Against all Odds by Nick S. Thomas

Author:Nick S. Thomas [Thomas, Nick S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Historical, War & Military
Publisher: Swordworks
Published: 2021-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The column advanced with Craven and Paget at the head. Everyone was mounted either on horses or driving the six carriages heavily laden with hundreds of Land Pattern muskets. Caçadores drove the carts whilst Ferreira ran escort with a dozen more of his men in the saddle. Paget knelt down over Augustus’ mane with a smile, as he was once again the saddle with his closest friend. None looked as happy to be on the road as Paget, who was smiling as they seemingly pressed forward for another adventure having now recovered fully. He sat up tall in the saddle once again, supporting a newly acquired cocked hat, though it was not new off the shelf and clearly had seen previous service.

“How can you be so glad to be back on the road?”

He smiled back at Craven. “After weeks idle or in retreat we are once again moving forward. We are at last going to make a difference.”

“You are not just happy to have your friend back?” Craven was looking at Augustus.

“That, too. He saved Sergeant Matthys’ life.”

“You both did from what I hear.”

“Frankly, I am astonished we made it. You saved us at the end of it all, but there were plenty of opportunities for us to meet our end before you reached us. It was the most gruelling of times.”

“I am sorry we were not there for you. Had I known Cuesta would abandon our troops like that I would never have left you two behind.”

“You couldn’t have known, and besides Sergeant Matthys could not have been moved. He shouldn’t have undertaken any journeys at all, but between the risk of travelling and capture by the French, it was no choice at all. It’s a miracle he is still alive. That journey would have killed most men.”

“Matthys is not most men,” smiled Craven.

They rode on throughout the day on trails well used by the local farmers and far away from prying eyes, but they couldn’t do so for much longer. They were heading into very dangerous territory, and they all knew it. When they finally stopped for the night, Craven studied his map and was relieved to see they had made great progress. As he sat down beside a campfire, he noticed French cavalry sabres hanging from the saddles of the horses Ferreira’s riflemen used, whilst they still wore their sword bayonets about their bodies.

“They know how to use those things?” Craven pointed at the weapons as the Captain approached.

“Well enough, but that doesn’t mean we are ready to engage with cavalry.”

Craven nodded in agreement.

“Why do you think we are really here?” Ferreira sat down beside him.

“Beyond delivering muskets?”

“I am sure there are easier ways to deliver weapons to local fighters than this.”

Craven nodded in agreement.

“Sometimes I wonder if Wellesley is finding new and creative ways to get me killed, but then I remember what a statistician he is. I am an asset. We all are. No, there is meaning to what we are doing here, but I suspect it is about more than delivering weapons.

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