Edward Marston_Captain Rawson 02 by Drums of War

Author:Drums of War
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Great Britain, Historical, War & Military, Soldiers, General
ISBN: 9780750531139
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2008-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Henry Welbeck's voice had developed over the years into something akin to the boom of a cannon gun. It had a volume and intensity that compelled his soldiers to listen even as it threatened to burst their eardrums. Drilling his men that afternoon, he yelled out his orders and excoriated anyone who failed to obey them correctly. After the criticism received from Major Cracknell, he paid especial attention to the alignment of his men, keeping them in serried ranks that were perfectly symmetrical. The sergeant didn't notice anyone watching him until the drill was over. Out of the corner of his eye, he then caught sight of a figure standing beneath a tree. It was not the fault-finding major this time. It was a potato-faced drummer boy. The youth took time to pluck up enough courage to approach Welbeck. All that he got by way of a greeting was a bellicose question.

'What do you want, lad?'

'I'd like to speak to you, Sergeant.'

'Who are you?'

'Private Dobbs, sir. I'm a drummer.'

'Then why aren't you practising with your drumsticks? You've no need to be in this part of the camp at all.'

'I needed to tell you something,' said Dobbs.

'Well, speak your mind then bugger off.'

'First of all, you ought to know that he didn't send me. In fact, if he knew I was here, he'd probably punch me on the nose.'

'It might improve your appearance,' said Welbeck.

'I came of my own accord. Tom would never come himself.'

'Tom?'

'Your nephew, Sergeant.'

'I don't have a nephew in this regiment.'

'He said you'd deny it.'

Welbeck checked himself from making a sharp retort. He could see that Dobbs was already in a state of trepidation. It was unfair to rebuke someone who was acting out of simple friendship. He'd already worked out that the youth must be the same Hugh Dobbs who'd tormented Tom Hillier on his arrival and had taken a beating as a consequence. Clearly, they had now settled their differences.

'I don't like people who run to me with tales,' warned Welbeck.

'I know, Sergeant, and I've never done this before - not even on my own account. When I joined this regiment,' said Dobbs, 'the other drummers had great sport with me. It's what any new recruit must expect. One day, they stripped me naked and threw me into a patch of nettles. It stung for weeks but I never thought to report it.'

'I'm not interested in your memoirs, Dobbs.'

'No, sir, and nor should you be. Tom is different, though.'

'Private Hillier's affairs are nothing to do with me.'

'That's what he told me.'

"Then why didn't you have the sense to listen to him?'

'I worry about him,' said Dobbs, earnestly. 'I know what it's like to fall foul of a sergeant. I did it myself once. When it's an officer, it's far worse. He can grind you into the dust.'

'What are you talking about?'

'His name is Major Cracknell.'

'Be very careful what you say, lad,' Welbeck cautioned. 'You're not in the army to question any decision made by an officer. Your duty is to obey.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.