In 1879 the redcoats of the British Army are universally regarded as the finest fighting force in the world. Among them is Lieutenant Simon Fonthill, dispatched to South Africa with much to prove: for Colonel Covington, his former Commanding Officer, has slanderously branded him a coward. In the...
He wiped his forehead and cursed. It undoubtedly had become hotter as, leaving behind them the fertile plain of Afghanistan, they began to climb up into the hills.They were trudging now by compass bearing, for Fonthill was wagering that the tribesman’s estimation of the Pathan encampment being so...
Why on earth should she undertake the long ride back to Gyantse just to clarify some problems about cabling? Still, at least she was not riding back alone but had the good sense to go with a returning column, so she should be safe enough. He tucked the note away into his jacket and set about orga...
He instructed Jenkins to remain where he was and found the corporal who had been guarding him. ‘The RSM remains temporarily under arrest,’ he told him, ‘so he remains under your care. But no handcuffs. March at the rear of the column.’‘Very good, sir.’Walking back, Simon encountered Captain Cartw...
She was not feeling well and the last thing she wanted was to have to fend off the foreman’s advances that morning.‘Hello, sweetheart,’ he said, attempting to put his arm about her.‘Piss off.’ Polly did as good an impression of a flounce as she could muster that day and thrust him aside to put he...
They marched through the streets of Peking into the Legation Quarter with bayonets fixed, a fine sight. Yet their journey had not been uneventful. They had to be transported from their ships in the bay by lighters and other shallow-draught vessels past the Chinese forts guarding the River Pei Ho ...