DR. CONAN DOYLE AND THE TROOPS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11562, 15 June 1900, Page 3

DR. CONAN DOYLE AND THE TROOPS.

In the Bloemfontein Friend Dr. Conan Doyle gives tbe following graphio picture of the troops*.— "l watched them— ragged, bearded, fierce-eyed infantrystruggling along under a cloud of dust. Who could have conceived, who had seen the prim soldier in time of peace, that he oould so quickly transform himself into this grim, virile barbarian? Bull-dog faoes, hawk faces, hungry-wolf faces, every sort of face except a weak one. Here and there a man smoking a pipe, here and there a man who smiled; but most have swarthy faces, and lean a little forward, with eyes steadfast, and features impassive but resolute. Here is a clump of Highlanders, with workmanlike aprons in front, and keen faces burnt black with months on the veldt, and the honored name they bear is on their shoulderstraps. 'Good Old Gordons,' I cried as they passod me. A sergeant glanced at dirty enthusiasm in an undershirt. ' What cheer, matey?' he cried; and the men squared their shoulders and put a touch of ginger into their stride. Here is a clump of mounted infantry, a grizzled fellow like a fierce old eagle at the head of them. Some are maned like lions, some have young, keen faoes, but all leave an impression of familiarity upon me ; yet I have not seen Irregular British Cavalry before. Why should it be so familiar to me— this loose-limbed, head ereot, swaggering type? Of oourse— l have seen it in an Amerioan cowboy over and over again. Strange that a few months on the veldt should have produced exactly the same man as springs from the Western prairie. But these men are warriors amid war. Their eyes are hard and quick. They have a gaunt, intent look like men who live always under a show of danger."