SIR PETER LUMSDEN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 844, 16 June 1885, Page 2

SIR PETER LUMSDEN.

From his youth, Sir Peter Luinsdeii has been a man of war. He distinguished himself as a youngster in the terrible Indian Mutiny of 1557. He learned the Hindustani dialects years ago. When Sir Frederick Roberts was on his way to Candahar it was of the utmost consequeuce that he should have some accurate knowledge of the route and forces likely to oppose him in the mountain passes. This information Sir Peter Lumsden volunteered to obtain. Three days elapsed and he had not returned. General Roberts was sitting in his tent when a Fakir, or holy man, suddenly appeared riding furiously down the mountain side. He was an extraordinary looking creature, his only garment being a dirty pair of trousers made of goatskin. His hair nearly reached to his waist, and his lean, brawny arms were covered with paste made of s uidal wood ashes mixed with castor oil—a decoration of peculiar sanctity and powerful smell. The General came out and asked his visitor what he wanted. The reply in a barbarian jargon was a request for a private interview. When they were alone the Fakir said : "Don't you know me?" It was Lumsden, whose disguise—dirt, wig and all—had been so complete as to be unsuspected by a man whose intimate friend he had been for ten years. Knowing how superstitious the Afghans are, Lumsden had selected a disguise they \rould not readily question. He knew the dialect of the class he represented perfectly, and whenever he approached an Afghan encampment he dashed fearlessly up yelling: " Lah Allah Mahmoud resoul Allah," the mystic words of the faithful. His identity was never suspected. The information he obtained enabled the English to capture Candahar and rendered the campaign the most successful one ever made among those bleak mountains. For this service Gen. Lumsden was, in July, ISSI, commissioned a Major-General of the Bengal staff and given £IO,OOO. This is the man on whose report and judgment above all others rest the chances ot a war that may change the entire map of Central Asia.