PROWLERS OF THE NIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8153, 10 July 1906, Page 4

PROWLERS OF THE NIGHT.

a >k\v EXPERIENCES.

Mr A. E. Sykes. in the course of a lcti.-r to hi- >i-tcr, Mrs Everard, of *Vi iliiiglon. gives mjuic graphic descriptions of the late disastrous earthiiuaie an.l lire. Telling of a walk thr-ugh a ]iorliou of the city ou the uiglit of the great tire, while in search of I.is luggage, he *ays : " There sure two things only any sane person could do with luggage—chc.k it right on tho ferry, or returu it to s:arting point. Apparently it was not at the ferry, and I decided to go back. I almost funked it, knowing the dangers. In the way of protection I had a sabre (one I wore in the Bri-tish-American Rilie Company), an umbrella, walking-stick, and a police whi-.le, and started for a mile tramp through the burning city. It was dark eice;.t for the flare, the wind blowing a hurricane and a blinding storm of cinders. The water-front was on lire in tLree places, the people huddling together like frightened sheep. I went on and on, the little knots of people growing le-s and less, and then I came to see that my surroundings were becoming a bit serious. " Figures were moving among the stacks of fallen limbers and debris; a shot here and a shot there. The soldiers were shooting looters, and the desperate characters operating in their desperate ways. It was no more serious to go on than to return I turned a corner and yas challenged by a sentry, but when he saw side arms he presented. and I saluted and passed on. I carried on this blurt through the lines, aud they must have taken me fo r the officer of the day in civilian dress. " After about ;hree miles I reached the tir-t camp, and found the corporal in charge of our baggage, but got little information, except thit it had gone on. 1 a>ked for a pass to get through the lines to my friends, but he could not get me one, and told me to remain in camp, or go on my own, and 1 wentI go! past three sentries, and entered the unp.it rolled area, and here I got mixed up. Saw throe or four men mov.ng about mysteriously in front, and took the centre of the road, lieturu was out ol the question, as the (ire had eros-ed behinl me. I had gone about fifty yards wlirn oie made a bcjline for me. and I gripped the hilt of my sword, but lu was on u:e before I cculd free it from the sheath. 1 sot him under the chin with t lie hilt, and got back, and drew the blade across his neck. lie cam on again, but I was on guard. Then i hi'd'ii a >hot, and the image iu front i-J over, and a soldier came up and . t • 'k about Mite hundred yards fur|tc '. ou. and told me to day there til: j ».e let ~'iied. 1 th;ir,ked lusii f or shootla,' Hrawlit. I w.'tiled about five niic'ites. i::d iieard his rille crack r.\:. e, and uceiJed to move ou. Tiling li '.ked Mriuus, and I did nol feel too plucky : 1 wanted to run. I saw the lire creeping alcng the w ater front to the ferry buildings at a Iremend ais rale, and I must get that last boat, and 1 doubled. Furtive figures were sneaking a!e"it. but the sword caught tin gleam of the tire, and they kept clear. Cold setei i< nasty. At last I got to the boit, and 1 was mighty glad to put my foot on that steamer. Over 2tX> were burned, and twenty shot on the waterfront that night, and I am glad I didn't swell the number."