"In front, sir," Wells reported. "Burmese."
There was another party of about a dozen men, watching them.
"Give them a hail, Sergeant. Ask what they want." Jack had to raise his voice above the roar of the drums.
"Yes, sir." Wells took a deep breath of the humid air and shouted something that Jack could not translate. There was no response.
"Keep an eye on them," Jack advised, "but don"t fire unless they threaten us."
There was another party on the right flank, watching but not interfering as the column moved closer to the stockade.
"They"re everywhere, sir," Thorpe"s voice rose.
"They"re only dacoits; we are British soldiers. Pull yourself together, man!"
"This will do," Marshall gave a sudden crisp order. "Set up the guns, Bertram. I want both ready to fire within an hour. We"ll h
