Rebel and Major Edward Martin-Gray were well acquainted, and he was just now coming into his prime as a horse and was capable of doing anything Edward asked of him. Everyone knew this bond between their commander and his horse also carried over to the polo field where the Regimental Polo Team had been undefeated in the Challenge Polo Cup, held each year in Poona, since his father, LTC Gray, was there himself as a Lieutenant thirty years earlier. Polo’s origins were in India prior to the British establishing political control over the country. “Joseph Shearer, and Captain Robert Stewart, set up the first European Polo Club at Silchar in 1859” (Singh). One ancient sentence epitomizes the feelings of the polo players, “Let other people play at other things – the king of games is still the game of kings!” (Polo) When Edward and Rebel played, it amused most onlookers to see Gabriel or Gabe as he was called sitting or lying calmly on the sidelines barking in support. Playing polo between Regiments had gone on for quite a while, formally it was begun between the Calvary Regiments stationed in India during the Cavalry Division Maneuvers in 1880s. They were held in the vicinity of Gurgaon in 1898. Gabriel was a native Rampur Hound given to Edward as a welcoming gift to India by Kot-Duffadar Mehr. Although bred for hunting, these dogs are very protective and he and Rebel remarkably had bonded quickly. This was remarkable since Rebel instinctively disliked dogs. Unlike the fox hounds Edward had known in England, Gabe was a sight hound, capable of great speed and endurance. Very dominant and protective of his perceived realm, Rebel allowed Gabriel to enter his domain. Together the three of them became extremely close and learned to work as a team. On patrol, Gabe would go ahead and scout in wide circles around Edward and Rebel looking for anything out of the ordinary. If anyone suspicious approached Edward, both mount and hound alerted and Gabe was known to bare his teeth and let out a low growl to make his point. If pushed, his growl became a vicious bark and he would circle and push his prey back, until Edward and Rebel arrived. Edward’s expertise with his animals and their respect for his men made both animals popular with his Sowars.
It was during the Tirah Campaign that the 3rd Bengal Lancers were part of the force whose job it was to maintain open lines of communication between the military forces engaged. This was essential for the operation’s success as they were the eyes, ears and screen for the infantry and artillery units in the Campaign. They often would patrol with the 2ndBattalion of the 2nd Gurka Rifle Regiment and campaigned to maintain control of the Khyber Pass. This brought them into direct contact with the Afridis and Orakzais, both of whom were cruel fighters and specialized in ambushing. This gave the team of horse, dog, and rider the opportunity to become a legend within the Regiment. During this expedition, Edward and a platoon of Sowars, augmented by several squads of the Gurka Rifles were asked by the troop commander, Capt. Willobough, to check the telegraph line, between some of the forts, for breakage. Edward began to feel ill at ease as his platoon broke contact with the company. Several squads of Gurkas and some of Edward’s Sowers were out in front of the column providing security. Edward and the rest of the platoon and remaining Gurkas followed about a quarter-mile behind. Gabe had been enjoying himself running to and fro along a path between Edward and the point guards. Suddenly Gabriel alerted as something moved in the rocks ahead of them. The simultaneous crack of gunfire and whiff of smoke in the rocks signaled they had been ambushed. Edward quickly gave the command to “prepare to dismount and fight on foot.” Displaying their outstanding discipline the Sowars reached for their Martini-Henry carbines and on the command, “dismount” they all rose out of the saddle, at the same time and assumed the position in front of their horse. The horse holders took the animals to the rear, each taking four horses to include their own mounts. The Gurkha Infantry deployed on their flank with their Martini-Henry Rifles.
It was then that they saw the Sowers from the security force falling back. Several Lancers had pulled Gurkas up behind them to get them out of danger. A wounded Gurka was falling back slowly and was in danger of being killed or captured when Edward, who was the only mounted officer saw him. “Clear a space,” he told the soldiers in front of him. They quickly gave him space to get though. He then spurred Rebel forward steering him with his legs. He pulled his carbine and began to shoot at the puffs of smoke himself as he heard his platoon and the Gurkas open fire behind him. He could see several shots that missed him throwing dust up from the ground around him. He guided Rebel into a position where he and his horse shielded the Gurkha from enemy gunfire. He removed his foot from the left stirrup and offered the Gurkha his hand. “Thank-you Captain Sahib!” the soldier said as he pulled himself behind Edward. As the man lifted himself up Edward grabbed the man’s ammunition belt and pulled him up behind him. He then spurred Rebel to get out of danger, Gabriel keeping pace beside them. The line of Bengal Lancers and Gurkas cheered, “Sabash Captain Sahib” as they cleared a hole in the line for them to pass through. This courageous act began the legend because a Sahib had saved a native; this story became larger than life with each retelling. Edward, with an air of humility, never made much of the feat. Men serving with Edward knew they would never be abandoned on the battlefield, their lives were important to this Sahib!