Dear Mr. Cornwell: I’m currently reading the Sharpe series of books, more precisely I’m in the middle of “Sharpe’s Gold”, Chapter 19. As you know, this chapter begins with Sharpe in bed with Teresa Merino where she asks him about the scars on his back. Sharpe makes mention of Morris and Hakeswill as the ones being responsible for the flogging scars. Teresa asks if he killed them yet, and he says no, but he will. I was under the impression that Sergeant Hakeswill died at the Battle of Gawilghur when Sharpe forced him into the snake pit at the fortress. Is this not correct? Did Sgt. Hakeswill somehow miraculously survived this? I would be most obliged if you could explain this to me because it is quite puzzling, and somewhat distracting, because I’m thinking this character is already dead. Please keep up the good work, and I really enjoy reading your books! Sincerely, John Paul Mays