by Carly Smesh
Instead the Prince rose and left the room he heard him giving orders to a servant before returning to the room again.
"I've sent for Ashar Kahn my Master of Horse he is one of the few men I trust implacably I have known him since I was a baby he taught me to ride," he said smiling, "you will need to make your barracks even bigger now," he warned.
"Yes Sir but the Gurkhas will do the building I want no one I can't trust inside those walls.
The Prince said to supply him with a list off building material and he would have it delivered to the barracks.
"Have you decide what you are going to call your new command David?"
"I thought the Khana Rifles Sir," he replied.
At that moment a man entered the room, he was tall and thin with a bushy grey beard with a dark brown wrinkled face that looked like old leather with a hooked nose and dark flashing eyes. He spoke to the Prince but David could not understand the language.
The Prince turned to David, "I'd like you to meet my dearest friend and uncle, my Master of Horse."
The man gave David the traditional Indian greeting, which he replied in kind.
"I've conveyed to Ashar Kahn your request for horses and the need to train the riders, he has agreed to take some horses out to the barracks and he and his sons will begin training your men."
He turned to Ashar Kahn, "Ashar my old friend the Colonel Sahib will require his own mounts, do we have anything suitable in the Royal stables?"
"Has you know your highness, the best horses choose their rider, but I will bring some out to the barracks that they may look him over," he said with a deadpan face.
The Prince merely chuckled. It was agreed Ashar Kahn would arrive in three days' time after suitable paddocks had been erected, two of his sons would arrive tomorrow with the materials to build them.
Before he left to return to the barracks he arranged for a tailor to come out to the barracks the next day.
Chapter 8
The sun was setting by the time he arrived back. In his absence a room had been cleared for him and furnished with a cot, table and chairs. An enamel bowl sat on a stand with a large pitcher of water, against one wall was his luggage.
The Havildar Major asked if he needed anything else. He thanked him for the room and furniture and requested that the senior NCOs report to him after breakfast the next morning.
The next morning with four Havildar's and the Havildar Major in attendance he crossed to the storeroom and dismissed the guard, sending him to the cookhouse to bring back buckets of boiling water.
The men's eyes gleamed when they saw the new rifles. Over the next hour he demonstrated how to clean the rifles first by pouring the boiling water over them to clear the protective grease from the outside and down the barrel. Then how to dry them using the pull through, and then oil it. When he was finished he gave each a rifle and then watched them closely, has they cleaned them.
When they were all finished, he told them he wanted them to demonstrate it to as many troops who could be made available with the remaining 45 rifles.
He asked the Havildar Major to ensure the cleaned rifles were stacked away afterwards and the sentry put back on guard.
A Gurkha in the bright red uniform came over to him and saluted. It seemed three large wagons were outside the gates filled with timber poles.
He saw Havildar Turin and called to him. He asked him to round up has many men has he could who were not on duty to help in constructing the paddocks. He replied he would be pleased to help but he held no rank here to order men.
"You still have your old rank here my friend, if any question you about it tell them to see me."
He watched has Turin gathered over thirty Gurkhas, had them fall in then marched them out of the gate.
He returned to his room to read the muster book the Havildar Major had left.
It seemed there were 57 Gurkhas in the Kana Army and 48 unassigned. It also seemed 6 were assigned to guarding the Panta Pass, the entrance to Kana from India and 18 the Khana Pass. Reading the standard orders the guards were changed every two weeks.
He was prevented from reading further by the gate guard announcing a merchant from Kana was outside demanding to see him.
He walked outside the gate finding the tailor he had seen the day before stood by a cart drawn by a donkey. After the usual greeting he explained what he wanted. He let him feel the safari jacket material asking if had, material like it. He was assured he had material similar. They walked to where the men were erecting the paddock, he called out for the men to stop and fall in. Then told the tailor to measure them, has each man was measured he returned to work. When the tailor had finished he consulted his notebook, off the 33 men measured 23 were approximately the same size the remaining 10 were off roughly of another size. David knew that Gurkhas tended to be between five foot 3 inches and five foot six inches with a stocky chest size.
He told the man he required 70 suites in the first size and 30 in the second size like the suite he was wearing, but without the belt. They must have shoulder lapels and the trousers should be gusseted at the ankles.
They should also be dyed; he picked up a rock that was light brown, like this colour, but the dye should not run when they are washed he warned. Also he would need a large roll of white tape one inch wide.
By this time the tailor was all smiles "oh yes Sahib I understand perfectly, you shall have them within four days."
David told him that if he made a good job there would be other work for him.
He walked over to the eldest son of Asher Kahn, and introduced himself; the boy's name was Taraq and his younger brother was called Jemal. David asked how the work was going.
It seemed the son was impressed with the speed of the Gurkhas, "I was asked to deliver this to you Sahib by his Highness" handing him a covered basket.
He left them to their work and returned to his room and the muster book. Inside the room he opened the basket, inside were two bottles of Dimple Haig malt whiskey and fifty cheroots, two shoulder insignia's of a Colonel, a crown and two pips.
He poured some into a glass, and then settled down with the book.
The light was failing when the Havildar Major whose name the book gave has Para reported that all the rifles were now clean and stored ready for inspection. The two Indian boys had been feed their animals were safely inside the walls along with their wagons, and quarters had been found for them. David thank him and wished him good night.
He knew from the book that he was fifty-six years old, and had served in the British Army for twenty-eight of those years.
He lit the oil lamp then considered his notebook.
Off the 105 men, he had one Havildar Major, (Sergeant Major), six Havildar's (Sergeants) two of which were on duty at the two Passes, five Naik's (Corporals) two on duty at the Passes, eight Lance Naik's (Lance Corporals) three on duty at the Passes.
Seven men were aged over fifty, two Sergeants, two Corporals and two Lance Corporals.
A Sergeant was in charge of stores, and the Corporals and Lance Corporals on permanent cookhouse duty.
Fifty-eight were under thirty years old.
Thirty-three under forty years old
Eleven were over forty years old.
He closed the book and made for his bed, too tired to eat.
The revelry bugle woke him the next morning, he stood and watched has the men fell in. The front ranks with the men in red uniforms, the men without uniforms at the rear. But they all came to attention smartly enough he saw before being marched off to the mess hall for breakfast.
A Gurkha knocked and came in carrying a tray "your breakfast Sahib," he announced. When he lifted off the cover he was astonished to see scrambled eggs on toast.
"Did the cook make this," he asked.
"Oh no Sahib they are busy making breakfast for the men. I made it, is it not to your liking," he asked looking worried.
"It's fine but where did you learn to do this".
"Oh I was
batman to Major Caruthers Sahib, for twenty eight years Sahib"
"What's your name" David asked. "Hanga Sahib," he replied.
David checked his notebook and has he suspected Hanga was one of the men over fifty,
"Well Hanga how would you like to be my batman?"
His face broke into a wide smile "I would be most honoured to be the Sahib batman."
"Well inform Havildar Major Para of your new duties, you start today."
The breakfast was excellent, and the tea good and strong the way he liked it.
After the men had had their breakfast he saw the men forming up to go off to their various duties. He called Havildar Turin out of the squad of men who were going out to build the paddocks, "do we have any off our old NCOs in that group?"
"Yes Sahib Naik Rahna from 3rd Platoon and Lance Naik Pular from our platoon"
"Very well tell Lance Naik Pular he's in charge of the detail, and Naik Rahna to join us here."
He gathered the Havildar Major, and two Havildar's including Turin and four Naik's around him outside the storeroom, alongside two, long trestle tables.
Eight rifles were laid upon the tables with their tool kits.
He picked up a rifle and held it over his head.
"This is a Cartwright .303 rifle. It has an effective range of 1500 yards. It holds 10 rounds of ammunition, and with practice you can fire those ten rounds in less than 20 seconds."
He went on to explained that this was the rifle that the Gurkhas would be equipped with, and the men gathered would be instructors for the rest of the troops.
He slowly began to strip one down, getting the men follow each step with their own weapon. After an hour he left them with the order to keep practicing until they could strip one down and re-assemble it with their eyes closed.
He walked back across the parade ground noticing the work being done to enlarge the barrack walls has he passed through the gate, to the paddock.
He found that the large paddock was finished and work had started on a second with a gate joining the two.
Ashar's son came over to him and explained that the horses would be kept in one and the other would be used for training, when that was completed a small paddock would be built for his horses. He made the point that horse lines would need to be built inside the Fort has he called it, for protection at night.
It seemed his father would be bringing more building materials when he arrived tomorrow.
He returned to the storeroom to see the progress of the weapon training. Once satisfied, he ordered the rifles returned inside and locked up.
He asked the Havildar Major and the two Havildar's to follow him back to his room.
Once inside he explained his plans.
The barracks would become a Fort capable off housing 200 men and horses. The new unit would be called the 1st Khana Rifles. A rifle range needed to be built extending to a thousand yards. The 50 best shots would be issued with the new rifle and form the first half company. Training would centre on marksmanship and horse riding. Havildar Major Para would be in charge off the building work, only Gurkhas would be allowed inside the walls and used for the work on it. He asked Para to supply him with a list of materials he would need. He ended by saying they would be getting new uniforms hopefully tomorrow.
He spent half an hour answering questions before the meeting broke up but asked Turin to stay behind.
When they had gone he turned to Turpin, "my old friend you will lead the first half company. But I need you to start selecting the men who will join you. I am sure that things will start to hot up in the Pass and those men will be all we have to defend it until the next batch of rifles arrive."
"The Sahib knows that I will not let him down," Turin murmured.
Later that day Havildar Major Para reported to him with the list off materials he would require and that an office for him had been made available.
He informed Hagar that he would be working there for now.
"In that case Sahib I shall endeavour to make your room more comfortable," he replied with a wide smile.
In the office he sat with Havildar Major Para and discussed how the Fort should look and where to place the horse lines for the time being, after two hours of discussion a final layout plan was agreed.
He rode out of the gate to look for a suitable site for the rifle range. Quarter of a mile from the fort he came across an ideal site a deep wadi six feet deep would be ideal for building the butts of the rifle range.
Later that evening he found time to speak to Taraq, Ashar Kahn's son. It seemed that he would be bringing his eldest son Patar to oversee the training with Taraq. Ashar Kahn would stay the night to ensure everything was in order before returning to the Palace with Jemal.
From Taraq he found out that there were over a two hundred horses in the royal stables, and that Kana horses, were a prized above all others. They can trace their bloodline, back over eight hundred years from early Arabian sources he said proudly. They are renowned for their speed and endurance he proudly told David.
David agreed saying he had been impressed by the horses he'd seen.
Taraq chuckled, "the Sahib has not yet seen a true Kana horse yet."
When he entered his room he was surprised to find it altered. Curtains hung from the windows and scatter rugs covered the floor, a bed had replaced his cot, with sheets on it. A cane rocking chair was alongside an ornate coffee table and shelves had been erected on the wall. He had also acquired two more oil lamps.
When Hanga arrived with his meal, David thanked him for the furnishings but asked where he had got them.
"Oh the men gave them to me for the Sahib but I have not been able to find a wardrobe or drawers."
David suggested that has he would be returning to the city the day after tomorrow he could accompany him there to get them, he also told him that the Horse Master would be sleeping in his room tomorrow and would require a bed for the night.
That night David slept knowing things where beginning to change, they still had a long way to go, but they had started.
Chapter 9
After breakfast a detail of twelve men went out with a cart containing building materials to start work on the rifle range with a Naik in command.
David was in his new office writing out the points he wished to raise with the Prince, when he was informed a caravan was approaching from the city.
By the time he had finished his notes and started to walk to the paddocks, he found the tailor with his wagon by the gate.
Spotting Havildar Turin he order him to bring out the men inside the barracks and issue out the new uniforms. Telling the tailor he would wish to speak with him later.
By the time he reached the paddocks he found one of them all ready containing twenty horses. He walked on to where Ashar Kahn sat upon a magnificent bay mare alongside what could only be his eldest son Patar on an equally magnificent grey stallion. Behind them where five large wagons three off them piled high with fodder.
David stopped and bowed his head "Horse Master, welcome," he said giving him the respect his position deserved.
Ashar Kahn smiled and they both dismounted "Colonel Sahib it is good to see you again. I have brought my most docile animals to carry out your training later when it is done you shall have better horses."
"Can I offer you and your son refreshment, after your long ride?" David asked.
"That would be most welcome, but first I must see to my children," he turned and gave out a command to some one behind the fodder wagons. And two men appeared leading two horses. David's eyes widened at the sight of them. One was a chestnut stallion over sixteen hands high, its chest and withers spoke off strength whilst its bright eyes showed intelligence. The grey mare being led by the other man was slightly smaller but still showing the same characteristics of the stallion but with a more pronounced Arab look to its head.
They were put into the smaller paddock, which had been dived in two, one in each section.
David turned to A
shar Kahn "I have never seen more magnificent animals," he gasped.
Ashar Kahn chuckled, "the stallion is called Kahn and the mare Sulkie. They are the cream of the Princes stables neither has ever had a saddle on them. But has I warned you, they must pick who rides them." He gave out further instructions to the men in the wagons then he and his son followed him into the fort.
They sat inside his room drinking lemon juice; Patar had gone to join his brothers for a meal in the mess hall.
"So Horse Master how should I go about winning their trust," he asked.
Ashar Kahn smiled "you must get them to love you, and for that you will need patience, a great deal of patience. But you will be rewarded for it. It is easy to break a horse to your will, but you will never truly have its love, and so you will never have the best it has to offer.
Sulkie has a loving nature and you will find she responds to you the first. Kahn is arrogant and full of pride, has is his right, has the king of his line. But he will become curious when he sees Sulkie getting more attention than him. Colonel Sahib you will need to let them get to know you, your sight and smell. You must try to find time to feed and water them, and each evening offer them an apple, I have brought some for you.
By the time they returned to the paddocks, Ashar Kahn's men had placed water troughs in the paddocks and forage for the horses.
Ashar Kahn sent the men off to get their meals. Saying when they returned they would unload the wagons in the fort. "I have brought grain has well has fodder and the saddles. My sons will instruct your men in the welfare of the animals." They moved to the paddocks that Kahn and Sulkie were in; Kahn was snorting and pawing the ground whilst Sulkie merely chewed on her fodder.
"He is not used to being penned up Sahib and is showing his displeasure," Ashar Kahn chuckled. He gave a low whistle "Sulkie my dove here". Sulkie turned from the fodder and slowly walked over towards them, stopping about six feet from the paddock bars. "She smells you Sahib," he whispered. He reached into his robe and brought out an apple handing it to David. "Hold out your hand with it Sahib." Sulkie saw the apple her ears standing up but hesitated pawing the ground.