Page 55 - GFA – A Different Drumbeat
P. 55
GFA – A Different Drumbeat 55
runner pushed his way through and presented him with a letter. It was from Mrs Nilson. of
the CIM at Lungchow. She told him that her husband had just died and she needed help.
He and Gustav knew they had to go. They left Pingliang early next morning, rode till dusk,
slept at an inn, and reached Lungchow by noon on Friday. On Sunday GFA led a large
morning service and on Monday the funeral service began at 6.30 a.m. and ended at the
graveside at 11. Many of the city gentry were present and they provided a military band.
Although the weather on Tuesday morning was cold and misty, GFA and Tornvall set off
before dawn in deep snow for Pingliang. GFA remembers
"Wandering about in a blizzard we came upon a very bedraggled group of 28
Russian refugees, an Army Red Cross Unit, struggling to get across China to the
coast. I took them with me, managed to get funds from the Government of Kansu,
hired carts, and outfitted them against the wintry weather."
In a few words he demonstrates his leadership qualities, organizational skills and
compassionate heart.
They could hear firing ahead. With this large cavalcade under his leadership, he left
Pingliang and, exactly a year since the terrible earthquake of December 16 1920, they set
up camp in the mountains on a threshing floor outside a cave. GFA had the 30 carts drawn
up in a circle with the 10 horses inside it. The Russian party included a male quartet, so
after they had heated up "a large hash" for supper, there was singing till midnight by the
flickering light of three candles in the cave. Then to top the day off, the whole group stood
up, took off their hats, and solemnly sang the old Russian national anthem.
At 2 a.m. GFA and one companion rode off to reconnoitre the situation. He does not seem
to have needed much sleep. Although this exercise was a very cautious and responsible
action with the safety of those placed in his charge in mind, he could not escape more
drama. At dawn they were ambushed by a group of brigands, pulled off their horses, bound
and taken to the bandit headquarters. GFA continues the story:
"Here we found the commander sleeping off the effects of his opium, so I sat quietly
on the edge of the brick bed till he showed signs of returning intelligence. Then we
started to talk. As he was interrogating me he suddenly realized that I was the
foreigner who had been doing such intensive relief work over so many months of
distress. His attitude immediately changed. He ordered me to be untied and a
hearty meal prepared. "
In spite of this dramatic turnaround in the attitude of the brigand chief, he knew enough of
the situation to be very wary. The more distance they put between themselves and "the
gentlemen of the road" as he called them, the better. They camped again that night in the
open.
runner pushed his way through and presented him with a letter. It was from Mrs Nilson. of
the CIM at Lungchow. She told him that her husband had just died and she needed help.
He and Gustav knew they had to go. They left Pingliang early next morning, rode till dusk,
slept at an inn, and reached Lungchow by noon on Friday. On Sunday GFA led a large
morning service and on Monday the funeral service began at 6.30 a.m. and ended at the
graveside at 11. Many of the city gentry were present and they provided a military band.
Although the weather on Tuesday morning was cold and misty, GFA and Tornvall set off
before dawn in deep snow for Pingliang. GFA remembers
"Wandering about in a blizzard we came upon a very bedraggled group of 28
Russian refugees, an Army Red Cross Unit, struggling to get across China to the
coast. I took them with me, managed to get funds from the Government of Kansu,
hired carts, and outfitted them against the wintry weather."
In a few words he demonstrates his leadership qualities, organizational skills and
compassionate heart.
They could hear firing ahead. With this large cavalcade under his leadership, he left
Pingliang and, exactly a year since the terrible earthquake of December 16 1920, they set
up camp in the mountains on a threshing floor outside a cave. GFA had the 30 carts drawn
up in a circle with the 10 horses inside it. The Russian party included a male quartet, so
after they had heated up "a large hash" for supper, there was singing till midnight by the
flickering light of three candles in the cave. Then to top the day off, the whole group stood
up, took off their hats, and solemnly sang the old Russian national anthem.
At 2 a.m. GFA and one companion rode off to reconnoitre the situation. He does not seem
to have needed much sleep. Although this exercise was a very cautious and responsible
action with the safety of those placed in his charge in mind, he could not escape more
drama. At dawn they were ambushed by a group of brigands, pulled off their horses, bound
and taken to the bandit headquarters. GFA continues the story:
"Here we found the commander sleeping off the effects of his opium, so I sat quietly
on the edge of the brick bed till he showed signs of returning intelligence. Then we
started to talk. As he was interrogating me he suddenly realized that I was the
foreigner who had been doing such intensive relief work over so many months of
distress. His attitude immediately changed. He ordered me to be untied and a
hearty meal prepared. "
In spite of this dramatic turnaround in the attitude of the brigand chief, he knew enough of
the situation to be very wary. The more distance they put between themselves and "the
gentlemen of the road" as he called them, the better. They camped again that night in the
open.
