COMBAT OF BOTHASBERG

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 65, 10 March 1902, Page 2

COMBAT OF BOTHASBERG

'Twaa just ere dawn, the moon shone pale, As to the dip it moved, At rtst oo Africa's arid dunei Liy five ecore of New Zealand's sons; No thought, of risk their mind through riH'S, But dre mi* of their beloved. Like headlong scours by avalanche The silence soon was broken, Eight hundred Bo°rs burst on them 1 there, Each with a well stocked bandolier, Shot with Mauser point blank near, Behind a thousand oxen. This small bind, steady as a rock, All thought of flinching scorned; A he:o's grit was in each breast, No craven fear their hearts oppressed, E .ch on a fos did muzzle rest And quickly fire returned. ; Against such overpowering "dds The assailed fought with will, , Though constantly their numbers j shrank, • Though dtadly wounds on every flunk, ■ They still maintained a steady rank, i And shot poured forth with will. Anon the Boer their prowess weighed, | And turtle turned upon, ' Invalid proved their wily scheme, The least the greatest overcame, And to-New Zealand gave a name ! She can't but proudly own. 1 j Toll minute bells for the brave dead, , j Their souls in quiet repose, i • And wiih their kin let a sympathise, i, The scalding tear wipe from their eyes ! I And He, for good, the heart-rein trit * I In time shall them compose. ' ' —A.fl.