9
13
The firing from the Suratug ceased as not interdict the distribution of ammuni the Russians doubled up to the bridge, when tion. Running forward to the firing line Brice's men lying down above the road he was passing along packages of cartridges poured in a murderous volley at 20 yards. when Sergt. Dimmock, who was in com- The Russians came on gallantly only to be mand of the right half of Brew's company mowed down in heaps till the roadway was after poor Queen's death-young Dorsley piled with dead. Rordon had, however, had also been killed, the officers' mesa to extend his left down into the valley to dress and white shirts making the very join hands with Darry Brew, and provent conspicuous-called to Rellings from ba- the enemy entting in between them. hind a pile of rocks, Here, Sir, ammuni- Clouds of Russian skirmishers were also tion for God's sake.' Old Rollings charac crashing through the brushwood above the teristically replied as he dropped some road. Brew had extended his men at the packages of cartridges beside him, Bush, first sound of McNab's fire, and made them may man, don't swear-but lie down whilst the enemy were searching Poor chap, not 20 yards further on he was the scrub with grape and shrapnel, over shot through the lungs. the heads of their own nen, till they ceased on their own skirmishers reaching the cover in the valley.
aim low.'
Bills arrived about 12.30 a.m. with his own and Farey's companies, 94 Marines (80 from the Victor Emaistel and Brew had, however, Lt. Quesu and five 14 from the Plover) under Lt. Bryce- men killed before he fired a shot. Our Prowne, R M.L.I., and a few Engineers men were losing heavily from the mere under Lt. De Fitré, who had been sent by weight of fire opposed to them-deriving, Col. Yardhill with dynamite to blow down however, great advantage from the invisi. the bridges if necessary. bility of their khaki helmets (none had
These reinforcements barely served to their tunics on, but their shirts were dark), slacken the rapid advance of the enemy. whilst the white cap covers of the Russians Rordon therefore ordered De Fitré to were most conspicuous in the dark brush, destroy the 2nd bridge. Brice had in con- and indeed the bodies of the enemy ad-sequence to make a desperate stand until vancing were so large that little of our fire the charges were placed, and was here kili- ed. Young De Fitré also died gallantly was wasted.
Our fellows were, however, falling hack at the same place, blowing himself, the faster and faster as more and more dropped, leading section of the enemy and the bridge and the men had not five rounds apiece- to pieces together. Fillips and Carpenter some had none and were sullenly watching now arrived with their companies, escort- behind trees and rocks to bayonet the ing the guns of the Asiatic Artillery. The advancing enemy, so dark was it--when guns opened at once with excellent effect to Rordon's intense relief he beard Hills bugles sounding the Extend, and he know that the reserve ammunition and supports had arrived.
on the disembarking enemy. It speedily became apparent, however, that our pop- guns were no match for the cannon of the Troopers. One six-inch shell struck the It was here poor Rollings come to his right gun, putting it out of action, killing end; he had boen dining with the West both Subhadar Labh Singh and Jemadar Borks and had come on with Hills and the Bhoop Singh of one of the Sikh Com- ammunition to see of what use he could he,panies. Limmonds and Gordon had there- for though, as he told Grunt Balton, his fore to keep their guns moving, being cloth forbaile his shedding blood, still it did chased by the search lights. Eventually
the base of the new dain was found to Regiment--plenty of cargo bosts were avail- afford much shelter, as well as excellent ablo. Long before Ray's company reached positions for sweeping the lower part of Bowrington the reports of the trooper's the road and western beach.
guns and the roll of musketry showed General White had galloped up with Tristful that Hanson's information was Doveband, his A.D.C., and was directing correct. Whilst landing the glare of a fire operations in person. Immediately after to the West was visible, and the fire bell the Artillery had arrived, about 1 a.m., could be heard ringing. By 1.30 a.m. Tristful and a company of the Hongkong Hetallick got into action with the other Regiment reached the scene of action, and three double companies of the Hongkong were at once pushed forward along the Regiment and Hartram's company of the Eastern Hills.
West Borks. Some 130 men of the
It was not till 25 minutes past 11 that Artillery had also arrived under Major Tristful received Mackie's note-the tele- Tanham. phone to the Godowus did not work. The General White had by this time practi- rockets from Scandal Point had either not cally every man of the Garrison that ha been noticed or understood-if noticed, could bring into action on the spot. At probably put down to some Chinese fes-2 a.m. four guns of the Volunteer Field tival; the feast of Lanterns had only Istely Artillery (including the Dock detachment) heon celebrated. At any rate, no alarin arrived, under Captains Chapman and was given. Ordering the Assembly to be Machell, and at once went into action. sounded, Tristful had sent Lt. Creagh to For some time the enemy had gained little Kowloon Wharf with a guard to seize any ground, his advance was now decidedly and all launches, junks, &o. that might be checked. We had been driven back above off the Godown Co.'s piers. In a quarter the 1st bridge which Capt. Bould, R.E., of an hour Tristful started with Capt. had destroyed as we retreated. Our line of Ray's company, and at the Wharf found defence was thereby shortened nearly a half, Creagh had the Rising Star ferry launch, added to which the increasing steepness of the steara Floating fire engine' and the
the ground, and the heavy reinforcements
P. and O. Co.'s launch Lily (which had been we received, placed the defence on much alongside the Socotra), ready for the men. more favourable terms. The well-directert Tristful had sent a messenger to Gun Club | fire from the enemy's ships on the exposed Hill to Hartram in command of the com-road was however most galling to the De- pany of West Borks there, directing him to fenders. Capt. Belman, of the A.S.C., who join Hetallick at the Wharf. Major Hetal- was acting as additional A.D.C. to the Ge- lick was ordered to follow with every avail-neral, was killed by a shell right in the able man with all possible despatch. The Gap, General White's escape being most Indians started with 70 rounds of ball car-marvellous--fragments of the same shell
tridge apiece.
took off both The McBorman's legs.
At the Wharf Inspector Hanson of He died of shock the same day. As wa the Water Police informed Tristful that learned subsequently, when Rordon first the landing was being made at Deep reached the Gap, the Russians had only Water Bay, adding that steam was being landed some 1,200 men, and though they Paised in the Godown Co.'s launches succeeded in landing some 4,000 more their Kowloon and Heron and the ferry launch losses in doing so were very heary. White, Guiding Star, so that there would be little inclusive of casualtios, had rather more or no delay in towing over the rest of the thon 2,000 men in action.