CORDON'S DEATH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2066, 18 February 1889, Page 3

CORDON'S DEATH

THE FALL OF KHABTOUM.

HOW THE HERO DIED. l*T XUOTOO TILIGRA?H — OOPTBIOMT.] (m raaaa abbooiatiok.) (lUedved February 18, 1.30 p m.) \- £Per steamer at Albany.] The following is the account of an eye-witness, a Greek named Demetrio Georgio, of the manner of Gordon's death at the hands of the Mahdi's adherents at Khartoum. This man itttes that if a few British had arrived before the Mahdist attack Khartoum would have been saved. Farigh Pasha, the traitor who betrayed the town to the enemy, advised the Mahdi to attack at once. The attack was made that night, and was successful. A terrible scene of carnage ensued, Demetrio saving that "all was blood and fire." Gordon was smoking on the balcony of the seraglio, and some of the Mahdists came to the foot of the staircase, crying "Gordon Pasha." The latter coolly left the balcony, and two Greeks advised bin* to flj, pointing out a little door through which he might escape. Gordon indignantly refused to fly, because he would be disgraced were he to do so. He went into an inner room and donned his full uniform and sword. Confronting the rebels, h&s^ftked scornfully around, exclaiming JfHr om seek ye. lam Gordon Pasha^^R>me en here." The dervishes were ordered not to kill Gordon. Nash, a Mahdist Genera!, ascended the stairs and Gordon handed him his sword m military fashion. Nash snatched it m a brutal way, and struck Gordon an unexpected blow. He fell and rolled down the stairs, when another General speared him, inflicting a grievous wound. Thus died Gordon. Zabeir, the Mahdi's Treasurer, who witnessed the foul deed, exclaimed "May his blood be upon their heads. May Allah punish these men." Gordon was not cut up, but his body was embalmed and sent to the Mahdi. The Arabs massacred the Egyptians but spared the regiments which admitted them into the town. The traifor Farigh was taken before tlge Mahdi, who said, "You were a •lave. You deceived them, and you would betray me also." The Mahdi then ordered his head to be cut off There were many white women m Khartoum.