EMPIRE OF WRATH Chapter 2

 

A GENERAL PETTYGREE BATTLE STORY

EMPIRE OF WRATH

Chapter 2

Half a League To The Fort

"General, I have a dispatch from Fort Albert, Sir."

"Read it Lieutenant Baileigh?"

"Yes Sir. It says...."

"Captain Bartlett galloped his squadron the last league into Fort Albert."

"Galloped? Is that all?"

"Yes, General."

Back to Troopers Corey and Ham leading the squadron.

"Who are those infernal riders pursuing us?"

"It's Ragnar Khan's horsemen more than likely my dear Corey. Who else could they be? Anyway, we have our orders to lead our chaps into the fort."

 "To the gallop then! I hope we make it," shouted Corey. 

"We'd better or our game will be up! Look at Jack go. He's having fun," said Ham. 

"Half a league, half a league, half a league onward, all in the valley of death rode...."

"Wot's that Corey?"

"Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade. That's us here."

"This is no time for poetry, you witless soldier," scolded Ham. 

"Oh. Shut up will you?"

"They are closing in on our chaps," continued Ham. 

"Should we turn about and give 'em some carbine fire?," asked Corey.

"Yes, turning now on this rise of ground."

BOOM! -- SHOCKWAVE -- REVERBERATIONS

 "I'm almost unhorsed. Susan, steady girl. --- What was that blast?, asked Ham."

"The fort Gate Tower exploded," shouted Corey.

"Ragnar Khan's clever sedition, no doubt. Now we've got trouble front an' back," said Ham

"No! An explosive shell landed to the column's right. Was it a miss or....?

"Unknown. But, a welcome piece of luck," said Corey.

"And a fatal surprise for Ragnar Khan's men whether intended or not. Let's keep going forward," said Ham.

"Say, isn't that....?" asked Corey.

"It's Gupta, the water carrier from our last post," said Ham.

"Namaste Sahibs. Welcome to Fort Albert. Gupta, again at your service. Paani?"

(Nam-as-stay --- greetings...Masters) (Paani --- water)

"No time for that Gupta! Ragnar Khan's men just blew up the tower and his horsemen are behind us," bellowed Corey.

"No trouble, Sahibs. All is right. That's our cannon in the tower and the 27th Bombay Miners and Sappers just stepped through the hedge there with Captain Caddy."

A moment later a section of the 27th fired a front rank volley at the enemy riders.

Then, "2nd rank, aim. FIRE!"

"Look at 'em run! That's the ticket," yelled Corey.

Followed by a complimentary shot from the Lion Gun.

"I never doubted the outcome. --- You, Corey?"

    

"Certainly not. Our game ain't finished. Here's the Captain."

"Captain Caddy, Royal Engineers! I've never been so...."

"All in a day's work, Sir. Welcome to Fort Albert."

A final volley ended the affair.

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Also see: Chapter 1, At The Gallop

https://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2022/09/empire-of-wrath-chapter-1.html

2. Chapter 3 Fort Albert is completed. It will be posted near October 15, 2022. We look forward to seeing you return for this next exciting installment of Empire of Wrath.

3. Thank you for your interest and approbation. 

4. Meanwhile, your comments are welcome below at Post a Comment.