Episode 3 . Sun, Sun, Sun.....and lot of angry natives with sharp pointy things.

Extract from the Dairy of Major Kolhn

22^ND May 1743

I have decided to send further parties out into the surrounding areas to locate supplies and the enemy. The Mabutu have indicated that there are several Mbeechi villages in the south and west, and I plan to mount several expeditions to neutralise the threat from these villages. The latest party was set to leave today but due to a tropical storm the party will leave when the weather has improved, otherwise the paths will be a quagmire and the powder wet.

23^rd May 1743

More rain today, alas this place is soon becoming rather dreary.

24^th May 1743

More rain, I have assigned the Exploration party back into working the defense as the weather is so unpredictable currently I want the men to have a few good days of dry weather before venturing out.

25^th May 1744

An excellent day, must progress was made on further defences and another section of barracks. I have also begun bayonet practice for the men with some local Mabutu warriors teaching them how the Mbeechi fight.

26^th May 1743

Another fine day, one more section of Palisade has been completed to add to our defences. Sgt Major Hooke has done fine work in one day with the bayonet drills and perfecting open order maneuvering in the jungle.

27^th May 1743

A barrack section was completed, I have observed that now the men are beginning to quarter themselves in much better structures that their spirits seem considerably improved. This small outpost is looking a damn site better now, and I hope to be amongst the Mbeechi soon as the men are looking for forward to a fight.

28^th May 1743

Another palisade section completed, we know have suitable defense to at least make some form of stand should we attract the attention of the Mbeechi. As it is the Sabbath Padre Vinto has given mass in the shade of the large fruit trees in the village, the men are in high spirits which is good as tomorrow I plan to send them into the Mbeechi mists.

29^th May 1743

This week I am sending out both a Hunting party under Sgt Mosse (11men) to the north and a scouting expedition (11 men)under Sgt Johanson to locate the Mbeechi village in the south. Just as the men were getting ready to depart the watchtower reported several canoes coming north along the river,I stood the guard to arms but it was soon apparent that we had some western visitors. As the lead canoe landed on the shore we met Father MacGuire and his very delightful and volumptious daughter Ms Lucy Macguire and several native porters and supporters. The priest reported that it was his mission to bring God to natives and that he had arranged with a local chief to be stationed in his village in the south, Given he had no idea where this village was he asked for my assistance in delivering him to the lords work. Given the rumoured Mbeechi threat in the south I am sending half the garrison under Sgt Major Hooke to escort the missionary party and determine the Mbeechi strength in the south. The local village is reported to be 5 days trek to the immediate south and I have allowed Hooke 12 days in which to deliver the party and return to us. In all 23 men of the Garrison shall march out at the end of the day.

Below - the Expedition marches out of the makeshift Garrison. Major Kolhn (Cheering his men on with his sword in the air) watches with the engineer Baxter, while in the distance Mr Musunala returns from digging up sweet potato from the Village edge.

The two missionaries in the centre of the column, many of the men favour the sweet delightful Ms MacGuire and it is apparent that she will be well protected from the Mbeechi, but her father will need to protect her from the advances of the men.

It was at this time Private Ulfritz remarked that the Red uniforms of the Jaxonians were perhaps not entirely suited to being in the jungle, so Mosse quickly replied that "Red is better as we werent here to pretend to be trees" and assigned Ulfriz to the skirmish line.

As the expedition disappeared into the undergrowth, Major Kohln assigned his work parties and prepared the post for any attack, given the garrison was now at half strength there was ample cover for the men remaining, however he still had to ensure that every flank was covered and defended.

(From here the expedition will  shall be covered in separate posts)

What will they find in the jungle ? Will they find treasures beyond their wildest dreams......or the sharp end of a very angry native horde !