1 66 The Course, the Camp, the Chase 



in rear with the bearers, who were carrying the camp 

 kettles, Sergeant Armstrong being the only armed man 

 amongst them. They were attacked by three Ashantis, 

 who commenced firing at them, so the sergeant proceeded 

 to make the natives lie down between the kettles (which 

 formed a sort of barricade), and then shot two of the 

 Ashantis with his rifle, on which the third bolted into 

 the bush." 



For this feat the sergeant cook was awarded the Dis- 

 tinguished Service Medal, He was a remarkably good 

 shot, and a few years afterwards was the best shot in 

 the army, winning the gold medal and £20 that is annually 

 awarded to the winner of this distinction. 



" When engaged in cutting the bush with his company 

 on the left front of the village of Ordahsu, the enemy at 

 the same time keeping up a hot fire about seventy yards ofi", 

 Private Taylor suddenly saw three Ashantis some fifteen 

 yards off in a tree, about three feet from the ground ; 

 Taylor shot one, and one of the others then ran away, 

 but the third, thinking Taylor did not see him, covered 

 himself with some banana leaves, and proceeded to load 

 his rifle ; Taylor then rushed at him with his cutlass, 

 and when he got near, the Ashanti, who proved to be 

 a chief, turned round to fire at him, but Taylor being 

 too quick for him, ran him right through and killed 

 him." 



Private Taylor was recommended for the Victoria 

 Cross for his gallantry, and was awarded the Distinguished 

 Service Medal. That evening we captured Coomassie, and 

 we looked forward to a well-earned rest. It was not to be, 

 however, for about 10.30 p.m. the town was set on fire, 

 and we did not get it under until 4 a.m. 



