A BRAVE PRIEST ON THE BATTLE FIELD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1353, 16 June 1885, Page 3

A BRAVE PRIEST ON THE BATTLE FIELD.

The Bydr.ey Freeman's Journal says bravery of the sons of Erin has thrown gomething of a jlory over the otherwise wretched and ignoble war in the Boudan. Almost without exception the brave generals and officers who sacrificed their lives to save their men from defeat, and to maintain the prestige of British arms, have been Irishmen ; and now y ve heve ohronicled the Utest, and perhaps the noblest act of valour on the part of a lion-iea»ted Irish priest. In another oart of this issue we publish a graphic description by the correspondent of the London Daily Chroniole of the heroic conduct of " the Rev. Mr. Collins,'' army chaplain, on the occaeion of the recent terrible surprise, aad narrowly-averted massacre of the troops under command of Sir John M'Neill. The chaplain, who after fighting back to back with Major Alston against the swarming Arabs, having, as we are told, '• seized the nearest available wespon.whioh he wielded vigorously as if to the manner born," volunteere i to cross the bullet-swept ground with his life in his hands to carry the General's orders to the Ind-'an regiment, which waa firing most recklessly, was u devoted Irish priest, Eev Father. Collins. We are not surprised to read that the soldiers, struck by the marvellous coolness and bravery of the chaplain in such a moment of peril nnd difficulty, raised cheer after cheer, ano. sticking their helmets on their bayonets, waved them in their wild enthusiasm. A London paper states that Father Collin*, is to receive the Victoria Cross for his heroism. This is not the first timo that Irish priests have distinguished themselveu in the battle-field, and in this instance it should not be forgotten that Bather Collins, who, doubtless, is as peaceful a man as ever walked, was compelled to take up the sword to defend himself from ihe frantic Arab spearsmen 5 while in the aot of oroßsiDg between the lines of fire h» nobly risked his o*rn life to save his comrades.