WAR NOTES FROM LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 89, 16 April 1901, Page 5

WAR NOTES FROM LONDON.

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, March 1

THE COLONIAL SCOUT AND CHRISTIAN DE WET.

To which of the Australasian colonies the hero of the following yarn belongs., Mr Bennet Burleigh, who is responsible for it, fails to state. Nevertheless, you will, I think, find the tale sufficiently diverting to reprint. "In the recent pursuit of De Wet '(writes the correspondent) as Knox left an Orange IMver Colony town, a certain Colonial scout, busy cleaning out certain articles, loitered behind. He has since been court martialled for that fault, but, in view of the folllowing incident, let off with a cautionary I'emark or two. Leaving his horse in front of a house, he walked towards the outskirts of the little town, either to call on somebody or to see that all our people had marched out. He saw a smart Cage1 cart arrive in front of a door, and someone in it call out to the inmates. Going- towards the vehicle, he addressed the occupant curtly saying, 'Who are you?' The man, who looked like the ordinary type of Boer, and seemed unarmed, said, Why should I tell you?' to the Colonial. But there being Something about his dress and manner which the scout could not quite understand, he repeated with more pertinacity, "Come, your name; I want it.' The other, little abashed, but apparently uneasy, replied, 1 don't see that I am bound in any way to tell you my name,,or who I am.' At this the Colonial whipped out, cocked, and presented his revolver at the stranger in the Cape cart, shouting, imperatively 'Your name, and who are you! But alack, at that moment there came ft troop of armed Boers round the corner The Colonial was too late, and could not run, and. so was instantly made prisoner.-Seeing that the man m the Cape cart seemed to be a person in authority over the Boers the unabashed Colonial remarked, 'Well my irame's up, and as you need have no hesitation now in telling me who you are Sir, out of. curiosity, I'd like to know your name ftflt' 'Very well,' Sd the Boer, 'Til tell you. I m Chris- ?• tip Wet' And he smiled grimly, ,nd d^e on into the town. The Colonial subsequently that nigh escaped and De Wot. who was held up escaped." -,:■••