A TURKISH HERCULES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue I, 7 January 1899, Page 27

A TURKISH HERCULES.

Ahmet Bey, a Turkish officer who served against the Russians in the campaign of 1877-78, was handsome, well-proportioned and of extraordinary physical strength. He was not only a Hercules, but the beau ideal of a soldier, one whose military knowledge seemed instinctive. Dr. Ryan, an English surgeon, who served with Ahmet Bey, tells in his book, ‘Unde, the Red Crescent,’ the following story of his strength and daring: — Abdul Kerim Pasha, the commander-in-chief, while inspecting his troops one morning casually expressed the wish to capture a Servian prisoner from the Servian lines. Ahmet Bey. overhearing the remark, saluted, and asked permission to get the commander a prisoner. He received it, though Abdul Kerim wondered at the request. Ahmet wheeled his charger, dashed spurs into its flanks and galloped straight for the nearest Servian outpost. As he approached, half a dozen rifles eracked, but Ahmet galloped on unharmed, and marked down one sentry for his prey. The sentry fired at the audacious horseman, missed and started to run. Ahmet swooped on him like a hawk upon a chicken. He bent down, grasped the Servian by the collar and flung him across the saddle in front. Then he galloped back again, bending over his horse's neck to escape the bullets, and handed over his prisoner to the Turkish commander amid the shouts of the soldiers.