13th June: Mapping out surroundings

Edward's eyebrows went up. He was no expert, but he was quite sure that the provost's position didn't include knocking a soldier on the head so hard that he was still suffering from it days after.

"I would gather from this that provosts here are overzealous to an unsetteling degree. Remind me never to run afoul of them."

Vickery gave a rueful shrug. "Being an officer, you are hardly likely to run afoul of them. I believe they are far too sensible to wish to risk their position. Status must count for something, after all."

Edward pulled a rather wry face.

"Yes, it does. But if they decide to visit their wrath on the men helping me instead, nothing is gained either."

He knew this to be true from experience. It was now more than 50 years after General Roy's military survey of Scotland following the battle of Culloden, but still some inhabitants harboured the same feelings of ill-will against any English soldier who tried to make the Highlands more passable. They refrained from open violence now, but there had been hundreds of small obstruction, men arrested for sometimes only alleged crimes only one of them.

"That is unfortunately true," Vickery allowed. "Although I would venture to say that nothing is gained by anyone being thus set upon. Such an incident would occasion nothing more than more work for the surgeon, and a deal of hurt for the soldier."

If men could only leave it to the French to injure and maim their fellows, at least two of his own men would be much better for it.

"True. The only thing gained by it is an incredible amount of paperwork, so I guess at least whoever is contracted to supply the army with paper is made happy by these quarrels."

Edward wondered how often such incidents blew up enough to come to Captain Vickery attention.

"I sometimes think that the Army consumes paperwork as a horse does good forage." He gave a wry grin of his own. "Well, it is either that or it produces the stuff as a horse does manure. Either way, I believe the Army would come to a dead halt without it all."

Edward chuckled.

"Then certainly we should try not to starve the French of food, but of paper instead. I hear that General Wellesly has offered a reward for every French saddle; perhaps he should do so for every piece of paper as well."

"I do not think it would be so easy," Vickery replied. "After all, it is always easy to win a war on paper, or with lead soldiers. It is a much harder to feat to win against an enemy of flesh and blood." He smiled. "General Wellesley's money would be quite safe - or the greater part of it, anyway. There are always occasional papers and scraps to be brought to him, after all. Though they may tell him nothing more than that Private Artois' boots need replacing, or that Lieutenant Leclerc's favourite horse has cast a shoe."

"Still, if one has enough of those papers, one may gather valuable information. If enough shoes need replacing, than French soldiers won't run very fast, I'd wager."

"I suppose that is true," Vickery replied, chuckling. "Although I will leave it up to the Exploring Officers to gather that sort of information, and the General's staff to interpret it. Not that I would ignore any useful-looking papers I come across, of course."

"Well, we might even begin producing some this afternoon."

Edward joined Captain Vickery in his chuckle.

"Do you know whether by any luck of fortune one of the Exploring officers is likely to come into camp in the next few days? Given that they see quite a wide stretch of land in the course of their work, they would be an extremly valuable source to talk to."

"I am afraid I do not know, although I know that Captain Padstowe was in camp not so long ago. Whether he is still here or not I do not know, however, and I can only apologise that I cannot be more helpful to you."

Edward looked slightly stunned at this, then hastened to assure Captain Vickery:

"There is no need to apologize. Both you and Captain Blackwood have been incredibly helpful. But I would indeed be most grateful if you could affect an introduction, should Captain Padstowe or one of his collegues visit the camp."

Vickery smiled. "I should certainly like to introduce Captain Padstowe to you; I believe you would have a lot in common, what with your interests coinciding so neatly. I shall do my best to effect an introduction, should circumstances permit."

Edward bowed slightly.

"Thank you. I will look forward to it."

"So shall I," Vickery replied, returning the Engineer officer's bow, and moved to hold the tent flap open so the other could make his exit in a dignified fashion.

This afternoon was going to be extremely interesting for all concerned, he thought, turning back to his own paperwork.