Using His Heels.

Otago Witness, Issue 2200, 30 April 1896, Page 52

Using His Heels.

Some men are able to joke in the tnidsfc o? the most fearful circumstances, and, unless their non«ense is in bad t&jte, it is not illtimed, but, on the contrary, is generally welcomed by those who need ch< ering up. Colonel Bell tells tbe following story of an in< ident which occurred during a battle ot the Peninsula War.

When the battle began, the surgeon of a certain regiment was in his proper place— at tbe rear of the men. He had deposited his instruments under a tree, and crept along in the rear of the troops until he saw the men beginning to fall. Then he ran back as fast as he could, to bring up his mule and surgical kit. Doctors wore at th»t time cocked hats and feathers, and were not to be easily distinguished, at a distance, from the general's staff. As he went at full speed along one side of a hedge, a general officer, with his aide-de-camp, came galloping up the other way. ♦' There's an officer running away ! " cried the former. " Stop him I Hallo, sir 1 where are you g'»ng ? " No answer. Both officers wheeled their horses.

"Stop, sir I" cried the general officer. •• Give an account of yourself and your name." 11 No, no ! " fhouted the doctor. " I'm off ; seen plenty of fighting for one day." The officer was furious, and pushed on after the fugitive, the stiff feuceatill between them. •• Give me your name, sir 1 "

" Oh, never mind my name ; everybody knows me. Look out for yourself. Your life's Bob worth & Demur J Go to &fi front and ftg

killed. If you like, . Everybody's being killed there but me ! " speaking over his shoulder and ' running like the wind, , On he went until he reached his Burgical kit. which he proceeded to load upon the male, and, ordered his assistant to move with it to the" frout. Then he dashed back ia the direction from which he hud come, and the officers realised that they had been sold.