The Elephant God by Gordon Casserly
page 20 of 344 (05%)
page 20 of 344 (05%)
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"By Jove, Major, that's great. Do you think there's anything in it? How
ripping it'll be if they try to come in by this pass! Won't we just knock them! Couldn't we get some machine guns?" "I'm afraid we couldn't hold the Fort of Ranga Duar against a whole invading army, Parker. You know it isn't really defensible against a serious attack." "Oh, I say! Do you mean, sir, that we'd give it up to a lot of Chinks and bare-legged Bhuttias without firing a shot?" The Major smiled at his junior's indignation. "You must remember, Parker, that if an invasion comes off it will be on a scale that two hundred men won't stop. The Bhutanese are badly armed; but they are fanatically brave. They showed that in their war with us in '64 and '65. They had only swords, bows, and arrows; but they licked one of our columns hollow and drove our men in headlong flight. But cheer up, Parker, if there is a show it won't be my fault if you and I don't have a good look in." "Thank you, Major," said the subaltern gratefully. He smoked in silence for a while and then said: "D'you know, sir, I had an idea there was something up when Major Smith was suddenly ordered away and you, who didn't belong to us, were sent here from Simla. I'd heard of you before, not only as a great _shikari_--the natives everywhere in these jungles talk a lot about you--but also as a keen soldier. A fellow doesn't usually come straight from a staff job at Army |
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