Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

158 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE1846.Reilly, holding their breath, saw the Kaffirspreparing to eat their supper, after which theybegan to post their sentries. One was put sixyards off the gallant fellows, who, not quitediscouraged,stillkept quiet. The remainingKaffirs rolled themselves up in their blanketsand went to sleep.The sentry stood for a fewminutes, looked round, then sat down for a fewmore minutes, looked round again, and thenwrapped himself in his blanket and slept peacefullytoo. Walsh and Eeilly, as may be imagined,did not give them the chance of waking, but madeoff.They then made a wide circuit, and afternumerous escapes from detection, once havingbeen challenged by a Kaffir sentinel who was notasleep, they came to the Keiskamma River, and,knowing that all the fords were guarded by theKaffirs, they had to cross by swimming, finallyreaching Fort Cox shortly before daylight. Heretheir dangers were not over, for the sentries,not expecting anything but Kaffirs, treated themto some rapid file firing. Again they lay downin shelter untildaybreak, when, being recognizedas British soldiers, they were warmly welcomed,and delivered their important despatches. PoorWalsh was afterwards killed in action, and Reilly