Baptism Of The Sword by Malcolm Archibald

Author:Malcolm Archibald [Archibald, Malcolm]
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

God has permitted trafficking, and forbidden usury

Sura 2, Koran

After another night undisturbed by the tom-toms, Jack pushed ahead with Moffat, Donnelly and two mounted infantrymen for an escort. He rode to the crest of a ridge and focussed his field glasses on his new charge. At first sight, El Kutuk was not impressive, being a straggling village at the foot of a ruinous mud-brick fort.

“I can’t see a flag flying,” Jack said.

“Neither can I, sir,” Moffat agreed.

Jack grunted. He remembered Lord Roberts’ fury after his march from Kabul to Kandahar to find no Union flag flying above the garrison. “We’ll have to do something about that, Moffat.”

As they rode closer, Jack saw that El Kutuk stood in the centre of a plain, with only a few long pools of water and some wells giving the village a reason for existence. The walls were ruinous in places, and the gate sagged on a single hinge, guarded by a single lounging sentry.

“This place couldn’t stop an assault by a bunch of children,” Baxter said.

“We have a lot of work in front of us,” Jack said. “Especially with Osman Zubeir in the vicinity. I’m surprised he hasn’t captured the village already.”

Jack ordered the men to dismount a mile from the village. “Spruce yourselves up, lads. I want you as bright and shiny as if Queen Victoria herself was going to review us. We will march in by companies and show El Kutuk that the Royal Malverns have arrived!”

Ordering Moffat to take a section of the mounted infantry ahead to announce his coming, Jack gave the Malverns an hour to get ready and then mounted Gonda and rode forward. He knew first impressions were important when taking over a garrison and was determined to make his mark quickly.

As Jack approached El Kutuk. He saw somebody had dragged the main gate open, and an Egyptian sentry stood at approximate attention at either side. They watched the British through dull eyes without attempting to challenge or salute.

“God save us from amateur soldiers,” Baxter breathed.

Jack led his men through the gate and onto a long main street of single-storey, flat-roofed houses. The garrison had turned out to line the route, with red fezzes worn at a hundred different angles and white uniforms dirty and torn.

Jack heard the tramp of marching feet alter as the Malverns entered the village. He acknowledged the salutes of Egyptian officers and NCOs and pushed on to the fort, where he saw a group of senior officers waiting for him.

Behind the Egyptian soldiers, the village women ululated, the sound shrill as they welcomed the new commandant and his British soldiers. Cynically, Jack wondered if they would be as welcoming if Osman Zubeir rode in and decided they would.

Of course, they would. All these people want is to be left alone to live their lives, and if cheering in the streets makes their lives easier, why the devil shouldn’t they?

Dismounting, Jack introduced himself to the shambling collection of Egyptian officers and added he needed accommodation for his men and animals.

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