Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-05

1857. Having talent for Hindustani dia-
lects he studied them patiently and care
fully. In this way Gen, Lumsden ac-
quired a knowledge OF the sentiments
and character of the rank and file Of the
Indian army, so that his service to the
country has been simply Invaluable.
When sir Frederick Roberts was on his
way TO Candahar few years ago 1t was
OF the utmost consequence that he should
have some accurate knowledge of the
route, and the forces likely to oppose him
+ IN the mountain passes. This intorma-
/ tlon sir Peter Lumsden, IN his own time
and way, volunteered to obtain. Three
days elapsed and he had not returned,
and Gen. Roberts began TO be seriously
concerned for the safety Of his darling stan
officer, and finally thought he bad been
murdered. The general was sitting IN his
tent late on the afternoon Of the fourth
day when a d0kiror holy man, suddenly
appeared, riding furi0usly down the
mouBtain side, and wanted 10 pass the
sentinel, who was GTm old Highlander.
The ga red man was an extraordinary
looking creature, and the reverse of saint
~, as he appeared 10 European eyes. lie
was almost naked, the only garment he
wore being pair OF dirty trousers made
of goat skin His hair nearly reached to
mis- waist as it hung down his shoulders
and back, and the lean. brawny arms
were covered with paste made of sandal
wood ashes mixed with castor oil, de-
cOration Of peculiar sanctity and power
full smell. A nOsegay of sandalwood,
consisting ofninety-nine beans, complet-
ed the equipment Of this wonderful OBJ
lect. The man dism0untcd from his beast,
whose heaying TANKS told Ofhard riding,
and in dialect OF PushtoO or Afghan,
asked to see the head sahib. Highlander
did not understand, and mOtiOned him
q. out
and, keeping wary eye on his visitor,
asked him IN Hindustani what he wanted.
The visitor, in barbarous iargon, made
the general understand that he desired an
interview. When they were alone, the
dakir said Don't you know me| 1t
was Lumsden, whose disguise, dirt, wig,
and all, had been so complete as to be
even unsupported to man whose lhtl-
mate friend he had been for 10 years.
"knowing how superstitious the Afg-
hans are Lumsden had selected di9guise
they would not readily question, tor they
are dreadfully afraid of offending those
holy men whose superior sanctity Is indi-
Gated by degree of dirtiness that is APP
palliug to the civilized mind. lie knew
the dialect of the class he represented
perfectly and its religions stock in trade
in quotations from the Koran, so when
ever he approached an Afghan encamp-
ment be dashed fearessly up to it. yell
ing: Fab allah MahOmued resOul allah
mystic words of the faithful, and
though questioned pretty sharply once or
twice, his identity was never suspected.
The information be obtained enabled Can
dahar TO he captured, and made the
campaign the most successful one ever
made amid those bleak mountains, so Of
ten fatal to England's arms. For this
distinguished service Gen. Lumsden was,
in July, 1881. commissioned a Major
General Of the Bengal staff and given a
large grant of money, amounting to about
100000. This is the man upon whose
report and JUDGMENT, above all others,
rest the chances of a war that may change
the entire map of Central Asia"