THE CALL FOR GORDON. 39

CHAPTER IX.

THE CALL FOR GORDON.

Meanwhile the cry went up from all sides “ Send Gordon.” Every one

who had heard his name and knew of his popularity as Governor-General of the Soudan cried out for him. Why not sent Gordon ? said newspaper correspondents ; where is Gordon 1 said natives who had experienced his beneficial rule. Above all, the Pall Mall Gazette urged his employment.

“ Why not send Chinese Gordon,” it wrote, “ with full powers to Khar¬ toum, to assume absolute control of the territory, to treat with the Mahdi, to relieve the garrisons, and do what can be done, to save what can be saved from the wreck in the Soudan ? There is no necessity to speak of the pre¬

eminent qualifications which he possesses for the work. They are notorious, and are as undisputed as they are indisputable. His engagement on the

Congo could surely be postponed. No man can deny the urgent need in the midst of that hideous welter of confusion for the presence of such a man, with a born genius for command, an unexampled capacity in organising

‘ Ever-Victorious Armies,’ and a perfect knowledge of the Soudan and its people. Why not send him out with carte-blanclie to do the best that can be done ? He may not be able, single-handed, to reduce that raging chaos to order, but the attempt is worth making, and if it is to be made it will have

to be made at once. For before many days General Gordon will have left for the Congo, and the supreme opportunity may have passed by.”

The cry was echoed and re-echoed till it became the voice of jmblic opinion. The Government recognized it, saw the cogency and force of the appeal, and at once decided to act.

On Wednesday, January the 16th, Gordon had started for Belgium on his way to the Congo, which region he had undertaken to administrate for the King of the Belgians. On Thursday he received a telegram from the British Government asking him if would undertake the pacification of the Soudan. He returned to London at once ; and Friday evening saw him

en route for Cairo.

This, as it proved, the most momentous errand of his whole life, was commenced in the simple, quiet way in which this truly wonderful man was accustomed to conduct all his affairs. Accompanied only by Lieutenant-

Colonel Stewart, of the 11th Hussars, he left Charing Cross Station by the evening train for Dover. The Duke of Cambridge, Lord Wolseley, Colonel