Page 30 - GFA – A Different Drumbeat
P. 30
GFA – A Different Drumbeat 30
horse for convenience of travel, his advice was usually sought. He certainly
managed horses well, even spirited ones, hence his reputation. Further, Moslem
men are renowned horsemen, and this brought him in contact with both officials and
traders. His prowess and horsemanship were well known locally and gave him close
contact with Moslem leaders, many of whom showed this predilection for peaceful
purposes and as part of their military efficiency which was a recurring threat to the
Chinese district. His part time job as private tutor to the son of the Tahsuai or
Military Governor of Kansu was quite a private affair springing from natural
friendliness and in no way official, but this led to frequent unofficial visits to the
Yamen and frequent casual contacts with all kinds of officials both Chinese and
Moslem, and he became well known."
"I recall the first day I arrived in Lanchow, travelling on foot with all my goods piled on
a mule pack. GFA kindly came out some miles to meet me accompanied by the
Postmaster. They were both mounted and brought a third mount for me. In the
excitement he forgot to ask me if I was accustomed to horse-riding (which at the time
I was not!) We were barely in our saddles when he suggested, 'Let's have a race'.
My steed was a known racer and we easily won, but how I gripped with my knees
and pulled on the reins!"
THE BORDERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
IN LANCHOW
The China Inland Mission hospital was clearly the place to
come to, if you were a foreigner traveling through Lanchow.
Also known as the Bordern Memorial Hospital, it is now the
Lanchow No.2 Hospital.
horse for convenience of travel, his advice was usually sought. He certainly
managed horses well, even spirited ones, hence his reputation. Further, Moslem
men are renowned horsemen, and this brought him in contact with both officials and
traders. His prowess and horsemanship were well known locally and gave him close
contact with Moslem leaders, many of whom showed this predilection for peaceful
purposes and as part of their military efficiency which was a recurring threat to the
Chinese district. His part time job as private tutor to the son of the Tahsuai or
Military Governor of Kansu was quite a private affair springing from natural
friendliness and in no way official, but this led to frequent unofficial visits to the
Yamen and frequent casual contacts with all kinds of officials both Chinese and
Moslem, and he became well known."
"I recall the first day I arrived in Lanchow, travelling on foot with all my goods piled on
a mule pack. GFA kindly came out some miles to meet me accompanied by the
Postmaster. They were both mounted and brought a third mount for me. In the
excitement he forgot to ask me if I was accustomed to horse-riding (which at the time
I was not!) We were barely in our saddles when he suggested, 'Let's have a race'.
My steed was a known racer and we easily won, but how I gripped with my knees
and pulled on the reins!"
THE BORDERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
IN LANCHOW
The China Inland Mission hospital was clearly the place to
come to, if you were a foreigner traveling through Lanchow.
Also known as the Bordern Memorial Hospital, it is now the
Lanchow No.2 Hospital.
