RETREAT BEFORE REBELS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 11 May 1907, Page 4

RETREAT BEFORE REBELS.

JSMTISH FORCE DRIVEN BACK IN LIBERIA. <

Captain C. C. Norman, »1 the Royal Welsh. Fusiliers, and a non-comuiission-ed olficer have been severely wounded in recent fighting near the Sierra LeoneLiberia frontier, says Reuter. Muring the renewed unrest among the nalives Captain Norman, who was in command of the troops stationed at l.eia, inarched out with his force. Jt was intended merely to get into com'liumication with (he chief Wigbo, and 'ask him to explain to his people the pacific intention of the British.

The force, however, had scarcely got clear of Lela when it met with opposi-; tion from numbers of natives armed with guns and bows and arrows. Messages were sent to the chief to come in. but he was not forthcoming, and as the attitude of the tribes became more ami more threatening it became necessary to retire upon Lela. The natives in increased numbers then advanced, and made a sudden attack upon Lela. They were at first driv-ai oil', but kept a heavy fire from the surrounding bush. Under these circumstances Captain Norman and a non-com-missioned officer with some troops went out with the intention of clearing tae bush, hut both were severely wounded.

Two hours the town of Lela was again attacked, and this time fired. The flumes spread with such rapidity that it again became necessary to retire towards Walade, two hours to the south. The natives kept up a desultory fire, and in spite of the difficulty of the situation -the retreat was quite orderly. The British patrol was harried by the enemy for a distance of two and a half miles from Lela. The garrisons have now been reinforced.