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Sharpe's Island
Richard Sharpe and the
Expedition for Manila
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
SHARPE’S ISLAND. Copyright © 2024 by Paul Kaster
Sharpe’s Island is for
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Paul Kaster, Jr. who graduated from Marine Expeditionary Warfare School (MEWS)
And
Bernard Cornwell who brought Richard Sharpe into our world.
Chapter 4
1797 September
Prince of Wales Island (Penang)
Sergeant Hakeswill was ready. After a rest, the company was formed into two lines on the left end of the regiment. The companies were ready to fire. To their front were stalks of palm fronds that stood to the height of a man.
“The company will prepare to fire.”
The men in the front rank stood ready with their cartridges.
Behind the lines, Hughes, Fitzgerald and the sergeants prepared the men in their sections. Hughes held a watch. He signaled Hakeswill to begin.
“Company Load!”
The men went through the drill steps to load the firelocks.
All moved rapidly. They completed the task and replaced the ramrods.
“Shoulder arms!”
The company moved the firelocks to their shoulders and pointed at the ‘enemy’.
“Front rank, Fire.”
“Rear rank, Fire.”
“Reload!”
“Shoulder arms!”
“Front rank, Fire.”
“Rear rank, Fire.”
“Shoulder arms!”
“Front rank, Fire.”
“Rear rank, Fire.”
“Company, cease fire!”
Hakeswill turns to Hughes.
“Three rounds, one minute. Well done, Sergeant.”
“Can do better, sir. Will see the men to four rounds, sir.”
“Yes, yes. We can do four rounds in a minute. Colonel expects us to do three. Men gave as asked. Let them know that they did well, Sergeant. More praise. Less lash, eh?”
“More praise, sir. Yes, sir.”
Hakeswill responded crisply and respectfully. But, he was not happy. He twitched as he turned to walk down the lines of the company.
“Captain says we did well. Gave Colonel what he asks.”
Hakeswill has to swallow hard before he talks again.
“Well done, lads. Well done.”
He repeats these messages as he passes each section.
“Hakeswill is twitching more than ever, Dick.”
“Hates to say we did anything good.”
“Let him have a moment, eh, Dick?”
“Hughes gets the moment.”
He pauses.
“And Wesley.”
“Your new love, Dick?”
“Wesley? Shut your gob, Tom. When did you ever meet an officer who gave us so much time? Want to repeat how bad Netherlands was?”
“No frostbite. No stocks. No wool coats. Plenty of water. Decent food. Rum ration. Wesley has the officers taking good care of us.?
“Yes, Tom. Tea too.” Sharpe smiles He’s come to like drinking tea. Maybe more than ale or rum.
“Now, if Wesley would only do something about Hakeswill.”
“Nothing to be done, Tom. You know, Hakeswill can’t be killed, so he says. Defied the hangman and the colonials, so far.”
“Sent home to England will do for me. Much better recruiting sergeant. Man’s a bully and a coward. Know’s how to kiss the officers’ backsides. They don’t see what he does with the men.”
“Maybe we will have to help the officers to see his finer qualities. Eh, Tom?”
Sharpe wonders what he could do that we get Hakeswill sent from them. They have a good company and regiment, except for Hakeswill.
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