Training Day - Rifle Competition

[This is the general Training Day thread, with access to other events.]

The field had been cleared after the display of skirmishing in pairs, and Major Vereker paced out the fifty yards to the targets, before turning back to look at the line from which the competitors would fire. For their own honour, and that of their respective regiments. And in front of representatives of the Staff, and most of the other regiments here in Coimbra. What had been planned as a chance for the 62nd to get to know their new Rifles comrades had turned into something approaching a public event. There were even people moving among the crowd selling wine, water and fairings - embroidered handkerchiefs, and cheap jewellery 'for your girl, senhor, pretty lady'.

But he had officers and men among the crowd, in case of trouble, and so far the mood was good humoured, the only rivalry between the men of the 95th and those of the 60th.

His side still hurt, but it was now bound properly. The surgeon hadn't been very pleased by Newbury's late seeking-out of care for his wound, naturally. That didn't matter quite so much to him, though. What mattered was the demonstration that was shortly to be put on.

Newbury wouldn't be directly taking part, much to his disappointment, but he had settled on being content to watch his mates. They'd do the 60th proud, of that he had no doubt. He leaned on his own rifle and watched the crowd milling about. It had the feel and mood of a market-day more than a demonstration of arms.

Cotton had been pleased to be picked as one of the competitors in the target-shooting, though his mates had said it was nothing less than what he deserved, especially after the private competition between himself and Dan Hagman, back in Lisbon.

He also felt it was a way of regaining his honour, that had been tarnished badly when he'd been flogged as a thief. He knew, and his own Company knew, that he was not, but he felt that outside of the 60th, his name was now no more than that of a common criminal, and he was determined to prove otherwise: that he was a Rifleman. And to do that, he needed to acquit himself well here.

Fifty yards was no great distance - it was the distance he and Hagman had chosen to fire from, after all. He glanced around at the crowds. The mood was similar to that of the hiring fair - a holiday mood - and he grinned as he finished cleaning his rifle out after the earlier demonstration.

Maggie too was in a cheerful mood, walking arm in arm with Jenny Ross. "I don't remember anything quite like this happening before, do you? I mean, with the rifles demonstrating and all."

"No, I don't either." Jenny caught sight of young Carty of the 95th, and she stooped down quickly to adjust her shoe before he could notice her looking. "Something in my shoe. Just a minute."

Maggie saw him too and waved. "Look, there's Mícheál, your latest conquest." She grinned at Jenny and asked, "Should we go over and say hello?"

"No. Latest conquest, really Maggie. Don't be silly." In fact, Jenny felt embarrassed at being snubbed the night before. She had felt herself quite benevolent in the kindness she had showed the lad. She had been doing him a favor by letting him kiss her, really. It had been almost like charity work, private lessons with no tuition. But now the little ingrate was through with her lessons. "I'd rather go talk to Joe Newbury. Hello, Joe dear!"

There were others arriving from the 60th. Newbury spotted Cotton and waved at his mate. Cotton had done well in the previous demonstration, without a doubt. He'd do as well for this one, Newbury had no doubt.

"Hello, Miss Jenny!" Newbury called in response to the greeting. He touched the brim of his shako and offered the woman a smile.

She let go of Maggie's arm and took his elbow instead. And she hoped that Carty was watching. "How are you, Joe? I heard you took an injury in the battle, you poor thing! How brave you men are, and how strong. I can't imagine how you do it."

Oh, for... Jenny was flirting with Newbury now, was she? Well, he was probably better able to deal with her than Carty, innocent young lad that he was.

He hoped that Carty was nowhere in sight. It wasn't nice, the way Jenny played with folks' feelings like that.

Newbury's face flushed hot. "It wasn't anythin' really, Miss. A crease across the ribs is all."

"A crease! That's not what I heard." She shook her finger at him like she might have done to a naughty child. "But does it mean you won't be able to participate in the demonstrations today?"

Maggie walked across the grass to where Cotton was cleaning his rifle. "That was well done! You still have to teach me how to fire. Will you be giving lessons?" She laughed as she sat down next to him, but she had noticed his frown. "What's wrong?"

He shrugged. "Might be givin' lessons later. Though if'n you want, I don't mind showin' you any time we got the time an' space." He sighed, and indicated Jenny and Newbury with his thumb. "It's that Jenny. She don't know what she'm goin' to do to Carty, if'n he sees her flirtin' with Newbury. Or anyone else. Don't she care about other folks' feelin's or anythin'?"

"Feelings?" Maggie gave his shoulder a slight shove. "I don't think most folk turn to Jenny for their feelings. Well, except maybe Carty. But Jenny's friends with everybody. That's how she survives out here."

Oh Lord, his cheeks were burning. "It ain't much, really. But the sawbones said I wasn't to do anything strenuous and said rather plainly that I was to watch things today. So that's what I'm doin', even if I think it's fair silly."

"Well you just make sure to follow his orders and take care of yourself," Jenny said soothingly. "Maybe you should sit down and explain to me how your rifle works. Wouldn't I like to fire a rifle like that! Can't you picture me in a green uniform? Trousers and all, imagine."

"Friends." He shook his head. "It'd take more than bein' friends with folks to survive out here without a man of her own. But she shouldn't've started flirtin' wi' Carty the way she done. He's only a lad, after all, an' it ain't right." He sighed. "I'm sorry, lass, she's your friend, ain't she? I shouldn't say things like that 'bout your mates."

"I'll sure do that, Miss," Newbury said, wishing his face didn't feel so hot. He knew what sort of lass Jenny was and her giving attention to him made him feel awkward.

Then he stared at her, aghast. "In trousers, Miss?"

"Well you wouldn't expect a riflewoman to go charging into battle with skirts, would you?" she cried, laughing merrily at the thought.

"Absolutely not!" Newbury burst out. "We aren't those daft Highlanders, y'know."

This of course provoked more laughter.

Maggie sighed at Cotton's words. "No, it's all right. And I don't think she should bother Carty either, poor lad. He's been moonstruck around her! Moping like a lovesick puppy. But I hope it's passed now. Oh, look at Joe, poor thing. Should we be kind and go to rescue him?" She grinned at Cotton and then said, in a more serious tone, "You know, I don't know where I'd have been if you hadn't - well, you know. Asked me to be your girl. It's not easy, being a woman out here. You know that." She gave his arm a squeeze and stood up.

He nodded at her. "I know. And, well, I liked - like - you too much to want to see you have to do anything like that. Though you done really well for yourself, goin' into business like you done."

He stood up and slung his rifle. "D'you think Jenny could ever settle down, though? Seems to me she needs a good man, but I dunno that she could settle to just one. Like a butterfly, she is, allus flittin' about, here, there an' ever'where."

He wasn't quite sure how to react to Jenny's laughter and, after an attempt to find the same humour in what he'd said that she did, managed to look confused.

"Why would you want to dress all up like a Rifleman, Miss?"

"To serve king and country of course! To fight the French!" She laughed at the idea. "Imagine me, a riflewoman. What a laugh! Though I've heard stories of women disguising themselves as men and going off as soldiers. Imagine that, finding that the mate you've been sleeping next to all this while was really a woman! You would think someone would notice."

Maggie and Cotton walked slowly towards the other pair. "Jenny settling down? I don't know, Gabe. It's hard to think of... but then, she was fairly attached to Scots Johnny before he died, remember? And then she quite liked that nice German lad who sings. I think he had a sweetheart at home though. Or a wife. What are you two talking about, Jenny?"

"Women who dress up as soldiers, to follow their sweethearts. Wouldn't it be exciting, don't you think?"