Sharpe and Harper are en route to Madras when they encounter a baggage train from the East India Company traveling through hostile territory. Chitu, a legendary bandit leader in control of the area, strikes fear in the members of the party. When an attack occurs, Sharpe takes control of the situation, leading the group 300 miles through enemy territory and training the disorganized, rag-tag group to be proper soldiers. Despite all these responsibilities, Sharpe still manages to find time for a little romance.—anonymous
Sharpe is asked by the governor to perform one last task while in India. He is to escort a Frenchwoman to her fiancée at an outpost. Sharpe agrees, little knowing he is walking into a rebellion with the instigators quite close to home.