Free Rogue Officer by Garry Douglas Kilworth Page A

of the infantry, and of course the cavalry. This is entirely unprecedented so don’t shame me by abusing the privilege. We’re to keep watch for any breakaway factions and note which way they run. Pursue them if you feel it necessary, but obviously don’t catch up with them or engage them, because you’ll be unprotected. We’re battlefield observers, there to keep account of any retreat. These rebel leaders have a habit of vanishing once their troops look like being overrun. This time it’s hoped that observers like us can monitor the situation and keep track of which way Khan goes, should he try to skip.’
    ‘I will observe too,’ said Sajan. ‘I have good eyes.’
    ‘You do indeed have excellent eyes,’ replied Jack, ‘but I’m afraid you will be in the rear with the baggage train, young man. We need no distractions.’
    ‘Sahib,’ protested the youngster, ‘I am almost a man!’
    ‘Almost, but not quite.’ He tried to soften the blow. ‘Should your father fall in the coming fight, you must be alive to avenge him.’
    ‘In order to do that I must see who kills him,’ argued Sajan. ‘I must be there in the front to bear witness.’
    King said firmly, ‘You will stay at the rear. You have been ordered by your commanding officer. It is not a soldier’s duty to argue, but to obey. Isn’t that so, Raktambar?’
    ‘It is indeed so. Boy, do as you’re told.’
    Sajan hung his head in a sulk, but knew he was going to get nowhere in this argument, so dropped it.
    Early the following morning, before the heat of the day gripped windpipes in its burning fingers, General Sir Colin Campbell’s forces marched on Bareilly. The advance parties encountered cavalry but by six o’clock Campbell’s force was formed into two lines ready for the attack. There were of course the Highland regiments at the fore, supported by Punjab Rifles and a Baluch battalion. Horse artillery and cavalry were naturally guarding the flanks, but there was a battery in the centre. The remainder of the force formed the second line, protecting the siege-train and baggage detail, where Sajan was located with other camp followers.
    At seven o’clock General Campbell gave the order to advance. He was a general who was highly thought of by his troops. Time and time again he had proved his worth against superior odds and had come out victorious. His men knew his reputation, many had served under him in other battles, and they were entirely confident of victory. His courage was renowned, having stood in front of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders and issuing that now immortal command when faced by the Russian cavalry at Balaclava: ‘There is no retreat from here, men! You must die where you stand!’
    Artillery fire answered the advance, the round shot falling amongst the British troops, but not seriously impeding them. On seeing the resolute line still coming towards them, the rebels abandoned their guns and fell back to the edge of the town. The British, Sikh, Baluch and Punjabi skirmishers now splashed through the stream and over the bridges. Artillery began to pound the enemy defences. While this bombardment continued, the whole of the British force crossed the stream and lined up ready to take the town.
    Jack was at that moment acting as a courier, having been grabbed by a senior officer on his way past, and asked to carry a message to a colonel in the front line. Just as he reached the colonel, there was a counter-attack by Khan’s forces. Almost a thousand matchlock men from within the confines of the dwellings opened fire with a tremendous volley, killing Sikh and British skirmishers. At the same time there was a ferocious charge made by over three hundred Rohilla Ghazis: fanatical holy warriors who cared nothing for death so long as they killed at least one of the enemy, ensuring their entry into heaven. The Ghazis carried small round shields and wielded only tulwar swords, but their attack was made in white-hot fury and was difficult