TALES OF THE 28TH B.L.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 11577, 12 October 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

TALES OF THE 28TH B.L.

(By v F. D'A. ,C. DE L'ISLE.) 1 : \ ' ( . I j

VI. t A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION. [Am, Rights Reserved.J In a barren and desolate country, whew mountain range succeeds mountain, range, and where the passes are not passes, but ioe-fields or (mountain torrente for half the year round, the Imperial forces are campaigning, forming a, punitive expedition to enforce law and order among the warlike tribes that inhabit the country beyond the north-west frontier of India. In the very heart of the Dakbara range is camped: this expeditionary force. The officers are on survey duty, and the troops guarding the passes include British Infantry, Gurkhas, Sikhs, Sappers, Scouts, Pioneers, a mountain battery, a troop of th» 28; h B.L. and a troop of the 22nd Queen's Own Husßairs, under the command of Major Bruce. The campaign- had been anything but a rosy one, the tribesmen had proved insolent and defiant, and their mode of warfare puzzling and destructive. The tribe occupying the Dakbara country were found to be invincible in guerilla warfare. They had a dashing and bold style of attack, a perfect knowledge of their country; and above all, they were superb marksmen. All these advantages tended to make the British list of casualties (exceptionally large, and the percentage of officers killed was very heavy., The survey party was camped at Annai, .in the Dakbara country, a place famed for its musjid and sacred grove, in which many a. raid and rebellion had been planned, and in which fanaticism, intrigue and 'sedition have always been nourished. Every house in the valley of Annai wa3 a small fortress, having thick, strong, loopholed walls, and one or more lofty watchtowers. As these small fortresses had been a source of danger throughout the campaign, everyone of therm was raized; to the ground before the camp was pitched, the Engineers being the chief destroying agents. The lines of the su-vey party then occupied the valley, and the heights to the east and west were held by regiments of Native Infantry. ~~ In the centre of the lines of the 28th 8.L., seated round a. roaring camp-fire, safe from the skulking " sniper," are a group of officers in earnest conversation, Major Concannoo, Captains Eraser and Polhill-Carew, and Lieutenants Carr-Jones and Somerset. " Hang it all, we had five weeks in the last camp, and here we are spread out again to dry as it were, in this benighted hole, What the dickens are those survey chaps up to at all, I'd like to know; they ought to have mapped this country in two or three days," growled Lieutenant Somerset. " Give me a youngster for growling," remarked Major Concannon. "You will never be "satisfied until some villainous sniper plumps a Snider bullet into your carcase. We are staying here because at present we may have to go further up the pass; Dudley, of the staff, told me this morning that we might all be on the move again to-morrow ¥' "By Jove! is that so?" said Captain Fraser. " We've had a jolly' rough time already, it will be worse of we have to go farther. What's the pass like, Janes?"' " Only went two miles up this morning," answered Carr-Jones, sucking reflectively at his pipe. "Had to wade through water knee-deep half the way. Horse*' tails covered with icicles. Three troopers frost-

bitten—enemy collecting in all directions, evidently for an attack. Fired on us- at long range. Too long to hurt-." This is in reference to a ireconniodtring party that had gone out that inorning. " tVho went -witlv you? The 22nd Q.O.H?" asked Captain Polhill-Carew " Yes. I felt sorry for the beggars; they i are so pitifully green," answered Jones. " They have, never forgotten that polo match, Jones," remarked Captain Fraser. " I saw you helping Leslie out of that i»rrent about half a mile up. He could hard-! ly look you in the face. By the way, Bruce is one of the biggest ' funkers' I ever saw. He was in a blue funk in the stream, and in a blue-funk under fire. I hops his men didn't see him. What on earth did he take ' on active service for, I wonder. He's more fit for a man milliner's show." " Wanted to be near Jones, probably!" remarked Major Concannon with, a twinkle itt his eye. "Had to come, he had no choice," Mid Polhill-Carew. " Where has Batts gone' to?" "Oh! our special is dining with .lie Brigadier this evening, with a view to a very flowery account of our campaign to his paper by the nest mail that goes down," raid Somerset. "He will have simpldn and mulligatawny soup to-night, the lucky beggar," with a sigh'. " Oh! Batts is not a seeker after the flesh-pots. His trouble just now is a baggage mule. You see, being unattached, and only a war correspondent, he has to find himself. Now, I hold that a man carrying a camera and' etceteras, along with bedding and valises and cooking utensils and other things, should have at least a dozen mules And here this ass camie along with 'only thuee from I'indi; he's lost one, and so, unless he can wheedle the Brigadier into giving or selling him a mule, he will have to carry his camera himself in future," said Captain Fraser. "What on earth maide him jointlieexpedition ?" mused Major Concannon. "Pots of money, all the comfort and fun in the [ world, and v.;t here hj& is roughing it like a Norwegian shellback; wearing the same shirt and sleeping in it also for three weeks tit. a time. It's incomprehensible!" " Oh! he said he wanted to see life, and I must say, to quote his own vernacular, he's ' dead game.' A pluckier sorb I never saw in all my experience," remarked CarrJones. "He did you a big turn in Calcutta, eh, Jones," said Major Concannoni "I think the fact of being wfth you drew him here more than* anything. He betrays a great liking for you." " He's a fine fellow," said Polhill-Carew quickly, as he saw a flush mounting to Carr-Jones's cheeks. "I should be proud of him as my friend.." " And so say all of us," answered the Major, heartily. " Ah, here he ccmes," as Batts appeared. "Hitllo, old fellow I the mess must' have been • badly supplied witih simipkin when you could get away so early," cried Jones. "I guess not. The Brigadier has some ( of the genuine stingo there, but we move to-morrow, eo I'm off to roost.' ' " Move to-morrow! Whereto? How doyou know eh?" wea'e the questions fired , at liim simultaneously. " Wal, you see, the mapping here is over, and orders came up from headquarters this evening for us to visit the Bliagdal Val- j ley, and look up the Kukri-Khels. Five i days, I reckon, it will take us. Goodnight, gentlemen, by the star-spangled' banner, I intend to be on the spot when the fun begins up above. Coming, Jones?" and Battel turned away towards a large tent, that did duty for sleeping quarters for the officers of the 28th B.L. All the ; offlceirs oamo trooping after him', eagerly 1 discussing the new move. Retiring into a. corner with Jones, Cyras W. Batts: squatted down on a rag and began to unlace his boots. ] " I sneaked some of the Brigadier's Havannahs—try one?" 'he said, 'handing a ( cigar to Carr-Jones. ; " Thanks," briefly responded Jones, as he eagerly took the cigar and lighted it. " Hullo, cigars! Hang it all, Jones, ] where'did you get that from?" cried Somer- ( set. < " Batts," laconically replied Jones. "Anymore, Batts?" asked the junior - lieutenant. i " One for each, I guess,'' replied Batts, as he passed the cigars round. " I snared

them when the orderly came in with the : despatches." 1; " Very thoughtful indeed, Batts," said Major Concannoh. "Accept our best thanks." : , "Thank you, Batts," from Carewi and Fraser. " You're a brick, old man, and I smoke to a happy alliance with the spar-tangled banner," said Somerset. The tent was sewn odorous, with the thick Havannah smoke, and the conversation dwindled into Whispered fragments, only young Somerset breaking the subdued ton* by an occasional ( whistle. "Where shall we be, Batta?" asked CarrJones, in a low-tone. " Rearguard Jooesey again," repEed Batto. " We are getting very tough work lately. Our killed and wounded during the last six weeks have equalled all the others put together. You'll be on in front, I suppose, taking notes,' saiid Jomes. " Guess I must; Brigadier eays we shall bs away for six'days from tie camp." "Weil, old man,, good-night. In case of , you -know, don't forget my papers; the'y're un my baggage," eaid Jones. , " Some for me, lad," said Batts. Goodnight." _ , A strong squeeze of the hand and they both drew the blankets over their heads and were soon fast asleep. "Looks serious, eh?" remarked Oaptaan Polhdll Carew to Captain Fraser in a low voice. . " Yea," answered his friend, " the Kukntehels are the most villainous dleyils among the tribes. I hope* Delancey will' not let tfiem take us by surprise. We'll be rearguard, as usual, I suppose.'" "Bound to be," said Carew. "Hark! What was that?" he half rose to a sitting position. " I heard nothing," said Captain Fraser. " What waa it like?" " Oh; some beastly native dog howling. Gave me quite a turn. Did you. ever hear the banshee?" asked Carew. " No. I've been in Ireland, but I never heard the banshee." " There! you can ihear it now, then," said Captaiit Carew, as a long bowl came up the valley on the icy breeze. " Some native dog scents the battle from afar!" he sank back with a shiver. " Beastly noise," said Captain Fraser; " I hope the natives kick him into quietness, it's quite eerie*, isn't it. Thank heaven, it's stopped. Good night Cairew." "Good night, Fraser." Another strong squeeze, and silence sits with stony face in the tent. The camp is absolutely noiseless. But only for a few minutes. The peaceful calm is brpken by the hoarse voioe of an Irishman of the Borderers singing on his way back to bis tent. '• Cive a saycret in me harrut, Swaste Marie A taale I wnd impairut love to theol" And Carr-Jones, moving restlessly witt the interruption, murmurs, " Gwen, darling.". Cyrus W. Batts is dreaming of the Eden Gardens; and Annie Powerscourt, am: Captain Polhill Carew, epasmodicallj clutching at Mb . heart,, moans " Oh! God —Addie —Good-bye!" In the bitter cold of a winter morning before dayliglit, and with the thennome ter registering. 20 degrees of frost, the bri gade commended its march, to the Bhagda Valley, a distance of about nine miles. Bu it would be almost impossible to ade quately describe in words tine difficulties o the road. Wibhin two mike of the cam] it suddenly "plunged', fallowing the strear : which dxaintad that basin, into _ a dee] gorge formed by precipices, which in place t rose up sheer several hundred feet o: > either side. It would be absurd to call i i a Toad, it was <a mere stony track scram bling along the river-bed, sometimes o: ' the right "bank, sometimes on the left, an. ; as -often. as not in mid-stream in ice-ooJ : waiter up to the knees of the troops Sometimes the gorge opened jfiut i.-j-j-i. —j AT.. „ M ;i „„„ ™,f. „f 5T.v int

•Mgiher ground', -wilier© the troops and transport, at once came junder fire from the heights above. There was about four miles of this, and then a more open and easier track led l to Bhagdal'. The district to be visited -was absolutelyunknown, but it had! been ascertained' that the road lay through a long, dangerous and difficult defilo, and it was certain that the Kukri Khels, who chiefly inhabited Bhagdal, wouidl offer a determined and! stubborn resistance to the advancing force. The troops therefore moved 1 on the lightest possible scale, taking nothing but their great coats, waterproof sheets, and a couple of blankets, one day's rations ia their haversacks, the rest carried l oa mules. Same for the officers. The Comnrander-in-Chie'f was attended by onJiy one A.D.C. and only four of his staff laccompanied him. The Gwrkhas and Borderers were specially detailed to clear the heights, and breasting the climb in gallant fashion', they accomplished the. task with, few casualties, which, however, included Lieutenant Brown wounded l and second Lieutenant 'Waverley severely wounded 1 , both of the Borderers, while bravely leadirng'on tiheir men. The heights 'being thus in the possession of the British, the Brigade advanced, the Gurkhas leading the way, followed by the Sikh Infantry, the Punjab Infantry, the Pioneers and the Scouts'. Both the troops of cavalry were detailed 'to form a guard to tihe transport, the "22nd Queen's Own Hussars forming an advance guard, and the 28tlh Bengal Lanceirs guarding the rear, a dangerous business, full' of deadly charges fronu tie fanatical tribesmen', who looked upon the mardb as a retreat, and who 'hung round the right and' left flanks of the rearguard, sniping, them at every available opportunity. ; Such were the exfcraordiftary' difficulties of the road tihat the transport could onlyadvance at 8. ■ snail's pace, and the 28th B.L. had to dismount and act as infantry times withoait number, so frequent were the determined dashes made by the enemy. PinaJly, >ere thle transport had covered half a mile of the open ground 'beyond the defile, night overtook them, and the troops had! tc camp where tihey were. Every man was wet to the skin, almost up to the waist, and, arriving oni the camping ground a little before sunset, there had been no time to dry boots or socks even; while as to the fires, a few well-directed shots from the enemy soon scattered the shivering groups that crowded round them, j The largest proportion of the men had at once to climb the adjacent ridges, drive the enemy off, and hold them at bay, all through the freezing night. This they did with a will, and witb a dash that was admirable. Tie Borderers and the little Gurkhas, in particular, were sharply engaged before thev occupied their ground, and; were conspicuous by the resolution and spirit with which they attacked and captured their point. The Irishmen clambered up the rocks and administered the "cowld stale" to every skulking sniper they found, with tan elan that was highly disturbing to even- the fearless foe they were fighting; and the little Gurkhas, hillmen of the- Himalaya, discarding tihe bayonet for the ugly, crooked kcokn (knife) they use so wickedly, rushed forward', active as (mountain- cats, jubilantly disembowelling all and sundry that came in their way. It was not a cheerful night for the transport., three miles away from their base, and it was a really anxious time for till* rearguard commander, who had packed all the mules on some terraced fields, -and placing strong pickets around them', like St Paul, was waiting for the day During* the night the camp was a aood deal fired into, and the Kukri-Khete made three determined' charges towards the mules, "with a vi€Vr *** raidin S tne ba Kg a S e transport. The climax occurred at dawn. Long before daylight the baggage was loaded up and the march to Bhagdal continued. The intensity of the cold was ucoentimted by a* wind that pierced like' the Itai'tgera rays; and the spray from the water splashed! up by the troops wading froze as it fell; moustaches became mere blocks of ice, and/ the horses' tails as they swkhed 'them about in the stream were covered immediately with long spiky icicles. An ominous cloud of tribesmen, some fifteen hunAed strong, hung doggedly in the rear of the inarching convoy. The Gurkhas, Sikhs, and two companies of the Bor-

dercrs admirably handled managed to check the enemy foT a time; but finally the cavalry were called upon to charge and scatter the advancing foe. With a time British " Hurrah I" the 28th B.L. raced down upon them, the hones galloping in the cold with tremendous paice. The, Kiikri-Khels, among whom were many men who had! seen service in the British ranks, received the charge with a strong, even volley at four hundred yards, aaadi many a saddii© wn» emptied by ■the time the Cavalry rod© into the AVeing tribesmen. OanT-Joaiee sabred on* oCrf fellow with no less than, four British medals on 'las breast—Afghanistan! 1878-1880, North-West Frontier (India) 1887, and th» Egyptian and Khedive's medals 1882. Lai Singh,, has fierce moustaches waxed to ao enormous lengith with ice, froeeiv solid on Ms face, pursued, the «rea teiuor of his way, with hidi&ous Pushtu oaths bursting from has lips as he consigned tho souls of three Kaffir dogs to an everluisting GehanwuW. The tribesmen melted like mist before th« charge, and gathered "together behind tie Lanoers, audi between, them and their slow-ly-moving tramsport. "{Right about turn—Charge 1" roared Major OomcaiMuoni, and once more the 28th came down, like tie wolf on/ tie foJd. Th» "devil" in' their charge wan almodt tmhiumam>. They came along with swaifohy faces black hair-Mimed', gleaming ey«s fiashing fire, and white teeth spitting tnbal curses, as thek< murderous lances grow scarlet with the worm blood 'tholt ran. down t» the butts; they were irresistible, and could have cut their way back with ease but for an unpardonable blunder on th© parit of the rearguard commander, who had sent out the 22nd Q.O.H. to support the returning Lancers. The Hussars, charging blimdlDy 'into tlhe melee, met the triumphant Lanoers, tearing headlong through the Afridds, just Where the crowd of 'tribesmen was thickest. An interval of awful oonftwron and slaughter took place. Unnibfe to advance, unable to retire, surrounded' by a hamstringing, knife-using army of cut-throats, itfhe Cavalry men fought desperately to «e« out, and ftake their dead and wounded n*i» them. This to save the cutting up process so dlaar to the fiend-like souls of tho KukriKhels audi tiheir miollaihs. The first two officers dtofwni were Captain Cairew and Captain Leslie, of 'the Hussars; Lai Singh, Lieutenant Dane and Oarr-Jomes side 'by side fought their way to where the two wounded) officers lay. And, dismounting, Jones raised Captain PolhdlU-Carew, wounded to death, and, placed him, <to Lieutenant Dane's horse. "Cut through them, Dane! There s a V.C. for you in this!" cried Casr-Jonw. And as the dying officer's eyes glazed! in death, he .faintly miurnnufd, " Brave boys 1 1 Ohil Adldi!e . . . Addfe!" Carr-Jonos had succeeded in mounjbing [ Captain Leslie, 'badly /wounded •with a . Snider slug in his thigh, i " Stick on tight, old) man; don't mind us; we are all right! The horse will take you back to 'the troop!" said Jones, as ho ! hit the horse xm thio flaink with the flat of - his sword, and saw it gallop away towards I tlhe main body of the convoy. t "Well done, Lai Singh!" he cried as itho - exultant Punjabi transfixed an impetuous f Akbaii on his ensanguined weapon with the > taunt: i "Son. of Sheiitaral Thus do I put thy ? whole ignoble tribe in mourning." s As Jowes attempted' to get on his horse; 1 the tribesmen mad© a rush at him. t "Keep 'em off tout half a minute, Lai ■" Singh, and I'm with you 1" h* cried. 1 Lai Singh, kept the clamorous horde' of J warriors at bay, aind dexterously the eoloaI sal Punjabi wielded his pregnant blade. " Time and again he passed his sword II through the heaving chest of some savage D Afridi. tauntinc them t,H« whil* nrit,l. <*«

ieseoraition of their caste, tfew raitoux, *nd' jheir origin. "Now, then, my ■worthy henohmaail Dame on!" oriedijones, as k« Sprang on TO lis dbarger Monarch, and joined Lai Singh. "Keep dose ta mo, Sahib," answered bal Singh, "and we will show these Kar fire some sword play." Then turning to he hesitating, mob of cut-tohroats J>e shoutad " Come on, thou scavengers! I will crop thee as I cropped thy fathers at the Peiwar Kotall Unregein«rate eons of unlegal mothers, come onl A Punjabi Bahadur dtefies thee!" Reluctant to close in, the tribesmen attempted to surround them. "Rescue! Rescue 1 A Rashleigh 1 A Rashleigh!" and Captain Rashleigh rode up to them sabreing his way determinedly through the crowd. Behind him came Cyrus W. Batts, a big Colt's revolver in each hand. " Hail, Columbia!" h© ohouted, felling a fur-clad Mollah with a crack on. the skull. And the Gurkhas' bugles sounding the charge as the defiant little hall-men boundted over the ground at the double, set the Kukri-Khels flying for their lives up into the inaccessible heights of their mountainous defiies. ' "Fly, dogs of dacoity spawn!" shouted Lai Singh, as ho spurned the fur-chid figure of the dead mollah, "and tell them in the Hills of Lai Singh Bahadur and his noble Lafc Sahib I" .' The Gurkhas dashed by in open order, stopping here and there to let daylight into any unfortunate whom they chanced tc stop. " My word, Jonesy," said Batts,. " if 1 hadn't badgered that old fossil in common* to send along those brown beauties to th< rescue things would have been anyhem with us. The affair looked like complet< annihilation for the whole transport unti you and Lai Singh here put up such « gallant stand. By James I What's that?' Out of the ranges to the right came a bodj of Afridi Horse, racing like a whirlwim to the rescue of the tribesmen. Ten length ahead of them, foam-covered, and striking fire where his iron-shod hoofs struck tin flinty rock, raced a oonl-black Arab stal lion, carrying on his baek the lean, fcungn figure of the Kukri mollah-in-chief, Abdu Kalim. In his right hand he waved On green standard of the holy Prophet, am Tin cursed as he rode, guttural, loud curse on the jj'enngiiees oauvered into his power. "Ah!" said Lord Rashleigh, with a flash in his eye, "more- fun!" And Carr-Jones, catching the spark, cried, "At last!" Major Concannon hastily gathered the troop together. " Come on, Lai Singh, there lies the Victoria I)ross ; we can never let those brave little Tjurkhara be cut to pieces. Twenty-eighth, follow me!" Lai Singh, senior ressaldar, roared to his men, " Never let it be told in Hind tiot the Goorkha bahi (brothers) were slain when the 28th rode there. Come on, pride of the Punjab, this is the road to fame!" Prutt-pmtt! Prutt-prutt 1 Prutt-prutt! the Gurkhas dashed by, doubling to the bugles sounding the. retreat. *'We will form on your flanks, and avenge you!" cried a gasping Bhutan levy, as the Lancers swung past. " God be with you, Concannon 1" shouted Captaia Venour, of the Gurkhas, as lie waved his sword, amdl with his whole company cheered ■ the galloping troop. The odds were fearful, the Bengal Lancers scarcely two hundred strong, were meeting a thousand fanatics in the charge. At two hundved yards from the foe, Lnl Singh dashed out a. clear lengtjh in front of Major Concannon. " Damin you, come, back!" shouted the gallant Major. "I go first!" CaiT-Jones, Captain Carew, Baths and Lieutenant Somerset wer* now alongside of the Major; tiheir sworde flashed' in the light of dawn, and 1 their men behind them came ofl with a maddening " Hurrah!" "Mine! Mine!" screamed Lai Singh, fowi'tdcally pointing to the standard bearer ahead 1 . He never paused! in his stride, never turnedi a hair's breadth from his course ; but with one long, dexterous sweep of his curved tulwar, he severed the mollah's head from this shoulders. He tore the green flag from the dead man's nerveless grasp, andl crashed into tHie Afridi Horse with the impetus of an avalanche. Tho next instant they were hacking and stabbing for dear 'life. And! here the value of the lance and its

tremeraJous superiority <over tie sword plainly asserted itself. For some of the Lancers impaled! two of the enemy m taudesperate charge; and the troop, though so small, bored a passage through the white Wrnouses and came bursting tnrough on the other side, with the force of a tidal wave bursting over a coral reef in the mok-

soons. There were many empty saddles wnen they reformed, and" to the Lancers' horror thev saw Major Bruce, down- in the open ground, with the solitary figure of Lord BasHeigh standing guard over him. The AfricE Horse were already turning right about in the distance, where a well balanced voHev from toe Gurkhas rattled about their ears "like a swarm of angry hornets. " They'll be cut to pieces!" groaned Major Concannoß. "May I go, sir?" cried Somerset and Carr-Jones simultaneously. "Come along, Jonesy, we'll get them back before these black devils get up," cried Batts. And the three galloped off, Carr-Jones racing to what looked like certain death, to rescue his bitterest foe. "He's dying fast," eried Eashleigh, as they rode tip. " Clean through the lungs ; he never even attempted to parry die thrust."

"Leave me, Eashleigh, leave me, and save yourself. I'm- done for, old man," cried the dying man; he never saw ths others.

" Never!" cried Batts. "What, leave him to that."' He pointed to where the Afridis were actively dismembering the fallen Lancers; with a ghoulish glee emasnIsting the dead, and spitting upon the pallid corpses as they cursed them for ever and eTar.

By this time Lieutenant Somerset und Lord Eashleigh had succeeded in placing Major Bruce across the pommel of Lieutenant Jones's saddle. A few, scattered Afridis, charged the solitary group at bay. But Cyrus Batts pistolled four of them and Lieutenant Somerset and Lord Eashleigh ably seconding Mm, they succeeded in rejoining the troop before the advancing Afridi horse could reach them. Meanwhile, ths gallant Gurkhas, enforced by the 3rd Sikh and the Borderers, had outflanked the Afridis, and a steady fire was poured into the now fast demoralising foe. «■

And then- the Queen's Own Hussars, ' having been got in hand again, came on smarting under the disgrace of their headlong retreat earlier in the morning, and began to cut the scattered tribesmen to pieces. soon all over. What might have turned out to be one of those painfully " regrettable incidents," had became a. complete victory, owing to the headlong and irresistible charge of thatr handful of the 28tb B.L.

The Afridis dispersed, and the convoy reached tht< camp at Bhagdal in safety.

A military funeral is a saddening spectacle, and when the last rites had been performed over the remains of Major Bruce, and that gallant. and intrepid officer, Captain Pofbill-Carew," every heart at the camp was heavy with pain, for the latter officer had been" a dearly beloved brother to all his men. The Lancers and Gurkhas had reverently rescued their mutilated dead from the jackal and the kite, and the burial of both castes in one universal grave, spoke eloquently of the feeling of comradeship existing between the two regiments. For the rumour was public property in the camp that the Gurkhas had refused to return: to the main, body while the 28th- 8.L., who had ridden to their rescue, were in jeopardy. Whea the campaign was over Major Concannon, Lieutenants Carr-Jones and Somerset, and Lord Eashleigh were all awarded medals and Honours for distinguished, service, and Lai Singh can proudly point to the Indian equivalent of the V.C., which glitters, a ctar of honour, upon his stalwart breast.

High up in a rocky - defile, surrounded by heasry "boulders fcQt round it, is a marble monument, with a. red and white pennoned lance towering above it. And at .the foot of the m'onumest is a large and magnificent white cross of everlastings, wiHi one solitary blue forget-me-not h* the centre of it. It i& the grave of Captain Polhili Cexew,; aad OnrJones and Lieutenant Somerset, visiting the grave many months after, on the march down into -India again, .paused and gazed out with tear-dimmed eyes on the mists far away down the defiles. "Been sent up since wo left!" hazarded Jones, with a queer catch in his voice. "Yes," said Somerset, biting his lip hard. "In death they are not divided!"