by Carly Smesh
Night had fallen by the time they passed through the gates. David told the guard commander to take care of the mules and packhorse and to feed and find quarters for the driver. The driver lifted up a basket "this is for you Sahib" he said handing it to him.
Hanga was waiting by the stable has he dismounted, "I'll see to Sulkie Sahib" he said giving him an apple. He removed the bridle and fondled her head "you've been a good girl today darling" he murmured giving her the apple, she pushed her head against his chest has she chewed it.
In the bedroom he removed his boots then fell back onto the bed exhausted he was asleep in seconds. Hanga put a blanket over him, before turning out the light.
It was late morning by the time he awoke, he washed and shaved and dressed in the long johns and shirt before putting his jacket on, before having breakfast. Hanga packed his cutthroat razor and soap brush into his saddlebag along with the filled hip flask and cheroots, and went out to put it on the stallion, along with his bedroll. His rifle scabbard had been fitted to the saddle.
The cart had left at first light driven by Tiger riflemen, Hanga had said.
He set off in a fast trot to catch the cart.
He caught up with it a mile from the entrance of the Pass.
They passed the lookout stationed to watch for caravans coming down the Pass and finally arrived at the buttress.
From the road David had to look hard to recognise it.
Turin had further camouflaged the building breaking up its outline. The horses were behind a thick hedge off bushes that from the road seemed to grow against the cliff wall. They started to distribute the clothing out to the grateful Riflemen.
Turin sent one off with three sets off cloths and a telescope up to the guards on the top look out.
While one took care of his horse another brought him his sheepskin coat, which he gratefully put on.
Once the stove and pipe were unloaded the driver was ready to set off back to the Fort anxious to be away from this cold place.
David told him to hand the other telescope over to the Subedar Major.
The men had already started to cut a hole in the roof for the stovepipe; others were mixing up clay to go around it to protect the roof.
When he entered the blockhouse he chuckled, his bed had been lengthened.
A palliasse was now on it, along with socks fur boots, fur hat, gloves and scarf.
"They were the biggest Colonel Sahib" a rifleman told him with a grin.
The man who had taken the cloths up to the lookouts returned and gave him back his telescope. "They said to thank the Colonel Sahib and say they are most welcome"
Turin came in has he was fitting the fur boots on, "you have raised the men's spirits Colonel Sahib" he said. David smiled "you can tell the men that the Prince has authorised a 200 rupee bonus to each man this month". Turin's smile grew even wider.
He put on the scarf and hat has his saddlebag bedroll and rifle scabbard were brought in for him. He propped the scabbard up against the wall, then opened one of the bags taking out the hip flask and slipped it into his pocket, and went outside to make room for the men working inside the blockhouse.
Later he sat on a log by the cook fire a lit a cheroot, then took a sip from the flask, feeling the warmth of the whisky.
The men no longer looked like soldiers, more like bears, he thought but at least they were warmer now.
That night he was given steak to eat, albeit horse steak, it was chewy but he enjoyed it.
The blockhouse had the three oil lamps suspended along it giving some light, whilst the potbellied stove gave off a ruddy glow of heat.
He slept well that night.
Shortly after breakfast the lookout came racing back on his horse, he had sighted a caravan.
Turin gave the order to douse the fires, and for the men to stand by their horses holding their heads, to prevent them making a noise.
He and Turin checked the area, to make sure there was nothing to give them away.
Then went behind the screen to hold their horses.
The caravan came into view, ten wagons, and the drivers urging the mules on against the cold wind that funnelled through the narrow cleft. They never gave the camp a glance.
They waited until they had passed through the cleft, before lighting the fires again.
Havildar Turin smiled in satisfaction at the subterfuge.
"I am thinking Colonel Sahib that the Afghans may be thinking that their men have killed us and gone on to raid in Kana".
"It would be a logical answer, but I wonder how long it will be until they are missed,"
David climbed to the top off the lookout post, worked had been carried out to improve the path.
The wall the lookout sat behind had been improved and all that showed was a telescope pocking out of a hole.
When he looked through it he realised it was more powerful than his, the caravan was still in view.
When he asked the lookout how was conditions, he lowered the scarf from his mouth smiling, "much better Colonel Sahib."
The cave had been improved has well, they had walled it up so only an entrance was visible. In side there were only two beds one was occupied.
He motioned to the rifleman to stay has he was, and whispered, was everything all right and did they need anything. The man whispered back that everything was fine and they had everything they needed.
David noticed there were three blankets on the beds, and realised the men must be hot bunking, the man coming off lookout, using the bed off the man going on lookout.
He returned to the valley floor, a detail of five men, were just leaving with five horses on leads ropes.
"We send the men to collect and chop wood well away from the entrance, we don't wish to alert any one to our presence."
"But wouldn't the caravans be used to seeing troops at the entrance" David asked.
"Yes you are right Colonel Sahib, I will send five men to the entrance at once" he said.
"Tell them not to wear their furs at the entrance if a caravan comes into view, it's a pity we don't have Martini Henrys for them to have on show" David added.
"I'll order them to leave their fur cloths here, and I can dispatch a man, with a spare horse, to act has pack horse to the fort, to collect five Martini Henrys, he could be back before night fall."
David agreed, and soon Turin was giving orders.
They sat on the log smoking "Is there anything else we need to do Havildar" he asked.
Turin sat quietly considering the question, "the only thing I can think off Colonel Sahib, is if we were attacked by a much bigger force, we can hold the cleft quite easily. But if it was a long battle then ammunition could be a problem. We have, including the ammunition we brought seventy rounds a man."
David thought for a moment "I'll have 1500 rounds sent up, 500 rounds clipped up ready, but you will need to keep the ammunition separated form anything else. The position will need to be weather proofed against damp."
"I'll start preparing a position tomorrow Colonel Sahib."
"I'll return to the Fort tomorrow and have it sent up to you"
He left his fur clothing behind, when he left the following morning. Feeling the chill in his standard uniform. Not until he got lower down the Pass, were the sides let in more sunlight did he feel warmer.
The guards at the entrance under the command of a Lance Naik came to the present, with the Martini Henry rifles, he returned the salute.
He reined in at Subedar Major Para's office and entered, he told him about the fear of ammunition in the event of a major conflict, and his decision to send 1500 rounds up to the Pass. He asked that it be placed in a stout box covered with an oilskin. The Quartermaster was present and suggested that each box off 100 bullets could be wrapped in the greaseproof paper the rifles had wrapped around them.
The job off clipping the 500 rounds up could be taken by the remaining men of Tiger section.
Once he was sure they understood his orders he return
ed to his quarters, Hanga took care of the stallion, whilst he stripped of the shirt and long johns, sweat was running off of him. He had a bath, shaved and changed.
Later he walked round to the paddock Kahn and Sulkie galloped to the rails when they saw him, Kahn demanded first attention.
He placed his head against Kahn's head "we'll go riding tomorrow boy, and you can show me what you can do" he murmured has he gave him an apple.
Sulkie curled her lip has if smiling, has he fondled her head "I have one for you too darling" giving it to her.
Taraq was sitting on top of the rail looking over the Afghan horses in the big paddock, when he joined him.
"What do you think of them" he asked.
"Fifteen of them would be suitable for your Riflemen Colonel Sahib, the others could be used for pack houses. Julep is going to check if any need shoeing. I would use those fifteen has back up horses for when your mares come in season, they will need to be kept in a separate paddock away from the stallions.
It was something David had not considered. "How do I tell when one is in season" he asked.
Taraq chuckled, "the mare will tend to pee a lot, the pee may be a different colour, and she may lift her tail up high if a stallion is near. She will present her bottom to him. I have explained this to your men what to look for. At this time of the year they don't come into season all that often, but in the summer months it could be once a month. The season lasts about a week like a woman.
"I'll have to keep a close eye on Sulkie" he said.
"Colonel Sahib Kahn would give her a fine fowl, they both have the blood off Kings in their veins. I must return to my father soon, my work here is done, But Julep is wise in the ways of the horse, he will tell you what to do."
David walked slowly back to the Fort thinking it's not only the men, I have responsibilities too.
When he reached his office he found the latest muster report from Subedar Major Para.
The command now had 171 effective Riflemen not counting the 24 Fort Staff.
100 of those were either in Tiger or Cobra Company's.
Off the remaining71, 47 had served in the British Army.
6 were over 50 years of age, (all had held rank, and 1 has a Havildar Major)
5 were over 40.
9 were over 30
27 under 30
24 were under 20 from Nepal.
He had added a postscript
I recommend that the six fifty year olds join my staff.
The Havildar Major retains his rank. He and 2 Naik's to be used for drilling new recruits.
2, a Havildar, and a Lance Naik join the catering Staff. (They formally worked has cooks)
The remaining Naik be assigned to the Quartermaster Stores.
Sir it is my recommendation that the Quartermaster and Cook be promoted to Havildar Major.
David reread it, and then walked over to Subedar Majors Para's office.
Sat down opposite him, he asked how the kitchen coped with so many men now.
Para admitted that it was strained, and that men had to be detailed to cook house duty to help out, the fact, that the Havildar had to buy fresh meat every other day. Which meant he had to drive into the city puts a strain on the system.
David considered his remarks, before replying, that the cookhouse staff needed to be enlarged to be self-supporting. He knew that there were only currently, three full time cooks. They need at least five more along with the two you have recommended.
I intend to have Havildar Johan promoted to Havildar Major, his responsibility to be the administration and purchase of rations.
I intend also to promote the Quartermaster Hanga to Subedar with the same responsibility and his staff will need to be enlarged.
David knew that the Quartermaster not only had the responsibility off purchasing clothes, but the hundred and one other items required for the Fort from lamp oil to horse shoes.
"See if you can find the men amongst the forty year olds Subedar Major to volunteer.
You can put the promotions on the bulletin board tonight.
He stopped to salute the flag has it was slowly lowered as Last Post rang out over the Fort.
Hanga, had brought Kahn and Sulkie in from the paddock, he took time to fondle them seeing Hanga busy in his kitchen.
The next morning he watched through the window has he eat breakfast, has the mule cart protected by two mounted riflemen set off with the ammunition for the Pass.
Later has he saddled Kahn he saw the horses being led out to graze outside off the Fort.
They set of with a trot, then after a mile, he broke into a chanter.
He could feel Kahn quivering, eager to run.
He leaned over his neck "alright boy lets go" he said, giving his ribs a light kick.
Kahn went off like a rocket, his legs eating up the miles, has he stretched his neck out.
David had never ridden faster than this; he pulled up after five miles and leapt down from his back. Kahn was hardly breathing heavily and almost seemed disappointed at stopping. David held his bridle has he looked him in the face "you were showing off, wasn't you" he chuckled kissing his nose. Kahn lowered his head and pushed him in the chest gently. They returned to the Fort with David practicing knee and foot commands. After putting him in his stall he set about rubbing him down but he had hardly broken into a sweat.
In the afternoon the tailor arrived carrying the overcoat.
"I have made it in the Colonel Sahibs measurements" he said "It is made from heavy oiled wool and will offer protection from rain" he claimed.
David tried it on noticing it was in the brown colour, has the uniforms.
It appeared to be lined with a material that looked like silk and at the bottom off the coat were small belts.
"I have added them so you can fasten the skirts of the coat to your legs to prevent them blowing open" the tailor added.
There was no denying the coats were warm, it had large leather buttons, to button it up to the throat and a flap pockets on either side.
He called for a horse and sat on it mounting and dismounting with no problem.
He was sweating has he removed it.
"I will require 200 like this one. Supplied in batches off fifty. How soon can you deliver" he asked.
"The material has to be weaved especially for the coats. It will take several weeks to make fifty" the tailor replied.
"Very well, see the Quartermaster and agree a price" he told him knowing the Quartermaster was an old hand at bartering.
He went to see Ali now called the Pigeon Master by the troops to find their progress.
Half a dozen birds were circling the dovecote when he arrived.
Ali said the birds would be ready in a week, he recommended that five birds should be taken to the Pass and that three be released to see if they flew back to the dovecote.
Next he then went to speak with Julep, the blacksmith. He was in the process of shoeing a horse with four more waiting for attention.
"The Afghans do not know how to take care of horses Colonel Sahib," he said.
David had asked if these were some of the horses brought down from the Pass.
Finding out they were.
When asked if he and his wife had settled in all right, he was informed that they were very happy in their new home.
From there he crossed to the windmill, which rose above the twenty-foot wall of the fort.
The mechanism was boxed in to prevent dust getting into the gears he had been told. A large trough lay under a pipe with a leaver attached to a valve, when he pressed it down; he was surprised at the force of water that came from the pipe.
He was returning to his quarters, has Hanga was leading Sulkie in, she pulled at the halter rope trying to get to him. He made a fuss off her has Hanga put her in the stall.
David was sat outside, smoking a cheroot with a glass of whisky in his hands watching a Naik circling the battlements checking the guards; he noticed it was cooler now at night, and w
ondered how the men at the Pass were managing.
Later sat down at his desk he reached for a paper, he had decided to adopt Roman numerals has a code for enemy numbers at the Pass.
V= 5, X = 10, L=50, C=100, M=1000, E would represent Enemy. A, would represent Enemy Ambush. GA would represent Gurkha Ambush. R A would represent Ammunition Required. I E N would represent Injured Evacuation Needed.
He decided that he would instruct the officers and senior NCO in the codes tomorrow.
The following morning Subedar Major Para along with the newly promoted Subedar's
Three Havildar's and six Naik's assembled in the mess hall.
David had written the codes on a black board.
He began by saying the Pigeon Masters work was almost done, and soon pigeons would be kept at the Pass. Messages sent by them to the fort would be on slips of rice paper. He handed some out to the assembled men along with the cylinders carried by the pigeon. The slips couldn't' contain much information, hence the code.
He started with the roman numerals. He explained how XV would represent 15. How LXV would represent 65.
After half an hour, he was satisfied the men had understood. He then progressed to the other letters explaining their significance.
Finally he tested them by splitting them up into two teams of six. He handed one team a paper with a message and told them to break it down into code and pass it over to their opposite member sat on another table. That member would then write the message out in full and compare it with the original message.
After a few hours of this David was satisfied that they had understood.
He went on to explain to the Havildar's and Naik's who commanded mounted troops, that they must instruct their command in this code.
He spoke to Para before the class broke up, about the need for someone to take care of the pigeons, after Ali left. He was pleased to hear from Para, that a Naik who had attended the class was assigned that duty already.
After the mid-day meal he rode Sulkie with Kahn on a halter rope out to the rifle range
He stopped about 500 yards from where the men were firing. Initially the horses fidgeted at the sound, but once they settled, he edged closer, until by the end of the day, they were stood directly behind the firers.