13 OCTOBER 1928, Page 19

THE DEATH OF THE PRINCE IMPERIAL

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sta,—The writer of the brief article in your issue of the 22nd ult. on the Prince Imperial states that among the party present on the occasion of his death were six Basutos. I write far from books, but, if- my memory serves me, the six Basuto scouts, although ordered to accompany the recon- naissance, through an oversight, or misunderstanding, failed to appear at the rendezvous, and the party marched without them.

The fact is noteworthy, for the presence of. a few native scouts would certainly have served to avert the surprise which overtook the-piutY, and the accident by which they were absent seems among a succession of almost unaccountable fatalities, -which together eontribtited to the tragedy of the