Lord Wolseley, who was one of Gordon's oldest
friends, was at that time Adjutant-General of the Forces; there
was a long interview; and, though the details of the conversation
have never transpired, it is known that, in the course of it,
Lord Wolseley asked Gordon if he would be willing to go to the
Sudan, to which Gordon replied that there was only one
objection--
his prior engagement to the King of the Belgians. Before
nightfall, Lord Granville, by private telegram, had 'put a little
pressure on Baring'. 'He had,' he said, 'heard indirectly that
Gordon was ready to go at once to the Sudan on the following
rather vague terms: His mission to be to report to Her Majesty's
Government on the military situation, and to return without any
further engagement. He would be under you for instructions and
will send letters through you under flying seal... He might be of
use,'
Lord Granville added, in informing you and us of the situation.
It
would be popular at home, but there may be countervailing
objections.
Tell me,' such was Lord Granville's concluding injunction, 'your
real opinion.'
It was the third time of asking, and Sir Evelyn Baring resisted
no longer.
'Gordon,' he telegraphed on the 16th, 'would be the best man if
he will
pledge himself to carry out the policy of withdrawing from the
Sudan as
quickly as is possible, consistently with saving life.
Pages:
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348