MI LIT A RYAD VENTURES. 69 



I had a narrow escape in the first assault. 

 Just as I was about to enter the fort, or 

 stockade, a warrior met me, armed with a 

 long, heavy spear ; I had only my little 

 regimental sword, with which I tried to 

 cut the thick wooden handle of the spear ; 

 but, instead of cutting it, the blade shivered 

 in pieces, leaving the handle still in my 

 hand. The spearman surveyed my loss 

 with a grim smile and renewed the attack 

 with fresh impetus ; I was quite at his mercy, 

 when one of the privates fortunately came 

 up, most opportunely for me ; he lost no 

 time in passing his bayonet through my 

 antagonist, and thus saved my life. I was 

 in the act of expressing my gratitude to 

 the gallant fellow when a quoit came spin- 

 ning through the air, absolutely cutting 

 the top of his head clean off, to my great 

 horror and surprise ; the poor fellow kept 



