Every one has heard of the expedition, sent out under Sir John McNeill, in which that gallant2 general and his brave troops fought with indomitable heroism3, not only against courageous4 foes5, but against errors which, as a civilian6, we will not presume to criticise7, and against local difficulties which were said to be absolutely insurmountable.
Blame was due somewhere in connection with that expedition. Wherever it lay, we have a strong conviction—founded on the opinion of one who was present—that it did not rest with the commander of the force. It is not, however, our part to comment, but to describe those events which bore upon the fortunes of our hero and his immediate8 friends and comrades.
It was about four o’clock on an uncommonly9 hot morning that the bugle10 sounded in Suakim, and soon the place was alive with men of all arms, devouring11 a hasty breakfast and mustering12 eagerly, for they were elated at the near prospect13 of having “another slap at Osman!”
Strange, the unaccountably exultant14 joy which so many men experience at the prospect of killing15 each other! No doubt the Briton maintains that it is all in defence of Queen and country, hearth16 and home. An excellent reason, of course! But may not the Soudanese claim that the defence of chief and country, tent and home, is an equally good reason—especially when he rises to defend himself from the exactions and cruelty of those superlative tyrants17, the Turks, or rather, the Turkish Pashas?—for we verily believe that the rank and file of all civilised nations would gladly live at peace if their rulers would deal in arbitration18 instead of war! We almost feel that an apology is due for introducing such a remark in a book about soldiers, for their duty is clear as well as hard, and bravely is it done too. Moreover, they are in no way responsible for the deeds of those:
“Fine old English gentlemen
Who sit at home at ease,
Beyond the stormy seas!”
The troops composing this expedition consisted of one squadron of the 5th Lancers, one battalion20 Berkshire Regiment21, one battalion of Marines, one Field Company Royal Engineers, a detachment of the Royal Navy in charge of four Gardner guns, a regiment of Sikhs, Bengal Native Infantry22, Bombay Native Infantry, and a body of Madras Sappers. Along with these was sent an immense convoy23 of 1500 camels, besides a large number of mules24 with carts bearing iron water-tanks.
The orders for the expedition were that they should proceed eight miles into the bush, and there make three zerebas, or defensive25 enclosures of bushes, capable of sheltering the entire force.
The march was begun by McNeill moving off with his European troops in square formation. The Indian contingent26, under General Hudson, followed, also in square, and in charge of the transport.
“A goodly force!” remarked Armstrong, in a low tone to Miles, as they stepped off, shoulder to shoulder, for, being both about the same size, and unusually tall, they marched together on the right flank of their company.
“Don’t speak in the ranks, Willie,” returned Miles, with a slight smile, for he could not shut his eyes to the fact that this strict regard for orders was due more to Marion Drew’s remarks about a soldier’s duty than to principle.
“H’m!” grunted27 Robert Macleod, who marched next to them, and had no conscientious28 scruples29 about talking, “we may mairch oot smert eneugh, but some o’ us’ll no’ come back sae hearty30.”
“Some of us will never come back at all,” replied Armstrong, gravely.
By six o’clock the rear-guard had left Suakim, and the whole of the force moved across the plain, in parts of which the men and carts sank deep in the soft sand, while in other parts the formations were partly broken by thick bush, in which the force became somewhat entangled31. The cavalry32 went in advance as scouts33. The guns, water-carts, and ammunition34-wagons were in the centre, and the Indian Brigade came last, surrounding the unwieldy mass of baggage-animals. Last of all came the telegraph detachment, unrolling as they went the wire that kept open communication with head-quarters.
That a mistake had been made somewhere was obvious; but as the soul of military discipline is obedience35 without question, the gallant leader pressed forward, silently and steadily36, whatever he may have thought.
Soon the force became so hopelessly entangled in the difficulties of the way, that the rate of advance dwindled37 down to little more than one mile an hour.
Not long after starting a trooper was seen galloping38 back, and Miles, who marched at the right corner of his square, observed that it was his friend Johnson, looking very stern indeed. Their eyes met.
“Not half enough of cavalry,” he growled39, as he flew past to report, “The enemy in sight—retiring in small parties in the direction of Tamai.”
In returning, Johnson again rode close past the same corner of the square, and, bending low in his saddle for a moment, said to Miles, “I have signed the pledge, my boy.”
A slight laugh from several of those who heard him greeted the information, but he probably did not hear it, for next moment his charger cleared a low bush in a magnificent stride, and in a few seconds man and horse were lost to sight in the bush.
“He has done that too,” said Armstrong. “I heard him say so before we started.”
The troops were halted to enable the two generals to consult at this point.
While the men stood at ease, enjoying the brief rest from severe toil41 under such a burning sun, our hero heard a low voice at his elbow say—
“Have you signed your will, John Miles?” It was a startling, as well as a sudden, question!
Miles turned quickly and found that it was Captain Lacey who had put it.
The feeling of dislike with which our young soldier had regarded the captain ever since his interruption of the conversation between himself and Marion, on board ship, had abated42, but had not by any means disappeared. He had too much sense, however, to allow the state of his feelings to influence his looks or bearing.
“Yes, sir,” he replied; “I made it out last night, as you advised me, in the service form. It was witnessed by our colonel and Captain Smart and the doctor. To say truth, I thought it absurd for a man who has nothing to leave to make his will, but as you said, sir, I should like my dear mother to get my kit43 and any arrears44 of pay that may be due to me after I’m gone.”
“I did not mean you to take such a gloomy view of your prospects,” said Captain Lacey, with a laugh. “But you know in our profession we always carry our lives in our hands, and it would be foolish not to take ordinary precautions—”
The order to resume the march here cut short the conversation, and the force continued its slow and all but impossible advance. Indeed it was soon seen that to reach the distance of eight miles out, in the circumstances, was quite beyond the power of the troops, willing, anxious, and vigorous though they were, for the bush became closer and higher as they advanced, so that a mounted man could not see over it, and so dense45 that the squares, though only a short distance apart, could not see each other. This state of things rendered the management of the baggage-animals extremely difficult, for mules are proverbially intractable, and camels—so meek46 in pictures!—are perhaps the most snarling47, biting, kicking, ill-tempered animals in the world.
The day was advancing and the heat increasing, while the dust raised by the passage of such a host caused so much distress48 to man and beast that the general began to fear that, if an attack should be made by the enemy at that time, the greater part of the transport would have to be sacrificed. The force was therefore halted a second time, and the generals again met to consult.
They were very unwilling49 to give in. Another effort to advance was made, but things grew worse and worse. The day, as Moses remarked, was boiling red-hot! The carts with the heavy water-tanks sank deep in the soft sand; many of the camels’ loads fell off, and these had to be replaced. Replacing a camel’s load implies prevailing50 on a hideously51 tall and horribly stubborn creature to kneel, and this in the centre of a square which was already blocked up with carts and animals, as well as shouting, angry, and exhausted52 drivers!
At last it became evident that further progress that day was out of the question. The rear face of Hudson’s square was obliterated53 by the straggling and struggling multitude; camels and loads were down in all directions, and despair of maintaining their formation was settling down on all ranks.
In these circumstances it became absolutely necessary to halt and form their zerebas where they stood—and that without delay. The best place they could find was selected. The European square formed a guard, while the rest threw off jackets, and, with axes and choppers, went to work with a will. Some cut down bushes, some filled sandbags to form a breastwork for guns and ammunition, and others erected55 the bushy walls of their woodland fortification. The Lancers covered about three miles of country as scouts. Hudson—who had to return to Suakim that night before dark—was ordered, with three regiments56 in line and advanced files, to cover McNeill and the working-party, while the commander himself went about encouraging the tired men, and urging them to increased exertion57.
While the soldiers of all arms were thus busily engaged, a body of sailors was ordered to run one of their Gardner guns up to the corner of the square where Miles and Armstrong stood. They halted close to them, and then Miles became aware that one of the nautical58 gunners was no other than Jack54 Molloy.
“Hallo, Jack! Why, you’ve got a knack59 of turning up unexpectedly everywhere!” he exclaimed, when his friend was at leisure.
Miles slapped one of his legs by way of indicating the mode of conveyance62.
“Ay, lad, and they’d need to be stout63 timbers too, to make headway through such a sea of sand,” returned Molloy, feeling his own limbs with tenderness. “D’ee think we’re in for a brush to-night, lad?”
Before the latter could reply, an aide-de-camp ran up and spoke64 a few hurried words to Captain Lacey, who turned to his company and called them to attention.
“Fours, right—quick march!” he said, and away they went, past the flank of Hudson’s men, to guard a hollow which left that part of the square somewhat exposed. When halted and drawn65 up in line several files were thrown out in advance. Miles and Sutherland formed the flanking file on the right, the latter being rear-rank man to the former.
“It’s a grand hiding-hole,” observed Sutherland, as he peered cautiously over the edge of a low bank into a hollow where rocks and undergrowth were thickly intermingled.
“Keep a sharp look-out on your left, Sutherland,” said Miles, “I will guard the right—”
He stopped abruptly66 and threw forward his rifle, for at that moment he observed a swarthy, black-bearded Arab, of large proportions and muscular frame, creeping forward a short distance below him. Evidently he had not heard or seen the approach of the two soldiers, for he was gazing in a different direction from them.
Miles raised his rifle and took aim at the man, but he felt an unconquerable repugnance67 to shoot. He had never yet met the enemy hand-to-hand. His experience heretofore had been confined to long-range firing at men who were firing at himself and his comrades, and in which, of course, he could not be sure that his bullets took effect. But now he was within fifty yards of a splendid-looking man who did not see him, who was, at the moment, innocent of any intention of injuring him, and whose expressive68 side-face he could clearly distinguish as he crept along with great caution towards a rock which hid the zereba of the Europeans from his view.
Miles was a good rifle-shot. A touch of the trigger he knew would be certain death to the Arab.
“I cannot do it!” he muttered, as he lowered his weapon and looked back over his shoulder at his comrade. The Scot, who was something of a naturalist69, was engrossed70 at the moment in the contemplation of a little bird which was twittering on a twig71 in quite an opposite direction.
Miles glanced again at the Arab in a flutter of agitation72 as to what was his duty. The man might be one of the friendly natives! He could not tell.
At that moment another man appeared on the scene. He was a thin but powerful native, and armed with a short spear, such as is used when fighting at close quarters. He obviously was not troubled with scruples about committing murder, and Miles soon became aware that the thin man was “stalking” the big Arab—with what intent, of course, our soldier could only guess, but the malignant73 expression of the savage74’s countenance75 left little doubt on that point.
Here was a complication! Our hero was on the point of calling Sutherland from the contemplation of his little bird when he saw the thin native pounce76 on the Arab, who was still creeping on hands and knees. He turned just in time to divert the first spear-thrust, but not in time to draw his own long knife from its sheath as he fell. The thin savage holding him down, and having him at terrible disadvantage on his back, raised his spear, and was about to repeat the deadly thrust when Miles fired and shot him in the head.
The Arab rose, shook himself clear of the dying man, and, with astounding77 coolness, walked calmly towards a large rock, though Miles was reloading in haste, and Sutherland was taking steady aim at him. He looked at the soldiers and held up his hand with something like a smile of remonstrance78, as Sutherland pulled the trigger. At the same moment Miles struck up the muzzle79, and the ball whizzed over the Arab’s head as he passed behind the rock and disappeared.
“What for did ye that?” demanded the Scot fiercely.
“Would you kill a man that was smiling at you?” retorted Miles.
The two men ran back to report to their company what they had seen. At the same moment, the company, being recalled, doubled back to its position in the square.
Here they found the defence work so far advanced that the generals were beginning to feel some confidence in their being able to repel80 any attack. At the same time the men were working with tremendous energy, for news had just come in that the enemy was advancing in strong force.
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1
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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3
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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civilian
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| adj.平民的，民用的，民众的 | |
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criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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11
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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12
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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13
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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14
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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15
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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16
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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arbitration
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| n.调停，仲裁 | |
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19
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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contingent
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| adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队 | |
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27
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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28
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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29
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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30
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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34
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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35
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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36
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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37
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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arrears
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| n.到期未付之债，拖欠的款项；待做的工作 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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snarling
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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knack
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| n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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naturalist
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| n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者) | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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74
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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75
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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76
pounce
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| n.猛扑；v.猛扑，突然袭击，欣然同意 | |
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77
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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78
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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79
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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80
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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