'You can't do that, I won't resign my commission. ' 'I have not asked
you to,' Acheson snapped. 'I will send the papers to your hotel this
afternoon. You can take tomorrow's train south.'
'But, but, sir, ' 'That will be all, Courtney. Thank you.'
Acheson turned his attention once more to his papers.
That afternoon Sean spent two hours with Acheson, then fie returned to
Candy's Hotel and found Saul in the billiard room.
Sean selected a cue. Saul laid both balls against the far cushion, and
straightened.
'Well?' he asked, as Sean chalked his stick.
'You'll never believe it.'
'Tell me, and let me be the judge.'
Grinning secretly Sean cannoned twice and then sank the red.
'From sergeant without portfolio, to a full, blown major and an
independent command,' he announced.
'You?'
'Me.' Sean chuckled and missed a cannon.
'They must be crazy.'
'Crazy or not. From now on you will stand in my presence, adopt a
respectful tone of speech, and miss that shot.'
Saul missed.
'If you're an officer and a gentleman why don't you behave like one and
keep your mouth shut when I'm making a play.
'You also have changed your status.
'How?'
'You're now a lieutenant,' Sean informed him.
'No! 'With a gong.
'A gong?'
'A medal, you fool.'
'I'm overcome. I am speechless.' At last Saul broke down and began to
laugh. It was a sound which Sean enjoyed. 'What kind of gong, and
what for?'
'Distinguished Conduct Medal, for the night of the train.'
'But, Sean, you . . .'
Sean interrupted. 'Yes, they gave me one also. Old Acheson got quite
carried away. He started hanging medals and promotions on everything
that moved, with the same dedicated fervour as a bill, poster putting
up advertisements for Bovril. He damned nearly pinned a medal on the
orderly who brought in the coffee. ' 'He gave you coffee?'
'And a cigar,' Sean answered. 'He counted not the cost. It was like
two lovers on an assignation. Repeatedly he addressed me as My dear
fellow ' 'And what is this command he gave you?'
Sean racked his cue and stopped laughing.
'You and I are to head one of the first counter, commandos.
Small, lightly equipped units to ride in and ginger, up the Boer.
Harass him, wear him down, chase the guts out of his horses and keep
him moving until he runs on to one of the big columns.'
The following morning they rode out with Major Peterson to inspect the
band of volunteers he had assembled for them.
'A mixed bag I'm afraid, Courtney. We've scratched together three
