Gordon was greatly in need of the rest he now seemed to have secured by his resignation. His over sensitive nature could not have borne up much longer; a frame of iron must have gone under in such circumstances; for on his own individual shoulders he carried each man’s burden, causing him days of anxiety and nights of unrest. At Alexandria he was examined by Dr. MacKie the surgeon to the British Consulate, who certified that he was “suffering from symptoms of nervous exhaustion. I have recommended him (the Dr. adds) to retire for several months for complete rest, and quiet—and that he may be able to enjoy fresh and wholesome food, as I consider much of this illness is the result of continued bodily fatigue, anxiety and
indigestible food. I have strongly insisted on his abstaining from all exciting work—especially such as implies business or political excitement.” Splendid advice, but would Gordon follow it? Could his active life be suppressed even for so short a time? None find it harder to rest than those who need it most. Gordon had often thought of what pleasure in rest he would find when his retirement was an accomplished fact. He would lie in bed until dinner. He would take short walks after dinner. He would undertake no long journeys, either driving or by railway. He would not be tempted to go to dinner parties. He would really have a quiet time; it was, however, only for a short period.
The private secretaryship to Lord Ripon was vacant, and it was offered to Gordon; he accepted it, but on landing at Bombay he found the position would not be to his liking. He says of Lord Ripon, “we parted perfect friends.” After Gordon left Egypt someone there wrote to our press saying, “The name of Gordon whenever and wherever mentioned sends a thrill of admiration and love throughout the vast Soudan territory. For a hand so strong, yet
withal so beneficent, has never before ruled the peoples of this unhappy country.” Gordon left the Soudan peaceful, prosperous and happy, comparatively. After his resignation of the position of private secretary to Lord Ripon, he was invited to visit China again by Mr. Hart, Chinese Commissioner of Customs at Pekin, who said to Gordon, “I am directed to invite you here (that is to say China). Please come and see for yourself. This opportunity for doing really useful work on a large scale ought not to be lost: work, position, conditions can all be arranged with yourself here to your satisfaction. Do take six months leave and come.” It was characteristic of Gordon that he replied as follows:—“Inform Hart, Gordon will leave for Shanghai first opportunity; as for the conditions, Gordon is indifferent.”
He applied to our Government for leave of absence on the grounds that he was invited to go to China. They asked him to state more particularly what for, and what position he was intending to fill. “I am ignorant” was his reply. This was not considered satisfactory and leave was refused. He,
however, sent his resignation to the War Office, and proceeded to China. Reaching the flowery land, once more he proceeded from Shanghai to Tientsin and there he had an interview with his old friend and companion in arms, Li Hung Chang. From him he learned the condition in which national and political matters stood. His stay in China was not very prolonged, but his influence was felt in the Councils of the Empire; and when he left he knew that peace prevailed, and that the war between Russia and China had been averted. In the meantime things in the Soudan began to give trouble, the cloud on the horizon gathered in blackness. Almost immediately Gordon left the Soudan the Turkish Pashas began their plundering, robbing and ill-treating the poor Soudanese so much that we cannot wonder at the rising of the natives in favour of the Madhi, for the latter was promising them deliverance from this cruel oppression. The rule of the Pashas and Bashi-Ba-Zoucks, the Duke of Argyle declared to be “cruel, intolerant, and unbearable.”
Colonel Stewart, in his report, stated that “he believed not one half of the taxes wrung from
these poor people ever found their money go into the treasury of the Khedive.” They were taxed and levied so unjustly and unmercifully that whole districts were reduced to absolute destitution. The general rising of the natives against this dire oppression, threw them into the arms of the Madhi. He very soon had a most powerful following, and he quickly mobilized an army that in 1882 was believed to number not less than 200,000 fighting men. In July of that year this boastful usurper pushed his forces into conflict with the Egyptians, when the latter were worsted with terrible loss. About 6,000 of their bravest men were either killed in battle or left wounded on the field and the remainder were routed. Shortly after another great battle followed. This also went in favour of the usurper, and a loss of 10,000 men inflicted. One engagement followed another and all went to show that the Madhi had won the sympathy and support of the masses of the people, and it appeared likely he would soon have undisputed sway over the entire Soudan. Still another effort was to be made to hurl back this powerful and persistent foe. Hicks Pasha,
“a brave leader,” “a noble general,” with an army of 10,000 men, with 6,000 camels, a large number of pack horses and mules, was sent to arrest the advance of this desperate foe. For some time no news reached us, as he was shut out from all means of communication with the outer world. At length the appalling news came, not only of his defeat, but of his utter destruction. One man only was known to have escaped to tell the tale. He states, “We were led by a treacherous guide into a mountain pass or defile, and there shut in by rocks; we were confronted and surrounded by probably 100,000 of the enemy. For three days and nights the battle raged; the few British officers fought like lions against these overwhelming odds, until, so completely cut up by sword, bullet and spear, that he feared he was the only man who managed to escape.” This large army was literally annihilated—1,200 officers perished in this one battle. The Madhi took 17,000 Remington rifles, 7 Krupp guns, 6 Nordenfelts, 29 brass mounted cannon, and a very large amount of ammunition. So that he appeared to be master of the situation. “What next for the Soudan?” was being
everywhere asked in Egypt and in the Soudan. “Oh that Gordon was here,” was the cry of many of the poor down-trodden Soudanese. They believed him to be the only man who could bring peace to their desolate and unhappy country.