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

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QI afeafa airs Ig, The sentinel advanced and looked at me critically. The richness of my ap- parel and the magnificence of my mount helped to substantiate my claims. He offered to escort me into the city, where I was taken to the tent of Kabir Has- san, one of the major chiefs of the Arab forces. Here, according to Arab cour- tesy, I was asked no questions but was allowed to eat and sleep unmolested. However, as I sleep but lightly, I was able to watch my worthy host slitting my sandals and examining the seams and lining of my cloak, in the vain hope of discovering more about my identity and mission. Late in the afternoon I awoke and feasted with my host, or jailer, and in the evening we joined the camp fire, where my name and rank were made known to each of the chiefs. I was then given a place next to my host, Kabir Hassan, and allowed to listen to the rather heated discussion. A burly Afghan from the Middle East was their head military engineer. He talked a great deal and agreed with no one, but especially disagreed with Aba el Sor, commander of the cavalry. In their argument I learned the very things the English so wished to know. They had little or no artillery. They intended to confine themselves to fiying raids until forced to make a stand, probably at Omdurman. Their strength lay in guerilla warfare, at which they are matchless. At last my host and Aba el Ser inquired my errand. The men about the circle immediately ceased talking. In a loud and sonorous voice, I began, with many pious quotations. I told them that my master, the Emir Nadj, the great, just, merciful, and CAllah be praisedj above all others wise, had heard of the great strength, courage, and immeasurable resources of their Caliph, and had sent me to see if the reports he had heard were true. I had been further instructed that, if the reports were found authentic, he would donate what supplies and men he could muster to help Omdurman, as some day in like circumstances he might need a friend. Now completely trusted, I was taken to see their breastworks which I was told were the product of their military engineer, the Afghan. I was also shown their marvelous cavalry depot, their camels, their armory and the few guns that they had. Over all these I professed great admiration. I told them that His Excellency, my master, knew no such things as these. I had intended to make my escape that night, but as I crept to the door of my tent I saw that my kind host had provided sentinels who were patrolling the space about. I also knew that he had been so kind as to care well for my camel. Seeing that escape was impossible, I sank into restless slumber until the morning light awoke me. I had just breakfasted when my host came with the news that the Caliph had so greatly honored me as to command my presence in his tent. I very much fear that I appreciated the honor but little then, and still less as I stepped over the threshold of his tent, Kabir Hassan on my left and the watchful Aba el Ser on my right. The Caliph at once started to question me. I answered his questions boldly, though fearing that he might have a lurking suspicion as to my identity when he heard my voice, but all went well. His voice was cordial and his questions were courteous. And then came my undoing. There was a basket of fruit near by, and hos- pitality demanded that the Caliph offer it to me. As he passed it, I stretched out my hand to receive it. Too late I saw my mistake. There on my fore- finger was the signet ring of the Vaughns. The Ualiph must often have seen it on the finger of my brother, who gave it to me before he died. ffPage ISI

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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

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QI ztfaiafasufe Ig, Fortunately my body worked with my mind, and I made one leap as I saw the light of recognition creep into his eyes. So rapid were my movements that my guards were discomfited, since the Caliph had uttered no sound. I burst from the tent, Aba el Ser not far behind mc. I certainly should have met an unfortunate end then had I not, the night before, observed so carefully the intricate windings of the maze of crazy streets. I ran for the camel in- closure, knowing they would track me there, and not a moment too soon gained the door. Seeing it deserted, I Seized a swift-looking animal, threw a bundle of old cloaks on its back, and lashed it toward the east. As it missed the custom- ary restricting rein, With one bound the beast cleared a low gate and made for the open desert. Then, hearing hurried steps, I dived behind a pile of saddles and equipment, and waited. Aba el Ser came dashing in with the guards at his heels. In a moment they espied the empty stall. Noting the fleeing camel, supposedly mounted, heading eastward, they sounded an alarm. In a minute the desert was black with Arabs in pursuit. XVell had I reasoned by not going with the camel, for they were setting off at different angles and would soon surround the animal. As I hid behind the heap, I saw Aba el Sor approach. XVith his back to me, he stood watching the pursuit through field glasses. Creeping from behind, I struck him with the butt end of my revolver. As he crumpled noiselessly to the floor, I drew him behind one of the stalls. I took his cloak, his headdress Cquite unlike my turbanj, and his star of office, and putting them on hastened into the adjoining stable. Standing in the dim light, I asked the boy for my horse. He brought out an immense black stallion and proceeded to saddle it. My hopes were soaring, when in walked the Calipli. Ile ordered his horse sad- dled without noticing me and then walked in my direction. I had my hand on my revolver, when from the minaret sounded the call to prayer. The Caliph, a religious enthusiast, immediately turned and walked out. I seized my horse and made for the opposite entrance. ' Mounting, I 1'ode north, as all scouts had now joined the search to the east. I turned in my saddle to look back. The tent city and the town were gleaming in the bright morning sunlight. The palm trees waved in the faint breeze. How different was Omdurman when I next saw it, red with carnage and black with smoke. That was when the British struck and struck hard. It was then that I met the Caliph again, when he attacked our cavalry with the one inten- tion of meeting me, and exacting revenge. It is not permissible to tell here how he and his gallant cavalry fell-fell gloriously .... As the Arabs say, HThat is another storyf' AAYVARDICD llnook ron Bnsr STORY llPage l9ll