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(HORN BLOWING)

You, soldier, dance with me.

I do not dance.

Do not, sir, or cannot?

Will not, then, if it please you.

It does not please me.

(WOMEN LAUGHING)

I am reserved to step a measure with every man here present,

and have a wager of my friends to do the same.

Mmm.

- What do you say to that? - You'll lose.

Not lost your touch with the ladies, then, eh?

- What the hell are we doing here anyway? - You saw the dispatch.

Aye. "The governor requests your presence."

- But why? I thought we were headed home. - We are, Pat. We are, I promise.

Colonel Sharpe?

One moment, sir.

Damn the man. Damn him to hell.

God rot all quill suckers, huh?

We sweat and bleed and die upon their whim.

And for what thanks?

If it's gratitude you're after, then you've joined the wrong army.

You may well be right, at that, Colonel...?

Sharpe. Richard Sharpe.

Count Vladimir Alekseivich Dragomirov, 3rd Native Horse.

You have business with the governor?

Tread lightly. Sedgefield is a wily old devil.

Your Excellency, Colonel Sharpe.

Colonel, His Excellency Viscount Sedgefield.

I'm told you have a nose for mischief, Colonel Sharpe.

Told, sir?

His Grace, Lord Wellington.

This late rebellion, only recently put down,

we find ourselves, alas, already facing fresh dangers.

Bandits, Sharpe, in the high hills, under thrall of a cutthroat named Chitu,

causing no end of havoc with Company operations.

Villages put to fire and sword, the harvest disrupted.

Sorry to hear it.

Indeed.

A Company squadron under Count Dragomirov

has been dispatched to find this Chitu, and so far without success.

You are requested, by the highest authority, to do better.

I am no longer in the service of His Majesty.

My business in India concluded, I'm for Calcutta and England.

I cannot persuade you?

Well, perhaps then, might at least you be prevailed upon

to perform one last duty,

in which, I assure you, there is no peril to yourself?

Aye, if I can.

I have in my care a property,

like yourself, bound for the north.

Might I look to you for its safe conveyance?

Aye, very well.

Your word?

What is it, this property?

Ah, Colonel Sharpe, I have the honour to present

Mademoiselle Marie-Angelique Bonnet.

HARPER: Who is she? SHARPE: Damned if I know.

Her fiancé's a Company major, name of Joubert,

stationed at Kalimgong.

HARPER: Where in God's arse is Kalimgong?

SHARPE: Hmm, Company hill station.

On the way, Sedgefield says.

Major Tredinnick, sir.

♪ Trust in the shepherd

♪ Trust evermore

♪ Evermore faithful

♪ Evermore sure ♪

Marvellous, marvellous.

- Who commands this column? - Why, sir, no man.

Yet all men.

We are, you might say, a regular Captain Copperthorne's Crew.

The gentleman asked a civil question of you, Quilter,

he expects an answer in kind and none of your riddles.

What he means to say, sir, after his fashion, is

the matter would depend on whether you meant Company troops or King's,

for we number both amongst the column.

- Your officer will do for now. - Very good.

I'd be glad if our mounts could be fed and watered,

and someone to see to the lady's comforts, also.

Quilter, Deever! This way, gentlemen.

How is it you come to be travelling among Company troops?

I was ordered, sir.

There's bandits hereabouts, up to all manner of heathen deviltry.

Sooner than have the troops venture forth in small bands,

it was thought best to combine all soldiery samewise bound into one column,

along with any commonality of a like destination.

Mind your treads here, that's elephant shit.

(CLEARS THROAT)

These gentlemen were hoping for to speak with you, sir.

Very good, Colour Wormwood.

Will you be wanting for me to remain, sir, in case they has any questions?

- I believe I'm sufficient to the task. - Very good, sir.

You'll forgive Colour Wormwood's familiarity, gentlemen.

Being not long in India, I find myself beneath his wing.

Ensign Beauclere, 69th Foot.

Colonel Richard Sharpe, late of the South Essex.

- Sergeant Major Harper. - Your pardon, Colonel...

You may dispense with formalities, Mr Beauclere.

I hold not present commission.

Mr Harper and myself are about some private business

upon the governor's request.

And yourself?

I command a small prisoner escort, sir, bound for Calcutta.

I'd hardly call such numbers small, Mr Beauclere.

What have you in your charge, some regicide?

Ah, no, sir. You misapprehend me.

For the most part, what you see here is the royal train

of the Maharani Padmini Devi of Jhalawar.

A princess?

Her Highness travels to Pankot under protection of Company detachment,

Subedar Pillai commanding.

As for regicide,

I fear my prisoner is in no means so worthy of note.

So, what was the offence?

The murder of an officer, sir,

in furtherance to robbery of the regimental stores.

Ah.

The commissariat sets great store by its spoons, so it does.

Subedar Pillai, then, is in charge of the safety of this column?

Do it.

Do it, man!

Not like that, you'll kill him!

You've got the blade the wrong way around.

You need to line it up along the vein, not across it.

Are you a farrier?

I know how to bleed a horse without killing it.

What are you waiting for, then? Do it!

Here, hold on to that.

Right.

Keep the bugger steady, Pat.

That's fine. Easy, boy.

Take it nice and easy. Easy now.

That's a boy.

(HORSE WHINNYING)

Whoa, easy, boy. Easy, boy.

That's good. Just keep him there, Pat. Keep him there.

Good, boy.

I reckon you'll live.

We are most grateful, Mr...?

Sharpe. Colonel Sharpe.

Sergeant Major Harper.

For future, a wee bit of ginger added to his feed might help, ma'am.

Ask what reward you will of Subedar Pillai for your service.

It shall be met.

Ah, the beast out of his misery is reward enough, ma'am.

But I'll be glad of some words with the Subedar.

Yes, Colonel?

I was wondering, Subedar, if you have any sound intelligence

as to the bandits ranging hereabout.

I have a certain cargo in my charge, and I'm anxious for its safety.

You mean to leave me here in the company of common soldiers?

Be good practice, I'd have thought.

- You're set to marry one, aren't you? - Major Joubert is a gentleman.

Yeah? Then God help him.

The Company officer has given me his word.

Provision will be made to see you safely to Kalimgong.

You gave your word to Viscount Sedgefield.

If there are bandits in these hills, then this column will afford you

far better safety than me or Sergeant Harper.

The colonel's right, ma'am.

I'm glad of it.

At least I shall no longer be kept awake by your snoring.

- I don't snore. - Like a cart horse.

And since you are set upon your fait accompli,

there is nothing further to say. Monsieur.

Mmm.

She took it rather well, I thought.

Colonel Sharpe?

Mrs Tredinnick. My husband's the major of the Engineers.

I am certain that he would wish for me to present his compliments

and an invitation to dine with us this evening.

Well, that's really kind of you, ma'am, but I'm afraid...

We'd be delighted. Mr Harper, ma'am.

Oh, well, until this evening, then.

Yeah.

I was going to say no.

Are you all right? Listen, you need to see a surgeon.

I need no such thing.

I'll speak to Pillai.

What, a Company surgeon?

I'd rather let you loose with a hammer and fleam.

I'll be all right, Richard. Truly, I will.

Okay.

- I'll fetch us kit. - Yeah.

- We're bedding down here. - Yeah.

CROOP: What's some strangers want with Bo Peep, then?

No business of yours, Croop. Quilter, see the prisoner is fed and watered.

- He won't have none. - Nonetheless, it must be offered.

King's Regulations are very clear on this point, so look alive.

Brung your vittles.

Do you want them or don't you?

'Tis a matter of indifference to me.

But I must fetch them here, and here as I am bid, no matter.

Look, Corp, it ain't worth taking on.

When we get back to the lines, Colour will speak on your part.

That being done, seems to me you'll either hang or you won't,

and there's an end on it.

What a comfort you are to Job.

What's your name, then, Corporal?

Barabbas.

Bloody hell, thought "Dick" were bad. Barabbas?

A bible name, isn't it?

I had it off a priest at the Scottish mission.

Ah, a foundling.

No shame in that.

Half the world we got without ceremony.

Not always the worst half, either.

Deserve it, did he? The officer you killed.

I've known many that have.

But robbery, mind, regimental stores.

I'd sooner an honest murderer than a man who thieves off his mates.

I expect you'll tell me you're neither.

Never met a guilty man.

(SIGHING)

Colonel Sharpe, Mr Harper, you honour our table.

Thank you, Major.

Now, if I may, the Reverend Watkin, Ensign Beauclere you know,

my wife, of course, Miss Bonnet...

And I are already acquainted.

Oh, of course. Well, we wait only upon...

Ah, there he is. Good evening, Subedar.

My apologies, Major, I was detained upon some...

(ARROW WHISTLING)

Take cover!

(SHOUTING ORDERS)

Defend the camp!

(MEN SHOUTING IN HINDI)

Chitu's men.

Like as not.

(IN DISTINCT TALKING)

Very good, sir.

What's the bill, Mr Beauclere?

Her Highness and the commonality are all accounted for, sir.

Of Company troops, four are numbered dead,

including the surgeon.

Six are wounded, of which to include in Subedar Pillai, are like to die.

- And your own section? - Not a man come to harm, sir.

Colour Wormwood confides they gave good account of themselves.

Though I confess, with all that befell,

I'm hard pressed to order events.

The fire and the fighting, the horses and all...

Your first action?

Yes, sir.

You did well.

I would hope so, sir.

I was, you see, born to a soldier.

Indeed?

Perhaps you met him.

You will have heard of him, almost certainly.

He was a man brevetted major at Vittoria,

for capturing Marshal Jourdan's baton.

I don't believe I know him.

You'd have taken to him, sir,

for he was very brave, much admired by his men.

"Was", Mr Beauclere?

He fell, sir,

at Roncesvalles, when I was a boy.

There was I thinking it was you and me

that came across the Marshal's baton at Vittoria,

abandoned in the baggage train along with King Joe's royal jackpot.

Happen your memory's off, Pat.

A common effect of advancing years, I understand.

(CLEARING THROAT)

I posted pickets, but

their throats were cut.

I should have done more.

You did all that could be expected.

I must beg of your service, Colonel.

Will you stay with the column, at least as far as Kalimgong?

That's a lot to ask, I know, but it's only two days' march.

Besides, I shall rest a lot easier knowing

a senior officer were among us.

You have Major Tredinnick.

An engineer, Colonel.

He's no soldier.

Subedar Pillai is correct, Colonel.

Better by far the men have someone of both rank and martial reputation

to look to at such a time.

You may depend on my support in every particular.

I'm grateful, gentlemen.

Colour Wormwood.

Make ready the column to move out.

Mr Beauclere?

Whatever instruction you receive off Colonel Sharpe,

you may take as if the order were my own.

If you say so, sir.

Within the hour, Colour Wormwood.

What could I say?

- Huh? - Do you hear me complaining?

Just so far as this hill station.

Two days, then we're away.

Who is he, then, paddy, your Colonel Sharpe?

That'll be Mr Harper or Sergeant Major Harper

-when addressing me, Private Croop. - Who is he, though?

Well, he put Colour Wormwood in to brown study, whoever he is.

You'd know, Dan. You'd know.

But of all studies, I swear there's none on earth so brown as yours.

He's no proper officer. That much is plain.

He's more of an officer than you'll ever meet, Croop.

Don't talk like no officer.

Well, he may not have the holiday and lady terms

that some of your peacocks so easily command,

but when your back's against the wall, he's the one man you want beside you.

How is the Subedar?

Very weak, ma'am. He has lost much blood.

Though he suffers me to touch him, he will take of me no water.

Even this I am only able to do when he sleeps.

Dastur hai. It's a custom,

a stricture of his birth.

But if he does not let me help him, he will die.

Perhaps, but Subedar Pillai would sooner death than to break his caste.

SHARPE: Colour Wormwood.

Volunteers for a forage party. Your section will serve.

Begging your pardon, sir, but that's coolie work.

Can't have King's men cutting corn, sir,

not while Company troops are sat about on their arses.

Company troops are needed here, Colour, to protect the column.

And if the bandits should return, sir?

Company troops made a pretty poor show of it last evening,

and Mr Beauclere is only a lad.

An ounce of pluck is worth a ton of shit, and that lad's got pluck.

So would you have with a name to live up to.

Happen his father were a brevet major.

Captured Marshal Jourdan's baton at Vittoria.

Begging your pardon again, sir, but I wouldn't put much mind to that tale.

There's only one Beauclere I know of at Vittoria,

and he was no brevet major.

Berayed his breeches at the first volley and turned tail.

Provosts found him after the battle at an inn,

drunk as a judge and in such a condition, put a rope to his neck.

You are mistaken, Colour Wormwood.

There was another Captain Beauclere upon the field that day.

Indeed, sir. Who was that?

I do not know the particulars of this other fellow,

but I assure you, it was my father captured Jourdan's baton.

Aye.

Aye, stay with the column, then, if that's your will.

Aye, sir. Thank you, sir.

Something you wanted of us, Mr Beauclere?

It's Miss Bonnet, sir. She's taken a horse.

I tried to stop her, sir, but she said she would only be some short while.

Right.

What the hell do you think you're about?

But I wanted to ride.

I can see that.

Perhaps you forgot, but only last night we were attacked by Chitu's bandits.

They will be far behind us by now.

I wouldn't be so sure. And if can track you, so can they.

I will return presently.

Now, madam, at once!

God knows I didn't look for this duty,

but for better or worse, I'm responsible for your safety.

Unhand me!

You are rude, sir.

You are rude and ignorant and an uncouth brute!

And you, madam, are a spoiled, wilful, petulant and selfish young fool.

Selfish?

If you will not take thought to your own well-being,

then at least consider your fellow travellers.

I've enough to do seeing the column safe to Kalimgong

without chasing you up and down the country.

Now, get on your mount and follow me back.

Or will you have me carry you?

You would not dare.

I was done with my ride anyway.

Do your duty now, boy. You flow like the river Liffey.

(GRUNTING)

Sir! Major, sahib.

(SHOT FIRING)

(SOLDIER YELLING)

We're being attacked, Your Highness!

Can you fight?

- Stay here and keep out of sight. - I will do no such thing.

For once in your life, do as you're damn well told!

To my tent! To my tent. Get into my tent.

Fall back! Fall back!

(SHARPE SHOUTING)

I told you to stay put!

- I could use a rifle. - Not a bloody chance.

We need every man we can get.

(HORN BLOWING)

- Count Dragomirov. - Colonel Sharpe.

By God, but I were never so glad to see a cavalry man.

May I impose, then, upon your hospitality for some short while?

At least until our mounts are rested and we may continue the pursuit.

Aye, and welcome.

Colour Wormwood will see you provisioned.

I must take count of our losses.

- Colour Wormwood! - Sir?

I want that prisoner secured now, this instant.

Lads, you heard him. Take him away.

Oh, I see the hand of God is upon you still, Corporal Hakeswill.

What did you call him?

Corporal Hakeswill, the luckiest soldier I ever met.

Hakeswill?

- God AI-bloody-mighty! - Hey, take it easy! Please!

Please!

Hakeswill?

HARPER: Enough now. Come on!

Hakeswill. Where'd you get your name, then, eh?

HARPER: Stand off! Stand off, Richard.

Barabbas! A fine jest is that!

- Stand off, please! - Didn't you hear, Pat?

Hakeswill! Hakeswill! And you give him a rifle?

What's the matter, you bastard? Cat got your tongue?

I'm talking to you. Where'd you get your name?

From white man like you.

Oh, aye. Red Coat, was he? Sergeant? I know he was.

Obadiah.

Ah, thought as much.

Thief, murderer, rapist.

That were your father, Barabbas.

Well, I'll not leave it to a court-martial and the provosts.

I'll make an end of you here and now.

Colonel, what's this man's father to you?

He killed my wife!

Killed her.

And left our daughter motherless.

Now, be content.

But for all that, sir, this is not right.

Look to your business, Major.

Any man comes between me and that bastard, I'll kill him!

Out of the way, Pat.

- I can't let you do it, Richard. - Stand aside, damn you!

You'll have to put me down first.

I regret I cannot spare any of my men to your escort.

But you may depend, with my squadron in pursuit,

these devils will trouble you no further.

So, from here, where will you go?

- Kalimgong. - The Company garrison?

You should be safe there.

You should step down from the wagon, Miss Bonnet.

Take the air a while.

- How is he? - He's failing.

I do not know how much longer he can last without proper care.

I'm sure you're doing all that can be done.

We shall make Kalimgong tomorrow.

The Subedar shall have a surgeon.

And you your Major Joubert.

I am obliged to you, Colonel, for your action during the attack.

- Obliged? - I am reluctant to be in your debt.

Having been daughter to a soldier, I care little for the profession.

Oh.

Then upon one thing at least we're in agreement.

As for any obligation, I did my duty, ma'am.

Nothing more.

Have you not had enough excitement for one day?

He's bad blood, Pat.

And that's an end on it.

God knows, Richard, I've never taken another man's side against you,

and I'm not going to start now, but you're wrong.

- Am I, though? - On this, yeah, you are.

Just keep him from my view.

One more day, Pat, one more day, and then I'm rid of them.

Miss Bonnet, Hakeswill, the whole damned lot.

Whoa.

Why do we delay? Is there difficulty?

Merely a precautionary measure, ma'am.

Mr Harper and myself will reconnoitre the way ahead.

Reconnoiter?

But this is a Company-held station, is it not?

Aye, ma'am, and as such, I would expect to see some men,

at least upon the battlements.

- Major Tredinnick, you have command. - Yes, sir.

Wormwood, bring your section.

Skirmish order.

Skirmish order, lads.

Secure the fort.

You heard the colonel, gentlemen. Look to it.

Safe bloody harbour, is this.

That Chitu bastard must have some strength

to take a fort fully garrisoned.

An escalade, maybe,

under cover of dark.

Could have been over the walls and among them before the alarm were raised.

Here, sir, we've got a live one.

Christ, God almighty.

Simmerson.

You know him, sir?

Aye, Croop.

I know him.

- HARPER: Deever! - Sir?

There's an infirmary under the north rampart.

- Take the wounded there. - Sir.

Water, sir. Water.

I must have water.

Give him some.

Not too much now.

Just enough to wet his lips and also split his guts.

Bless you, sir. God bless you.

I praise God... Sweet Jesus for mercy.

Mercy.

General Simmerson, do you not know me?

Aye, sir.

Thou art my redeemer, sir.

It's Sharpe, Sir Henry. Richard Sharpe.

The sweetest name in all the world, sir.

Come, press your cheek against my lips,

that I may kiss my blessed saviour.

The sun...

We must save the harvest!

He's raving.

It might be a kindness to ease his suffering, sir.

Practically everyone in the Company almost wiped out by his orders.

- He's a stupid, malicious bastard. - Aye.

But he's my stupid, malicious bastard.

If anybody's earned the right to do for him, it's me.

And I say he lives.

Oh, no.

No, no, no, no, no. It won't do.

Am I to understand that gentlemen and ladies are to billet together?

- It is too much. - For shame, Mr Watkin.

Cannot you show some fellow feeling? Miss Bonnet has suffered a great shock.

What shock?

She's come here to meet her fiancé.

And as to our quarters, well, surely,

between us we can improve on our situation.

Why, here, even.

A broom, might almost have been waiting upon us for use.

Perhaps, Reverend, you would fetch me some water

and see if there's not some scrubbing soap to be had.

Colour Wormwood, the garrison must be put in earth.

Can you organise a burial party?

These hereabout lying dead is Company troops, Mr Harper.

What of it?

You'll find the heathen is most particular

about his funeral observances.

Is that a fact?

You see, some is for burning.

Some for setting adrift along his holy river.

Whilst yet more has a fancy to have their insides pecked out by birds.

It is a confusion.

(SOLDIER LAUGHING)

Yet their wishes must be considered, lest we affront the living.

Just see them in the ground, will you, Wormwood?

And leave the rest to the Almighty, hmm?

You heard him, lads. Get on with it.

It's a soldier I signed on for, not a bloody gravedigger.

Well, it's my fancy we'll dig a churchyard full

before that long-legged jackanapes' done with us.

Just make sure it ain't our own we're digging, Danny.

Oh, I means to. I means to.

The raiders have left us little of use, Colonel.

No food, and the well is spoiled with the dead.

I had thought, among the flotsam, to find some hint of the garrison's fate.

Bandit attack.

I doubt the writer would have had time to make note of such

before being himself overcome.

Yet someone has been here before me.

Unless these bandits are men of learning,

I cannot reason their interest in books and parchment bonds.

And they've a taste for lists.

The army's fond of lists.

If you come upon any mention of Miss Bonnet's fiancé,

-you'll let me know of it? - He's not among the dead?

The only white man accounted for is Simmerson.

It's possible this Major Joubert is out upon patrol.

I'll be glad to give her some hope.

My wife, I know, is offering such comfort and assurance as she can.

Aye. You've a good 'un there, Major.

If you'll allow.

Indeed, Colonel, I hold myself the luckiest of men.

Yet also, I feel a selfish one.

There is a score of years and more between us, sir.

I wonder sometimes if she would not have been happier with a younger man.

The choice was hers to make, Major.

To my mind, she chose wisely.

Aye, sir, aye.

As you say, fortune favours me beyond my deserving.

You'll catch 50 lashes Colour Wormwood finds you.

Now then...

- Now then... - What have you?

As fine a pair this soul ever laid eyes on.

Don't tell me there's some bibby hid there still.

God bless officers. Hey, soldiers share!

Always!

But not here, eh?

Let's find ourselves a bit of peace and quiet so we can enjoy it proper.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Should you be here, ma'am?

I can send someone to relieve you.

My time is better occupied.

How fares the general?

His thoughts come and go.

- And the boy? - Sleeping.

If you embrace Christ with all your heart, even at this late hour,

all your sins will be washed as white as snow. Come, sir...

I thought we cleared this place of vultures.

You must leave the sick to their rest, Mr Watkin.

As madam tends to the physical, Colonel, so I look to tend the immortal soul.

As may be, sir.

Yet you must come away.

Now, sir.

The man's dying. Can you not let him go in peace?

I am upon God's work, Colonel. God's work!

- You're a bloody hypocrite! - For shame, sir! For shame!

At least Simmerson has cause for his madness.

You, you're the worst kind of lunatic.

About your business, sir, and try me no further.

Go, sir, sing!

Cry hallelujah and give amen to the top of your lungs, but not here.

(WOMAN QUIETLY SINGING IN HINDI)

Huh!

Now, now, Missy, how about you kiss me?

Hold her, then, that I may have a kiss off her!

Leave her be!

All right?

A pretty pickle and no mistake.

Six-hundred miles between here and home.

I don't think we can rely on Dragomirov's troopers

to deliver us again.

We've done what we said.

Brought them safely here.

- We have. - It's our business to do owt else.

I won't argue with that.

Right.

All right.

We should just... Just leave them then, eh?

We should.

But you won't.

Major!

Major Tredinnick, sir.

There's been some trouble, sir. Please, can you come with me?

Just when it seemed to be going so well.

Ha!

Keep it all as I foretold, girl, or the worse of it'll come to you.

(SPEAKING HINDI)

What the hell's going on here, Colour?

My men come along your sapper there, sir,

looking to take his pleasure of the maid he was, sir, by force.

Naturally, being concerned of her honour, they come to her defence.

You can ask the girl, sir.

Sir, I did not.

Their word against his, sir. There's the very nub of it.

Can't believe a fine officer such as yourself

would want to take sides with one of them against your own.

Then not only are you a liar, Wormwood, but a bloody fool also.

Liar, sir?

That's a very serious charge, sir, very serious.

Not at all the sort of accusation an officer would make

against an enlisted man without such proofs as would be necessary

to back it up.

Proofs?

Cases where the honour of an enlisted man have been impugned, sir.

KR's very clear about such proof, sir.

A barrack-room lawyer, too, eh?

King's Regulations is like the Good Book itself to such as I.

Then you'll know what the punishment is for running an indisciplined section.

Indisciplined?

These men are unfit for duty through drink.

They are drunk, sir, I grant, but on duty, sir? No, sir.

- There we differs. - Do we, Colour?

We does, sir.

I was raised up from the ranks, Wormwood.

You know what that means?

It means you've done a feat, sir, usually.

It also means I know every dirty soldier's trick in the book.

- That so, sir? - It is so.

And I'll tell you something more.

Rape's a hanging offence, even attempted.

Rape's a hanging, drunk's a flogging.

And you in charge of all.

Sir...

I could break you for this.

Bust you down to private.

I've seen some piss-poor sections in my time, by God I have,

but yours is a bloody disgrace, work shy, gutless.

But that's going to change.

From now on, they're on picket, permanent.

And every spare second, you're going to be on drill.

- Pat? - Sir!

I want them sober and on the fire-step within the hour.

Right, you sons of whores, you heard the officer.

Double, double, double!

Aye, I know, Robert.

(CHUCKLING)

Believe me, if things were else, I'd hang them and have done with it.

But we've 600 mile of hostile country before us.

And I need every man I've got.

He will not be long now.

I'll stay by him.

There's no word of Philippe?

No, ma'am, not yet.

But that he was not found amongst the rest,

it's possible Major Joubert survived.

SIMMERSON: Joubert...

Joubert, the devil! The very devil!

Lie still, sir. You're not yourself.

Joubert... The harvest...

We must save the harvest!

Stop him! Stop him!

He's not in his right mind, ma'am. I promise.

- He'd be calling for my head. - BEAUCLERE: Sir?

I think he's gone, sir.

Aye.

Aye, he's that.

Sharpe means to lead us on to Calcutta.

- Says who? - Colour heard it off his own lips.

Then we're dead men.

Someone should do something.

What, though, boys?

There's the rub.

And who to do it?

Any volunteers?

A soldier's solution, then.

We shall be likened to the Roman.

When they parted his raiment into four, it would not rend his vesture,

but rather cast lots for it.

He that plucks the shortest measure from Deever's shut fist

shall stand assassin.

That's murder, Colour.

It's him or us, boys.

Him or us.

Pat?

Jesus.

Keep them back, Pat. Tell them to keep back.

- How many? - Too many. 60, 70.

Whole families, Richard.

Young and old, men, women, children, for the love of God.

This Chitu is as wicked a dog as I've ever known.

Aye.

It's a strange kind of rebel that slaughters his own,

do you not think?

These people were farmers, Pat, no threat to any.

Where's the profit in it?

You've set your finger on the nub of the matter, Colonel.

There's more to this than simple rebellion.

I'm told you had some time this afternoon

in conversation with Major Tredinnick, General.

Whom?

We spoke of the attack upon Kalimgong, General.

Do you remember?

Of course I remember. Damned hard to forget.

Perhaps you will be so good as to tell these gentlemen what befell.

Company half-squadron arrived to collect the early harvest.

And this would have been the 70 chests

mentioned in the Company writer's report.

General?

It was a...

I gave the task to my second-in-command.

First mistake.

Not my usual aide-de-camp, but a damned Frenchman on temporary attachment.

Papers in order.

But I thought it a rum go-over all the same.

Cavalry man, do you see?

Never trust a damned Frenchman.

Go on, sir.

Devil had my sepoys load his wagons.

Then once the job was done,

damn my eyes if my major didn't mount up with the cavalry and turn them upon us.

Entire garrison slaughtered to a man.

Only I was spared.

Who was he?

I've told you, a damned Frenchman.

Major Joubert, of the 3rd Native Cavalry.

But we agreed, sir, you were confused upon the point.

Joubert is fiancé to the young lady who has been tending you in your infirmity.

I think I might remember the name of the devil

who staked me out under the sun to die, sir.

Joubert.

Major Philippe Joubert.

Ma'am...

No, Philippe is dead.

The General is mistaken. You said yourself.

Perhaps.

Yet we did not find him.

It's not possible.

You think I would marry such a man?

What the hell was in those chests that was so important anyway?

Opium, Pat.

Grown under licence from the Company and destined for China.

Same as they were raising in this village.

Colonel Sharpe is right, gentlemen.

The Company has, these last years, imported from China

ever greater quantities of tea.

The tea must be bought with something.

How then to balance the books?

By selling China the one thing she craves.

You have not one whit of proof to support so scandalous an allegation.

I expect he does.

Had occasion myself to examine the writer's office.

There are some certain ledgers and accounting books missing.

The contents of which I intend, upon my return to England,

and to the everlasting shame of His Majesty's government,

to make known.

It would seem this Joubert, then, sir,

has resolved to enter into the trade himself.

Not just him, Mr Beauclere.

The half-squadron of cavalry that came to Kalimgong

was of the 3rd Native Horse.

It was Dragomirov.

Stealing the harvest and blaming it on this rebel Chitu.

If such a man even exists.

There's something out there, sir, moving.

In those trees and bushes.

Skirmish order.

(RUSTLING)

Halt! Who goes there?

Sharpe.

Advance and be recognised.

What was it? A tiger? What?

Yeah, a tiger, all right, but only a little one.

- Did the lass say owt? - Men on horses, sir.

- Bandits? -"Bad men", she says.

And one of them, their chief she called him, was white.

Why did Dragomirov let us carry on to the hill station?

Happen he'd no notion then.

The fort had already fallen to Joubert.

No reason to care overmuch.

For we should have taken such slaughter to be the work of Chitu and his bandits.

More, sir. We should have returned to the lines bearing tales

which serve to further his deception.

Only Joubert made a mistake.

He left alive a witness to his treachery.

If in ignorance then, we presented no threat,

we must assume when Dragomirov is reunited with Joubert,

-the truth will out. - Aye.

- We leave at first light. - Sir.

They have been and gone.

I hope, Major Joubert, that your taste for the dramatic flourish

is not about to cost us dear.

Monsieur.

If Simmerson died before Sharpe's column got here, all is well.

If he survived, however, to tell of your perfidy...

SHARPE: The bridge has gone.

HARPER: I'd say the rains have washed it away.

Colour Wormwood, take picket.

- Sing out if any bugger comes. - Sir.

Pat, unhitch the wagons, turn the animals loose.

I understand Mr Nash is upon fashioning a pavilion very like your own

for the Prince Regent, Your Highness, in Brighton.

Brighton?

A small town by the sea in Sussex.

When complete, I fancy it will be the gayest place under heaven.

Mmm.

Your Highness, I must ask you to dismount.

Dismount? Why?

We've bare enough provision for ourselves, ma'am.

The animals must be turned loose here and left to themselves.

I will not abandon my Chetak, Colonel.

We've no choice, ma'am. From here we go on foot.

Only those things essential to our journey may be carried,

food, water, ammunition.

HARPER: Keep that rope nice and tight now, Singh.

Nice and tight.

Only those things essential to our journey, Mr Watkin.

I gave order. Maybe you did not hear.

But these things are essential, Colonel Sharpe.

Indeed?

This is essential, and that, and these.

They are liturgical accoutrements, sir,

necessary to furnish my new mission at Benutola.

Once we've reached safe ground,

you can make arrangements to have your equipment retrieved.

But, Colonel...

(SPEAKING HINDI)

- Where's she going? - Oh, it's... It's my looking glass.

With Colonel Sharpe's haste to have us abandon all our belongings, she...

- She forgot it. - We've no time for this, ma'am.

I know. I told her so, Mr Harper. I told her, but she insists.

I looked for you at Kalimgong, Colonel.

But I only found fresh graves and the garrison missing.

The fort was attacked, and her company entire put to the sword.

- Did none survive? - None.

Philippe?

No.

(WHISPERING)

But I think one, perhaps,

and by your lie, I must assume he has told you of his misfortune.

Leaving the commanding officer alive was an unnecessary cruelty

on my associate's behalf.

Major Joubert?

I cannot allow your companions to reach the lines

in receipt of such intelligence against me.

Are you going to kill them?

In any enterprise, there is always spoilage.

But as gentlemen, cannot we come to some reasonable agreement, you and I?

There is no need for you to suffer along with the rest,

nor indeed, the good major's affianced bride.

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

If it's a matter of scruple, I have always found gold

the sovereign thing on earth for troubled conscience.

There's not enough gold in the world to buy your life back.

My life?

Well, we shall have our time, perhaps sooner than you think.

Quick. Quick, get him across.

Colonel, sahib.

Come on, lass.

(RIFLE FIRING)

Major! Get up, sir! Come on! Get up!

- Major, sahib! - Sir, come on!

I want them alive!

Bastards!

Come on, Richard, up you get. Come on.

Come on, stick with me. Come on.

MARIE: Richard!

- Where the hell are you going? - Can't leave her to them, Pat!

You go across that river you're a dead man.

What good are you to her then?

Damn it to hell!

Stand back, you bastard!

Colonel Sharpe.

Come on, miss, it's time we were gone from this place.

Fire!

I wish you an uncomfortable night.

I was detained...

Take cover!

Defend the camp!

I must beg of your service, Colonel.

Will you stay with the column, at least as far as Kalimgong?

And you, madam, are a spoiled, wilful, petulant and selfish young fool.

Count Vladimir Alekseivich Dragomirov.

- What's this man's father to you? - He killed my wife!

SHARPE: It's Dragomirov stealing the opium harvest

and blaming it on this rebel Chitu.

I want them alive!

- Richard! - Can't leave her to them, Pat!

You go across that river, you're a dead man.

Fall back! Fall back, damn it!

QUILTER: They're retreating!

(ALL CHEERING)

You'll have to take them on, Pat.

- Me? Hold on a minute. - No argument.

Even now, Dragomirov will be looking for another place to cross.

You keep to Tredinnick's map.

- I'll rejoin you as I may. - Richard. Richard, what are you doing?

She came back for me, Pat.

She came back for me.

(GRUNTING)

I cannot reach the ball, sir. It is too deeply lodged.

Can he be moved?

If you wish him to bleed afresh with every step.

Indeed, Mr Harper, I can.

- Robert... - Sir?

I'm well enough.

See?

If Lance Naik Singh will lend me his shoulder,

I can travel.

♪ There once was a prophesy found in bog

♪ Lilli bulero, bullen a la

♪ That we'd be ruled by an ass and a hog

♪ Lilli bulero, bullen a la ♪

With due consideration, Mr Harper,

I'm come to the opinion the General's mad, sir.

Have you ever met one that wasn't?

SIMMERSON: Come along, Mr Beauclere. Pick up the pace!

That's the way, sir!

Damned forlorn hope, I calls it.

Staunch griping, Quilter, I will not hear it.

There is always hope.

While Colonel Sharpe was with us, sir, not now.

It's a bitter blow, I grant you, but all is not lost.

We must trust to Mr Harper and support him in all things.

- He's no rank, sir. - No, no, he has not.

Yet he will, I think, get us through.

Pray God you're right, sir.

Pray God you're right.

Uh-uh, uh-uh.

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

Jérome.

(TWIG SNAPS)

Stand back, you bastard! Stand back!

Ah, the English colonel, huh?

Soldats!

Colonel Sharpe, is it not?

No doubt Count Dragomirov will reward me

for bringing such a useful prisoner, hmm?

Soldats, à moi!

Your men are dead, Joubert.

- It's you and me now. - No.

Only me.

It's all right, lass. Come on, you're safe.

I've given them as decent a burying as I can.

Leastways,

a better than any they'd a right to.

You're bleeding.

- It's nowt. - Let me see.

Eh?

If I do not staunch your bleeding, how far do you imagine we will get?

See, I told you it were nowt.

No less, it must be cleaned and dressed. Your shirt.

- What? - If you please.

Bloody hell.

My wife's, ma'am.

- The one you spoke of? - Teresa.

- Teresa, aye. - You'd a daughter, you said.

Aye.

There.

Antonia.

- That's her likeness. - A pretty girl.

Aye. Happen she took after her mother.

- And where is she now? - With Teresa's family somewhere.

I can't hope to look for her, not in the army.

The army's no place to raise a child.

Light's failing. We'll make no more ground today.

- Wormwood, pitch camp. - Pitch camp!

Deever, you take first picket. Two hours on, two hours off.

Damn it.

You have been all my happiness, and a joy far beyond my deserving.

Hist now. Hist.

You will start my eyes watering with all your flattering.

Stout heart, my girl. Stout heart.

Not ate owt, ma'am?

I'm not hungry.

You should eat all the same. Keep your strength up.

Things will look brighter come morning.

I will forget I killed my fiancé, do you mean?

Here, now. Here, come on.

It were either him or me, and I'm glad it weren't me.

If it's any comfort,

he got no more or less than his deserving.

Have you killed many men?

- Did they deserve it? - Some.

Most were just poor soldiers

who happened to wear a different uniform from me.

But in a just cause...

Not sure I ever heard of one.

War's the business of kings, miss, kings and governments.

However they dress it, in the end,

the whys and the wherefores come down to one thing,

loot, booty, treasure.

We're soldiers.

We just do the dying for them.

So nobody saw him go?

- No, sir. - No.

Well, I saw a fellow head off,

but took him upon some post-culinary business.

Mr Beauclere, you will take the Company on.

Mr Harper, you will forgive me, sir, but the column needs you here.

Major Tredinnick is my officer. I will find him.

(HORSE WHINNYING)

You may kill me, Count,

but if by God's good grace Colonel Sharpe still lives,

upon his steel shall you answer for your offences.

Sharpe is dead. All your hope is in vain.

However, tell me where the rest of your party can be found.

I may yet spare your life.

Betrayal is your creed,

not mine.

You're a brave man.

You see, ma'am.

I told you all would look better by morning.

We've come upon the track.

A few hours' riding should see us right back to the column.

(TREDINNICK GROANS)

Major, sahib! Major, sahib!

(GROANS)

Singh,

come here.

You must tell Mr Harper...

Tell him

Colonel Sharpe is dead.

I heard the news off Dragomirov.

Look... Look to my wife, hmm?

See her safe through...

Safe through our child.

No harm will touch her while I breathe. I swear.

Those were the Major's words.

I'm sorry to bear no better tidings, sir.

- Ma'am... - No.

Speak me no speeches, Lance Naik Singh.

By and by, I will hear all that there is to be heard, but just...

Just grant me a few private moments just to gather myself.

I beg you.

Phillipe was garrisoned for a short while upon the Ile-de-France.

My father liked to gamble and when he could not cover his debt...

What? Won you at cards?

An unusual way to find a husband, I grant,

but I wasn't going to do any better.

A shrewish reputation does not encourage eligible suitors to a woman's door.

Headstrong maybe, but shrewish, no.

- I would not call you that. - You called me worse.

Spoiled, petulant, selfish.

- Yeah. - And yet you came after me.

I made a promise to the Viscount Sedgefield, ma'am.

Do you always keep your...

Colonel Sharpe, Mademoiselle Bonnet,

unless I mistake, with Major Joubert's horse.

No foolish heroism, please.

Lay down your arms and you'll be treated fairly.

Our field headquarters.

A finer billet than any other Company barracks, is it not?

- Take her to her quarters. - I will stay with Colonel Sharpe.

You will do as you are bid.

There's some matters which lie between the Colonel and myself we must resolve.

The ladies of the palace will see you have all you require.

- Richard. - It's all right, ma'am.

You'll be safe enough.

A fine piece, but I think a little headstrong, is she not?

She knows her own mind.

A habit, in my experience,

as unwelcome in a woman as it is in a horse, hmm?

Will you take a dish of tea, Mr Harper?

When low in spirits, my Robert, he always took a dish to be restorative.

I will, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.

We've made some good progress this morning, have we not?

We've done as well as we may, ma'am.

But enough, would you think,

to put us beyond the reach of... Of that man?

I hope so, ma'am. I really hope so.

So here you see my manufactory.

This is where the raw juice of poppy is prepared, dried,

and shaped into these cakes.

The work does not take the great skill.

But it requires some attention on the part of the worker.

Purity is all. A moment's inattention,

and the whole batch may be ruined past saving.

This fellow here, for example.

His daydreaming has already cost me dearly.

Do you know how much opium China imports, Colonel Sharpe?

Some 20,000 to 30,000 chests a year.

A year.

I have from this season alone already 1,100 chests,

and the raw material for some 800 or 900 more.

Thirty-five pounds a chest.

- Seventy thousand pound. - With so much at stake,

do you truly suppose I intend to allow your friends to make Calcutta?

Yet, I will strike a bargain with you.

Save me the inconvenience of hunting them down

and I will spare them.

They will be my guests here until what business I have in India is concluded.

Thereafter, they will be set free.

You have my word.

I've had benefit of your word before.

(WORKER PROTESTING IN HINDI)

Meantime, I advise you to spend the rest of the day in consideration.

(YELLING)

With or without your help, be assured, Colonel,

I shall find the rest of your company.

Mr Harper, the men are of the opinion we should parlay with Count Dragomirov.

What measure of mercy are the men hoping to receive, eh?

The same as we got off Dragomirov at the river?

The same as Major Tredinnick?

We're for Calcutta.

You go back to your section and you tell them so.

This is a fool's errand,

and damn fools be we for following Sharpe.

That'd be Colonel Sharpe to you, Wormwood.

Colonel or no, he's gone.

You'll not see him again for all his high cockalorum.

And good riddance to the bastard, says I...

You keep your tongue behind your teeth.

As you were, you sons of whores.

Attend me now!

If there's any man here who wants to turn back

and seek quarter with Dragomirov,

then he should step forward,

and I will gladly argue the same point with him.

So get this into your thick skulls.

We, all of us, know far too much about Dragomirov to be allowed to live.

Now get him on his feet and let's go to...

(GROANS)

- God save Ireland... - Mr Harper?

- Sergeant Harper, what's wrong? - Stones, inside. Stones.

- It must be cut from him. - No, no cutting.

There is another way.

Ah, Mademoiselle Bonnet, what a picture you are.

Please.

You all right, lass?

You will take wine?

A sherbet water perhaps, then?

When I leave this country, Colonel, I will do as a rich man.

You could do the same.

In Major Joubert, you have robbed me of a useful ally.

And I must find a replacement.

- Me? - Why not?

You have sold the best years of your life

in the service of a mad, old king and a country which knows you not.

To what reward? Rank?

The grudgeful tolerations of your betters?

Ah, now this fellow you should enjoy,

for which he will enquire the assistance of a beautiful woman.

Mademoiselle, if you will be so good.

He wishes for you to stand upon him, my dear.

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

- Ma'am? - The sherbet...

Wine will revive her.

I'm quite sincere, Colonel.

A soldier of your resourcefulness and renown

would be an asset to my enterprise.

I'm a soldier,

not a murderer.

And what is soldiering, Colonel, but legal murder?

Huh?

I can see you are still reluctant to tell me

where I might find your fellows.

I can understand you might be stubborn enough to allow yourself to suffer.

But Miss Bonnet...

(PEOPLE GASPING)

Believe me, in her present state, she will do exactly as they please.

The sherbet water, Colonel, was laced with opium.

- All right. All right, damn you. - Where are they?

- I'll take you to them. - Just tell me.

Where are they to be found?

You must let me negotiate terms.

Patrick Harper won't surrender to anybody but me.

(HARPER GRUNTING)

All right, all right, all right. Let him rest a while.

You take your ease, sahib.

- You're killing him. - It is the stone that is killing him.

It must be passed or he will die.

- You'll burst his heart. - Yet it must be tried.

Mr Harper, sahib, once more if you will.

What good do you think I'll do you dead?

You'll be safe enough,

provided you don't give the serpents cause to strike.

I wish you an uncomfortable night.

Enough music now!

Leave off your God damn caterwauling.

- See her to her quarters. - Yes, sahib.

(HISSING)

Ma'am. Ma'am. Come on.

Come on, lass. It's time we were gone from this place.

Water, sahib?

How are you this day? I must say, you look much improved for your labours.

How did I get here? I've no recollection of the journey.

We carried you, sahib, as you've carried us all so far,

and in such discomfort.

- Is it gone? - You are rid of the stone, sahib.

- Thank you. - All by your own effort.

- No cutting was necessary. - How?

My grandfather was once taken of the stones, sahib.

A wise man of the village cured him

and imparted to me the secret by which he was delivered.

Indian magic.

No, sahib. Indian medicine.

Really, sahib, you Europeans are a very superstitious people.

I suppose.

(HORSES WHINNYING)

Shh. Do you hear that?

- Horses. - Aye. Horses.

- Company, stand to. - Stand to!

Well, I weren't expecting flags,

but I thought to find a warmer welcome than this.

- BEAUCLERE: Colonel Sharpe. - Alive.

By God, sir, we had took you to be lost.

I don't understand, sir.

Lance Naik Singh had it off Major Tredinnick that you were dead.

And why should Major Tredinnick think so?

What?

Where is the Major?

I'm grieved to learn of your loss, ma'am.

Truly.

You're restored to us, Colonel, as my husband would have wished.

In that there is comfort, and not some little hope.

The Major was as fine an officer as I've met, ma'am.

Thank you, Colonel.

For his part, I know he held you in like esteem.

By all reports, it would seem that you have struck a blow for our cause.

In that there is some justice.

In truth, ma'am, what justice he had were Miss Bonnet's doing.

Well, I will give her my thanks.

God, Richard, you gave us a rare fright.

Let's get moving.

Pat?

An hour, would you say?

Less.

HARPER: Watch it, lads! Look out, look out!

Oi! Careful!

How much powder have we got?

- When I draw my blade... - You don't have to tell me twice.

- Not before. Understood? - I know, I know.

On your way, then.

So, you have found your friends.

It was thoughtful of you to lead me to them.

I told you I should hunt you down, Colonel Sharpe,

and here we are.

Turn your men about, Dragomirov.

Go back while you've still got a chance!

I offered you friendship, a share of the spoils.

What do you think you can achieve? One sword against 50.

Aye, one sword, but warranted never to fail.

Come on, then, you yellow bastards! What are you waiting for?

Cavalry? I've shit 'em.

No, it's too easy.

Wait, you fools! Rein in! Rein in!

(MEN YELLING)

(HORSES WHINNYING)

Clear the way, God damn you! Clear the way!

Get it cleared!

Send out a scouting party. See if there's another way around.

(ALL CHATTERING)

Praise God.

Praise God.

Lance Naik Singh!

Sir?

Take a couple of Company troops and find the head man.

Have him understand we intend him no injury,

we wish only to re-supply. All and any goods to be paid for.

Sir.

Take what rest you can. We must be on our way again shortly.

Away, Colonel? But this is my mission.

If Dragomirov finds you here, he'll kill you.

He must do what he must do, as shall I.

You'll do as you're damn well told, Reverend.

(GASPING)

Madame?

- My child... My child's coming. - Come on.

Come here.

Colour Wormwood, secure the village.

You heard him. Get on with it.

Deever, lose your monkey.

- The child's good with me, Colonel. - It's against King's Regulations.

I ain't leaving her.

You'll do as I damn well say, or you'll find yourself on a charge!

It's all right, Private Deever. She can bide with me.

I'll find some woman of the village to look to her.

- Come here. - See she's took care of.

I will.

(MOANING)

I'm... I'm anxious to know how soon we might be on our way, ma'am.

How soon? Richard, the child is the wrong way about.

Aren't there... You can help?

I don't know.

I have helped deliver a child before, yes, but not like this.

- It may turn of its own will. - What if it doesn't?

It will be a difficult time. In either case, she cannot be moved.

(GROANING)

All right.

♪ Bake me a cake as quick as you can ♪

(SIMMERSON LAUGHING)

Let's play it again.

(BOTH SINGING SOFTLY)

- She sure? - Aye.

Well, that's that, then.

Come on, let's have a turn about the place.

(VILLAGERS SINGING)

It ain't much, Pat, but it'll have to serve.

We can hardly press on now.

It'd be a real pity to falter at the last.

You do know the next garrison is only a two-day hard march?

We haven't got two days.

Like as not, Dragomirov will be upon us tomorrow.

It's here or nowhere.

It's as fine a place as any, though I had hoped to see Ramona again.

You shall, Pat. You shall.

I suppose we've soldiered long enough and hard enough

for you not to start lying to me now.

But Dragomirov's troopers are well-seasoned.

And what's more, they outnumber us six to one.

Good riflemen's odds.

Aye, except we've got no bloody riflemen.

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

HARPER: What's happening?

It's all right, lass. It's all right. Come on.

HARPER: What in the name of God's going on?

You're safe now. You're safe.

Dragomirov's scouting party.

Bring him down!

(SPEAKING BENGALI)

- What's he say? - My Bengali's not so good, sir.

He thinks you were trying to harm the girl, sir.

Me? No, mate, you've got it wrong. It were these buggers here.

(SPEAKING HINDI)

He's her father, sir, I think.

Lower your rifles.

Put them down.

(SPEAKING BENGALI)

- What did you ask him? - His name, sir.

My name is Chitu.

And you're right. Your Bengali is terrible.

Why would he come here? My village grows no opium.

- It's us he's after. - Then go.

Leave us alone.

You're not welcome here. You're bringing trouble to my village.

We can't go.

There is good amount of powder and shot, some canister also.

Whether the powder is still good...

Bugger the powder. The thing's only got one wheel.

- Lance Naik Singh. - Sir?

See what you can do.

(VILLAGERS SINGING)

SHARPE: How many are you? CHITU: All that you see.

- Will they fight? - They're farmers.

So were I once.

Day comes a man has to decide

whether he stands to protect what he holds dear

or bows himself under another's will.

Musket at half-cock.

Close the pan.

Ram the cartridge.

Up, up, up!

And present arms.

(MOANING)

WORMWOOD: Look at him, eh? Look.

Bloody fool.

Anyone with sense would leave the bastard to it, eh, lads?

Desertion's a hanging, Colour.

You think anyone will survive the morrow to pinch?

Who's going to stop us, eh?

I reckon we'll take our chances alongside of Colonel Sharpe.

Is that how is lies, lads?

Aye.

Oh, well.

Maybe you're right.

It was an idle thought, an unworthy one.

Think no more on it.

Eh, God knows Silas Wormwood wouldn't leave his boys unfriended, eh?

Eh?

(WORMWOOD CHUCKLES)

I keep thinking there's summat I forgot.

I think maybe there is one thing.

I'm told I've done you some injury.

Don't.

At least it would appear so.

I cannot speak to those things of which you're charged,

but for my misjudgement and the treatment you've had of me by it,

I offer apology.

You've no cause to like the name of Hakeswill.

No, that's true.

But as a man, you've done me no wrong.

Tomorrow, there's going to be a battle.

I need every man able to face Dragomirov.

Will you fight?

Free me. Give me a rifle.

You shall see whether I can fight or not.

I cannot free you.

You're in the army's charge and I durst not interfere.

Yet you shall have a rifle.

Tomorrow.

- Fine night. - The break of morning on the wind.

Aye, it's that.

- Been long a soldier, Private Deever? - Nine years, sir.

What did you do before that?

(CHUCKLES) Nothing, sir. The army's all I know.

See, my grandpa fought for the British at Lexington.

I'll be damned.

And my family come to England, sir.

There's been a Deever in service to His Majesty ever since.

Sir?

For the child, sir. It ain't much, but it's all I own.

If...

I'll fight easier knowing she's took care of.

I'll just hold on to it for you, Dan.

Till after the battle.

- What's to do, Colour? - To do?

To do?

You must flee, my lad. That's what's to do.

- Flee? - Sharpe wants to kill you.

That can't be.

I just heard him talking with that swag-bellied Irishman.

"I'm not taking any chances," says he.

You're to hang before the battle, says he.

- I don't understand. - What's to understand?

I'll not have murder done,

not to my brave boy, not whilst you was in my charge.

- By God, I'd sooner swing for it. - But where shall I go?

I've set you a mount behind the barrier yonder.

Run as far away as you can, lad, and don't stop riding.

And don't never come near no Red Coats no more.

Else the army will have your neck.

Go now. Go!

- All quiet? - All quiet, sir.

It's a bloody miracle you worked with this cannon, Lance Naik.

I was taught of a great engineer, sir.

From him I learned there is no problem, however so great it first appears,

to which the answer cannot be found.

You liked him?

He was my officer, sir.

It's going to be hot work tomorrow.

No doubt, sir.

Your position must hold.

Yes, sir.

Sir, if I may ask, how fares the memsahib?

She's in the best of care. Miss Bonnet's doing all she can.

I made the Major-sahib a promise that no harm would befall her.

You'll best serve her by holding your post.

(RIFLE FIRING)

Lads, lads, the prisoner's escaped!

Corporal Hakeswill's gone, sir.

Turned loose all the horses and left not a one behind.

And you said I had him wrong.

I knew the bastard weren't to be trusted.

- It's... - I don't want to hear it, Pat!

For all we know, he'll find Dragomirov and sell us to him.

Look, we might get him back, sir. Colour Wormwood's rode out after him.

- Rode out? - Yeah.

And how's that when Corporal Hakeswill's turned all the horses loose?

I don't know, sir, but he did.

- All right, Deever, back to your post. - Sir.

(MRS TREDINNICK MOANING)

Will you hear our confession, Reverend?

Confession?

- He can't take confession, Croop. - No, Private Quilter, you are mistaken.

Confession is sanctioned in the order for the visitation of the sick, see?

What did you want to tell me about?

We's bad men, sir.

Go on.

Very bad men, sir.

Is that all?

No, sir.

It's the...

Tell him.

The crime of which Corporal Hakeswill stands accused, sir...

He never done it, sir.

It was Colour Wormwood, sir.

- How do you know this? -'Cause we helped him do it, sir.

Not the killing, sir. That was his alone.

But the robbing, sir, that we did.

Now the bastard has run off and left us to it, sir.

If we's bound for glory, and anyone else survives,

they could speak on our part at the court-martial, sir.

Thus we thought you could take a deposition of us, sir,

that we could put our mark to.

Who in God's name are you?

Colour Wormwood, sir. At your service.

My service?

You're searching for Colonel Sharpe, are you not?

I can tell you all you needs to know, sir,

how his forces are deployed, where his defence is weakest.

And what would you have in return for this service?

Wormwood, the bastard!

Bastard!

We're well shut of him.

Aye, but with Barabbas gone, we're two men short before we've even started.

Richard bloody Sharpe.

You will make your damned report if you please.

Well? I'm waiting.

Everything is as you disposed, sir.

You will recall that you have elected to defend the western flank of the village.

Sir Henry, if you're ready, we should get to our post.

Sir Henry? Sir Henry?

And who are you, sir, to address me in such familiar terms?

This is the field marshal, the Lord Chitu, sir.

Field marshal, eh? Hmm.

Your servant, my lord, of course.

By Jesus, this is some army we've put together.

Shirkers and bedlamites, the halt and the mad.

- Do we begin, sir? - All in good time, Colour Wormwood.

Let them see us first and despair.

Sir, I must speak with you.

Can it not wait, Mr Beauclere?

Very well, make it quick.

Come away, then.

I've not yet been assigned a position.

My men have their orders. Lance Naik Singh has his orders.

Even General Simmerson...

- Mr Beauclere... - I must know, sir,

is it because of my father?

I thought you must have...

He did not fall as I have said.

He did not storm the breach, nor capture the marshal's baton,

but rather...

He died as Colour Wormwood reported.

You are not your father.

No, sir, but I look very like.

At least my mother says.

How a man counts upon the eye, Mr Beauclere, means less than nothing.

It's what's in his heart that matters,

which is why the most important job of all I kept for you.

For me, sir?

Who else would I entrust to defend the mission

and give protection to the ladies?

- Get to it now. - Aye, sir.

A few words from yourself wouldn't go amiss.

Maybe steady the lads' nerves.

Aye.

Company, take heed!

I know the buggers look smart.

But take it from me, that's all they are,

strutting peacocks.

At the battle of Waterloo, the South Essex Regiment stood all day.

They beat off two brigades of cavalry and Bonaparte's Imperial Guard.

All you have to do is stand.

Stand! Let the cavalry come on!

Stand, hold fire until the horses are within 10 paces.

Stand, and the day will be ours.

♪ Trust in the shepherd

Sir! Colonel Sharpe, sir!

♪ Ever more faithful, ever more sure ♪

Watkin, get out of there!

Brothers! Brothers, lay down your arms.

Today is the Sabbath.

To spill blood this day would be impious.

The Sabbath, you say?

Aye, sir, aye!

Then you of any should know God does not work upon a Sunday.

(VILLAGERS MURMURING)

Bastard.

Take cover!

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING)

Get them barricades back! Get them back!

Stand, you buggers! Stand!

Present.

Fire!

Fire!

(MRS TREDINNICK MOANING)

Oh, my. Oh, my.

I believe I'm killed, ma'am.

- Fall back! - I'll do my duty!

Duty?

The officer gave orders that I must hold my position.

Well, then, I guess if you can do it, I can.

(DEEVER SCREAMING)

Just my ...ing luck!

- Another round, quickly! - That's the last of it!

The position is lost!

Go back to the mission. They will have need of you.

I shall hold the east as long as I may.

Company, fall back! Fall back!

(HORN BLOWING)

Barabbas?

Into them! Get into them!

- By God, man, you cut that fine. - Two days of riding in one night, sir.

No sight were ever more welcome.

- Colour? - Private Quilter.

You just did a poor fool, Wormwood, but now you'll have to deal with a man.

You bastard!

You've lost, Dragomirov.

For all your bloody squadron,

you've lost.

If I'm for hell, Sharpe, then you're coming with me.

One blade, Dragomirov,

warranted never to fail.

How stands the day, sir?

The day is ours.

Did I do my duty, sir?

Aye.

And more besides.

Will you write my mother, sir?

I would have her know our name is not dismayed.

You will write and tell her so yourself when you're able.

Miss Bonnet tells me I shall mend.

But blood demands soldiers deal plain.

Am I to die, sir?

Might I, then, presume upon your hand, sir?

Until the moment is passed.

It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve beside you.

The honour is mine.

Easy. Easy, lad.

You might give him a kiss, ma'am.

♪ Here's 40 shillings on the drum

♪ For those who'll volunteer to come

♪ And to list and fight the foe today

♪ Over the hills and far away ♪

He saved us when they came.

(BABY CRYING)

A girl.

A child of the storm.

A dozen he killed. A dozen!

Chitu...

Your Grace, Sharpe, Your Grace. Damn your eyes, sir.

Have you no etiquette? You address a peer of the realm.

Remember your place, sir.

With you restored to yourself, Sir Henry,

how could a man forget it?

You did it, Colonel Sharpe.

We did it.

I hope you're not intending to go without saying goodbye, Colonel.

A soldier's born to farewells, Corporal.

It's to be sergeant, sir. All charges dropped and a promotion.

My compliments, Sergeant Hakeswill.

That's enough, Sergeant. You must come back to your bed now.

When a princess says she wants you back in bed,

you'd best step to, Sergeant.

Ready, then?

Aye.

Just give me a minute.

What will you do?

Go home.

And you?

I have a farm in Normandy.

In Normandy?

It's funny, I was raised from a child to hate all of you rosbifs.

But you are a good man, Colonel Sharpe,

for all you would have the world think otherwise.

If you say so, ma'am.

Perhaps one day I shall visit you?

I should like that.

Until then,

Au revoir.

Leaving us, Sharpe?

The opium's been recovered. Land restored to peace. Job's done.

It would appear I owe you my life.

We all make mistakes, Sir Henry.

(BELCHING)

(CHUCKLING)

Quite so, quite so.

God speed you safe home, Richard.

Well, I have now seen it all.

Simmerson calling you Richard and shaking you by the hand.

I think I'd sooner the bastard he were.

Aye, but if Simmerson can change like that, there's hope for us all.

Buggered if I'm changing. Nowt wrong with me.

Amen to that. Amen to that.

- We for home? - Aye.

Maybe this time we'll get there.