With his head pounding and every step the horse took jarring his spine, Jack continued.
Keep going, Jack. One step at a time.
After an hour, Jack saw the tail of the retreating army, a terrified gaggle of camp followers and straggling sepoys. He pushed through them, nearly falling from the saddle as he sought General Burrows or Nuttall.
Men begged him for water, and one threatened him with a bayonet. Jack ignored them all, staring ahead at the long column, the detritus of a defeated army.
“Move aside there! Move aside!” Jack ordered.
“Take me on your horse, sahib!”
“Stop, damn you! I want a ride! Bloody officers!”
After another half hour, Jack heard the distinct drumbeat of cavalry hooves behind him and the crackle of musketry.
The Afghans have found the tail of the column.
Jack k
