More Sport for our Neighbours by Ronald McGowan

Author:Ronald McGowan [McGowan, Ronald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-one : From Tyne to Wear

We had been warned to be ready for an early start on Monday, and made haste to join the convoy assembling in the yard.

We might just as well have taken our time, for all we could do was stand there viewing the chaos and confusion as, first, two carts arrived and all sorts of unfamiliar gear was piled on them under the orders of a burly corporal. It was then taken off again and redistributed at the orders of an even burlier sergeant.

“I see you’re getting used to army life,” remarked Colonel Lambton, emerging from a comfortably late breakfast, “hurry up so you can wait is how the British army operates, I fear. I have a pressing appointment with the Lord Lieutenant – for whom I shall no doubt have to wait when I get there - or I should at least keep you company. I will have some coffee and rolls sent out to you, however in the meantime. Thank you so much for the pleasure of your company over the weekend, and pray give Mrs Wickham my regards.”

His appointment did not prove pressing enough to prevent elaborate courtesies in the farewell line on both sides before he left us. Mrs Lambton did not put in an appearance.

I found that the long stand in the fresh air had given me an appetite, and positively salivated at the thought of coffee and rolls. We were not to enjoy more than their smell, however, for all the packing seemed at last - possibly under the influence of their commanding officer’s gaze - to have been accomplished, including the stowage of our own bags, and we were now approached by a rather diminutive figure in a red coat adorned with an unlikely amount of gold braid.

“Gentleman volunteer, that is to say, Acting Ensign Washington at your service, sir. I have orders to convey you and your family to Sunderland Camp and conduct you to Captain Wickham as soon as may be. Would you care to come this way, sir?”

He led us to the first of the carts, where a clean, white sheet had been draped over something nameless in the cargo, artfully arranged so that it resembled a bench seat, complete with backrest.

“If the ladies would care to sit here, sir, I think that they will find it quite comfortable. I selected the softest sacks I could find for cushions, and I have personally tested them. You will be right at the front of the column, so there should be no trouble with dust. I can find you a horse, sir, should you wish to ride with me, or perhaps you would care to sit on the box, next to the driver?”

“I think, for now, I had best stay with the ladies, lest they might become nervous without me, but perhaps I might take you up on your offer of a mount later in the journey. How long do you think we shall be on the road?”

“Oh, it should take three hours or so, barring mishaps.

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.