Part Two Skirmish at the Finolah Minehead A Spot of Bother in a Small Place

Continued from Part One

Hearing the firing from the palm groves, Hassan's brigands reluctantly leave their looting to attack the troopers, but they do not take time to regroup before leaving town; so they are hopelessly spread out and cannot respond to Hassan's orders.

The Hillmen move to secure the gateway, hurling spears across the wall at the approaching Scots. Regnad Kcin and one confederate make for the mine office, while the battering crew continues to assail the magazine door without result.

The Highlanders momentarily go to ground under the flight of spears.

The anxious Fellahin see the charging bandits to their left, as Sgt. Abdullah falls to a well-aimed musket ball. Lt. Dashley provides covering fire with his Webley as the colonial troops struggle into the ruins just ahead of Hassan and two hurtling brigands.

One of Hassan's town bandits roars into the Scots, cleaving one trooper from nave to chaps with a single stroke of his broadsword. The swordsman is dispatched by the remaining Scots, but, outnumbered, they can ill-afford the loss of even one man.
Captain Powderbourne considers his options - he cannot remain in the open while the hillmen toss spears from cover. Should he withdraw to the ruins and use his repeating rifles to reduce the ranks of Kcin's dacoits, or charge the mine?

PRESS ON to the Conclusion of
Skirmish at the Finolah Minehead.

RETURN to the Major General's Page
Copyright©1998 David Helber. No commercial distribution of images or text from any page on this site without written permission.