2 June, morning - finding the 60th

Burke shook the offered hand.

"Sounds like a bad turn o' luck," he said. Rather the tune of the British army of late, if you asked him.

He hesitated, then added: "Anything ye need a hand with the now? Seems I'm t' be marching with ye now."

"No, I don't think so. Was just goin' to get some water on the boil for a cup of tea."

So this fellow was going to be joining them, was he? "Hope we get the others back soon - young Pye needs a skirmishin' partner," he added, thinking out loud. "Though... you ain't met Pye yet, have you?"

"No," Burke responded, shaking his head. He thought for a moment. "Ain't he th' one what was missing, bit o' time back?"

Roper nodded. "That's him. Young thing, needs reinin' in a bit. If you don't get partnered with him, you'll likely get put with Newb'ry so as Cotton can go with Pye. Or summat like. He ain't bad, just... young."

Burke shrugged. "Good thing 'bout bein' young - it changes," he said. "Wouldn't mind a young skirmishin' partner, dependin' on what folks decide."

He glanced about the 60th's camp, mentally tallying the men he saw. It didn't seem like near as many as he'd expected.

"How many men did ye lose?" he asked quietly.

"We had eighty-nine men with Pye, plus the officers," Roper said thoughtfully. "Lost two dead and... Cotton, Pye, Newb'ry, the Palmers... about seven or eight captured. Though I think the Captain's wanting to arrange an exchange or summat like. Don't forget we've got men on picquet, too, o' course."

He grinned at the other Rifleman. "Bin a Rifleman long?" he asked.

"A couple o' years," Burke replied with a nod. "Was 27th afore that. 'Ow about ye?"

"Recruited straight into the 60th, me," Roper replied. "That was about... five or six years ago, I think. It's a good life, in the 60th. Got a good Captain - you met him yet?"

"Not yet. Heard a lot o' good, though."

And he certainly had. No one who mentioned Vickery did so without respect. Burke was excited to meet the man, if a bit nervous. If some tales were to be believed, the captain was a paragon of military virtue and honour. It would certainly be interesting to be in his command.

"He's a good officer." The warmth and respect in Roper's voice were obvious. "He'll want to meet you prop'ly, get to know you a bit. Though, well, he's like any Rifles officer - wants to get to know his men. He'll be as loyal to you as you are to him."

That certainly sounded promising. Burke smiled.

"I look forward to meeting him, then. Sounds like a good sort t' serve under."

The warmth in Roper's voice was obvious. "Oh, he is. One of the best officers I've ever known, I think."