by Carly Smesh
Five Afghans were slowly making their way along the opposite crest.
David and Sultar grabbed their rifles and began to climb up to the hut crest.
They took up position on the slab alongside of the lookout, keeping well down.
"We must kill them all, no one must get back to warn that we have lookouts up here" David said.
It was half an hour before the Afghan came around the outcrop, rifles in their hands.
They waited until they were only two hundred yards away, before opening fire.
Three of the Afghans were peering down onto the camp talking amongst themselves.
The .303 bullets hit them, two falling over the ledge has the third crumpled. Sultar's rifle fired again followed by David's, the guards a split second later. They advanced on the bodies their rifles at the ready, but they were all dead, their bodies already stiffening in the freezing cold wind.
All were carrying Russian rifles. They stripped them of ammunition belts, finding food in the pouches they had over their shoulders. They rolled them over the edge, taking the rifles, ammunition belts and pouches back to the hut.
The pouches they left with the guards, whilst the rifles and ammunition were lowered in a pannier.
By the time they reached the valley floor again, the bodies were being slung over horse's backs, while two mounted riflemen waited to lead them out of the Pass.
David and Sultar were cleaning their rifles in the blockhouse, discussing the event.
"They must have climbed up to the crest at least four miles away" David murmured, "The lookouts reported them when they were three miles away. So there's a good chance the Afghans will think they died of exposure when they don't return. Either way it seems they are still intent of forcing an entrance"
"Well if they are Colonel Sahib, they will have to make a move soon. The snows will come shortly and the Pass will be blocked until spring."
"The question is, will they bother this late in the season, knowing the snows will rendering the Pass hopeless to them" David added.
"The Afghans are a proud and vengeful people Colonel Sahib, the will attack to take revenge for the losses they have incurred. They will wish to kill those who killed their men before the snows come."
David pondered Sultar's remarks, knowing there was an element of truth in it.
"So if you were them how would you attack" David asked.
"If it were me, I would attack just before dawn when it was still dark. The attack would be on foot, and I would throw has many men forward in a rush to take the guards unaware at the cleft. I would know that there would be casualties but when the Cleft is taken I would send in my horses"
David nodded, "that would be my strategy too".
He continued, "It would be a long fight. So have 100 rounds of ammunition issued to the men, it can be kept in a saddlebag along with their water bottle. I think we will reduce the crest guards to two men. That way we will have twenty-two men including my self-able to fight. The horses will need to be picketed further down the Pass now. The brushwood screen has served its purpose. Has the attack will almost certainly come during darkness; we need to have more men on standby during that period, then during daylight hours. Say fifteen for the night duty and seven for daylight."
"Very well Colonel Sahib, I will take the night duty and you the daylight if that is agreeable" David nodded.
Sultar began crying out orders, some rushed to the ammunition chest and began to take some out, whilst others started to take the horses down the Pass.
David went to collect Kahn.
"All right boy, we're going for a little walk," he murmured stroking his nose.
By the time he arrived back Sultar had all the men gathered around him, talking to them. David saw four break away from the group; they split up into two's going to the paths that led to the crests.
Sultar came over to him. The men who had done lookout duty had said they could see the road up until about six pm quite clearly, he said. So he intended to mount the night group at seven until seven in the morning.
David looked at his watch it was nearly two pm. He told Sultar to take his group and try to get some sleep now. He would wake them with a meal, he said smiling.
Sultar started to protest until David ordered him.
He checked the guard at the Cleft, before informing the Naik in his group to have hot food available at seven, for the men doing the night duty. They would eat at six.
He entered the blockhouse an hour later quietly, hearing snoring. He checked the stove adding a few lumps of coal, and then noticed the twenty clips off ammunition on his bunk. He sat down and put them into a saddlebag along with his saddle pistol and the pistol ammunition. Before leaving quietly.
He checked the guards again ensuring they understood their orders, before checking the rifle pits. Crouch down inside them offered some protection from the freezing wind.
At six he sat around the cook fire eating the goat stew and rice with the rest of the men, two that had finished left to replace the guards at the Cleft.
He sat smoking a cheroot, has the men cleared up, and then began to prepare the food for the other group.
At seven he and the remaining four men started taking plates of food into the blockhouse, some were surprised at being waited on by their Colonel.
He watched has the men filed out after they had finished, shouldering their rifles and carrying a saddlebag and a blanket.
After his group had cleared away he told them to go to bed.
He dropped into the rifle pit that Sultar was in; he had a blanket draped over his shoulders.
He explained he had told his men that one man could sleep, but the other in the pit must remain awake at all times.
They fell into this new routine, and then on the forth evening a message can came down from the buttress lookout.
Large party of Afghans, 500+ approaching slowly.
David knew it would be tonight. He told his men to prepare food quickly; he estimated it would take the Afghans at least an hour, to reach the Cleft entrance from their side. He told the guards to make sure the oil lamps were filled to the top, and then lit.
David had, had the brush wood screen broken up and piled by the side of the entrance.
He had found the gunpowder horns used by the mussel loaders in the first engagement in the ammunition bower; sometimes it was used to start the fires in the morning.
He had used some of their precious lamp oil to douse the brushwood. Using the powder horns he had led a trail of gunpowder from the brushwood to the rifle pit he used. The men were aware of it and took care not to disturb it.
He now checked it again; hoping that when needed it would work.
The men said the food was ready, so he told them to start serving it to the men in the blockhouse. Shortly Riflemen started coming out with their rifles and saddlebag and jumping in to their rifle pits.
David told his group to eat and then douse the fire. He was standing eating from his plate when Sultar joined him. He explained what had happened and looked like they would be attacked that night. He left his plate with the other unwashed ones and went to collect his rifle and saddlebag.
Crouched in his pit; he'd taken ten clips out of his saddlebag and placed them within easy reach. The pistol and box of matches were on a ledge by the lip of the pit. He had checked his rifle and fed a round into the breech, then applied the safety.
Sultar came back and silently dropped in beside him, he had been doing a final check of his men.
The hours dragged by, every one straining their ears for any sound.
David could feel his stomach clench in anticipation, but his brain was clear.
Then suddenly the cleft was filled with screaming men, brandishing swords and rifles as they appeared in the light of the oil lamps.
Twenty-two rifles spat out as one and the front rank fell. It was rapid fire now.
The bodies of the dead and dying filled the cleft, Afghans were using the bodies as pro
tection as they tried to return fire. Suddenly, first one lamp was shot out and then the second, and the cleft was in darkness.
David lit the gunpowder fuse and said a silent prayer. The flame streaked across the ground until it reached the brushwood, briefly flared and then went out. It seemed he had failed, then one or two small flames flickered, the oil caught and with a whoosh the night lit up.
About 50 Afghans were cautiously advancing out of the Cleft. The rifles cracked out again. David was working the bolt as fast as he could; at this range it was impossible to miss. When the rifle fell empty, he picked up his pistol and fired that into the throng. When that fell empty, he used his belt pistol.
The Afghans were screaming and dying, treading on their own comrades as they tried to escape back down the cleft, the darkness swallowing them up as they withdrew. The riflemen fell silent and became busy reloading their weapons.
David reloaded his, watching as two men threw more bushes onto the fire. He slipped the empty clips into his pocket. Feeling the hipflask, he drew it out and took a long swig, feeling the warmth glowing in his stomach.
Sultar climbed out and ran to check the pits. Some of the Afghan wounded were moaning or screaming, but a series of shots rang out, methodically silencing them.
More wood was added to the fire and it flared up again, illuminating a scene of carnage. David estimated there were over 80 bodies in and around the cleft entrance.
Now and then a rifle would be fired from the other end of the Cleft, the bullet whizzing high above their heads.
Sultar came back, reporting two riflemen had slight gunshot wounds, one in the arm, the other in the shoulder, and both were only grazes.
David could see the light brightening in the sky above, although it was still black down here on the valley floor.
Half an hour later, a message came down reporting that the Afghans were retreating, with bodies draped over horses.
They waited until the Cleft was lit with daylight. A rifleman went to scout the end of the Cleft, returning to say it was clear.
They then began the gruesome job of clearing up.
David stood by the re-lit cook fire drinking tea while the men stripped the bodies of valuables, weapons and ammunition.
Horses were brought and bodies draped over them and led away.
Eventually Sultar reported 93 dead, with some having been shot three or four times. Eighty-one new Russian rifles had been collected, five of which had been hit with bullets and ruined. The rest of gathered rifles were outdated muzzleloaders. Of seven pistols recovered, five were Smith and Wesson's like his, and looked new. The other two were Colts.
He saw to the packing or the weapons and ammunition, along with the holsters for the pistols. The valuables would be in another pack.
"Without your idea for a fire, Colonel Sahib, we could have been overrun," Sultar murmured.
"But we wasn't. The men fought in the best tradition of the Gurkhas," David replied smiling.
"I very much doubt they will be back now until the spring, but of course we cannot be sure."
"I shall return to the Fort. We will need more wood to provide a fire should they return at night. The gunpowder from the muzzleloaders should be kept here. Can you spare two men to lead the pack horses back to the Fort?" David asked him.
"Of course, Colonel Sahib, I shall send the men on when we have completed here."
He sent a man to bring Kahn, while he went to make ready to depart.
David rolled up his blankets and removed the clips from his saddlebag, while someone saddled Kahn. He left his furs on the bunk, immediately feeling the change in temperature once they were off.
He mounted, and with a final wave set off in a brisk trot. Once out of the Pass he put Kahn into a canter. The horse responded eagerly, as if keen to be away from this place.
It was after one when he trotted into the Fort. At the stable he told Hanga to give him a good rub down after removing the saddle and feeding him.
Turning away, he saw Para and Hagar walking fast towards him. Once in his office, he recounted the battle to them, saying that there could have been well over a hundred casualties as the lookout had sighted bodies over some of the horses retreating. He mentioned the quantity of Russian weapons taken adding, "It's obvious that they are arming them with the intention of taking the Pass."
When they were gone, he felt his beard, looking forward to a bath and shave.
When he entered his quarters his eyes widened. The cheap furniture was gone, replaced by gleaming sideboards, a table and chairs. Two maroon leather armchairs had replaced the rocking chair, a brass coffee table lay between them. On the floor were thick Persian rugs and a chandelier with five oil lamps hung from the ceiling.
Hanga came in grinning, "This is much better now for an English gentleman like the Colonel Sahib."
David could only nod his surprise and pleasure.
The tin tub had been replaced by bigger enamel one. The clothes he had worn were gone, and a new set lay on the new brass bedstead.
After he had dressed, Hanga asked if he would like a drink. David nodded from his seat in one of the new armchairs. Hanga opened a cupboard door and removed a cut glass decanter with six matching glasses on a silver tray. He poured out a good measure handing it too him.
"I hope you left something for the Prince?" David chuckled.
After his drink he went outside taking an apple with him. Sulkie's stall was empty. Out in the paddock he reasoned.
Kahn stood in his stall, all attention on David. Hanga had brushed him down and his coat gleamed.
"Hello boy," he said as Kahn thrust his head against him, "is it nice to be back home?"
Kahn could smell the apple and his lip curled as he pushed David again. As David fed him the apple, Kahn's eyes never left David's as he chewed.
A squad of 20 Riflemen were being drilled on the parade ground as two riders with four packhorses came through the gate.
They reined in outside Subedar Quartermaster Hagar's office. Hagar came out and the men removed one pack from a horse and left it on the veranda, then followed Hagar leading the other packhorse down to the armoury.
David recognised the two as those who had been wounded. He called out to them as they passed to report to him when they were finished.
David found Hanga in his kitchen and asked if he had anything for cuts or wounds.
"I have some iodine, Colonel Sahib. It stings like the billy hoe, but it is good to stop infection."
David told him to get it out and gather some bandages as he had two wounds to dress.
When the men reported, he had them strip to the waist. They had strips of blankets covering the wounds.
Hanga used warm water to soak the blanket strips until the congealed blood released its grip on them.
When he had cleared the area of dried blood, he warned them about the sting, then dabbed the iodine on their wounds. Neither man flinched, but David noticed their jawbones clenched.
Hanga bound them in clean linen bandages. When they were done and redressed, David told them to stay at the Fort that night to rest their horses, but to report to Hanga when the troop returned so he could inspect their wounds.
At 6 pm, David told Hanga he was going to bed; the loss of sleep the night previous, plus the battle and the ride back to the Fort had finally worn down his strength.
He climbed onto the bed and collapsed, asleep in seconds. Hanga put a blanket over him later.
The sound of men drilling on the parade ground woke him. Groggily he glanced at his watch, blinking his eyes to focus. It was nearly 9am. He climbed off the bed and realised he was still dressed. He called out for Hanga as he took off his jacket and staggered into the bathroom.
He started to chastise Hanga for letting him sleep so long and then apologized, knowing it wasn't his fault.
Hanga said he was cooking a big breakfast for him seeing he hadn't eaten the night before.
David changed his clothes after he had washed and
shaved. He asked Hanga, as he sat down to eat, to tell Subedar Hagar to secure the valuables pack onto a packhorse as he was leaving for the Palace soon. Hanga asked which horse was he taking and he said Sulkie.
He hadn't realised how hungry he was until he had sat down to eat. Now, after his second mug of tea, he felt human again.
Outside he found the packhorse tied to the rail alongside Sulkie. They set off at a fast tot, breaking into a canter once upon the road.
They made good time, reaching the Palace by 1pm. Peshawar led him to the meeting room. Two riflemen stood guard outside, where the Prince was already waiting.
The Prince sat listening as David recounted the battle, concluding by observing that nearly all the weapons recovered were Russian and of new manufacture.
The Prince asked if, in David's opinion, they would attack again.
"I doubt it, sir. The Pass will be blocked by snow in a few weeks. It would be too late for the Russians to start an invasion. Their line of supply would be cut. I believe the only reason the Afghans attacked was purely from a thirst for vengeance for losing a hundred-odd men in their earlier attacks. Now they have to live with the knowledge that they have lost over two hundred men."
"So, David, you think we have gained a breathing space?"
"I do, sir, but when the Pass reopens I believe they will hit us with everything they have."
"Will you be ready David?"
"By then I should have at least 200 riflemen trained and ready."
"You said two of the men were wounded. How seriously?"
"Only flesh wounds, sir. We treated them at the Fort, but it does raise the question of medical treatment. We really need a doctor and medical equipment, not only at the Fort but medical equipment that can be used at the Pass. It would be useful to have a number of men who could apply first aid to the troops."
"Yes, of course, leave it with me. I'll attend to it. One thing I'm concerned about is you. I understand that you have been present at every engagement that has occurred. You should be delegating and let others do the fighting"
"I'm sorry, sir, but the way to command is to lead and you lead by being in front of your troops."
The Prince shook his head, "We will talk about this at a later date. Now to other matters. David, it may be that in the spring, more sophisticated weapons could be used against you. Do you have any knowledge of such weapons?"