Chapter I: Preface

Nothing but the greatest possible pressure from my many kind friends who have heard my lecture on "General Gordon: Saint and Soldier," who knew of my intimacy with him, and had seen some of the letters referred to, would have induced me to narrate this little story of a noble life. I am greatly indebted to many friends, authors, and newspapers, for extracts and incidents, etc., etc.; and to them I beg to offer my best thanks and humble apology. This book is issued in the hope, that, with all its imperfections, it may inspire the young men of our times to imitate the Christ-like spirit and example of our illustrious and noble hero, C. G. Gordon.

J. WARDLE.

THIS BRIEF STORY OF A NOBLE, SAINTLY AND HEROIC LIFE, I DEDICATE WITH MUCH AFFECTION TO MY SON, JOSEPH GORDON WARDLE

"If I am asked, who is the greatest man? I answer, "the best." And if
I am requested to say, who is the best, I reply: "he that deserveth
most of his fellow creatures."

--_Sir William Jones_.

INDEX.

_Chapter_ I.--Introduction--Gordon's birth, parentage and school--His first experience of warfare in the Crimea--His display of exceptional soldierly qualities--The storming of Sebastopol and its fall.

_Chapter_ II.--Gordon assisting to lay down frontiers in Russia, Turkey and Armenia--Gordon in China--Burning of the Summer Palace--Chinese rebellion and its suppression.

_Chapter_ III.--Gordon at Manchester--My experiences with him--Ragged School work--Amongst the poor, the old, the sick--Some of his letters to me, showing his deep solicitude for the lads.

_Chapter_ IV.--Gordon's letters--Leaflet, &c.--His work at Gravesend--Amongst his "Kings"--His call to foreign service, and leave taking--The public regret.

_Chapter_ V.--His first appointment as Governor General of the Soudan--His journey to, and his arrival at Khartoum--His many difficulties--His visit to King John of Abyssinia, and resignation.

_Chapter_ VI.--Gordon's return to Egypt and welcome by the Khedive--Home again--A second visit to China--Soudan very unsettled--The Madhi winning battles--Hicks Pasha's army annihilated--Gordon sent for; agrees again to go to Khartoum.

_Chapter_ VII.--Gordon's starting for Khartoum (2nd appointment)--His arrival and reception--Khartoum surrounded--Letter from the Madhi to Gordon--Gordon's reply--His many and severe trials in Khartoum.

_Chapter_ VIII.--Expedition of Lord Wolseley's to relieve Gordon--Terrible marches in the desert--Battle of Abu-Klea--Colonel Burnaby killed--Awful scenes--The Arabs break the British Square--Victory and march to Mettemmeh.

_Chapter_ IX.--Gordon's Boats, manned by Sir Charles Wilson, fighting up to Khartoum--Khartoum fallen--Gordon a martyr--Mourning in all lands--Our Queen's letter of complaint to Gladstone--Gladstone's reply and vindication--Queen's letters to Gordon's sister--Account of the fall of Khartoum--Acceptance by the Queen of Gordon's Bible.