"This is where we part company," Jack said. They stood at the head of the Ambela Valley with the British encampment in the far distance, hazed by powder smoke. The intermittent rattle of musketry informed Jack that the siege continued. "You are as capable as I am of taking the men in, Hassan."
"That is so, sahib," Hassan agreed.
"Then do so," Jack said. "Pray convey my respects to Major Kerr, and tell him that I will join him at my earliest convenience. No, hang it all, I"ll write this down."
Finding a scrap of paper, Jack wrote that he had ordered Hassan to bring the men home while he pursued the Tabla Mullah, who he considered too much of a threat to India to leave alive.
"Thank you, sahib." Hassan held the scrap of paper as if it were gold dust. "I will ensure this reaches Major Ker
