PRIVATE JETTA-YOLA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11320, 2 September 1899, Page 6

PRIVATE JETTA-YOLA.

* — A STIRRING TALE FROM NI. GERIA. A correspondent in Nigeria sends <o the London Daily Chronicle particulars of an affilr, which he says ' ought to be written io letters of gold on the pages of oar military annals." ' I have already told you,' he writes, ' what a magnificent fighting foroe wo have succeeded In recruiting up here. It iB a pleasure to command them. I have known tnem to niAroh. 42 miles a day, 27 of wbioh without a drop of water, through swamp and foreßt, over burning plains and through bash. But toaoma baok to the Wasse affiir. The Emir of Wasse, s crossbred fnlah, had for long been renowned as a turbalont Individual, always creating disturbances. Finally, becoming bolder and bolder, he ordered the chief of the town of Amar to cease trading with the Niger Company. The Chief of Amar refused, whereupon the SerikiurDluotai politely informed him that he might already consider himself wiped out, as he soon would be. Captain MoNaaehtou happened to be at the time In the Bautshi country, reoraiting for the Imperial foroe. The party went on their return journey, and had arrived on the banks of the Maboko river, whloh the rains had very muoh swollen Four soldiers and five oarriera had oroased, when suddenly a soldier was seized by the leg by an alligator, dragged from his horse, and drowned. After this untoward event, tha remainder of MoNaughton's party deolined to cross, and McNaughtoo thought It prudent to take ft laud route baok, telling the men who had already orosaed to proceed to Amar. The nine men (four soldiers and five oarrierß) thereupon proceeded to Amar. Hardly had they entered the town, when the long-expected attack by the aerikiu.Duohi took plaoe. « The King of Amar and most of his people promptly bolted, but the four soldiers quietly remained where they were. With a" great olatter the Emir'B horsemen rode into the town, and started pillaging in all directions. Just near to where our men were standing, a Dumber of bundles of trade goods whioh had been hurriedly abandoned by the retreating townsmen lay scattered. Several horsemen road up and attempted to 86i'z3 the goods, when our soldiers interfered, saying the goods belonged to the white men, and were not to be touched. LUther plnoky, this, don't yon thick, for four men on foot to defy a host on horeebaok P 'The Exit's people then rode down our men, firing from the saddle. Pri> vate Jetta Yola was shot in the thumb. The gallant fellow, however, ' fell in ' his men The enemy's fire was returned with interest, emptying several saddles. Firing continuously, the four men o) the Niger force literally drove the horsemen out of the town, and took up a position on a wall near the gate. Here they were joined by one or two oi the townsfolk. Time after time the Emir's horsemen rode furiously against the town. Aasanlt after asstult was repulaed. The fighting oontinued the whole day. Finally the enemy drew ofl disoomfl'ed, leaving 20 men hilled, and 13 dead horses on the field. ' Tho heroio defenders all received pecuniary recompense from the Nigei Company, aDd Jetta Yula was promoted to be a sergeant; the three other met will also be promoted.'