Mardan, September 1863
"Did you hear the news, Windrush?" The cheroot seemed incongruous as it thrust from Major Kerr"s heavily bearded face. Dressed in an Afghan poshteen and boots, a puggaree adorning his head, he looked more like a Pashtun than anything else. The pulwar at his side completed the image. Sometimes Jack wondered if the Pashtuns were converting the British to their culture rather than the other way around. That idea became stronger when Kerr swore in Pushtu as he barked his shin against the edge of the table.
"Language, Kerr," Jack rebuked mildly. "I heard the Mujahidin attacked our camp at Topi."
"That"s right. Damned cheek, attacking a Guides camp." Rubbing his shin, Kerr perched himself on the edge of the table. He puffed out smoke. "Impudent beggars! I would not mind
