For Name and Fame

Through Afghan Passes


William Gale knows nothing of his origins. Apprenticed at 15 to the owner of a fishing smack, he survives shipwrecks and attacks by Malay pirates, finally reaching Calcutta, where he joins up with a British regiment on its way to Afghanistan. His resourcefulness and bravery under fire enable him to survive capture and imprisonment, ambush and attack. He ends up being recommended for the Victoria Cross as a result of his heroics, in defense of a convoy of wounded; and he makes unexpected gains as a result of rescuing Col. Ripon from the assault of three Afghans in the streets of Candahar.