The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-29

and carefully. In this way General Lumsden
acquired a knowledge of the sentiments and
character of the rank and file of the Indian
army, so that his service to the country has
Roberts was on his way to Candahar few years
ago itwas 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. mus IN
formation Sir Peter Lumsden, in his own
time Sand way. volunteered to obtain:
Three days elapsed and he had not returned, and
General Roberts began to be seriously concerned
Tor the safety OF his daring staff officer, and nnai-
ly thought he had been murdered. The General
was sitting in his tent late on the afternoon of
the fourth day when dakir. or holy man. sud
denly appeared, riding furiousiy down the
mountain side, and wanted to pass the sentinel
who was grim old Highlander. The sacred
man was an extraordinary Hooking creature, and
the reverse of sanity, as he appeared 70 Europe
an eyes. He was almost paked, the only gar
ment he wore being a pair dirty trousers made
of goat-skin.4s-His hair nearly reached to his
waistns it hung down his shoulders and back,
and the lean, brawny arms were covered With
paste made of sandalwood ashes mixed with
castor oil, a decoration of peculiar sanctity and
a powerful smell. nosegay of sandalwood, con
sistine of ninety-nine beans. completed the
equipment of this wonderful object The man
dismounted from his beast whose heaving fianks
told OF hard riding, and in dialect of Pushtoo
or Afghan asked to see the head sahib The
Highlander did not understand, and motoned
him back. Just then General Roberts came out,
and, keeping wary eye on his visitor. asked
him in Hindustani what he wanted. The visitor,
in barbarous jargon. made the General under
stand that he desired an interview. When they
were alone, the dakir said: Don't you know meT
1t was Lumsden, whose disguise, dirt, wig and
all, had been so complete as to be even unsus.
pected to man whose intimate friend he had
been for ten years
Knowing how superstitious the Afshans are,
Lumsden had selected disguise they would not
readily question, for they are dreadfuly afraid
of offending those holy men whose superior
sanctity is indicated by degree of dirt
mess that is appalling to the civilized
mind. He knew the dialect of the class
he represented perfectly, and it's religious
stock in trade i'll quotations from the Koran, so
whenever he approached an Afghan encamp
ment he dashed fearlessly up to it, yelling: Fab
allah Mahomued resoul Allah, the mystic words
of tho faithful, and though questioned pretty
sharply once or twice, his identity was never
suspected The information he obtained enabled
Candahar to be captured, and made the cam
paign the most successful one ever made amid
those bleak mountains so often fatal to
Englands arms. For this distinguished service
General Lumsden was in July, 1884, commits
stoned major general of the Bengal staff, and
given large grant of money, amounting to
about $780, 600. This is the man on whose report
and judgment, above all others. rest the chances
of a war that may change the entire map of
central Asia