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‘Assuredly,’ said Kurruk Shah with a grim chuckle. ‘Otherwise, why did I, who have served the Queen for seven-and-twenty years, and killed many hill-dogs, shout aloud for quarter when the lightning revealed us to the watch-towers? When I was a young man I saw the killing in the valley of Sheor-Kot there at our feet, and I know the tale that grew up therefrom. But how can the ghosts of unbelievers, prevail against us who are of the Faith?

This is from "Lost Legion" by Rudyard Kipling.
https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/tale/the-lost-legion.htm

I don't understand the meaning of
shout aloud for quarter

I am glad if someone would kindly teach me.

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Quarter in this context means mercy or forgiveness.
Kurruk Shah is saying that, having been revealed to his enemies by a flash of lightning (and thereby presumably seriously outnumbered and trapped) he begged them for mercy.
So, if in a battle, the order is given "give no quarter" it means don't take any prisoners, just kill the enemy. Quarter has many meanings both as a noun and a verb. See them here

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  • Jenning, thank your your advise. It is very helpful! Jul 13, 2022 at 1:43

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