Spanish Tricks (Man of Conflict Series, Book 5) by Andrew Wareham

Author:Andrew Wareham [Wareham, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Electronic Book Company
Published: 2016-10-12T03:00:00+00:00

The Hampshires took the march to Lisbon in slow time, never exceeding their fifteen miles a day and occasionally sitting in camp for an extended rest rather than marching at all. The men had been worked hard and had done well in trying circumstances, in Septimus’ opinion; a little cossetting would do them good while there was no particular reason to hurry.

“I suspect, Major Perceval, that we shall be intercepted at some point on the road, once we are following the Tagus to the sea, by a set of orders turning us around and sending us to join the Army somewhere in the north. No doubt there will be a demand that we should reach our destination immediately, if not sooner, and so we shall take things quietly while we may. Nothing wears the men out more than unbroken marching, so we should rest them now.”

“Bad roads and worse boots, sir – not a good mixture for the men.”

“Exactly, Major Perceval; I could not have expressed the problem better.

The orders when they came were a surprise, Septimus ordered to report to the offices of the General Commanding in Lisbon at his earliest convenience while the battalion marched normally.

“How far distant are we from Lisbon, sir?”

The lieutenant who had brought the despatch was unsure in terms of miles, but said that he had been two days on the road, setting out in mid-morning.

“You will ride faster than me, sir. My charger has been hard-worked in late weeks and will wish to be handled easily. Assure your senior that I shall be available on the third morning from now. Is it still General Cookson-Waring?”

“It is, sir, but I believe that Lieutenant-General Hill is the author of these commands.”

“Always a pleasure to be commanded by that gentleman, sir. A most remarkable soldier!”

“He is indeed, sir.”

The lieutenant turned his horse and ordered his escort back on the road rather abruptly; Septimus would have expected him to stay for a meal at least.

“Not the most talkative of gentlemen, Major Perceval.”

“Quite the opposite, sir. Might it be as well to accelerate your progress, sir?”

“To hurry? No. If I have fallen into error, then I will gain nothing from hearing my fate a day earlier. Cooper!”

Septimus gave instructions for all of his possessions to be put on the mules, nothing to be left behind.

“A minor nuisance, if all is well, Major Perceval. A great convenience if I am in disgrace and stripped of my command. You have the battalion, Major Perceval; in the event that I do not return I shall know that it is in good hands. Purchase, if at all possible, sir. You will be a very good colonel, that I do not doubt.”

The word spread, the grapevine informing the least private soldier that Stroppy Seppy was up to his neck in it again, having trodden on some general’s toes, no doubt. Percy-boy was to take over, and he was almost as good as Seppy for finding a fight and winning it, so that was no great worry.

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