Page 89 - GFA – A Different Drumbeat
P. 89
GFA – A Different Drumbeat 89
we were about to proceed, a delightful old Moslem mullah, with a typical long flowing
beard and the regulation side-whiskers, came up and volunteered the information
that we would in all probability find the road ahead of us infested with brigands. He
mentioned a certain walled village which was being held by a large body of armed
men and advised us not to respond to any hail we might get from that party and not
to stop even though fired on.
We proceeded on our way and by the time we passed that particular place we
were travelling at over thirty miles an hour which is “’some speed” over a poor road
with a very heavily loaded truck. The robbers had cut the telegraph lines and the
wires were draped in festoons across the road. Dr. Kao, who was with Dr. Rees on
the outside, was made violently aware of this fact when a wire whisked off his hat
and another got him on the head. Mr. Ruhl and I were in the cab. Just as we thought
we were drawing out of possible shooting range, the car ran over a small irregularity
in the road surface and what happened for the next moment is rather obscure to me.
I found myself thrown almost on top of Mr. Ruhl with my arms round his neck,
though not kissing him! The two outside passengers had just managed to save
themselves by holding on to the iron supports for the canvas covering over the body
of the truck. Before they appreciated just what had happened, a something, big and
round, had shot bodily out of the middle of the truck on to the road. Just for a
moment either Doctor thought it was other, but after the shock was over and the
vision somewhat cleared, they found it to be one of the five gallon drums of petrol!!
Within a remarkably short time we managed to get the truck out on to the road once
more and were relieved beyond expression to find the engine functioning perfectly. I
want to state very clearly that to me, at any rate, this was a most distinct instance of
Divine Providence watching over us.
We reached Chingningchow just before dark. When we arrived in the city we
found a state of unusual excitement prevailing. A large body of Government forces,
with the Chairman of Kansuh province in command, was en route for the fighting in
Honan and had reached that city the previous day. Only that day, a force of soldiers
had retreated on the city from the road along which we had come, and had reported
to the Chairman that the road was impassable owing to the large numbers of
brigands. When I called to see the Chairman, he asked in surprise
“Where have you come from?’’
“From Kuyuan.’’
“Oh! Haven’t you met the brigands?”
“Yes, but they showed us every consideration.”
“Well”, he remarked, “you Christians when you travel certainly have the
protection of the Heavenly Father.”
we were about to proceed, a delightful old Moslem mullah, with a typical long flowing
beard and the regulation side-whiskers, came up and volunteered the information
that we would in all probability find the road ahead of us infested with brigands. He
mentioned a certain walled village which was being held by a large body of armed
men and advised us not to respond to any hail we might get from that party and not
to stop even though fired on.
We proceeded on our way and by the time we passed that particular place we
were travelling at over thirty miles an hour which is “’some speed” over a poor road
with a very heavily loaded truck. The robbers had cut the telegraph lines and the
wires were draped in festoons across the road. Dr. Kao, who was with Dr. Rees on
the outside, was made violently aware of this fact when a wire whisked off his hat
and another got him on the head. Mr. Ruhl and I were in the cab. Just as we thought
we were drawing out of possible shooting range, the car ran over a small irregularity
in the road surface and what happened for the next moment is rather obscure to me.
I found myself thrown almost on top of Mr. Ruhl with my arms round his neck,
though not kissing him! The two outside passengers had just managed to save
themselves by holding on to the iron supports for the canvas covering over the body
of the truck. Before they appreciated just what had happened, a something, big and
round, had shot bodily out of the middle of the truck on to the road. Just for a
moment either Doctor thought it was other, but after the shock was over and the
vision somewhat cleared, they found it to be one of the five gallon drums of petrol!!
Within a remarkably short time we managed to get the truck out on to the road once
more and were relieved beyond expression to find the engine functioning perfectly. I
want to state very clearly that to me, at any rate, this was a most distinct instance of
Divine Providence watching over us.
We reached Chingningchow just before dark. When we arrived in the city we
found a state of unusual excitement prevailing. A large body of Government forces,
with the Chairman of Kansuh province in command, was en route for the fighting in
Honan and had reached that city the previous day. Only that day, a force of soldiers
had retreated on the city from the road along which we had come, and had reported
to the Chairman that the road was impassable owing to the large numbers of
brigands. When I called to see the Chairman, he asked in surprise
“Where have you come from?’’
“From Kuyuan.’’
“Oh! Haven’t you met the brigands?”
“Yes, but they showed us every consideration.”
“Well”, he remarked, “you Christians when you travel certainly have the
protection of the Heavenly Father.”
