“Sahib.” the Guides’ risaldar reined up beside Elliot. “A village is ahead, sahib. We reconnoitred and found it was empty, except for some stores of grain.”
“Thank you, Risaldar,” Elliot said. “The Nazar Khel must know we are coming. We’ll halt there for a while and feed the horses.”
As the Guides continued their ceaseless patrolling and the infantry posted strong pickets on the surrounding hills, the bulk of the column settled down. Jack saw a hundred campfires as men boiled water for a meal of meat and potatoes cooked in their dixies.
“The boys looked quite relaxed.” Jack accepted one of Baxter’s cheroots.
“They look happier here than they did in Kandahar,” Baxter said.
Jack exhaled a dribble of blue smoke. “They haven’t been tested in battle yet. That is the true measure of a soldi
