s work, Kitchener was given the rank of
Major, and sent with Lord Wolseley's expedition into Egypt--then in the
throes of civil war. One reason for his promotion was his ability to
speak Arabic. His several years in the East had not only taught him
the languages, but valuable insight into manners and customs.

The campaign was short and summary. The rebel forces were routed and
order established in northern Egypt. Kitchener's ability to organize,
and his knowledge of the people soon made him indispensable. His name
occurred so frequently in the official reports, that Lord Cromer, in
the home office, remarked: "This Kitchener seems to have a finger in
every pie. I must see him and find out what he is like." Later, after
seeing him, Cromer said: "That man's got a lot in him. He should prove
one of our best assets in Egypt."

The next event--and a dramatic one--in Kitchener's life was concerned
with the attempted rescue of Gordon, some three years later. This
famous General had been sent to subdue the Soudan, which literally
means "Land of the Blacks," and had not received sufficient
reinforcements. It was a blunder on the part of the home Government
for which Gordon was to pay with his life. A relief force under
Wolseley was sent too late.

Kitchener was fully alive to the peril of the situation, but being only
a subordinate could not do much to hasten affairs. He did know,
however, that a widespread conspiracy was being hatched which
threatened the safety of Wolseley's forces as well. How he got at the
bottom of this conspiracy is related by Charles Shaw, a Canadian
journalist who accompanied the expedition.

A group of Arabs who had been in a brawl were lying tied hand and foot
in the guardhouse, when a tall man, also securely tied, was thrown in
with them. Although dressed like a native, Shaw relates, "he looked a
different brand of Arab than I had been accustomed to. He was
Kitchener. He was after the conspiracy.

"I didn't know much Arabic in those days, but we could hear the
Dongolese talk and talk in excited tones the whole night, the tall man
occasionally saying a few words.

"When we paraded before the large open-faced orderly tent next morning,
we were almost paralyzed to see Lord Wolseley himself seated at the
little table with Kitchener beside him, both in full staff uniform. A
tall, fine-looking Arab was being examined through the interpreter. He
didn't seem impressed by the glitterin