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.

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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 5

August 11, 1796
DAY 5

Jakkalsfontein


With the dawn of another day, Hughes company moved up in the marching order to fifth position. As they had settled in the night before, Sharpe had told his section about learning about the serpents. Those that had served at Boxtel laughed when he told how he had made the Dutchman understand that he was asking about serpents by pointing to his own ‘slang’ It was a word that they had learned after their first battle.

Sharpe had slept well. No rain. Tired from running. Today he hoped that they would move at normal speed. Music would be good, but he is too tired to sing. Maybe tomorrow.

If they were moving at the general’s speed, they were half way to the Dutch fleet. They were marching on a flat land down near the sea, but could see another tall hill to their front. Sharpe estimated that it would take two days to reach the top of that hill. That hill is going to tire them.

As they marched they crossed several streams. Each time, Hughes had them fill bottles.

Fitzgerald walked among them as they filled and drank. “Fill everything that can carry water. Haven’t found water when we climbed hills. We have a hill to climb tomorrow.”

Sharpe repeated the instructions to his section.

“Ensign Fitzgerald. We are almost out of biscuit. Permission to send a man to supply cart to restock?”

“Thank you Sharpe. Other sections must be too. Will ask Captain Hughes’ permission to send from each section.”

Fitzgerald goes to Hughes and returns shortly with two men from sections one and two. “Captain approves your request. Pick a man to join me. I’ll take four to find biscuits for us.”

Sharpe picks Wilkinson to go.

Sharpe likes Fitzgerald. He listens to the men.



They march on until early afternoon. They move up one company in the order as they make camp at the foot of the new hill.

Fitzgerald and the men return with biscuits for four days. That should last until they reach the Dutch. And, they brought more tea.

Sharpe checked with all of the men before he settled to eat and drink. Tomorrow would test them again.

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Fiction Index | Sharpe Tales Home | Sharpe's Trek Index | Chapter 6

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