Riflemen at rest; 31 May, evening

Burke shrugged. "Still a long walk for 'em, one way or t'other. That's something, so it is. Not that I'd be willin' to march anywhere near 'em, mind ye - I learned young that lasses are best avoided, particularly if they're feelin' put upon."

He took another sip of his tea, thinking of the house full of imposing women back in Ireland - his brother and uncle the only men among them. It was strange to think that they, too, might be sitting by a fire drinking tea at the close of day. Another scream breaking the quiet made him flinch, and emphasized the difference between home and here.

"Aye," Mayden agreed. "There's no real doin' anythin' with lasses."

He twitched at the sudden shriek from out of the darkness and unconsciously pulled his rifle a little closer. Couldn't those poor bastards just die already?

Sharpe lay back to look up at the sky, allowing the Riflemen's conversation to wash over him. He frowned at the shriek that pierced the darkness, and was thankful that he didn't have to fear the vengeance of the Portuguese.

"Ain't anythin' wrong with havin' a lass by your side," he said, rolling to his side and propping himself up on his elbow.

Hagman had drifted off into thought at the other's talk. He knew his Beth would drive him up the walls.. or hills rather... if she were here with him but he missed her dearly. Would she be waiting for him at home? He didn't know. It was some years already since he had to leave home and he wouldn't blame her...

He looked over to Sharpe as he sopke. "Nah, nothin' wrong wit' it in general... jus' can't imagine me Beth marchin' wit' us the whole way." He grinned lopsidedly. "An' to be honest, I wouldn't mind some gentler company meself sometimes." He added with a smirk "No offence, Sir."

"There is some-at to be said for gentler comp'ny," Burke said with a grin of his own. "Why, the lads here are so coarse, ye'd think they were soldiers, so ye would!"

"Maybe it ain't so bad for awhile," Mayden mused. "But for constant? Drive a lad clean outta his own mind!"