It's Not Indigestion, I'll Eat What I Like by Geoffrey Watson

Author:Geoffrey Watson [Watson, Geoffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Action & Adventure, War, War & Military
Amazon: B00BC33ZE2
Published: 2013-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Without really thinking too much about it, once he had made his decision to follow the convoy of prisoners, Vere opted for a double approach and pulled rank to the extent that he stole Davison’s Hornet platoons and set off through the hills to try and find a parallel route through the difficult high country.

They had all been exploring the area for some weeks now and he was confident that he could find his way to various viewpoints over the wide valley. That should allow him to follow the progress of the convoy from above, even though he would have to travel many more miles to do it.

After all, the Hornets would be moving rapidly on horseback and the prisoners would be trudging slowly along on foot.

Possibly, like MacKay, he was more relaxed when surrounded by his old comrades, on whom he could rely unconditionally to cope with any difficulties that might arise, with or without his guidance.

Captain Paul Davison, also without thinking too much about it, was happy with the arrangement as well. He had commanded more than a hundred men before he had joined the Naval Brigade, but they were red-coated, soldier-sailors who were drilled into unthinking obedience and were capable of a strictly limited range of actions.

Even now, he was greatly in awe of his three senior officers and indeed of all the N.C.O.’s and men of the Hornets. They still managed to make him feel a little inadequate, though he was in command of twenty of them and they treated him with the greatest respect at all times.

Vere had actually done him a favour. He was now in sole command of three platoons of Wasps; ninety-six men in all, counting his three lieutenants and three sergeants and he was as competent as any of them at this new and deadly sort of warfare.

Best of all, Vere had told him what he was going to try and do with the Hornets and had given him his own orders. He was to follow the convoy without being observed until he found out where they stopped for the night. He was then to observe their routine and the setting of sentries until the Hornets made contact once more.

Very simple and very straightforward, but Davison knew that Vere trusted him to take his company and do just that. He hadn’t been ordered to do it this way or the other way and he hadn’t been told how to react if this happened or that happened. His was the responsibility and he was trusted to live up to it.

It was quite ridiculous, but he believed that if he decided to attack the entire French army and was able to justify that decision, Vere would support him to the hilt. Not that he would ever be able to justify such a decision when he would undoubtedly be dead attempting it. He chuckled at the conceit.

He profited by this example when he gave his own orders. Lieutenant Sinclair and 2 Platoon were sent out as vanguard.

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