A BRAVE IRISH SOLDIER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 357, 20 February 1880, Page 17

A BRAVE IRISH SOLDIER.

(From Chamber^ Journal.) Perhaps the most daring deed that ever won old England's Legion of Honour was that which was successfully performed by Kavanagh during the Indian Mutiny. Lucknow was besieged and its garrison was starving. Besides the little band of devoted men, there were also women and children cooped up in the residency, at the mercy of fv m f- ,)000, )000 or 60 > 000 Baya 2 e and relentless foes. Daily, nay hourly, the little garrison was growing weaker and weaker, and nearer and nearer were pressing the dusky sepoys, until it became a matter of life and death to the heroic few that Sir Colin Campbell, who was known to be advancing to their relief, should be at once informed of their real state, and their utter inability to hold out much longer. A volunteer was called for, a man who would consent to be disguised as a sepoy, and who would risk his life among the mutineers, in order • °.-Q a T c the esfc o£ *" s way to the advancing army. The call was n£#riktely responded to— as it generally is by Britons in the moment ot supreme danger— and two or three men expressed their willingness to undertake the task. From these brave volunteers an Irishman named Kavanagh was chosen, who to his other various qualifications added a knowledge of the enemy s customs and a thorough acquaintance with their language. The commandant shook the brave man by the hand, and frankly informed him of the dangerous nature of the task he had undertaken ; how it was more than probable that he might meet his death m the attempt. But the gallant fellow persisted, and his skin was at once coloured by means of burned cork and other materials to the necessary hup. He was then dressed in the regular outfit of a sepoy soldier. When night set in he started on his lonely and perilous mission, amid the hearty " Godspeeds " of the famishing garrison. In his breast he carried despatches for Sir Colin Campbell, with the contents of which he had been made acquainted, in case of 3 i * We have nofc the B P ace at our command to give all the particulars of his remarkable journey. He succeeded, however, after

many narrow escapes and great hardships— during which he often had to pass night after night in the detested enemy's camp, and to march shoulder to shoulder with them in the day-time ; and, when he left them, to swim across rivers, or to crawl through the tangled thickets where the deadly tiger asserts its sway — in reaching Sir Colin Campbell's camp ; where, to finish his stirring adventures, he was fired at and nearly killed by the British outposts. Kavanagh'g narrative was listened to with rapt attention by Sir Colin, who immediately gave orders for the army to advance as quickly as possible to the aid of the gallant defenders of the Residency. How the latter were rescued is a matter of history. Kavanagh lived long enough to wear his cross, though he lost his life shortly afterwards in battle with the same enemy ; but the noble example he left behind him was not lost on the brave hearts who eventually saved India for England.