"All the necessary preparations have been made, Gordon. The--the
Governor of the City will call you up at your quarters, and on--on
receiving his message you will take a regiment of cavalry which is ready
here in the Citadel and one battalion of infantry which is under arms at
Kasr-el-Nil and accompany him to El Azhar. There--as--as commander of
the troops you--at the request of the Governor--you will take such
military steps as in your opinion will be required to enter the
University--and--and clear out its students and professors. You will
cause ten rounds of ammunition to be served out to the men, and you will
have absolute discretion as to the way you go to work, and as to the
amount of force necessary to be used--but you--of course you will be
responsible for everything that is done--or not done--in carrying out
your order. I--I ask you to attend to this matter at once, and to
report to me to-night if possible."
When the General's flurried words were spoken there was silence for a
moment, and then Gordon, trying in vain to control his voice, said
haltingly--
"You know I don't want to do this work, General, and if it must be done
I beg of you to order some one else to do it."
"That is impossible," replied the General. "You are the proper person
for this duty, and to give it to another officer would be to--to
strengthen the party of rebellion by saying in so many words that there
is disaffection in our own ranks."
"Then permit me to resign my appointment on your staff, sir. I don't
want to do so--God knows I don't. My rank as a soldier is the one thing
in the world I'm proudest of, but I would rather resign it----"
"Resign it if you please--if you are so foolish. Send in your papers,
but until they are accepted you are my officer, and I must ask you to
obey my order."