THE BRITISH WAY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13794, 15 June 1915, Page 8

THE BRITISH WAY.

SOLDIERS AND GERMAN OFFICER

BAYONET V. SWORD

Many1 thrilling stories of British horoism are-told in an article which Mr. Edgar Wallace sends from "Somewhere in Franco" .to the "Birmingham Daily Post." He says:—

A very angry German fell into the hands of a small party cf Guardsmen. "You may lull- me," ho said passionately, "but I shall never surrender." Now, if there is one thing which a soldier will never do it is to kill a man in cold blood. The little party were nonplussed.

"I will surrender to the French, but not to you,"' said the cflicer, who spoke very excellently the language'of the people ho despised. As the French were'distaufc many miles, and there- war* not even :i French attache in sight, it looked as though this vicious man, with his empty revolver and his menacing sword, would have to go the way of all flesh.

"Look here," sp.id an exasperated soldier, "you mustn't keep us hanging about hero all day. Give us that

sword."

For answer tho German officer sprang forward and made a lunge at the man, and then ensued out of the most extraordinary duels which the war has produced. The Guardsman's companions stood asido and tcok no part, and for a nlomont it was a case of sword against bayonet in a lightning contest, where perfect skill was shown on both isides! The end came suddenly. Wounded in the shoulder by a sharp thrust of the bayonet, the officer dropped his sword. He himself told the story to a friend in London. "The astounding thing to mo is that the other men made no attempt to put me out of action." he said. "I think there must bo something in sport that I have never appreciated before." Th:r» isa true story, and is undoubtedly creditable to the British Army.