Friday, September 30, 2022

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

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.

13 comments:

Greg Rigler said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tradgardmastare said...

Visual story telling at its very best! Terrific stuff!

nobby said...

An excellent piece of work.
It reminded me of the Hotspur comic of my long ago youth and also the Wolf of Kabul

Der Alte Fritz said...

Imagine, reciting Tennyson at the gallop! LOL.

RogerB said...

This is great work! I appreciate all the work you put into this very much.

Duke of Baylen said...

I really enjoyed this having been a Captain Caddy [twice - in two armies or three if this is me in miniature!], my father was a Captain Caddy, as was his grand-father.
cheers,

Stephen

Gallia said...

Remarks From Elsewhere:
-----
Love it! Regards Kurt.
-----
Well done. Always look forward to the next installment. Bob
-----
Excellent storytelling. Well done, Bill! Jim F.
-----
I continue to enjoy your tales. Your imagination is unbounded. I hope you and your extended family are doing well and I look forward to when we can again meet across the gaming table. Take care, Earl
-----
So nicely photo staged pics with your usual vivid narration! And I like the explosions! Cheers! dinthedin
-----
Ragnar Khan? With a name like that, a “23 and me” DNA test would have interesting results. John C.
-----
I love your postings, Bill! Your blog is top notch as well. 8-) Roger B.
-----
Always a joy reading your adventures. Mark
-----
A great story, told through magnificent photography - as always with General Pettygree. I'm looking forward to future episodes. Rick
-----
Thank you, Everyone,
Bill P.

Unknown said...

Excellent account... with your flair of writing and accompanying photos, it like we are there! Looking forward to the next issue. Lewis

Gallia said...

Your very kind and engaged remarks are gratefully received.
Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts.
Respectfully,
Bill P.

Montbrun said...

Is there a way to see all the general pettygree stories?

Gallia said...

Hello Montbrun,
Yes you can find General Pettygree stories:
-----
Scroll down through the blog.
For multi-part stories scroll down until you see Chapter 1 or some similar reference.
Finish it.
Then scroll up past the one just read to find the next installment.
Awkward, I know.
Usually there are no more than two stories.
-----
Look at the left side of the blog.
Scroll down (not far) to find:
The Complete Expedition To Alexandrapour. Read It Again or for the FIRST TIME!
You can click on all chapters as time permits.
-----
Your interest is appreciated.
Thank you,
Bill P.

Montbrun said...

Thank you very much!

John

Siegfried said...

Half a league? Doesn't seem that far but look what happened to the Light Brigade.

Ali Bhama Sheikh of the Crimson Hoard