 Sharpe, still uncomfortable in his new rank, does not make a good impression on his men, particularly their unofficial leader, Irishman Patrick Harper (Daragh O'Malley).While Sharpe and his men are out scouting the terrain, the company is surprised and wiped out by enemy cavalry led by Colonel de L'Eclin (Malcolm Jamieson) and a man in dark civilian clothes (Anthony Hyde), with only the young Rifleman Perkins (Lyndon Davies) and a gravely wounded Captain Murray (Tim Bentinck) surviving.The band takes refuge in a small cottage and Captain Murray succumbs to his wounds after gifting Sharpe his sword.