Private Edwards thus recounts the valiant action which gained him, the
sole survivor of three equally brave men, the honour of the Cross:--
At the battle of Tamanib, on the morning of March 13, I was on the
Transport, having under my charge two mules loaded with ammunition for
the Gatling guns belonging to the left half-battery, on the left of
the battery. I was standing at No. 4 Gatling gun, and Lieutenant W. B.
Almack was standing on the right of the gun, with a sailor, when the
enemy rushed on us. I saw then that we were surrounded. The first of us
three that was wounded was the sailor, who received a spear wound in
the abdomen, and fell under the gun. I then saw two Soudanees making
for me, and I put my bayonet through them both. Lieutenant Almack was
then standing on my right, with his sword in hand, and his revolver in
his left. He then rushed on one of the Soudanees, and ran his sword
through him. Before he had time to recover, his right arm was nearly
cut off. I took my rifle and loaded it, and shot the Soudanee dead on
the spot. There then ran on him three of the Soudanees when he was
helpless, his revolver being empty, and ran their spears through his
body. I myself received at that time a slight wound on the back of my
right hand as I was making a stab at one of them. After that I took my
two mules and retired, firing on the enemy as I did so.
[Illustration]
And this is what I have to say: that Lieutenant Almack was one of the
bravest officers on the field that morning, and I am heartily sorry for
his losing his life; but he lost it bravely. I tried all in my power to
save him and the sailor, but the rush of the enemy was too strong for
me to contend with.
[Illustration:
The Enchanted Whistle.
by Alexandre Dumas