Brave to a Fault.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2906, 23 May 1888, Page 3

Brave to a Fault.

The following incident is recorded by Lieutenant Slioenuiaker, an oflicer of tlio Dutch East Indian forces Near a fortified post of our foremost lines the Achinese had planted their ilag upon a hill, while on the outskirts of a wood in the immediate neighborhood a strong force of the enemy was posted to pnaaut the ilag from being removed. Tlunliig was only put there to entice us out, which naturally exasfi'ated our soldiers. Several attempts 'femovo it, organised by the commandant, had entailed considerable losses, so that further attempts had to bo renounced. Nevertheless, voluntas were constantly presenting themselves for the work of taking down the piece of red cloth emblazoned with the AdAa arms (a cresent with two crossxurved sword in the middle), but permission was as constantly refused. Hereupon the enemy came forth from their woods to tauntand revile us. So things lmd gone on for some days, when one morning a European fusilier stole unnoticed over our entrenchments and directed his attention towards the aforesaid hill. Fire was at onco opened on him. Sending our officers to the bastion to learn what it was all about, in vain they colled the daring fellow back. A ppearing to be deaf, lie tramped forward with the greatest coolness while the enemy directed an uninterrupted lire upon him. At every moment it was expend that he would fall. At last he readied the hill, stopped for a moment and with his hands behind his back, contemplated the Hag-staff, Then lie took up sonic sand from Hie ground with which he rubbed his hands, clambered up the staff, tore off the Achijie.se ilag, drew from under his coat tMj Dutch flag, and fastened it to Then he let himself down to the ground, turned to the

enemy, wiped his boots with the captured flag, and burst into a laugh of derison, while the fire from the woods ivas still kept up. When lie got buck again lie was put under arrest for fourteen days fur disobedience to orders, but he soon afterwards received the cross " for valor ami loyalty,"