The climax of the novel is the battle of Umtata River (August 1828), in which Hervey has to fight as he has never fought before, and in so doing saves the life of the nephew of one of the Duke of Wellington’s closest friends. Regimental Affair A Call to Arms The Sabres Edge Rumours of War An Act of Courage Company of Spears Man of War Warrior by Allan Mallinson. Accompanied by the charming, cultured, but dissipated Edward Fairbrother, a black captain from the disbanded Royal African Corps and bastard son of a Jamaican planter, he makes contact with the legendary King Shaka, and thereafter warns Somervile of the danger that the expanding Zulu nation poses to the Cape Colony. However, Hervey has always been well-served by old and loyal friends, and Eyre Somervile comes to his aid with the means of promotion: there is need of a man to help reorganize the local forces at the Cape Colony, and in particular to form a new body of horse.Īt the Cape, Hervey is at once thrown into frontier skirmishes with the Xhosa and Bushmen, but it is Eyre Somervile’s instruction to range deep across the frontier, into the territory of the Zulus, that is his greatest test. Company of Spears by Allan Mallinson, 2006, W F Howes edition, in English - Large print ed. But he has reckoned without the opportunism of a fellow officer with ready cash to hand and before too long, he is on the lookout for a new posting. Company of Spears is the eighth book in Allan Mallinsons Matthew Hervey series.

He is resolved to marry, and rather to his surprise, the object of his affections - the widow of the late Sir Ivo Lankester - has readily consented. Company of Spears Mallinson, Allan Published byBantam USA, 2007 ISBN 10: 0553818341ISBN 13: 9780553818345 Seller: Greener Books, London, United Kingdom Seller Rating: Contact seller Book Used - SoftcoverCondition: Used Good £ 5. 9780593053416 Allan Mallinson is a serving cavalry officer in the British army and the author of Light Dragoons, a history of British cavalry. The eighth novel in the acclaimed and bestselling series finds Hervey on his way to South Africa where he is preparing to form a new body of cavalry, the Cape Mounted Rifles.Īll looks set fair for Major Matthew Hervey: news of a handsome legacy should allow him to purchase command of his beloved regiment, the 6th Light Dragoons.