PETERSEN'S EPISODE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 7046, 6 October 1900, Page 2

PETERSEN'S EPISODE.

Concerning the daring escape of Trooper Petersen, of Napier, from Nooitgedacht a London corresponflent writes: — A young New Zealand trooper, who is not identified except by the names of Peterson and Petersen, is the hero of a story cabled Home by some of the correspondents. It appears that one fine Sunday night he, with fifteen other prisoners, tunnelled his way out of their enclosure at Nooitgedacht. Clear of the enclosure they appear' to have separated, and Petersen took a bee line for Machadodorp, which he was under the impression was in British hands. . Unluckily he found instead of a "kharki" brigade a Boer commando 2000 strong. This disappointment did not daunt the Maorilander, to whom the Boer bor3es suggested a much more desirable and speedy style of locomotion than "shanks' pony." He promptly annexed a blanket, commandeered a well-kept pony, and bade his unwitting friends a silent adieu — the precise portion of finger and nose need not be specified. The occupants of the laager spotted him before he had gone far, and sent a platoon of Mauser bullets after him. Petersen, however, evaded the missiles, and ere morning dawned reached French's outposts at Wonder f on tein, having during the nigbt eluded several Boer patrols. He was probably not quite aware of his proximity to friends, and his caution nearly undid him. His horse blundered over a wiry entanglement, and before he could say " Cock Robinson " a dozen Lee-Metford bullets sang past him, and one stopped to investigate. He promptly sang out " I'm English— escaped prisoner ! " and next minute found himself Bate in the arms of the picket which had so nearly sent him to .his apportionate place in the world beyond. His wound was only trifling, and be was, after a good 6fl»are meal, sent off to Middleburg to be patched up.