A WONDERFUL ESCAPE,

Otago Witness, Issue 2427, 19 September 1900, Page 29

A WONDERFUL ESCAPE,

AUCKLAND, September 13.

Of the troopers Avho returned to-day. Corporal C. M'Dowall had ? hair-breadth and almost incredible e.scapo from death a I Thabanchu. He Avas shot right through the head by a Mauxer bullet, was buried ahVe for five and a-half hours, and he still lives. The bullet entered behind one ear, and, passing through the head, came out behind the other ear, making a clean drill through. As he lay unconscious a pompom shell burst clofc beside him, and he Ava& buried under the loose earth thrown up by the explosion. There he lay for hours, and when finally picked up was thought to be dead. Happily he managed to pull through, and is iioav on the high road to recovery. Corporal M'Dowall, up to the time he received his Avound, had been right through the Avar from the very commencement. He Avas first of all Avith the South African Light Hor.se, and afterwards joined Lord Roberts's Horse, Avho Avere attached to. General French's force. He took part in the advance to the Free State, and Avas rjresent at Paardeberg, Avherc Cronje surrendered. Among the souvenirs he brought back is a steel bracelet found in Mrs Cronje's house. M'DoAvall soys that Avhen he left, the front out of 900 men who formed Roberts's Horse only 165 remained on actiA r e service- — a striking indication of the severity of the work the corps had taken part in. Another of the invalids is Trooper Pros.ser. He Avas among the NeAV Zealanders captured by the Boers at Koorn v Spruit. He says that the Boers treated their priso-

ners as Avell as they coiild under the cir- I cumstances, but for all that they were in a j bad plight. His rations Avhile in captivity Avere a pound of meat per week, a loaf of black bread per day, and mealies ad lib.