6th night, 95th camp

Captain George Hunter wrote:Hunter laughed 'I'd dearly love to see him bite the General. Well, if you think of something I can turn my hand to, let me know. I'd be grateful. And pass my compliments to your men for volunteering, if indeed it is volunteering'. Hunter looked at Sharpe's battered jacket wistfully: he'd much rather wearing something like that if it ment fighting. 'Erm, lieutenant, you wouldn't mind if I joined you and your men from time to time? I suspect it is rather horrible being an ADC'. Hunter hoped that darkness covered up his blush.

"You might have trouble keepin' up wi' us," Sharpe said, and shrugged. "Up to you, o' course. I can't stop you doin' what you want. Though if you want to join my men f'r owt, I'm the rankin' officer."

He was not going to let some ADC come swanning in and taking over command of his men. He couldn't quite understand why the redcoat would want to, either, although he'd all but given up of trying to understand how the gentry thought, and what they saw as entertainment. If one of his lads got hurt because some bloody gentleman wanted entertaining, he was going to give the man responsible a piece of his mind.

'Oh, God, I am sorry, Liuetenant, I did not mean join as in march with you, I meant on breaks, or at camp. I am afraid I will not be making friends with the other ADCs'.

"Dunno why you'd want to, but that's fine with me. Just don't expect the talk to be owt like you'd hear in the Mess." And of course, that would mean he'd be left to play host, something he had no idea how to do as far as other officers were concerned. Well, he'd get 95th hospitality, and like it. Sharpe did not want to become a dandified fop and have no more intelligent conversation than discussing horses and the weather.

"Just don't go upsettin' the ADCs, you might need 'em one day," he said. "Always have as many friends as you can. If you can't make friends, at least stay on speakin' terms wi' them."

Hunter sensed the hostility in Sharpe's voice and realised that the 'ranker' probably thought that his interest in Sharpe's company was scientific. He let his aristocratic mask slip down. 'I don't expect you to talk to me as if we were in the mess, that's exactly the point. And I don't expect you to treat me with any special consideration. I am, first of all, a soldier or at least I was until this blasted posting came along. Although, if you do not want me here then tell me so openly, please'.

Sharpe grinned. "You'd be in the wrong place for special considerations, sir. If it's soldierin' you want, you're more'n welcome to stop by. Though that red coat of yours'll stick out like a sore thumb with our green."

He really wasn't sure what they'd discuss, but hopefully it would be something intelligent, especially considering the officer wanted to be thought of as a soldier rather than one of those usual nincompoops that Wellesley usually had for his ADCs. Sharpe never liked going near Army Headquarters; he knew everyone there looked down their noses at him for being what he was. Maybe this was the one ADC who would be able to see past all that. Interesting thought...

Hunter grinned back. 'I don't mind sticking out as long as I am enjoying myself. And I am very grateful to you for accepting me: the only one on staff who knows about soldiering is the General and he isn't going to deing me with talking. Well, I think I'd better go, before I am missed' Hunter grimaced remembering his earlier encounter with Wellesley. 'Good night. liuetenant'.

"'Night, sir. You don't want to get the General riled, if you can help it, after all." He nodded civilly to the Captain and turned back to rejoin the others around the fire.

Mícheál Carty wrote:Carty smiled. "Thanks, Ben." He sighed. "I dun' know... I mean, I know it is good thing, yes, because we are soldiers, and soldiers kill Frenchmans, but there is prisoner, and he is only older than you and I, and I kill his Harris, or his Cooper, or his Sergeant Harper. I makes me feel sad in my heart, because one day a Frenchman kill our mens too."

"Not if we kill them first," Perkins replied lightly. "And don't you worry. We will."