| caption: |
Anxiously awaiting outcome of a severe wound inflicted on Capt Butler in an attack |
| text: |
(Nankam men and Are came in about 12. Min. ther. 49o. Max. 80o? Height of camp 1350.) |
| text: |
Elliott gave me to understand that poor Butler was in a critical state about 7 a.m. and at my earnest request consented to remain with us instead of going back as he had intended at once: he had almost decided on remaining and as the symptoms became more and more unfavourable as the day advanced, he made up his mind not to go till Butler was well enough to be moved or till the end had come. The dak was to have gone out that morning - but as Elliott advised Walter to write home and prepare his family for the worst we kept it back for him but before he had finished, Butler put on a white shirt, and Elliott said he feared the end was near. This put a stop to writing for that and since then once we thought the poor fellow's minutes were numbered. He sent for me once having asked Elliott if "he had told me that he (Butler) was going to die". But when I got to him he was wandering again - a little later he rallied and I went out to the scene of the attack with the Colonel & Elliott and commenced a sketch of it as Walter Butler was anxious for one. Butler was better when we got back. After dinner I lay down for a couple of hours and then sat up over the fire with Walter till about 4.30 or 5 when we turned in till 7.30. |
