"CHINESE" GORDON'S PLUCK.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3029, 11 March 1881, Page 4

"CHINESE" GORDON'S PLUCK.

At this juncture it will be interesting to recall an anecdote which went the rounds when Colonel Gordon, then Governor of the Soudan, had fallen into the power of King John of Abyssinia. Tho King received his prisoner sitting on his throne, a chair being placed for Col. Gordon considerably lower. The first thing the English Pasha did was to seize this chair, place it alongside that of his Majesty, and sit down on it; the next, to inform him that he met him as an equal, and would only treat him as such. This somewhat disconcerted his sable Majesty, but on recovering himself he said. "Do you know, Gordon Pasha, that I could kill you on the spot if I liked. " I am perfectly well aware of it, your Majesty," said the Pasha ; "do so at once if it is your royal pleasure, lam ready." This disconcerted the King still more, and he exclaimed,

"What! ready to he killed ?" "Certainly," replied the Pasha. ''I am always ready to die ; and so far from fearing your putting me to death, you would confer a favour on mo by so doing, for you would bo doing for me that which I am 2>recluded by my religious scruples from doing for myself—you would relieve me from all the troubles and misfortune wbich. the future may have in store for mo." This completely staggered King John, who gasped out in despair, " Then my power has no terrors for you ?" " None whatever," was the Pasha's laconic

reply. His Majesty, it is needless to add, instantly collapsed.