On duty in the dark

"Yes, sir, we'll do that. Where should I say the Colonel is, sir?" He probably wasn't wandering around the outlying picquets; Roper would bet his last farthing on that.

Zachary felt relieved that Roper spoke, and that all things were going to be set right. The lieutenant would get his answers and then he could go and find the man he was looking for. He looked to the road again. Nothing new there. Nothing in a shape of a Frog at least. Not even a natural one, he mused.

Waldegrave paused. "He's with the regiment, Rifleman. At the bridge. So, if your Captain comes to this side of the river, he'll probably see him there. But just in case he doesn't, I'm asking you to tell him. I'll ask your Mr Jaeger too."

"Yes, sir. Just wanted to make sure he wasn't goin' to miss him again, sir." Did the lieutenant think he was asking for his own amusement or something? Officers really could be stupid sometimes, though he made sure his face didn't show what he was thinking, even in the dark.

"See that you pass on the message," Waldegrave said, and crawled backwards out of the dip. He would look for Jaeger, but it sounded as if Vickery wasn't with the forward picquets, but with the rest of the company, still on their way.

Zachary watched the lieutenant crawl back and saluted to him, before he waited a bit longer. He held his breath and didn't let it go, nor the tension till he saw the officer good on his way back. He glanced at Roper and smiled sheepishly.

"..Um, we seem.. uh... seem to be loosin' officers to places."

It was a while later when it happened. It wasn't from the front that the French came, but rather that the rifles joined them from the back, picking them off like ripe berries. They were starting ahead to meet the Frogs though. Careful over the terrain that was anything but perfect for the men to fight on, and dropped obstacles at their feet in the shape of dry branches, thick roots, slippery stones and sharp edged rocks.

Pye didn't speak. He observed what his two teachers would do, and followed their lead remembering their order. Two together, then one after, should there be any firing. He kept his rifle first and foremost out of harm's way and away from pointing at any of his companions or the men left and right of them.

They hadn't encountered the French while on wait - and they were certain that none of them managed to sneak past them either! And now they would face them, head on. He glanced at Roper then looked on at the road that they've been guarding. The French were out there.