Chapter 41: Night Passage

Date: November 4, 1899
Situation: Rescue Party Departure
Location: The Imperial Camp
All Right Then. Double Click Images And Look to Your Front
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The Rescue Party alluded to in Chapter 40 departs as evening arrives.

Acting Captain Gill, 9th Bengal Lancers, salutes the officers at General Pettygree's Headquarters. He leads his command on a night passage to conceal the start of the mission.

More 9th Bengal Lancers pass by; supply horses in the rear.

Sgt. Davies, 10th Hussars, follows. He salutes the officers watching the departure too.

The tail of the Rescue Party; Lt. Caddy, RE, close by his vital supplies guarded by two 10th Hussars.

Darkness descends quickly in the mountainous high altitude.

Later, senior officers gather round the campfire. Their thoughts and prayers are with the rescuers, as should be ours.

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. The last image was shot using pulsating campfire light only. Other images required some distant overhead light to suggest descending dusk. It is my understanding amateur astronomers use open lens settings to capture light at night. Perhaps you can do that.

2. The campfire is from Miniature Building Authority's tent set. 

3. Campfire illumination was provided by three grain of wheat light bulbs (LEDs) commonly used in model railroading connected to a switch and 9 volt battery. Pulsating lights are from Evan Designs, PO Box 2044, Broomfield, CO 80038 USA. Ask for set DC3F FIRE! I bought mine from Walthers Trains; probably the largest supplier of model railroad items in North America. Also see http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/  

4. The two chaps on the right side of the last image are Foundry Miniatures. See WWI Great War, GWB001, British Interrogation Set. Mine were specially painted by John Preece. I look forward to using them in future vignettes. 

5. YOU can do this too. I had fun thinking and doing all this. Kind of different.

6. Your remarks are appreciated. Click on "Comments" to chat, if you please.

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Chapter 40: Prisoners

Date: November 4, 1899
Situation: Prisoners
Location: The Imperial Camp And Parts Unknown
Images expand amazingly when clicked 1-2 times.
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During the second battle of 16 October, Col. Lawford ordered his 9th Bengal Lancers to charge a massive enemy force bent on turning the Imperial Right Flank. This desperate measure slowed the horde but did not stop it. See Chapter 36.

During the melee Colonel Lawford and two Sowars were captured.

Days later you see them being led into The Secret Valley as prisoners. Off to the right an infuriated tribesman inexplicably opened fire fatally wounding one of the Sowars.

Whilst Col. Lawford was being taken into captivity, several officers convened at General Pettygree's headquarters tent many miles away.

Evening dining preparations are taking place to the right as officers chat. In moments....

General Pettygree (left), Lt. Col. Preece (10th Hussars center) and Major Trevelyan (10th Hussars right) resume an earlier discussion.

Pettygree: "Have we our volunteers?
Trevelyan: "Yes General, we do. Lt. Caddy, Royal Engineers and acting Captain Gill, 9th Bengal Lancers. Here they come now."

Left to Right:   Pettygree, Trevelyan, Gill, Preece and Caddy with red/blue pugaree.

Pettygree: "Thank you for your volunteerism gentlemen."
Trevelyan: "This is a dangerous undertaking but worth the risk I should think."
Gill: "Aye Major, we know.
Caddy: "And Sir, the men who signed on with us are eager for a good hunt."
Preece: "Are you ready to leave tonight - under cover of darkness?
Gill: "Yes Sir."
Pettygree: "Well done. I hope Lawford is still alive."

He is for we see him here with the surviving Sowar arrive at one of many  villages during their passage into captivity and dare we think it, oblivion?

The village Headman stops the procession beside his watch tower and....

Orders the prisoners within. How many hours, days, weeks, months or years will pass here?

Lawford feels a forlorn loneliness in this vast empty region. Escape is on his mind but, how and when? The deeper he travels into The Secret Valley, the more difficult a successful escape becomes. He is not even certain -- he is in -- The Secret Valley.

He barely hopes to get back to the Regiment and England.
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CLOSING REMARKS
1. The Watch Tower is the superlative "one-of" artwork of Herb Gundt of H.G. Walls. You will see it again and more in the coming weeks.
2. Tentage is from Miniature Building Authority.
3. Your remarks are welcome, as always below.
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Chapter 39: Arriving At Fort Grant

Date: November 3, 1899
Situation: Reinforcements Arrive
Location: Fort Grant
Click Photos 1-2 Times For Singular Advantages
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Previously we saw three Imperial contingents en-route to Fort Grant.

The newly-raised 4th Squadron of the 9th Bengal Lancers commanded by Captain Dyce-Powers assisted by Belgian Captain Verbeek arrives at Fort Grant. First troop (8 sowars/troopers) leads whilst Second Troop follows with another eight sowars.

A Pack Train and....

The troop train.

The slowing train passes the yard building.

Close-up of the Yard Office building.

Minutes ago the gondolas were backed onto the siding. Disembarkation is underway.

The naval contingent remains alert as detraining continues onto the loading dock.

As they should in this remote wilderness. Vigilance is essential to enhance survival. Though we are close to Fort Grant, a foe could be nearby.

Look alive there mate an' confusion to the enemy.

Previously there were three and now we see five....

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CLOSING REMARKS
1. The sailors are from Perry Miniatures 28mm Sudan range. See previous chapter for more detail.
2. Buildings are from Miniature building Authority. Terrific structures, don't you think?
3. The chaps atop the yard office sitting and with hand on the table are Foundry expertly painted by John Preece.
4. The fence and loading dock were scratch-built more than a decade ago for a model railroad layout.
5. Train cars and locomotive power are from Lionel. Trackage is Gargraves.
6. Pine trees are from Scenic Express. Once upon a time they sold packs of 25 at a very reasonable cost.
7. I am reliably reminded the white-coated riders are from Tiger Miniatures. I purchased these from the retailer Recreational Conflict.
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