Lick Wilmerding High School - Commencement Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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QL- at f EMI f at it 1 f B gvgm-M4119 Q ther jfrum the Qliast M'.x1co.x1n11'r Wirsox, 30J Extract from the Correspondence of Lieutenant Eustaee Vaughn, H. M. Royal? Sudanese Secret Service T was a stiiiing day in the spring of 1897, and great heat waves shimmered over the desert as far as the eye could reach. I was cursing the love of adventure that had caused me to leave the blessed London fogs, and join Kitchener's forces in this forsaken place. Our commander, Major Ainsworth, was storming in his tent, and venting his wrath on everyone who approached him. Our supplies had failed to come up, he had a touch of sun, and worst of all, he was in the shadow of an approaching battle with no information con- cerning his enemy's resources or movements. The Caliph of Omdurman was daily becoming more audacious in his raids. and a united holy war was expected at any moment. An orderly came to where I was sitting and motioned me to the major 's tent. HLieutenant Vaughn, said the major, HI have orders from the High Command to dispatch you to Omdurman at once. As your knowledge of Arabic and Arabian customs is perfect, you are to go as a native emissary from one of the eastern emirs. Arabian sentries are always lax, and if you can evade them you have a fine chance of obtaining valuable information. Retiring, I quickly dressed in Arab garb. Being well tanned from constant exposure, I needed little disguise. I was unusually careful, however, for the Valiph of Omdurman was an Oxford graduate and had been a friend of my brother. He had visited our country house several times, and I had met him in London, yet' I felt that he would favor me in no way because of former relations, but would prove a very powerful and tenacious foe. My final instructions from the major were: HYou are to go southeast over the desert to Ac-bara. Then double back due west to Omdurman. If you meet Arab scouts, you will give them thc impression of having come a great distance from the east. I-Ie gave me a copy of the Koran, a prayer rug, and the finest camel in the British army. Then he escorted me to the tent door and bade me farewell. Drawing my great riding cloak about me, I turned to Ainsworth and salaanied, Oriental fashion. Then, mounting, I rode away into the gathering dusk. gaug- ing my direction by the stars. I calculated that, with my good camel, morning should find me outside the gates of Ac-bara, approaching it from the east. Upon arrival there I awakened the sleepy, grumbling gate porter and demand- ed entrance to the town. I handed him a few coins, which quickly dispelled any doubts about the respectability of such an early arrival, and passed the gates. Here I found, after diligent search, another porter who for payment agreed to take charge of my beast and find me a place to sleep all day. This he did, and nightfall found me jogging on to my destination. Just as day broke, I was accosted by the first sentinels of Omdurnian who inquired my name and station. I answered, Abbas Krim. emissary of his Excellency Nadj of Amir, mightiest Emir of the East. t'onnnander of the Faithful, and Favored of Allah, may he be praised l I HPage17ll