Buffer Was Unmoved.

Otago Witness, Issue 2403, 22 March 1900, Page 64

Buffer Was Unmoved.

Many stories have been told of the impassiveness of General Sir Redvers Buller, cornmmanding the British forces in Natal ; but so far publicity lias not been given to a little incident concerning him which shows -how hard it is to move this gallant soldier.

Sir Redvcrs, then the Adjutant-general, had gone to a northern town to open some volunteer bairacks. The occasion was, from a local point of view, a great one, and the mayor v;a« well to the front. His worship, unfortunately like many oth?r civilians, knew little of military distinctions,, and being also nervotw he mixed up the general with the officer commanding the volunteers, a colonel, as it happened, who was more soldier in name than in reality. "If there's one thing, more than another," said his worship, "that makes me pleased to be here, it is to see you, General " (bowing to the volunteer colonel) "on the same 1 platform as that famous soldier, Major J3ul"ler." Here he bowed elaborately to the Adjutant-general. An indescribable thrill went through the audience, then nearly every face broadened, into a smile, while some of the visitors sniggered aloud. One man only was absolutely unmovod. Not a muscle of General Buller's face moved, not the shadow of a smile flitted over it. If there was a sign at all, it was in a =ucldci illumination of the heavy eyes, an I that, if it meant anything, merely expressed contempt. For tho rest Sir Redvers ignored the mayor's blunder.