SKETCHES AT THE FRONT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 642, 2 September 1869, Page 2

SKETCHES AT THE FRONT.

(By a Volunteer.) Sketch No 2.

It was determined at a period not long past to make raids into the rebel country surrounding the settled districts. Two companies ot volunteers and one of friendlies was selected for one of these expeditions. After leav-ing-head-quarters we passed through a map-nificent clover country, level and fit for any agricultural purpose. Crossing a deep and rapid river, over which the friendly natives carried our arms and ammunition, we came to a steep rise, thickly covered with bush, and after about a mile's marching, reached a large Maori village, which was only partially destroyed, where we made ourselves very comfortable for the night. An early start in the morning, through thick bush and undergrowth, without guide or track brought us the following evening . upon another village evidently long since deserted, but quite'"ns evidently never visited before by Europeans. The whares were ruined, merely from want of repair and an energetic search for potatoes, ended in disappointment. The clearings were not extensive and the situation anything, I should think, but healthy, being in the centre of a small swamp. Pigs we saw none. Our commanding officer was evidently much chagrined at finding no food here, for we had started with only three days provisions. The third day we started for a river

which was reported by\the advance guard to be a few miles distant, and which,, after some very heavy climbing", we reached, "but which it was found impossible to cross. Along the banks of this stream we marched, up one steep hill, down into a steep gully, tumbling, rolling, scrambling, or sliding anyhow down the perpendicular declivities, until every man looked more like an ani- " mated mud lark than a Christian, and our rifles like clumps of dh*ty sludge. At the top of a higher hill than ordinary we halted, and both Maoris and Europeans declared they could see smoke. Any one unaccustomed to New Zealand would say the same twenty times a day and be as many times deceived. Even the most experienced are often taken in, and this was one of the instances as the result proved. From this point, the advance was made in silence and with the utmost caution, the Ngatiporos going forward as scouts. The halts were very numerous and

wearisome, for the Maoris had to find and make tracks for the whole party. We had for some time lost sight of *the river, but on a sudden descent we came once more upon it. Here we again halted, and word was passed to half cock and cap rifles, while the fr.endlies, who seemed very religious, went to paayers, man}'- of the troops standing- by with uncovered heads. We all made certain now that we had come upon the enemy, and that we should have a fight. We were totally without the means of either succouring or conveying away our wounded, having- neither stretchers, medical comforts, nor doctor with us. How 'often have we remarked among- ourselves—would the Imperial troops ;be treated thus ? However, there we were, and must make the best of I it; so many made arrangements with one another to stick together; and in these cases I have heard comrades request one another not to leave them wounded, but to kill them right off. The order was given to advance, which was at once done at a snail's pace. Once again we. halted, and for the last time. A lingering hour passed in silence, from which we were relieved by loud shouting and singing, the scouts were returning, and neither village nor enemy to be found. The scene that ensued almost defies description. Hungry, cold, and wet, the shelter of our last camping place was all in all to us. All order and discipline was lost-— the deuce take the hindermost, was the order of the day, helter skelter, now up now down, offcimes literally down; for many disdaining the ordinary mode of travelling, sent their rifles before them and slid down the steep banks of the river on their haunches. The unsteady or steady footed men were on a perfect equality, for the one upset the other, and you would see in some places knots of men tumbling, black and white mixed together, until brought up by a muddy creek or the river itself, laughing, shouting, swearing, singing, with a few bruises, but all in good temper. Wanned by the exercise and now only hungry, native and soldier scattered far and wide over the clearings in search of stray potatoes, which the favored few who had a little left, quietly rigged their Mia-mias, boiled their billies, until about eight in the evening all but the guard were buried in grateful slumber.