by Carly Smesh
"Talk to her Sahib she is a woman and loves praise."
"Sulkie my pretty do you want this apple, come take it."
Sulkie advanced a step and stopped tossing her head. It took nearly an hour before she took the apple from his hand and then bolted away with it.
"Observe Kahn Sahib." David looked to see Kahn standing ten feet away by the dividing rails looking at them.
The unloaded wagons were returning from the Fort has they made their way back.
He noticed the men in their new uniforms looking happy with them as they passed. He excused himself from Ashar Kahn and went over to see the tailor who was distributing the last off the uniforms.
Taking him on one side, he explained he wanted a further order of the same numbers, plus two sets to fit him. He asked if he could produce hats like his own.
The tailor said he had a brother who could make them after examining David's. Finally David said he needed a flag making, he told him the colour and drew in his notebook the motif he wanted on it, also the same motif has a patch that could be sewn onto the arm off the jackets and he would need 400 of them.
The tailor said has it may take a little time for such a big order.
So he was told to bring out when he had a hundred ready. He told him he was going the city the next day and would call in at his shop to pay him.
The tailor took out his tape measure and measured him up saying his suites would be ready when he called.
He found the Havildar Major in the company office sewing on his stripes and crown.
"How do you like the new uniform," he asked.
His face broke out into a wide smile "this is a soldiers uniform Sahib not the woman's uniform we had."
David asked him to mount a strong guard over the paddocks to ensure the safety of the horses, before wishing him goodnight.
In his own room Hanga told him the Horse Master had thanked him for the offer of a bed but would be sleeping in the wagons with his sons out by the paddock.
The column of wagons set off back to the city after breakfast the next morning Hanga rode in the wagon with Ashar Kahn's youngest son, Patar and Taraq would be staying to do the training.
Once the column was under way David and Ashar Kahn totted on ahead rather than stay with the slow moving wagons.
"When you have finished your business with his Majesty Sahib seek me out we need speak of the saddles you will need" he said.
They separated at the gates to the palace and David was conducted to the normal meeting room, where he was offered sherbet to drink.
When the Prince arrived they got straight down to business, David opened his notebook and began to explain what he had done to date. Ending by saying that he required funds to pay the tailor, and handed over the materials list for the fort alterations. On a more personnel note he thanked the Prince for the whiskey and for the horses saying he only hoped he could be worthy of their trust.
The Prince smiled when he had finished.
Then he began to say what he had done.
An account had been opened in his bank in London in David's name and £1000 would be deposited in it each month.
The Gurkhas pay and conditions would be brought in line with his household troops.
The Khana Rifles would be given a war chest off 100,000 rupees, thus being able to purchase their own food and incidentals rather than rely on rations sent out to them.
He ended by saying he had been informed by his agents that a further fourteen Gurkhas were making their way to Kana to join up, nine of them from Nepal.
"Has for the whisky I'm afraid I developed at taste for it at Oxford, You shall have a further supply before you leave but don't let my mullahs know" he said laughing.
In a more serious tone he went on to say, "From information I have received, it would seem that the unrest in the Sudan and South Africa, whilst deflecting the British Army's attention from Kana, is being welcomed in Russia. My agents in Kandahar and Kabul have reported seeing European's with some off the more radical chiefs.
If Britain becomes embroiled in war in those areas mentioned, then I'm afraid it may prompt Russia to try to invade India. Their main route of invasion would be through the Khyber Pass but if they attack Khana Pass and took it, they could swing around and take the Khyber Pass from the rear.
So you see David why I place so much dependence on the Khana Rifles, they may be our only chance of survival."
"Do you think they would use Russian troops Sir?"
"I don't think so initially, rather they would encourage the Afghans to take Khana. That way it's just classed has local disturbance on the world stage. But that doesn't mean to say they won't support the Afghans with weapons, technology and intelligence, not to mention money."
David left the meeting mulling over the sobering information from the Prince.
He was shown to Ashar Kahn, who was in the saddle hall.
Who in turn introduced him to the royal saddler.
"Now Sahib what sort of saddle do you and your men require," he asked.
"Basically it needs to be comfortable the men will spend long hours in the saddle covering rocky terrain, and they will require saddle bags to carry ammunition, food, and extra clothing. Provision to tie a bedroll on the back and a water canteen at the front. For my own saddle I would like provision to fix a holster like the one I'm wearing and a rifle scabbard."
Ashar Kahn had been interoperating to the man has he spoke.
"And how many would the Sahib require," he asked.
"Fifty one including mine has soon has possible, but another hundred and fifty after that to be delivered in batches of fifty, but we will all need halters and reins to go with them"
Ashar Kahn finished talking to the man then turned to David saying work would begin immediately.
He found Peshawar waiting for him with a stout wooded box and a covered basket by his feet by the entrance to the palace "I have been ordered to give you this Sahib" he said indicating the box and handing him a key.
Inside were heavy bags of rupees; he told him he would require a cart to transport the box. But it seemed that Peshawar had already thought of that, and a mule and cart was at his disposal.
It took the two of them to lift it into the cart. He tied his horse onto the back and then drove down into the town locating the tailors shop; Hanga was waiting outside of it.
He removed a bag from the box and relocked it.
Hanga came to him "Sahib I have found the very things for your room, but the thief off a shop owner will not budge below thirty five rupees."
"Very well Hanga," he said counting out the coins, "but he must help load it on the cart, you must stay here and guard that box," he said going into the shop.
The tailor came out of the back to meet him "Are Sahib you are just in time, we have now finished the Sahib suit, come this way and try it on please."
David followed him to a curtained cubical. He had to confess it was a good fit and told the tailor so, who beamed at the praise. After paying him for the work so far, he found the cart now loaded with the wardrobe and chest of drawers. David replaced the bag back into the box and put the key in his pocket. With Hanga taking the rains he mounted his horse and they left the city.
Night had fallen by the time they reach the fort, a few of the men helped to unload the cart whilst Hanga saw to the mule.
He wearily fell on his bed and was asleep instantly.
Chapter 10
The next morning after his wash and shave David fixed Colonels rank to his shoulder straps of his new uniform before putting it on. After his breakfast Havildar Major Para reported to him for his approval off his standing orders.
He had broken the command down into three groups, two groups of twenty would be either be horse training or on the rifle range, forty-five would be on building duty, and twelve on guard duty. His plan was to rotate the groups each day. David approved and signed, but added that he would like to address the entire command before dinner that night.
He picked up two apples from the stock Ashar Kahn had left and walked around to the paddocks. Patar and Taraq had the twenty Gurkhas already mounted and walking around the paddock and then he realised that they had started with this group yesterday.
He moved on down to the small split paddock. Kahn moved to the far end of it when he saw him. But Sulkie followed him with her head, not moving. He stopped at the intersection off the two paddocks and just stood there. Kahn stood pawing the ground his nostrils flared. But Sulkie turned her body to face him. He took the apples out of his pocket and pushed his arms through the bars, one arm in each paddock with an apple offered. Then just stood silently watching, he knew the horses had seen them. Minutes passed then Sulkie took a step forward and stopped.
"Sulkie my pretty girl do you want an apple," he said softly. She looked at him and took another step forward, "come on girl," he encouraged. She moved stopping four feet from him, she lifted her head and he could see her nostrils flaring, she smelling me he realised. After a while with him talking to her she took another step and lowered her head and slowly took the apple. But she didn't bolt away this time just stepped back.
"That's a good clever girl," he murmured. Then he noticed Khan, he had moved silently across the paddock to stand twelve feet away with his head over the rail watching them.
He returned has the men were finishing for the day making their way back to the Fort.
This time when he offered the apples Kahn moved to the dividing fence but stopped six feet away again to watch. But Sulkie seemed more confident slowly walking towards him has he talked to her. When she took the apple she stood chewing it her eyes on him all the time.
It took a week before Kahn would take an apple by that time Sulkie would allow him to rub her velvet like mussel, she would trot over to the intersection has soon has he came into view.
By that time the brothers had the Gurkhas riding in formation across country. He had found time to zero in his own rifle to the point that he could place five bullets in a three-inch group at 500 yards.
He had informed the troop of their new pay and benefits to load cheers. Havildar Major Para had control off the cash box, for which he kept scrupulous account records. The Havildar cook would use the mule and cart to visit the city two or three times a week to buy food. Has a consequence the food had improved out of all proportion for the men.
A flagpole had been erected in the centre of the parade ground from which the unit flag flew. Lovet green with the legend 1st Khana Rifles with a kukri crossed with a rifle has the motif. Smaller versions of the flag were appearing on the shoulders of their jackets has supplies arrived. The first shipment of hats had arrived and went to the men who achieved the highest score on the rifle range.
The work on the Fort gain pace, new quarters were being added and the old wall on the west torn down and a new one fifty feet further away built.
But despite the constant work load David found time to visit his horses in the morning and in the evening. Stables for them were being built inside the fort near his room.
Twenty new recruits had arrived, six from the Gurkha Rifles. Havildar Turin had said it was rumoured amongst the regiment, that they would be shipped overseas, and this may be, why they had not re-enlisted.
At the start of the second week Patar and Taraq came to see him.
"Colonel Sahib it is time for us to return these horses and bring out the mounts your men will use, how many will you need?"
"Thank you for the work you and your bother have done. It is remarkable how quickly you have shown the men how to ride. As to how many horses I need now, fifty is the number I would like to have, but it depends on how many saddles have been made, also is it possible to leave five horses behind for the new men to train on, who have just joined us."
"Colonel Sahib your men are very fast learners and are not afraid. We shall bring has many horses has there are saddles to go on them, and leave the horses you require to train with. We shall also be bringing with us more food for the horses, will the Colonel Sahib have rooms to put it in?"
"We shall find room Patar," he shook hands with them both and wished them safe journey.
He discussed this point with Havildar Major Para and he replied he would attend to it. Whenever he crossed the parade ground now he would receive sharp salutes from the men, which he always returned. The men were coming together has a unit he knew. So far there had been no reported incidents from the Pass, but he felt it was only the lull before the storm.
Work had begun on making a proper armoury a ten-foot deep trench thirty feet long by twenty feet wide had been dug and was now in the process of being lined with blocks from the old wall. When completed steps would lead down to it and the roof would be reinforced, all the ammunition would be kept in it along with weapons.
Wherever he looked men were hard at work in one task or another, and his pride in them created a lump in his throat.
By the end of the third week Sulkie would let him brush her with a currycomb and no longer trembled when he touched her, Kahn would have his head over the fence and whinny has if jealous off her attention.
When he came to see them now Sulkie would gallop over to him and stick her head over the rail for him to stroke her whilst chewing his apple. Kahn was more couscous he would take the apple and chew it but if he raised his hand to stroke him he would back away.
Havildar Turin had given him a list off the fifty men who had impressed him the most on the range and in the saddle, and had suggested a Lance Naik who should be made up to a Naik and two others who should be promoted to Lance Naik's.
The formation would be made up of a Havildar, two Naik's, each in charge of a twenty-four strong unit, and two Lance Naik's, per unit.
David had the names and ranks of formation posted on standing orders next day, under the name Tiger Company.
Two days later Havildar Turin came to his office accompanied with a Lance Naik who was in the Tiger Company the two men came to attention and saluted which David returned.
Turpin asked how the men would carry their ammunition and how much would they need to carry. The question took David off guard, he said he supposed in their pockets and about fifty rounds. He then asked, why they asked.
It seemed that the Lance Naik had been considering this question and had experimented with a clip and spent cartridge cases, and had made a little leather case in which two clips loaded with spent cartridge cases fitted. The Lance Naik went on to say the case could be attached to a belt slung over the shoulder so has not to impede the kukri on their waist belt. Five or six cases could be held this way. David was immediately impressed with the idea. He gave them his permission to go into the city, the next time the cook went in and locate a shop that could make them. He would need to see the first one and if satisfied would order the making 150.
Havildar Major Para was now taking a lot of the day to day running from David's shoulders and he trusted the man's long experience and loyalty. Which allowed him to start considering the Pass, he was determined that has soon has possible to reconnoitre it.
He found out in discussions with the Havildar Major that it was the General who had initially had the fort built at this location. To keep the Gurkhas separated from the general population due to their different religions and customs. The site had been chosen due to the well. The fort was ten miles from the main caravan route that hugged the hills climbing up towards the Pass. With the addition of horses and the increase of personnel the well was vital to the Fort. He had been told it had never run dry and was only twenty-five feet deep. The problem was that two men were almost constantly drawing water. David decided to bring this up with the Prince at their next meeting. There was also the question of communication; it took nearly five hours of riding to reach the city from the Fort, and over three hours from the Pass to the Fort.
The work on the Fort, with now almost a hundred men available was progressing fast.
His new quarters had been completed, separated from
the other buildings. It consisted off an office, and a bedroom with a separate lounge. Hanga had made frequent visits to the city to purchase items for it. The stables for his horses were complete and were alongside it Hanga had his room which doubled has his bedroom and a kitchen.
When he had broached the subject of it to Havildar Major Patar, he was told Hanga had come to see him claiming that the Colonel Sahib was a proper English gentleman and couldn't be expected to eat the same food has the men. So he had given him the funds from the Company chest to buy kitchen equipment and proper English food.
David had chuckled when he heard this, but had been grateful because now he was enjoying bacon and eggs for breakfast and beef with dinner. How Hanga had managed to buy these was a mystery to him has pig was considered unclean and cows worshiped by the Indian people.
The day came when he could lead Kahn and Sulkie into their new stable. Once in their new stalls Sulkie showed her approval by rolling in the hay while Kahn looked on aloofly.
Chapter 11
The lookouts announced the arrival off a large column approaching the Fort three days later. Through his telescope he picked out Patar and Taraq along with Ashar Kahn herding a large group of hoses with six large wagons bringing up the rear.
He ordered a Havildar to organise water for the approaching column, then walked round to the paddocks. Kahn and Sulkie were in the large paddock. The five men receiving instruction from a Naik sat on their horses in the smaller paddock watching the fast approaching column. David opened the gate and called to Kahn and Sulkie, they came over to him, Sulkie dropped her head sniffing his jacket, she could smell the apples "Come on my beauties, follow me" he lead them round to the divided paddock once inside he closed the gate standing inside with them. When he produced an apple Kahn pushed Sulkie's head away with his to take it. "Never mind darling I have one for you too" he said offering it to her, he stood between them rubbing their necks has they chewed.
When he turned to leave the paddock he saw Ashar Kahn sat on his horse watching him, a thoughtful smile on his face.
"I came to see my children, but I find they have a new love" he murmured. He dismounted and walked along side of David leading his horse, whilst his sons lead the horses into the large paddock, the wagons moving towards the gate.