Disclaimer: These are works of fan-fiction created for entertainment. It is not the intention of the author to infringe on anyone's copyright. No rights infringement intended. Warning: General Audience

The Sharpe Fan Fictions of Paul K.

---

Bernard Cornwell’s

SHARPE’S Trek

Richard Sharpe and the
Battle of Saldanha Bay

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 TREK. Copyright © 2024 by Paul Kaster

Sharpe’s Trek is for
Christian Parkinson, host of the Redcoat Military History podcast and a resident of South Africa
And
Bernard Cornwell who brought Richard Sharpe into our world.

Chapter 3

August 9, 1796
DAY 3

Koeberg


Before dawn, Captain Hughes gathered his officers and sergeants to prepare the company for the day.

“We lead today. Ensign Hicks. Take Sergeant Bickerstaff and Section two. Deploy in skirmish order in front of the rest of us. Assure that we have no surprises from the front or sides.”

Ensign Hicks replies. “Yes, sir. Skirmish order to our front and sides.”

Hakeswill smiles. Sharpe and section three will be directly behind him today.

Sharpe again had his section assembled and ready to go before the other sections.

When Hughes and Hakeswill come by to review the sections, Sharpe presents his section crisply.

Hughes acknowledges the men. “Three section first up to go again. Eh, Sharpe? Well done.” He then moves on section four.

“Arse kisser Sharpe. You are and arse kisser.” Hakeswill says as he passes. His face twitches as he closes behind Hughes.

Tom nudges Sharpe. “Arse kisser, Dick.”

“Shut yer gob, Tom.” But Sharpe does smile.

Some of his men ask, “Sing today?”

“Not today. We lead today. Be ready if we find trouble.”

Sharpe has decided to leave Hakeswill alone today. They have the lead and need to watch ahead. And the terrain will be harder.

Even without singing the day passes quickly. Although Sharpe’s section is second in the column and the skirmishers are out, he watches the ground ahead as they go. At each rest stop, he makes sure that the men eat and drink. The trail is rocky and climbing a hill. He wants to make sure that the men are fit for anything that they may meet. Although they were told not to expect any Dutch, they were warned that some of the native peoples could try to ambush small groups. Although the skirmishers aren’t his section, they are friends.

The weather is a comfortable temperature for their march, but towards end of the afternoon, rain clouds appeared from the ocean side to their front.

“Good that we will halt soon, Tom. Looks like storm ahead.”

“Yes, No tents. Wet bedding night for us, eh?”

“Aye, make sure we collect water to refill bottles.”

“These new hats should work like pails, eh?”

Sharpe nods. The felt bicornes could be used to collect water, but not very well. They top hats are tarrred on the outside like the navy’s marine’s hats. Better to hold water, although the felt inside will be damp after.

Shortly, a rider came up to Hughes to signal to stop for the day.

Sharpe is happy because the sky in front had turned very black.

“Rain very soon. Tom, go ask Hughes if we may light fires before the rain.”

Tom jogs ahead past Hakeswill, but doesn’t stop. Hakeswill turns to look at Sharpe. Then, he looks at Tom going past him to Sharpe.

“Hughes says cold rations today. No time to collect wood for fires. And, we need to move to the back of the battalion. We did your first turn to lead.”

Sharpe had hoped for some tea, but will have to drink water only.

Hughes calls the skirmishers in and then leads his company to the back of the battalion.

“Cold rations today, lads. Prepare for wet night. We move out early again.”

Sharpe watches the rain clouds come. “Rain. Better than sleet or snow, eh, Tom?”

“Be careful what you wish for Dick.”

---

Fiction Index | Sharpe Tales Home | Sharpe's Trek Index | Chapter 4

---