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 7

August 7, 1796
DAY 7

Rietfontein




Sharpe had his section ready to go before the other three again. Sergeant Hakeswill is yelling at his to be ready second. It is close with Section four who was being encouraged by Sergeant Bickerstaff. Section two is last. In fairness, section two has the most new men and only a corporal and one experienced soldier to guide them. Section one has Sergeant Hakeswill, Captain Hughes, Ensign Curtain and at least one experienced man. Section four has one corporal and a few experienced men. But, because they march last, they have Ensign Fitzgerald, Ensign Hicks, and two sergeants to nudge them on. Section three has only Sharpe, yet for all seven days, he has had his section ready to go before any of the others.

Hakeswill looks back at Sharpe and mumbles. “Sharpe ready first again. Not right. Not a good soldier. Officers’ pet, he is. Extra rum. Extra meat. Not a good soldier. Trouble. Only trouble. Needs to be taught who runs this company. Not bloody baby Sharpe. Not Sharpe.” As he finishes, he has spoken louder so that some of the men near him hear his mention Sharpe.

Captain Hughes had not seen who is first, nor did he care. He cares that his company is ready to go and to fight if necessary. As with each day, he met with the colonel who reviews the day’s plans with each company commader.

After six days, all of the companies have had a chance to lead. The 78th will lead for the second time. They were told that they would take nine days to reach the bay. Hughes understands that they will find no water today, but may be able to get more meat. General Craig is pleased at how Hughes’ man helped to acquire the cattle.

Colonel Mackenzie told Hughes,

“General may call your man Sharpe to go with Lincoln for more beef today.”

“Sharpe’s a good man. Happy to lend him. Expecially if we have steak again. Better than biscuits and water, eh?

Mackenzie nods. “Much better.”

When word reaches them that the artillery and wagons are ready to go, Mackenzie leads them out. As they march, Sharpe asks,

“Tom, feel like singing? Another day away from the ocean and in the hills. Maybe we can sing again before we lead again. In two days may be too close to the Dutch. General should not want them to hear us coming, eh?”

“Like to sing when we march. Hakeswill don’t.”

“Bugger Hakeswill. Men feel good. Time goes faster. Know any good songs? Don’t hear the pipers yet.”

“When we marched in Ireland, heard one coming from the pubs when we marched through towns. Remember some words.

”Instead of spa we’ll drink down ale

and pay the reckoning on the nail

no man for debt shall go to jail

from Garryowen in glory”

“Song about drinking and jail. Just like this army, eh?”

“I’ll ask the lads if they know any more.”

“I’ll ask Sergeant Bickerstaff to ask if we can sing. Hakeswill will say know.”

Sharpe knows that Sergeant Bickerstaff marches on his side behind third section. He drops back to march with Bickerstaff.

“Find day for marching Sharpe. Had your lads ready first again, eh?”

“Early risers they are, sergeant.” He face lights up with a big grin.

“Early risers my arse. You are evil. Taunt Sergeant Hakeswill, you do.”

Sharpe continues to smile.

“What can I do for you, Sharpe?”

“Lads, want to sing. Will you ask the captain for us.”

“Hakeswill won’t like the boys singing.”

“Bugger Hakeswill.”

“I recall at Boxtel, you had the lads sing. Did well for them. Nothing wrong with singing, unless it tells the enemy we’re near.”

“Aye, sergeant.”

Bickerstaff pauses. “Know why Hakeswill doesn’t like the lads singing, Sharpe?”

“No idea,”

“After you had the lads sing last time, in camp that night, Hakeswill grabbed the lads who wait on him to beat his anger out. While he thrashed them he ranted that he hated singing., When he was with the regiment in the American war, he had to sing when Cornwallis’ army surrender to the French and the Yankee Doodles. They had to march and sing as the losing army. Men had starved and were sick with fever, but he had to sing. Swore he would never again.”

Sharpe listened.

“What song did he have to sing, sergeant?”

“He said something like World Turned Upside Down,”

Sharpe pauses and thinks.

“Wonder if any of the lads know that one?”

Bickerstaff looks at him and laughs.

“Sharpe! You are evil.”

He laughs again.

“I’ll ask Ensign Fitzgerald to ask the Captain. Now, back to your lads.”

Sharpe trots back to his section.

“Some of the lads know some more of Garry Owen, Dick.”

“Bickerstaff will ask Fitzgerald who will ask Hughes. Expect, Hughes will say yes. Hakeswill will not be happy.”

“Dick, you ARE evil.”

Sharpe watches Fitzgerald move past them to the head of the company. Fitzgerald talks with Hughes who looks to Sharpe., then to Hakeswill. Hughes responds to Fitzgerald who salutes then comes back to Sharpe.

“Captain says the lads can sing. Pick a good song. Colonel’s pipers can use some new tunes.”

“Thank you, lieutenant.”

“Tom, care to start the lads?”

“Gladly, Dick.”

Tom starts to sing Garry Owen. Hakeswill comes back to Sharpe.

“Officer’s pet, you are Sharpe. Officer’s pet. Singing is not in the scriptures. Not proper army.”

Sharpe listens to him splutter his anger at them singing.

“Sergeant, would you like us to sing a song for you?”

Hakeswill twitches and yells at Sharpe. “Song? For me? Never!”

Sharpe pauses then asks.

“Sure sergeant? We could do some verses of World Turned Upside Down for you.”

Hakes raises his halberd as if to hit Sharpe with it, but stops before striking him.

“Song for me?! That song? Never? Never, Sharpe. You are evil Sharpe. Not a soldier. Officers will learn, they will. Flog you they will. Will see to it.”

Sharpe listens to him, but says nothing., The company sings Garry Own, The other companies hear and join them.

Hakeswill leaves them to re”turn to his place next to Hughes.

“Hakeswill is right, Dick, You are evil.” Tom laughs.

“Just a good soldier, Tom. Just a soldier.”

They marched and sang.



After noon, they passed another house. They had barely passed it when Captain Lincoln rode up the column to find Captain Hughes.

“Captain Hughes. Permission to borrow your man Sharpe again. General wants more fresh beef for the lads.”

“Sharpe goes again. Extra portions for us, Lincoln?”

“Aye, Hughes. We had extra yesterday. Can’t waste it on those cart drivers again. Better you soldiers have it.”

“Take Sharpe.”

Sharpe and Lincoln ride off to the house. Sharpe had learned the day before how to ask and to negotiate. He began by introducing himself and Lincoln and learning the family name. The man at this house is named Grobbelaar. Sharpe heard Grow bull air. He is thankful that Lincoln and Sharpe were easier to say.

Grobbelaar said he did have cattle he would sell. He would sell five for six crowns each.

Lincoln is pleased that the transaction has gone so well.

“Was prepared to pay seven crowns each. General knows we paid seven. Care to make two crowns, Sharpe?”

“Sir?”

“I can claim that we paid seven per steer. I pay Dutchie six.. We keep five. You get two. I get three.”

Sharpe has heard that quartermasters cheat the soldiers. He knows about cheating from the dogpits in London. He once was a house ‘boner’ thief. Would taking Lincoln’s offer be any different?

“Three for you, two for me. Yes, sir.”

“Good, good Sharpe.”

Lincoln hands him two crowns. Then turns to the Dutchman. Gives him fifteen crowns with the other fifteen to be paid when they have the cattle.

When Lincoln and Sharpe return to the column, they men cheer them.

Colonel Mackenzie rides to meet them.

“Captain Lincoln. Am I to understand that we will have beef again?”

“Yes, sir. Your man Sharpe here negotiates fiercely. The men can thank him for their meal again.”

“Well done, Sharpe,”

Lincoln turns to Sharpe.

“My horse Sharpe. Enjoy your dinner. Maybe tomorrow, we can buy another beef dinner, eh?”

“Sir, pleased to help.”

Lincoln leads the horse and the five cattle away to be butchered.

“Back to your company, Sharpe. Hughes speaks well of you. Young, lad, you are. Hughes says you can go far. Keep your nose clean, lad.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Sharpe joins his section,

“My God, Dick! You should have seen Hakeswill try to hide his anger as we sang. Garry Own is a bit fast for us to march.”

“Yes, Tom. Cavalry might do better.”

“I heard you mention World Turned Upside Down,.”

Sharpe paused to see what Tom would say next.

“One of the lads knew some words. I had them sing. Christ Dick, Hakeswill nearly exploded. He screamed and yelled your name then ran back here. Hughes had to reign him in,.”

“Tom, you say I am evil. You are too! Bugger! Hakeswill is sure to think I had the lads sing.”

“Bugger Hakeswill. He’s the evil one. Bullies the weak. Plays tricks on all the company. Officers should see him for what he is.”

“Hakeswill is too sly. Survived too many year.”

“You and I need to watch our backs, eh?

“Aye.”

Sharpe waits before saying. “But, we can still have some fun with Hakeswill. Too easy to do so,”

Tom says. “Dick, you ARE evil!”

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