Romance Sex Stories

by Carly Smesh

  The standard round had a sharp point encased in copper; the other bullet that Peter took from his pocket had a little of the copper removed from the lead head of the bullet the head was no longer pointed but blunt and slightly concaved. "There called hollow points," Peter told him, "the idea is when it hits the target it squashes creating more damage.

  He loaded the standard round and fired at the right hand carcass then with the hollow point fired at the left hand carcass.

  They had to wait while the men from the butts brought them to see the results.

  David was amazed, the right hand carcass had a neat hole through it, whilst the left hand had a neat entrance but a jiggered two-inch on exit.

  Peter, then fired the rifle from 500 hundred yards and 1000 yards each time registering hits around the bull, it was really remarkable shooting.

  Has they drove back to Henrys office David mentioned that the maximum capacity of the magazine was only five rounds. "Well that is the normal capacity for a hunting rifle" Peter replied. "One supposes that if you added more the magazine would extend below the trigger guard", Henry added.

  Peter hesitated before replying, "It would spoil firing in the prone position somewhat. Let me think about the problem when we get back."

  Henry changed the subject "So David what do you think regarding the rifle will it suite your purpose".

  David nodded "the only thing the test model lacked that I could see were provision for the sling and a bayonet fitting".

  "Those are easily rectified, I should be able to lay my hands on a suitable bayonet and develop a fitting for them.

  Once in Henry's office they discussed payment. Agreeing on an initial payment off £3500 on completion off the first fifty rifles to offset the cost of the retooling and 250,000 rounds of the hollow point cartridges, followed by a payment off £1000 for the second batch of 50 and a further 250,000 cartridges ending with a payment £700 for the final 50 and 300,000 rounds with an open option for further rifles at, £7/10 shillings each and £3/5shillings per 1000 rounds of ammunition.

  David handed him the cheque for the £3500 with the request that when the items were packed, the crates be marked has hydraulic pumping equipment and the address he would give later for where to send them.

  Henry said he would be informed when the shipment would be ready but too allow at least five weeks.

  Back in London David wrote a long letter to the Prince out lining his progress to date and the hope that he would be returning by June.

  With nothing to do but wait, David took the opportunity to explore London, visiting the Tower of London and the Science Museums. He added to his book collection on histories of the American Civil War, the Indian and Afghan Wars, Gordon's Massacre has well has books describing the people of those countries. He bought up to date maps on the North West Frontier and spent long hours studying them.

  Since leaving the Prince, David had, had hardly any time to think beyond the task assigned to him. Speed had been foremost in his mind. But these last few weeks had given him time to realise the magnitude off the job the Prince envisaged he was to undertake, to train a modern army unit.

  He began to think on how best that could be accomplished.

  Nearly four weeks after returning to London he had a visitor in the form of Henry.

  He came into his room carrying a fine leather rifle case.

  After greeting him and giving him a malt scotch, Henry opened the case "your rifle is ready" he said with a smile.

  The wood furniture off the rifle was made from mahogany with a rich grain showing through its waxed finish.

  When he picked it out of the case he saw it had a hatched pistol grip with an ebony end cap, and cheek rest.

  Fitting it to his shoulder he realised the balance was perfect.

  "Henry it's beautiful," he enthused.

  Henry chuckled, "Mr Jenkins kicked up a fuss about the time he was allowed to make it in.

  Fortunately the metal components were already in production, but he selected each component individually checking them with his micrometre's to make sure each was a perfect fit.

  He took umbrage when I told him it didn't need engraving. He actually carried out the test firing himself.

  You may not have noticed but the box magazine is slightly wider than the test model.

  Peter came up with the idea; the bullets can be stacked staggered inside to allow ten rounds to be loaded now, we have had to strengthen the spring inside to allow for that.

  He's working on an idea to have them carried in five round clips and loaded directly into the breach from them.

  The only problem we have is finding a suitable bayonet; we may have too design one our self."

  David assured him that was not a problem and shouldn't delay the order saying if it did come to close quarters the Ghurkhas would rather use their kukris.

  "Henry I don't know what to say, you have really been most helpful in this matter," David confessed.

  "Too be perfectly honest with you David, I did have an ulterior motive.

  It's only a matter of time before the idiots at the War Office realise that the future of modern weapons is magazine smokeless rifles. You have given us an opportunity to get a head start on the game. We should be well placed to submit our rifle, when they start evaluating them."

  David insisted that Henry dine with him that evening in the hotel. During the meal he told Henry to submit the invoices for the rest of the order to a Mr Tompkins personally, the bank manager of the Princes bank, saying he would inform him of the arrangements. He also checked with Henry that he had the address for the bill of loading, Smithers & Smithers Import Export Karachi.

  They parted that night with Henry saying he would give David a week's notice of completion of the order to allow him book a ship to transport it.

  After calling on Mr Tompkins the next Day he visited the Easton Shipping Line office and collected there sailing schedules.

  He wrote a letter to Mr Smithers informing him of the arrival off three packing cases six foot by four foot by three feet high, addressed to his warehouse arriving on either the Easton Comet or Easton Wave with their respective arrival dates at Karachi.

  Once he was sure of the ship to be used he would send a telegram to him confirming it.

  David began to think of his return to India, he bought a stout large suitcase to pack the

  Items, he had bought in London.

  Henry telephoned him to say the shipment would be ready to transport six days later. Checking the sailing schedule he found the Comet was due to sail on the forth of June in nine days' time.

  At the shipping lines office, he book passage in a stateroom, and hold space, for the creates. Later he telephoned Henry giving him the ships name and sailing date.

  He spent the remainder of his time in London looking around the shops. In one specialising in safari equipment he was drawn to what was called a safari jacket.

  It had two breast-patched pockets, and two patched pockets at the hips with a belt of the same heavy cotton material at the waist, patches reinforced the elbows. He was informed that trousers were available in the same material. He went into the changing room and tried the jacket and trousers and found them surprisingly comfortable, noticing the patches on the knees of the trousers.

  He bought two sets of the light fawn suites and a large brimmed hat favoured by African hunters. The hat was lighter than his pith helmet and gave more shade to the eyes.

  David slowly began to pack ready for his departure having his shirts washed and ironed and his suits cleaned by the hotel. He intended to travel down to Southampton on the Friday when the Easton Comet docked, boarding that afternoon, although it would not leave until Saturday at five. But he wanted to be on hand, when the crate's where loaded.

  On his last day at the Hotel he was handed a package from Henry, has he was booking out he slipped it into his brief case, determined to read it on the train down to Southampton.

  He watched has his trunk and
suitcases were loaded into the goods carriage, before finding his seat in the first class carriage.

  The package contained a manual for the rifle, a letter from Henry and an envelope containing metal objects by the feel of it he thought.

  The letter explained that Peter had developed a means of holding five rounds together. It consisted of a spring clip that held the flange of the bullet. When located at the rear off the breech, thumb pressure would slide the bullets down into the breech. He went on to say he had included 600 off these clips in the order.

  Inside the envelope was a .303 bullet and the spring clip. In cross section it was shaped like a pyramid but the base was wide enough for the flange off the bullet to enter has you pressed down the sides opened up gripping the body of the bullet.

  David smiled, a simple but effective solution he thought.

  Chapter 7

  He was delighted to find Rangi was his steward again when he entered the stateroom.

  The following morning he watched has the ship was re-coaled. Then a goods train was shunted down the railway track that ran along side of the wharf, and began unloading, as a ships officer supervised. He had requested that his crates be stacked so has to allow him to check there contents later.

  He watched through his telescope has they were put on one side and were amongst the last to be lowered into the hold.

  The ship had been at sea two days, when David entered the hold. He located the create with H/P burnt into the wood. Using a crow bar he lifted the lid he found stout cardboard boxes with 100 H/P printed on them, in a much larger box he found the clips. He removed a box and five clips from the other. After nailing the lid back down he returned to his cabin.

  Inside the box the hollow point bullets were protected by greaseproof paper. He loaded two of the clips with five rounds each and tried loading his rifle. The bullets slid down into the breech. Holding the rifle in the firing position, with the safety engaged, he ejected the bullets with a smooth click, click of the bolt.

  Over the next ten days, using the manual has reference; he stripped and reassembled the rifle until he could do it without thinking. He had discovered in the gun case, the compartments that held the oil, wax, and tools along with the pull through. A cord with a weight that slid down the barrel, the other end had a small loop in which the small patches of material, also contained in the case could be pushed into, and the cord pulled through the barrel to clean it. Also the leather gun sling was placed in the case, which he fixed to the swivels of the rifle adjusting it to suite himself.

  He spent hours reading the manual, particularly the section on maintenance and commissioning the weapon, involving the removal off the protective grease in which it had been delivered.

  They were crossing the Arabian Sea five days out from Karachi when he received permission from the Captain to fire the rifle over the stern of the ship. Claiming it was a new hunting gun that he had yet to fire.

  He had Rangi throwing spent cardboard boxes over the side and firing when they were about two hundred yards a stern. After firing twenty rounds he was delighted with the performance, the smooth action never faltering. He knew he would have to zero the weapon in, when he reached Kana.

  The day before they docked at Karachi he repacked the suitcases, the smaller case was packed with his safari suite along with shirts and under cloths and also the oak presentation case holding his pistols along with thirty rounds of ammunition. He loaded the six clips he had with ammunition. The remaining rounds in the box all so went into the case. He intended to retain this case in his compartment on the train.

  He saw Mr Smithers waiting on the quayside has the ship docked. He lost sight of him has he passed through customs. Mr Smithers caught up with him outside whilst a porter carried his luggage on a trolley.

  After shaking his hand and confirming it had been a good trip, Mr Smithers took charge of his luggage, saying it would loaded into a fright car along with the packing cases. David retained the smaller suitcase and gun case, and caught a buggy into the town. He knew the Deri-Ismal-Khan train left at four pm according to Mr Smithers when he had given him his ticket, which left him with nearly three hours to kill.

  He left the suitcase and gun case in the foyer off the Railway Hotel under the watchful eye of the desk clerk. And then wondered into town looking for a specific shop. He found it on Main Street. In side he asked the assistant for a left-handed holster suitable for a Smith and Wesson .44 pistol. After several minutes the assistant returned carrying one, he removed a Smith and Wesson with a six and half inch barrel from a display cabinet to prove it fitted. David bought it along with a belt.

  He returned to the Railway Hotel and had lunch.

  Later he watched has the crates and his luggage were loaded into the fright car before finding his compartment on the train.

  Prior to arriving at Deri-Ismal-Kahn he changed in to the safari suite and buckled the holster around his waist now with a loaded revolver in it.

  David alighted from the train carrying his suitcase and gun case looking around him in anguish, but a familiar figure detached himself from the seething crowd.

  "A jolly good day to you Sahib, I have made arrangements to transport you and your things to a waiting barge down by the waterfront," he said has they walked to the fright car. Six burly Indians were loading the crates onto a bullock cart along with his luggage. He followed behind in a rickshaw and watched has the men loaded the crates into a wide girthed barge, before climbing into it. He was shown to the rear of the barge, which had a rush mat covering it would be his home for the two days it would take to reach Kana.

  Has the six men poled the barge out into the sluggish current due to the dry season; he removed the rifle from its case and loaded it.

  At night the barge was moored to the bank, it being too dangerous to continue due to the sandbanks that were now visible due to the lowness of the river.

  He shared the men's meal of unleavened flat bread and chicken curry. At the first light of dawn, they got underway again.

  Fifty-six hours after leaving, the barge angled into the bank, although he judged they were still some distance from the city. Six figures he recognised has Gurkhas were waiting on the bank with a cart with two bullocks in the traces and a horse tied to the back.

  Between the twelve men they soon had the crates loaded onto the cart along with his luggage.

  The Gurkhas wore a range of clothing but each had a deadly kukri at his waist. The leader of the six informed him the horse was for him and that they were now returning to the barracks his name was Trak and he held the rank of Naik (corporal).

  Has he rode alongside the cart he found out from Naik Trak that the barracks now held 96 Gurkhas. 19 of them from the British Army whose enlistment had finished, and had not re-enlisted.

  They had been kept busy enlarging the barracks and walls.

  It was nightfall when they finally passed through the gates of the barracks.

  The Havildar Major, who he had met when he came out on his inspection, greeted him with a sharp salute. David requested him to place the crates in a storeroom and place a twenty-four hour guard on the door.

  The Havildar Major showed him to the senior NCO mess where on his way to it he was amazed to find Havildar Talpin his old platoon Sergeant.

  It seemed that word had reached the Gurkhas of the regiment, that Sahib Lieutenant Ramage was mustering a Gurkha unit here in Kana. Has his enlistment was up he had decided to come here and enlist. Five others from the platoon had come with him, and thirteen from other units. He said it so simply, has if it was of no consequence, and David was touched by his loyalty.

  The next morning at daybreak he set off for the palace with the gun case over his shoulder, the rifle inside but now unloaded.

  At the palace he was shown into the room he had met the Prince before. Ten minutes later the Prince swept in, extending his hand, "David it's so good to have you back" he said smiling. David bowed his head and murmured, "Thank you your highness".
/>
  They sat down and David began to tell him in detail what had he had been doing.

  He showed him the rifle, explaining that it had been hand made because off his left handiness and then the bullets and clips. He demonstrated loading it utilising the clips. Then unloaded it, so the Prince could try the rifle. He ended his report then handed over all the receipts for the things he purchased.

  The Prince never even looked at them but sat looking at David. Finally he said after a long pause "David you have succeeded better than I dared hoped for.

  I should like you to accept the position of Colonel in my Army answerable to only me.

  Your only task is to train your Gurkhas to guard the Pass. You can ask for anything you like to produce that end result."

  David was stunned, "Thank you Sir, but before I accept your commission, there are some things I would like clarified.

  I will never fire, or order fire, on British troops, no matter what the provocation. On that understanding I'll defend your interests at the Pass with my blood."

  The Prince smiled "I would not have offered you the commission on anything less than those terms."

  They shook hands. "So what are your plans?" The Prince asked.

  David took a deep breath, remembering the thoughts he had, had back in London. "First to change their uniforms. Second to begin training with the new rifle. Third I should like to have the men trained in horseback riding, its twenty miles from the barracks to the Pass, we need to have a fast response force, for want of a better phrase, mounted infantry. I would want to build a strategic point in the Pass that could be defended.

  I would also like to raise two companies, a hundred men in each, with a headquarters platoon stationed in the barracks responsible for training and administration duties, and these would be older but experienced men.

  At the moment we can arm fifty with the new rifle, but another fifty will be coming in less than a month, I should like to order a further hundred rifles on top of our current order and a corresponding amount of ammonium." David sat back when he had finished for the Princes response.

  The Prince stared at him for a second, realising he had been giving this problem a great deal of thought.