_CAMP FIRE YARNS OF THE LOST LEGION_ [Illustration] [Illustration: T. F. KYNNERSLEY, ESQ., OF LEIGHTON, SALOP, D.L., J.P., AND LATE CAPTAIN AND S.O. LONSDALE'S HORSE.] CAMP FIRE YARNS OF THE LOST LEGION BY Colonel G. HAMILTON-BROWNE "MAORI BROWNE" Late Commandant in Colonial Forces Author of "With the Lost Legion in New Zealand" "A Lost Legionary in South Africa" LONDON T. WERNER LAURIE LTD. CLIFFORD'S INN THIS SKEIN OF YARNS IS DEDICATED TO MY OLD FRIEND AND COMRADE IN ARMS DURING 1877-78-79 THOMAS F. KYNNERSLEY OF LEIGHTON, CO. SALOP D.L., J.P. AND LATE CAPT. AND STAFF OFFICER IN LONSDALE'S HORSE WHOSE FONDNESS FOR A GOOD STORY IS AS KEEN NOW AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF YORE WHEN IN BIVOUAC OR CAMP WE USED TO SPIN THEM PREFACE In introducing these yarns let me state that now I am laid up on the shelf my thoughts go back to those days and nights of the veld and bush, and I frequently feel I would give all the rest of the map if I could again find myself on the open lands of the frontier with a good horse between my knees and a few score of the old boys behind me. Now I hold pen instead of carbine and revolver, but why should memories of the old days pass away? Let me fancy I sit by the camp fire again, telling yarns as we used to under the dark blue skies and blazing stars of South Africa. Let me spin you some yarns of the Lost Legion. CONTENTS PART I CHAPTER PAGE I. THE MAORI AS I KNEW HIM 1 II. HOW MATENE FAILED TO CONVERT THE LOWER WANGANUI 53 III. HOW A SCOUT WON THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS 73 IV. A HAU HAU MARTYR 84 V. A BRUSH WITH BUSHRANGERS 92 VI. THE SCOUT THAT FAILED 106 VII. SOME MIRACULOUS ESCAPES I HAVE KNOWN 125 VIII. A TOUGH SWIM IN BAD COMPANY 137 IX. HELD UP BY A BUSHRANGER 146 X. ON THE SCOUT IN NEW ZEALAND 150 XI. THE COLONEL'S FIERY TOT 161 XII. LOST IN THE NEW ZEALAND BUSH 164 XIII. THE TROOPER'S REGARD FOR HIS TRUST AND HORSE 177 XIV. A GRUESOME FLUTE 182 XV. THE DOCTOR AND THE SENTRY 187 XVI. HOW KIWI SAVED HIS CLOTHES AND THE GOVERNOR LOST HIS DINNER 192 XVII. A SOUTH SEA BUBBLE 202 PART II I. THE DÉBUT OF THE LOST LEGION IN NATAL 215 II. A QUEER CARD 232