by Carly Smesh
Has N'debi roasted meat David sat on his bedroll his back against his saddle, looking contently up at the night sky, ablaze with stars?
"It does a man good to get away from the Crater at times," he murmured.
N'debi chuckled from across the fire, "the bwana is a warrior, who misses the battle."
David thought before replying, "I don't miss killing men N'debi, it's just I've always been busy in my life. But now there is very little for me to do."
N'debi smiled, "Some would welcome being able to say that bwana."
They spent a night at the Maasi village, David gave the chief a bag off salt has they sat around the council fire.
He leant from him that the slavers had not troubled the area for years since the battle at the river. David put that down to the increased naval presence along the coast due to the war.
They left the next day moving back towards the Crater.
They had ignored game that they passed, until they got closer to the crater. Not wishing for it to spoil if it was carried for more than a day in the hot African sun.
N'debi spotted the small herd off Eland near the hills leading to the Crater. David dismounted drawing the .275 from the rifle holster. The two off them stooped low in the tall dry grass, has they began to move slowly towards the herd.
They stopped 300 yards from it, and David brought up the rifle to his shoulder, it fitted like an extension off his body. He took a breath, has he concentrated on a young Eland male, and then gently squeezed the trigger.
The young buck fell, dead before it hit the ground, has the herd scattered.
He and N'debi stood up, "Good shot bwana" N'debi murmured going forward towards the kill.
David sheathed the rifle before mounting Kahn, and then guiding the mule, rode towards the shade off an acacia tree, whilst N'debi skinned and cut up the dead Eland sixty feet away.
He had started to swing his leg over the saddle when he heard the snarl, and was knocked completely from it, has a heavy weight hit him.
He felt teeth sinking into his shoulder and claws ripping into his back and then heard the bone break in his leg has he struck the ground.
The leopard was catapulted over his head and landed ten feet away.
It crouched, its tail swishing violently, has its yellow eyes fixed on David preparing to leap.
Agony swept through his body from the bite, claws and broken leg, has he struggled to sit up.
The leopard crouched lower coiling itself ready to spring, when with a snort off rage Kahn was rearing in front of it lashing out with his hooves.
The leopard changed its target and sprang; sinking its claws into Kahn's neck has it bit into his throat, the back legs racking his chest.
Kahn screamed, and fell to its front knees by the weight off the cat.
David managed to free his pistol, despite the waves of white hot agony that flooded his body and somehow crawled towards the stricken horse.
Kahn continued to scream has the leopard racked him, blood was issuing from its nose in a bloody froth has it tried in vain to stand.
"Leave him you bastard," David screamed has he finally reached them, he thrust the barrel off the pistol into the leopard's ear and pulled the trigger, once twice then three times.
The leopard collapsed dead,
N'debi arrived taking in the scene before him.
"Bwana," he cried looking in horror has David tried to push the leopard from Kahn's head.
"Bwana I must treat your wounds."
David wasn't listening, "Kahn, oh God, Kahn" he sobbed.
N'debi picked up the cat and threw it from them.
The horse lifted his head looking at David its eyes rolling in pain, the bloody froth issuing from its nose.
The horse was in agony from the horrendous wounds inflicted by the leopard.
"It's all right boy" David sobbed, "I'll stop the pain." His voice breaking, has he stroked Kahn's head.
Kahn tried to whinny, but only more off the bloody froth appeared.
He lifted the pistol and placed it gently against his head and pulled the trigger.
David collapsed over Kahn's body, his shoulders heaving with the sobs from his own body.
N'debi had started a fire and had placed his spearhead in it. He moved to lift David from the horse's body, but when he tried, David screamed and passed out.
When he came too, he was propped up against the trunk off the tree, the smell off burnt flesh heavy in the air. He noticed from blurred eyes N'debi had made a large fire close by. White hot pain lanced through him from his shoulder, back and leg, which was now sticking straight out with N'debi's knobkerrie bound to it.
N'debi was pulling his rifle from its saddle holster, and he vaguely noticed his saddlebags and water bottle were by his side.
N'debi turned carrying the rifle towards him.
"You are awake bwana, good. I must go for help. You must stay awake now, the hyenas and jackals will smell the blood and come soon."
David nodded, his eyes on Kahn's body.
N'debi gave him a drink from his canteen, and at David's request unfastened the saddlebags, and with his instructions loaded the pistol from the ammunition inside.
David put it down within easy reach alongside the other pistol N'debi had taken from the saddle.
"I must go now bwana, but you must stay awake." he warned, with that he set off running.
David took another swallow from the canteen, before placing a pistol in his lap.
At times the pain almost engulfed him, but he fought to stay conscious by thinking off Kahn.
The mule had bolted at the first snarl off the leopard, Kahn should have too, he knew.
But instead he has stayed to protect him.
His mind began to wonder thinking back, to the days and nights they had been together, he was on the verge off slipping back into unconsciousness, when the insane laugh off a hyena pulled him back.
They were not going to have Kahn he vowed to himself, forcing himself awake has the pain lanced through him, began again.
Patar rained in along with three Gurkhas at the tree, jumping down from his sweat-encrusted horse.
"David" he cried rushing over to where David sat against the tree.
David lifted his head, and slowly and smiled, "Don't let them get Kahn" he said weakly has his head fell forward into unconsciousness.
Patar looked at the dead around the tree, the leopard, the horse and two hyenas.
For two weeks David hung by a thread to life, has the fever raged within his body, sometimes he would see faces above him, but they were blurred, and then he would sink back into oblivion.
Finally the day dawned when the fever broke.
He was conscious off his leg itching, he tried to scratch it but his fingers encountered something stiff covering it.
Then suddenly Susan's face was above him, her eyes bright with tears has she smiled down at him.
"Susan" he mumbled, she placed her finger across his lips, "Schuss, don't excite yourself" she murmured bending and kissing him.
Over the next few days he learnt that they had arrived back from England over a week ago. Slowly has his strength came back he was allowed to sit up, out on the stoop for a few hours, whilst Susan changed his dressings with his son Guy watching on.
"You're going to have some scars to boast about when the scabs come off" she warned.
On another occasion she told him how N'debi had saved his life by cauterising his wounds with his red-hot spearhead. "The leopard's claws and teeth would have been full off germs from the animals he'd killed"
He in turn told her how Kahn had saved his life at the cost off his own.
She smiled sadly nodding "They brought him back, he's buried behind the stable"
He had visitors, Martin and Jill and their daughter Barbara, Patar and Rham, and N'debi, who he thanked for his help.
"Bwana it was your horse who helped, truly he was a warrior chief amongst horses. I only tended to your wounds"
>
"But without your help with my wounds I should have died"
David with the help off crutches that Hanga had made finally hobbled to Kahn's grave behind the stables.
Granite blocks had been put over it, a simple head stone chiselled with the words 'Kahn bravest off the brave' he stood looking down on it filled with emotion, he swallowed and then turned back towards the stable.
Sulkie had her head out of the stall, and whinnied at his approach.
"Hello darling" he murmured fondling her head. "You miss him too" he said scratching her ear. She pushed her head against his chest, has her daughter looked up to see who it was.
Suzi was six months old now and resembled her mother in colouring but there were still signs off Kahn in her head and height.
He gave her the apple, has she munched it he could see the years were catching up with her.
Patar appeared at his side, "She's growing into a fine filly David" he murmured, "She continues the line of Kahn and Sulkie"
David nodded turning towards him, "Sulkie is to be retired now Patar, she deserves to be with her children out in the Crater"
"My father always said, that a horse at the end of their days is content to see their children grow David, to see their bloodline flourish.
David grew stronger and began to ride around the crater on Zeus.
He met up with Martin one day out in the Crater at one off the cattle paddocks. Martin was inspecting some cattle inside off it.
"Good day Martin, I've not seen them before have I?"
Martin spun round smiling, "Hello David, of course I haven't told you have I" he replied, "I brought them from England. Part of my father's bequeathed, their French Limousine cattle, he left me a bull and six cows. Their hardy cattle with a good meat yield. I intend to try the bull on some off the Massi cattle."
He spoke with Martin for a further half an hour before continuing his ride.
When he returned to the house he found a grey stallion tied up outside that looked familiar.
On entering the house he found Robert Keeling chatting to Susan, but now he wore the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He came to his feet smiling extending his hand, David grasped it "Robert it's good to see you again."
Keeling grinned "Susan's been telling me about your run in with a leopard."
David smiled and nodded, "So what do we owe the pleasure off your company."
"Horses and cattle" he replied, "I'm on procurement duties at the moment. I stopped a Boer bullet in the arm, and was given light duties until I'm fit again. When I found out that this detail involved East Africa I jumped at it."
"So they roped you into this war then?" David asked.
Keeling's face fell grim, "They have had to rope everyone in, not only Britain but the Dominions has well, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Kitchener has nearly two hundred thousand men chasing at best a thousand Boers.
He's had to throw away the old manuals on war and start writing a new one."
David looked keenly at him, "From what I've heard, some off the orders he has given don't come under the rules of war."
Keeling's eyes fell to the floor, "You mean the internment camps for the women and children, and the destruction off farms."
David nodded "That's if it is true."
"Unfortunately it true, women and children were dying in those camps through lack off food and disease in their hundreds. It's better now; a commission came out from England based on reports that horrified the British public.
The problem is, that Kitchener is under an enormous strain. The government wants the war ended, it's costing millions at the moment. The British public has turned against it, based on the casualty lists and the treatment off civilians. On top off that for every soldier killed by a Boer, four die off disease. Most off the recruits already have diseases when they come out from Britain; only one in five is fit for duty. It's has, I fear, the war has turned dirty."
Susan looked shocked at this disclosure.
"Oh we'll win in the end" Keeling said bitterly "That's what the press will say. But the reality is the Boers will give in rather than see their families suffer any more. But we never beat them on a field off battle. I can only hope that the generals will learn from this."
"This will create hatred for the British in South Africa that will last well into the future." David predicted.
"Enough off this talk of war" Susan said, "Robert you will stay the night, I'll have Hanga take care of your horse" she said rising.
After dinner David and Keeling took their whiskeys out on to the stoop, Keeling accepted a cheroot from David, lighting it he murmured, "You have found a wonderful home here David, this land must be unique for Africa."
"I suppose there must be other places like it if you look hard enough," he replied.
Keeling changed the subject.
"I managed to go to Kana before I was shipped over here. The Prince was eagerly awaiting the birth off his first grandchild. But Yasmin says she wants to go to university first, Sultar is a Major of the Royal guard, I think so that Yasmin can keep an eye on him." Keeling chuckled, "The Horse Master is virtually retired now, and he must be at least ninety. Out at the Fort, Colonel Turin has three full companies at the ready. Fifty men guard the Pass at all times, the Afghans know they are there, and leave them alone.
Turin married that assistant off Susan's, and has two fine boys now. Para returned to Nepal when he retired, and Hangar took over from him."
David smiled, remembering, "They were good men, all off them. A man couldn't ask for better soldiers."
"At the moment in India, I would say they were the best in that Country," Keeling added.
David nodded in agreement, "So regarding the horses and cattle you would like. I will have to talk to Patar and Martin in the morning to find out what we can spare."
Keeling managed to acquire forty-three horses and sixty-seven cattle off the various breeds. Between the Gurkhas and Matabele the herds were taken to Nairobi to the railhead.
Susan kissed Keeling on the cheek has he bid them farewell, "Take care of yourself Robert" she warned.
David shook his hand, "Don't be a stranger Robert" he said smiling.
Has they stood on the stoop watching him ride down the track to the entrance of the crater, David murmured, "There goes a man whose heart is not in the job."
Susan nodded smiling, "The Army needs more Officers like him, who have a conscience."
Chapter 40
The news arrived the following June. The war was over; the last commandos had finally surrendered rather than let their families suffer more.
There were no calibrations in Nairobi, only a dull acceptance off the news that peace had come at last to South Africa.
Even the most diehard off the farmers who had supported the British Army now realised the terrible sanctions that Kitchener had imposed on Boer families, and had changed their minds.
Not all the Boers had accepted the peace treaty, which required them to take an oath of allegiance to the British crown.
Some had gone into self-imposed exile, moving into the German areas off control, one of which'd boarded the Imperil East African Company's land and the other West Africa.
Six months after the surrender, two horsemen were seen entering the Crater. David watched from the stoop has they made their way up the track to the house.
They reined up in front of the house, but didn't dismount.
David saw that one was only a boy of fourteen or fifteen, but he carried a Mauser rifle over his shoulder. The man at his side was beaded and wore homespun clothing and a large slouch hat, was also carrying a rifle over his shoulders.
"Good day" David said pleasantly.
The older man nodded "Good day, I'm told you sell horses, can I buy some," said with a guttural accent.
"I do" David replied, "come inside and we'll discuss what you want."
The man looked at David before replying, "You may has well know that we're Boers, that did
n't surrender to you British."
David smiled, "I guessed has much from your appearance," he said pleasantly.
"So you still will sell some to us" he asked dismounting and following David into the house.
"My name is Ramage, David Ramage, and this is my wife Susan," he said has way off introduction.
"I'm Paul Van Smit, and this is my son Willie" he said, "I was told you were a Colonel," Van Smit added.
David smiled "Colonel retired, from the Khana Rifles of his Majesty Prince Hazid Ibram Kahn of Kanda. Not the British Army Mr Van Smit."
Van Smit's expression relaxed a little at this information. "My son and I are trying to start a new home in the German protectorate. I lost my wife and three children in the internment camps. I don't have much money, but it is gold. My horses are worn out, but I have land now, it needs to be tilled and planted."
Susan cut into the conversation "Mr Van Smit would you and Willie care to join us for some lunch?"
Willie's eyes had been sweeping around the room, unused to seeing furniture of quality, his eyes suddenly swung round to Susan at the mention of food.
Van Smit lifted his head to look at her, "Madam my son and I do not seek charity or pity, but thank you for your offer."
Susan's eyes flashed, "Sir, I offer neither charity nor pity, only common courtesy, has any one would, to travellers in this land."
Van Smit recoiled at the ice in Susan's words.
"Forgive me Madam, we, my son and I have forgotten about kindness. If the offer still stands, we would like to break bread with you."
It was obvious that the two had not eaten much in the past, the way they sucked the meat from the chicken bones, Willie had three pieces off apple pie, before pushing his plate away.
"Madam it is many years since we had a meal like this, cooked by a woman." Van Smit said quietly.
David and Van Smit went out to the stoop for a smoke after the meal.
"Where is your land?" David asked.
"Across the river, I would think over sixty miles from here, you are my nearest neighbour, on that side off the river, the closes, is over eighty miles away."
"So you are a long way out from the nearest town then?" David murmured.
Van Smit smiled, "The further out you are the cheaper the land. The German administration encourages you to develop the land further out. But you have to prove you are working the land in order to get the grant."