Victim of Fate

By Ernest Douglas Hall

Chris sat down and looked at Jack then said. 'My god, Jack what a mess we have a plane full of people, some of who are hurting badly and we have no radio or bleeper my god, Jack what the hell are we going to do.' 'Well, I heard once that if you crash in a plane you should stay by the plane and don’t try to walk back to civilization.'
Chris stood up and said. 'Ok Jack we are stuck here so we might as well make the best of it, now when you did the head count did you see anyone that might be useful to us.' 'Well yes there’s a bushman and his wife. And they are not hurt now the way I see it is the bushman might be our best help if he knows anything about bush food or anything he has got to be good for us and what is a plus is he can speak English.' 'Now that’s great Jack, but what’s his name do you know it.' 'Yes, Chris but it’s hard to remember let me see yes, it’s Abir Dar and his wife’s name is a bit easier it’s Crystal Dar.' 'Fine I have written it down on the back of my hand and I suggest you do the same we might need that man more then you think Jack.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ernest Douglas Hall
• Release date: Jan 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310655135

Ernest Douglas Hall

I am 77 years of age and I live in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne England. I was born on the 14 September in the year 1935. I am a married man and have five children and 35 grand children and great grand children. I have written 55 books and my one aim in life is to see my work published.

Book preview

THE VICTIM OF FATE

BY

ERNEST DOUGLAS HALL

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2010 by Ernest Douglas Hall

All Rights Reserved.

CHAPTER 1

Sitting in an office in a military prison in the African City of Johannesburg was Captain Robert Dunn and two soldiers, Private’s William Thompson and Private Jack Ball

The men were from the military police in Aldershot in England.

The three men had been waiting for over an hour for the release of a Sergeant Christopher Watkins.

The Captain had explained to the two men that Watkins was wanted on a charge of murder

It was said that the Sergeant had come home late one night unexpectedly and found his wife in bed with another man and he was supposed to have killed his wife but did not touch the other man.

The two privates were talking about the case and Jack was saying that it looked very funny that the Sergeant would come in and find his wife in bed with another man and then kill his wife and let the other man go free.’

‘Aye you might have a point their Jack but the powers that be must have some evidence.’

‘Aye well to me it stink’s this poor kid is going to be put away for a long time and deep down in my gut I feel that he was telling the truth about that night. Remember he told them that he did arrive home late but the house was in darkness and when he walked into the front room someone hit him over the head, and when he came to he found his wife in bed with her throat cut. And I still think it stinks I believe the man and don’t forget he has already done six years in the civilian prison for the same crime but no the army has to do its duty and charge him again.’

The Captain had been listening to the two men and he said. ‘Listen you two the man was found guilty in a court Marshall and it’s not our business to question the higher ups we are here do our duty and bring him back to England and take him back we will is that understood gentlemen.’

Then Bob said. ‘Yes sir as plain as day.’

‘Right now less of your chit chat and we will get along well.’

About an hour later a Sergeant with four privates marched Sergeant Watkins into the room.

Then the Captain stood up and said. ‘Is this the man Sergeant?’

‘Yes sir and I want to warn you that he can be a tricky devil.’

Sergeant Watkins said. ‘Oh yes you can never trust someone with steel handcuffs on can you Sergeant.’

‘Don’t you answer me back you are nothing but jail bait?’

‘Oh but you are wrong Sergeant you see I am still in the army and I am your senior I think now I know I have been in the army longer that you so you see until they take my stripe off me I am your superior now shut up.’

Bob looked over at Jack and smiled he was glad the Sergeant gave the other Sergeant a bit of his mind.

Then the Captain said that they were not due to fly until the next day and can the Sergeant arrange for accommodation for his two men and lock their prisoner up again until tomorrow.’

‘Yes sir but what about you.’

‘Oh I am fine Sergeant the officers’ mess has fixed me up already, now I will take my leave and see you in the morning about ten o’clock.’

When the Captain left the room the Sergeant turned to face the two men and said. ‘Right you two you will have to sleep in one of the cells that I’m afraid is the best I can do.’

Then the Sergeant turned around and told his four men to take Watkins back to the cells and take these two with you but don’t lock them in.’

Then he turned back to bob and bill and said as he was writing something down on a slip of paper. ‘After you have been billeted take this chit to the cookhouse and they will give you an evening meal each and later if you want you can go to the other ranks canteen and have a drink now I’m off see you in the morning.’

That night the two men went over to the canteen and when they walked in there was only four men in it.

Bob went to the bar and ordered two pints. But the little barmaid said.’

‘So sorry we only sell bottles of beer.’

‘Ok petal, give me two bottles then.’

They sat and talked to the four men.

Bob said. ‘Where the hell is everybody?’ Then one of the men said. ‘Oh the rest of the lads go out on the town but there’s not many, we only have about fifty men in camp here its not a full regiment here we about twenty five Officer’s and driver’s If you can call fifty a lot.

We are like you can be sent all over the world.’

The night wore on then it was time to go back to the cells and if they were lucky a cup of coffee.

The Sergeant on duty was a different kettle of fish he was the one to suggest a cup of coffee.

The lads took their coffees into their cell which was next to Sergeant Watkin’s cell and both cells were open to view and they could see the Sergeant and speak to him.

Bob pulled out a packet of cigarettes and said to the Sergeant do you want a cigarette Sergeant.’

‘Oh yes that bastard would not even let me buy some smoke’s he said it was bad for my health.’ Jack said. ‘My he must be a real bastard.’

With the drink and the friendly chat they had the two men slept all right and after breakfast the next morning they were sitting on the steps of the guard hut when the Sergeant came by.

He shouted. ‘Get inside I won’t have men sitting around doing nothing in my camp.’

Then they were sitting around again waiting for their Captain to show up but it was ten o’clock when he walked into the guardhouse and said. ‘Good morning Sergeant I have come to pick up my prisoner and men and have you arranged transport for us to the airport.’

‘Yes sir your transport will be here as soon as you want