Sharpe's Peril Page #3

than a man as thieves off his mates.

But I expect you'll tell me you're

neither.

I've never met a guilty man.

Colonel Sharpe.

Mr Harper.

You honour our table.

Thank you, Major.

Now, if I may, Reverend Watkin.

Ensign Beauclere you know.

My wife, of course. Miss Bonnet...

And I are already acquainted.

Oh, of course.

Well, we wait only upon...

Ah, there he is.

Good evening, Subedar.

My apologies, I was detained...

Argh!

SHOUTING:

Take cover!

King's men to me! 69th to me!

Colour Wormwood, defend the camp!

Chitu's men?

Like as not.

What's the bill, Mr Beauclere?

Her Highness and the commonality

are all accounted for, sir.

Of Company troops, four are numbered

dead, including the surgeon.

Six are wounded,

of which two, including Subedar

Pillai, are like to die.

And your own section?

Not a man come to harm, sir.

Colour Wormwood confides they gave

good account of themselves.

Though I confess,

with all that befell...

I'm hard pressed to order events.

The fire and the fighting.

The horses an' all.

Your first action?

Yes, sir.

You did well.

I would hope so, sir.

I was, you see, born to a soldier.

Indeed?

Perhaps you met him. You will have

heard of him almost certainly.

He was the man brevetted major

at Vittoria

for capturing Marshal Jourdan's

baton.

I don't believe I know him.

You would have taken to him, sir.

For he was very brave.

Much admired by his men.

"Was", Mr Beauclere?

He fell, sir,

at Roncesvalles.

When I was a boy.

And there was I thinking

it was you and me

that came across the marshal's baton

at Vittoria,

abandoned in the baggage train along

with King Joe's royal Jakes pot.

'Appen your memory is off, Pat?

A common effect

of advancing years, I understand.

I posted pickets but...

..their throats were cut.

I should have done more.

You did all that could be expected.

I must beg of you a service,

Colonel.

Will you stay with the column?

At least as far as Kalimgong.

It's a lot to ask, I know, but...

it's only two days march.

Besides,

I should rest a lot easier,

knowing...

..a senior officer were among us.

You have Major Tredinnick.

An engineer, Colonel,

he is not a soldier.

Subedar Pillai is correct, Colonel.

Better by far, the men have someone

of both rank and martial reputation

to look to at such a time.

You may depend on my support.

In every particular.

I'm grateful. Gentlemen.

Colour Wormwood.

Make ready the column to move out.

Mr Beauclere?

Whatever instruction you receive off

Colonel Sharpe,

you may take

as if the order were my own.

If you say so, sir.

Within the hour! Colour Wormwood.

What could I say?

Huh?

Do you hear me complaining?

Just so far as this hill station.

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