex-clerk know a good deal about the pay oflice, and the object of my journey might by soinemcans have leaked out; so I was not with out apprehension on this score. He advanced and saluted me respectfully. "Well, Dinelli, '' I said, "wbataie you dointr hero " " 1 am on my way to the front, sir," ho replied. " < "aptain Shepstone told me some time ago, if e\cr f wanted employment he would appoint me to his own troop of Nalal Caibinecrs ; and being anxious to sec a little service, 1 thought I would ictnind him of his offer." " Hovv did you get heie?'' I asked. " I came up by the post-cart on Thin sday," he icplied, "and was hoping some kind pet Mm Mould give mo a lift. You don't happen to have any room, sir?" " No," 1 said : " my mules ha\e as much as they can can v already." Ho glanced, 1 thought, curiously at the ho\Cs, and saluting again, wished me good morning, and went towards the front of the hotel. lobsened Dinelli and Oierton in convocation dining the morning, and this did not tend to allay my feni.s, So I delayed proceeding onward for the present, and continued my stay at Howick, until 1 had time to think tho matter out. Towards mid-day I obsorved a mule cait bowling along the road from the direction of I'ictermmif/burg. On reaching the hotel it pulled up close to where I was standing, and f heie stepped out an officer in uniform whom I lecogni/ed as Dr. Mills, ot the Army Medical Department. We had met frequently at headquarters, and knowing him to be a man of some judgment and decision of character, I detoi mined to make a coniidant of him. Ka\ing unhar-nes.-ed and pai taken of refreshments, he expressed a wish to see the Umgani Falls ; a magnilicent cascade in the immediate neighbourhood, falling from a height of ovci 3()(ffeet. The roai of its waters could be heaid from where we were standing. 1 hailed this opportunity of making my communication, and volunteered to accompany him. When w ell outc f earshot, I explained all tho cirenm-tances of my position and the doubts I entertained of Dinelli. He listened attentively. " And now what do you suggest ." he asked, after I had ended. My idea was this : Tic being on his way to Helpmakarr with a supply of medical comfoits tor the troops, was to permit me to exchange loads with him, allowing me to tiansfer the contents of his vehicle to mine %s hile I placed tho specie in his. He was then todrhe on by Curries Post and Colenso to Ladysmith, where the money could bo placed in charge of the resident magistrate until my anhal. " Hut hnv about yourself >" he asked. "If, as you seem to think, they have a suspicion of what you carry you Avill be muidered to a certainty. I never sa\s <i more cut-throat looking set of scoundrels in my lite than tho^e worthies of Osierton's Ifoise. Besides, how can the change be eflectcd without exciting suspicion '/" " f have thought of that." I returned. " Aftor breakfast 1 had a private interview with Mrs Piulley, and upon my picking repicsentation obtained her consent to have the bo\es lemoved to a room at the buck ot the piomis.es. A door fiom thenco leads into the new laager, as a place of exit, should the hotel be attacked and become untenable. From that room I think I should be able after nightfall to make the noces a ai y tiansfer unobserved, you causing your con■\eyance to be taken to the back of tho house. I heard them say that Mr Shore, of thoTolegraph Department, was expected in to-night with some workmen, and as ho i-< a jo\ ial of fellow, always spending his money pretty freely, there will, no doubt, be a carouse. As regards myself," I added, " they will tool secure, having announced my intention of not starting until late to-morrow morning, two of my mules being slightly lame. This luckily happens to be the case. Should this come o/l all right, I will tako my departure, after allowing you a good start, and if 1 reach Carrie's I'ost unmolested, Avill remain there for the night ; and on the following morning endeavour to' reach Lady&mith by Bavian'a Poort and tho old road." " J think fche plan is a risky one for you, whichever way you look at it," lie observed ; "but you may rely upon my cooperation." I thanked him heartily, and remarked that his own share was not free from danger ;at which he laughed. The advent of Mr Shore led, as was anticipated, to a jollification, and I joined in it with apparent zest, slipping away every now and then to remove a packot from the doctor's cart, replacing it by one of tho ( boxes, until the exchange had been fully completed. The next morning was an anxious one to me. Dr. Mills at an early hour, harnessed in a leisurely manner, stood chatting with me for a few minutes on indifferent subjects within hearing of the people about, and then drove away. I gave a sigh of relief as I saw the mules turn round the corner that shut out the view of tho house, and disappeared in the serub-llnod road below. Turning back to the hotel I oncounterod the Italian, in company with Osiorton and Mondrum. " Well, captain," said tho latter, " when do you start ? Can wo help you to load the ammunition ?" " Thank you," I said, coolly : "it is done already. I didn't like to trust to chanco &s accidents often happen. "Yes, it micrhfc go off, you know," said Osicrton jeoringly ; and the> all Unee laughed.

I waa convinced thatDinelli had by some means become acquainted with the fact of the despatch of the gold ; so I determined to delay my departure a8 long a8 possible in order to enable Dr. Mills to reach Currie'a Post in sufficient time to halt, rest his mulee, and again resume his journey ; by which time the safety of the consignment would be secure. I answered the trio with a jest, and my spirits rose at the thought of having outwitted I»he scoundrels. I noticed that they did not communicate with any other members of the band, so concluded that if they had any enterprise in hand they meant to keep it to themselves. When tho timo arrived that I had decided to btart, I ordered the dviver to harness, having previously hired two fresh mules from a farmer in tho neighbourhood. When all Tr»s ready I drove away. A number of the men were standing about, but I did not observe Dinelli or his two new friends. Carefully examining my revolver, which was loaded in all six chambers, I brought it conveniently to my hand and prepared for whatever might happen. There was only ono part of the road where I could be attacked at a disadvantage, and this was situated about half way between the falls and Currie'b Post, at a bond round a narrow shoulder of j rock. Bofore coming in sight of this place I pulled up a few moments, and addressing the driver, said : " Now, my man, I want you, on reaching | Botha's Nok, to drive your hardest round the bond, and tear at lull bpced down the hill into the open. I fear lam going to be attacked, but nothing must stop you. Thore is a sovereign, and if we reach Currie'b l*ost, I will give you another. Hut bhould you hesitate tor a moment — see this " —and 1 pointed to my rovolver. "JH !" he yelled, as he caught the coin I thiow to him. Then flourishing his huge whip and calling the animals by their names he urged them on in usual Hottentot fashion. 1 had determined to push boldly on, concluding that Dr. ]\1 ills would by this time have reached his destination ; tor my lifewould certainly pay the forfeit should they discovoi the rufee I had practised. On reaching the point I had indicated, the diiver rose in his .seat and brought his whip down with a crack like a pistol-shot, taking the critical turn at a breakneck pace. But a*> wo lounded the curve there arose three figure- fiom behind ono of the larger rocks, with rifles pointed and bhouting for us, to stop. " Drive on !" I cried. " Drive on!" Seeing that we disregaided then menacing demand, they dclheicd a volloy, one shot striking the driver and tumbling him into the road, the wheels passing over him. I gathered up Uie reins as best I could, .shouting and encouraging the mules to keep up the pace, and with such success that I was enabled to reach the incline that led to tho open country. Having by this time reloaded, they sent in a second volloy, one shot striking mo in the cheek, while another disabled two of the leading mules. This brought me to a standstill, and the three men rushed fonvard. 1 fired at the toremo.st, bringing him down, and the other two, swearing fearful oaths, made towards me. 1 recognised them as Osierton and Mondrum. The man I had hit -\wib Dinelli. I slipped out on tho ofT-bide, where I wa* partially covered by the cart. " Stand back," I said," or I'll tire. What do you want ?" " Hand o\er the money," replied Osierton w ith an oath. "What money?" I asked. "There is no money here." " Don't parley with us," said the other | ruffian, " or I'll put a bullet through you in I no time." "I tell you theie is no money here,'" I < repeated ;"" nothing but medical stores.! Look for yourselves. " < \ | " Stand out of the way then," said Osierton. 1 stood aside, revolver in hand, while the blood streamed down my face and neck. Thej both dived into the cait At this instant 1 cast my eyes down the road, and haw a small party of mounted men riding towards us. I sprang to the crest of the hill, and wa\ed my hat frantically to them. The next moment 1 heard a report and felt a binning sensation at the side of my head ; then, chopping to the ground, lost all conj seiouMies.-. When 1 recovered, I found mjaelf in bed at (Jurric's l U-t, buttering from a gunshot wound that had nearly made an end of | mo ; musing b\ almost a hairVbitadth, but giving me .v nasty knock on the head and cauying away a portion of my left car. The hoi-MMnen 1 had seen were Commissary- ■ (iencnil Lanfiee and three officers of his department on their way from the fiotit. They :it once ob.ser\ed my signal, lode i lapidly up the hill, where they found me [ insensible, the driver severely wounded in < the neck and two rib^ broken by the wheels having passed over him. Dinelli was dead. Tho other two rode off, and escaped to the j Orange Free State, taking part against us subsequently in the Transvaal War ; but ! aftei that nothing further was ever learnt regarding them. The money was conveyed safely by Dr. MilK to Ladysmith, and deposited with the resident magistrate, from whose custody it was afterwards transferred to its proper destination ; the worthy doctor receiving I back his supply of medical appliances. I was complimented by the general for what he was pleased to term the courage and resolution I had displayed ; and on the repoit reaching home J was promoted, and received a decoration in recognition of the service 1 had rendered. - Tlu Argosy.

Emi'vriON ok Children. — In educating our childien, it is a great mistake to follow blindly a stereotyped routine. Let us rather follow the bent of their talents and inclination, and as far as possible a<;t conformably to those. As Froobel, the groat educator, pays, " all that does not grow out ot one's inner being, all that is not one's original feeling and thought, or at least, awakens that, oppresses and defaces the individuality of man instead of calling- ifc forth, and nature becomes thereby a cari cature. Shall we never cease to stamp human nature, even in childhood, like coins ? to overlay it with foreign images and foreign superscriptions instead ol lotting it develop itself and grow into form, according to the law of life planted in it by Clod, tho Father, ho that it may bear the stamp of the Divine, and become an image j of God. As Anctkn't Pikck or Sculi'TUßk,-— The excavations on the Acropolis, at the southeast angle of the Parthenon, have resulted further "in a discovery of the highest importance. At a depth of about four metres from the present level, near tho new Aero polis Museum, hah been found the bearded head of a man of ho- oic size, carved in Poros stone, well preeerved, and retaining a Governing of rich and brilliant colouring. The haii and beard are (as usual) painted blue and the face red. What is remarkable, howovor, is that the pupils of the eyes are not only painted in, but also delineated witli the chisel. This head, which forms one of the most ancient sculptures ever found upon the Acropolis, will attract considerable attention both from the style of workmanship and the material of which it is made. It appears to be the head of a triton, the rest of the body, in the form of a serpent ending in the tail of a fish, having been found a few days befovo near the same place.