10 June; Formalities

That was interesting in itself. "So he had an opportunity to inform his French colleagues that some of their prisoners were making a break for it, and you would have merely waited for them to find you. I can only presume that he didn't do so because you here, and not still with the French."

He wondered why Pye - it had to have been Pye - had gone off again and without informing them as to where he was going. That was something he would have to remember to ask Pye himself.

"Please continue, Sergeant."

"Yes sir." Burr swallowed to clear his throat, and Blackwood noted that he had somehow downed half the mug of tea.

"We hung aboot a bit wi' that officer, an' then there was a boy-Frog 'mongst us. Some poor beggar what was all trussed up. The longcoat claimed 'sponsibility fer it. There was a bit'f arguin' aboot him, 'til the longcoat took hisself an' yer man off some'rs. They was back presently wi' they rifles. I dinna ken how the longcoat sorted that, though."

He had noted that the returning men had been carrying rifles, although they were lacking their cartridge pouches and swords. That was another point in Pye's favour - and another thing Vickery would have to ask him about later.

"And then?"

Here, Burr shook his head. "Some of the lads was thinkin' they wives was safe 'way too, 'cause of the longcoat's sayin' there was sweethearts to be fetchin'. Only he meant them rifles. So some'f 'em was wantin' to go back after the women." The sergeant shrugged with his good shoulder. "They got to marchin' agin after a fashion. I got the wounded lad up agin an' we was off. It were a long few days like alla that, sir. Once we got 'way, followin' the officer's advice some, we kep' near the road an' went mostly at night."

Ah. Vickery wasn't sure who to credit with the extreme lack of common sense there - Pye, for saying 'sweethearts' rather than coming right out and saying 'rifles'... or the other riflemen, for thinking that it was likely they would be able to make their escape at all if they had women in tow.

"So you carried the wounded man - Newbury - the whole way back, despite an injured arm?" he asked. "And please pardon my lack of tact, but was there no attempt made to stop you or recapture you at all?"

There was not the slightest change in expression on Burr's face as his feat was described in such terms. He wouldn't consider such exertions as extraordinary in any respect, Blackwood knew.

"Yes sir," the sergeant replied in his usual flat tone. "He weren't no use on his feet. There weren't any search patrols 'til after daylight broke. Fast-goin' infantry first an' cavalry later in the day."

"He wouldn't be - he was being treated by the surgeon for a twisted knee and concussion when the baggage was taken."

He suspected that he would have to find out from Cotton how it was that they had escaped discovery by the French patrols.

"Who took charge after you had got away from the French camp?"

Ah. Blackwood remembered the fellow Vickery described. The poor lad had been quite poorly used by the provosts not so long ago.

"Aye," Burr said. "I 'member seein' him makin' a fight of it there. It were one of yer sergeants took charge of the lot, sir. Only proper anyways. They'd not have trusted me none."

Vickery nodded; it was no more than he had expected.

"I think that's all clear enough, thank you, Sergeant. Is there anything else you think I should know about?"

"Only that I reckon I ain't done that wounded lad no favours, sir," Burr admitted. "Weren't often I set him down to rest, like. He had a bust leg an' all, I ken that, but his bein' off in his head was somethin' I weren't told. Carryin' him o'er me shoulder prolly weren't the best thing."

"Hmm," Vickery said noncommittally. Then, realising that Burr probably wanted some sort of reassurance, he added, "He is under the care of a surgeon, who expects that he should make a full recovery. You have nothing to worry about for acting as you did in an exceptional circumstance."

"Thank you, sir."

Vickery nodded. "Well, thank you for your report, Sergeant." He felt easier in his mind about Pye now, and had more of an idea what to do with him. "You have been most helpful."

Vickery saw no reason, having learned what he now knew, that Pye should end up facing a court martial for his actions - although he also saw no reason why Pye's actions need become common knowledge.

There was the barest bob of a nod from Burr. "Yes sir."

"How do your fellows fare overall, after these recent adventures?" Blackwood asked.

"They are remarkably cheerful. I believe they are glad to be back with their fellows. They are no more bloodthirsty than any other man in this army, but I believe they would like a chance to pay Johnny Crapaud back for their time with the French."

They hadn't been best pleased at having their sidearms and ammunition taken from them, although the sting of that was lessened slightly at there being no charge for replacements because the equipment had been taken by the French rather than simply lost.

Good to hear.

"Heartening news." Blackwood nodded. "Their eagerness is perfectly understandable. I'd not object to such a chance as that myself."

"Nor I," Vickery replied. "I cannot believe that the Commander-in-Chief will let them get away with it for too much longer, though." Not that these hils were really suitable terrain for fighting - at least, for troops other than the Rifles to fight in, anyway.

Hopefully not, anyway. Blackwood was keen to reestablish his company's reputation - and, accordingly, his own - after the disaster that had nearly overwhelmed them during the last battle.

"Let us hope he is preparing to strike back, then." He grinned. "Preferably soon, at that."

"Let us hope so, indeed." And Vickery was going to be leading his men by hook or by crook. He was not leaving his men in the hands of his Lieutenants, capable as they were.

That was a good point on which to agree, Blackwood thought.

"I do wonder," he ventured after a moment's thought, "about the wisdom of a bit of formal training between our two companies. I have received a number of new men who need some light infantry instruction and who better to provide such instruction than Riflemen?"

Vickery raised his cup to blow the steam from the liquid it contained; the heat had finally become uncomfortable on his knee.

He lowered the mug after tasting his tea. "I think that would be... educational for all concerned," he said thoughtfully. "After all, the Guards and the Rifles are as different from each other as chalk is from cheese. We would be honoured to teach your men how best to skirmish - and perhaps you could refresh us in close-order drill? We must play to our strengths, after all."

It had been a very nice compliment that Blackwood had paid.

They could certainly do that, Blackwood thought, and he nodded. "Certainly. Such things are learned better when they are taught, perhaps, so the benefit runs both ways, I think. Do you have a thought as to a likely day for it?"

Vickery had not really thought much about it. With the position that the Second Division was now in, he thought the First Division had taken over their position in harrying the French - although they had gone by a different road -allowing the Second Division to pull themselves together.

"Would two days' time be too soon for you?" he enquired, pulling out his Day Book to make a note of the day, and any preparations needed.

Two days. A glance at his sergeant assured him that Burr was already thinking of the necessary arrangements amongst the men.

"It'll do nicely," Blackwood replied.

"You do realise that my men like showing off to folks such as yourselves," Vickery added dryly, and wondered how Cotton would feel about another target competition - by the sounds of things, the Company had acquired some good shots, enough to put up quite a challenge.