An Unexpected Kindness: The Sudden Descent of Black Kinch's Legion

There are moments when the kindness and goodness of people leaves me overwhelmed, ridiculously happy, and renewed in my faith in humanity.  

I’ve mentioned here before that Madame Padre and I have some turbulence ahead of us.   Mme. had recent surgery which revealed cancer ( difficult phrase to type), and we are currently waiting for an appointment with an oncologist to conduct an assessment and determine a plan of attack.  We are fortunate in that our impending posting and move (just 15 days now until we take possession of our new house, and 20 until our stuff arrives there) will place us closer to Toronto and its excellent hospitals, so Kay will get the care she needs.  I should say that her spirit is nothing short of indomitable, and she inspires me continuously.

On Friday a mysterious package (the best kind, really) arrived on our doorstep, from Mr. and Mrs. Kinch in Dublin, Ireland.   I suspect they would prefer this to go unacknowledged, but it was a very thoughtful gift of some books on Irish gardens and flowers to solace Mme. during the long months ahead.  These from Mrs. Kinch, and a very kind gift indeed.

Also enclosed were these splendid 28mm figures from CK, who tells me he needs to divest himself of them lest he “have to start a whole 28mm collection”.   Well, I am happy to help him avoid that fate, even if it means opening up my home to “this scabrous pack of dastardly mercenaries”.

I am certainly no expert, but what appear to be Tarleton helmets gives them the look of dismounted dragoons, possibly from the American Wars.  They are splendidly done.

 

The Black Kinch leading his men forward.  I am told that “The history of ‘Black Kinch’, as he was known, is a catalogue of horror, republicanism, bigamy, murder, licentiousness and general misbehaviour.  He was most recently employed by the American rebels, but will take his dollars where he can."

I’m sure that his crimes are such that BK would like to put some distance between himself and the scenes of his crimes.   Fortunately I have a 28mm 18th century Russian army that is recruiting light infantry to seize the Crimea from the Tatar and Ottoman hordes.   Perhaps a fat sack of rubles and the promise of Ottoman plunder will keep his rogues and rascals by his side.   As an added bonus, the green uniforms will fit in well.  Here Captain Smironov and Father Mikhail swear Black Kinch’s Legion into the Czar’s service.

I should get some more of these chaps, if I can find out who manufactures them.  It would be nice to have a whole unit - I can imagine Black Kinch attracting riffraff from Muscovy, thugs from Belgrade, dock sweepings from Naples and the very worst kind of Cossacks to his ranks - provided of course that they are suitably uniformed.  A very kind and welcome gift, so thank you so much, dear Kinches.   I am sure I will have stirring tales of BK on the Steppes to regale you with in the months to come.

MP+