Wild tribal onslaughts

[bunn]

I have just realised that although I have read innumerable descriptions of situations where an isolated fort or outpost is assaulted by a wild tribal onslaught, I don't think I have *ever* read a description of a wild tribal onslaught from the point of view of the onslaughters, rather than the onslaughtees.

During that bit where the people inside the fort are biting their nails, patching things up, putting out fires, eating emergency rations and trying to snatch some sleep etc - what are the assailants *doing*? Touching up their war-paint? Barbecues...? Are they napping too, or are they formulating some complex and carefully-planned strategy that comes over to the onslaughtees as 'suddenly there were attackers everywhere'?

Comments

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Seriously. You're standing on one side of a river / road / no-mans-land, he's standing on the other, you've nothing really to do. You start by exchanging wary nods; maybe a hello, if you share a language; one of you takes out a sausage and cuts off a slice, and if you've got plenty, you hold it up and raise an enquiring eyebrow; the other takes out his pipe and fills it with tobacco; and you're away.

There was something in the War of 1812, I think, where a nice little supply line was set up across the US / Canadian border by two small groups of soldiers, which ended up being very profitable to both parties.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Aha, I see what you mean. I think you left out the vital word 'exchanging' from your first comment? I wondered if it was a Rude Military Euphemism. :-D

Though in the situation I have in mind, there won't be that much hanging about. The Romans have struggled across hostile territory to the fort, which they are going to abandon tomorrow as there aren't enough of them left to hold it.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see! All is now explained :-)

I agree that in your situation, there wouldn't be much of the *exchanging* going on. I do look forward to reading the story, though :-)