To save your world you asked this man to die:
To save your world you asked this man to die:Would this man, could he see you now, ask why?
Would this man, could he see you now, ask why?W. H. Auden
Jack swore. The Mahdi, or perhaps Zubeir, was more devious than he imagined. While holding Jack’s attention with an assault on the wells, he launched an attack on the less well-defended south of the village.
“How many men?” Jack asked.
Khalif gestured weakly. “I don’t know, effendi.”
“I’m coming,” Jack said.
The militia had fought hard defending their wall and now took up quarters in the houses, with the remains of the Malverns’ half company formed up in the street, firing at an unknown number of Mahdists.
“Where’s Lieutenant Pearson?” Jack asked.
“Dead, sir. So is Sergeant Fagan. I’m Cor
