OPORTO, 22nd May - The Seminary

"Won't know till we sees them." Jacklin muttered.

"...If they aren't, they might know where ours are, won't they?" Pye asked, glancing at the other three riflemen, then at Newbury who was closest. His side didn't look so bad yet under all that fabric nothing really could be seen. Pye slipped his hand into his cartridge box , nodded to himself and had it closed again.

"Hey there, you lads. 60th lads," a gruff voice was calling. "Where've you been hidin'?"

Newbury straightened up as much as he could and tried to salute. Why did it have to be Sergeant Fischer..? "Found some Frogs needed huntin', Sarn't," he answered.

And of course Fischer eyed him sternly. "Why're you leanin' over like a half-dead tree, Newbury? Never mind, you're still walkin', that's good enough. You can see these fellows back to the sawbones." Fischer indicated a couple of wounded men who were straggling behind them.

Pye looked anxiously between sergeant Fischer and rifleman Newbury and was somewhat relieved to learn that the latter was not as much in trouble as going to head and have his injuries checked. Which was just as well!

"Take care, Joe." He whispered and grinned. Their prisoner looked somewhat impatient, though far from thinking he might make a run for it. Surrounded by the enemy , left, right back and front, only a fool would go for a run.

Cotton saw the prisoner's impatient look. "Any idea 'bout where they'm puttin' prisoners, Sar'nt? An' I could do with some more cartridges as well; I'm nearly out."

Fischer turned to look at him. "Prisoners are up by the seminary. You will find more ammunition up there as well. Sawbones is round there somewhere as well, Newbury." He gave a half-grudging nod at the fact that they had been fighting hard, wherever they'd ended up, and needed to replenish their cartridge pouches.

Pye remained silent guessing that they might be returning to the seminary and then back again. He was somewhat tired but allowed it not to show and his shoulder was bruised as his tummy was hungry. Again there was nought a complaint but an expectant waiting, his eyes darting between the men and the prisoner.

"Where is,.. where is captain Vickery, sarg'nt?" He asked then thought that they might've been best on the way already, without the asking of stupid questions.Riflemen had no time for their trade and skill was needed.