 Its garrison of thirty "gars" ("guys" or boys) comes under attack by a horde of "Salopards" ("Dirty Ones" or "Bastards") - evidently a derogatory term for Saharan tribespeople which Asso may have picked up while on actual service with the Legion.No background is given for the attack and the reasons of the "Salopards" in launching it.The isolated Legionnaires defend their outpost most heroically, suffering staggering losses and terrible privations of hunger and thirst.