Jan 21, 2007
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Ghambia by William Scully
When Corporal Francis Dollond and Trooper James Franks, of the
Natal Mounted Police, overstayed their ten days' leave of absence
from the camp on the Upper Tugela, in the early part of 1883,
everybody was much surprised; they being two of the best conducted
and most methodical men in the force. But the weeks and then the
months went by without anything whatever being heard of them, so
they were officially recorded as deserters. Nevertheless none of
their comrades really believed that these men had deserted; each
one felt there was something mysterious about the circumstances of
their disappearance. They had applied for leave for the alleged
purpose of visiting Pietermaritzburg. They started on foot, stating
their intention of walking to Estcourt, hiring horses from natives
there, and proceeding on horseback. They had evidently never
reached Estcourt, as nothing could be heard of them at that
village. They were both young men, colonists by birth. Dollond had
an especially youthful appearance. Franks was older. He had joined
the force later in life. He and Dollond, who had only very recently
before his disappearance been promoted, were chums.
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