GORDON AND RHODES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 341, 1 March 1911, Page 7

GORDON AND RHODES.

; In the newly-published "Twenty-five Years' Soldiering in South Africa," ; its author, ''A Colonial Officer," describes mr.tißi: during his adventurous career with General Gordon and Oeeil Uhodcs. Ho remember:-: Gordon n'.Mtrossinir the G.M.R. in the following ti-rms :- - •■.Men, look ro your sergeants—sergeants, look to your otlicers—-ofiiecrt look to your colonel —and the whole of you look to me as your father." For many years he was known ;iniriin r them as "Father Gordon." Of Rhodes the author gives a dc- : scription as he appeared at the beginning of the Matahelcland cami paign. There was nothing in his genera! i get-up to suggest the extraordinary ; personality of the man, not even tc make me recognise him as the 1 Honourable Cecil John Rhodes, whose [ photographs were familiar enough. ! His appearance suggested the pro- | prktor of an up-country trading-sta- ' ton. A smasher hat, shabby grey ccat, grey flannel shirt, a very dirty I i air of white flannel trousers, and ■ leather boots, made up his attire ; i and on studying his face I came tc the conclusion that the photos had rather flattered him. Ke was a tall, powerfully built man, his massive head with its rugged face suggested | a resolute character. His voice was a very peculiar one when heard for the first time, alternating between a bass and a falsetto, and not ■ at. all in keeping with his appearance.