It was left to Corporal Stray to restore matters. 'Yer gave us a right scare there, Serjeant-Major, sir,' he said, in the cheeky understatement which only a corporal of his standing was allowed.
Armstrong spat, but weakly, and closed his eyes again. 'And it won't be the last, Corporal Stray,' he croaked, barely audible. 'Be sure of it.'
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Head-quarters, Camp before Bhurtpore,
28 Dec, 1825. Parole – BOMBAY The Commander-in-Chief is pleased to appoint Brevet-Captain Hake, of H.M. 16th Lancers, to the superintendence of the Field Telegraph. An establishment of one European Non-commissioned Staff, one Lascar, and three coolies, is authorized to be attached to each Field Telegraph in use. The above appointment to have effect from the 22nd instant.
The three Senior Field Officers of Infantry without Brigades, viz. Lieut.-Col. Commandant Fagan, Lieut.-Cols. Nation and Price, are brought on the Roster of Generals of the Day, until further orders.
The Advanced Posts to be relieved this afternoon at three o'clock… A working party of 100 men from…
A relief working party of a complete Regiment of Native Infantry…
The Infantry Piquets to mount, till further orders, at five P.M. and to be withdrawn from their position at day- break; and permitted to return to their tents. The Infantry Piquets to remain in readiness to turn out at the shortest notice, as directed.
A Foraging Party of the usual strength in Cavalry and Infantry…
The Commander-in-Chief has received with much pleasure, the report of the excellent conduct of a serjeant- major of the 6th Light Dragoons, John Armstrong, who was engaged in work in the field defences at Buldeo Singh's garden in most hazardous circumstances, and who suffered burial for half an hour following the collapse of his trench, whereupon he was brought out upon the exertions of his fellow Dragoons, notably Corporal Stray of that Regiment, and after the shortest period for recovery and examination by the Surgeon, returned to his post to continue with the same hazardous work as before. His Lordship, in consideration of the foregoing service, as well as of the high character borne by this Non-commissioned Officer, is pleased to advance Serjeant-Major Armstrong one year in Service and Seniority, and likewise Corporal Stray to be advanced six months in Service and Seniority. His Lordship further directs, that his approbation may be communicated to the whole of the Party, for their steady conduct on this occasion. 'Well, gentlemen, a handsome testimonial, if necessarily somewhat recondite in its description of events.' Major Joynson laid down his copy of the orders beside him and rubbed his hands together. 'By God, it's cold today. Are there any questions?'
'You were going to tell us of progress,' said Strickland helpfully. 'Indeed, I shall,' replied Joynson. 'Where does the telegraph run?' asked Rose. 'Agra and the two divisions of infantry.' There were no further questions.
'Very well, the siege,' said Joynson, cupping his hands together and blowing into them. 'There is nothing I may say about the progress of the saps and mines. Indeed, there is nothing I can say, for that intelligence is very properly kept privy to the divisional commanders. We do, of course, know that Armstrong's tunnel has now reached almost to the long-necked bastion – further, so I understand, than the engineers have ever known a gallery driven in such circumstances. There are others being driven now from the third parallels, but they are highly susceptible to countermines. One indeed has already been blown in.'
'Have the guns made a breach anywhere?' asked Strickland. 'Not that I'm aware of.'
'I'm beginning to wonder if powder is going to have any effect if solid shot hasn't.'
'Well' said Joynson, not entirely unsympathetic with the proposition, but mindful of the need not to show it, 'I should imagine that if the foundations are attacked…'
There was a degree of nodding. It seemed a sound enough observation. None of them was an engineer, after all.
Rose, who had managed at last to relight his cigar, blew his habitual cloud of smoke towards the roof of the marquee. 'Pigs are the answer.'
There were smiles all round, save from Joynson. 'Not now, Hugh!'
'I don't think I'm entirely jesting,' replied A Troop's wounded buck. 'Our seat is in Kent, close to Rochester.'
Hervey had some distant recollection now. One or two others looked as though they might. But Joynson did not. 'I am none the wiser. You had better spell it out.'
'When King John laid siege to the castle there they tunnelled under the keep and then packed it full of brushwood and fat pigs and it was like the burning fiery furnace. It brought down a whole corner of the place.' He blew another cloud of smoke upwards as if to illustrate the feat.
Joynson smiled. 'And yet, Hugh, I am not minded to ask the chief engineer what is the relative combustive value of pigs and powder.'
They all enjoyed the diversion. Things had become very tedious.
'But I may tell you this,' he continued, taking off his spectacles and placing them in their case. 'The commander-in-chief does not intend that any part of the cavalry dismount, save of its own volition.' Smiling faces turned puzzled-looking.
'I mean simply that his lordship is calling for volunteers for the storming parties.' All were at once energized.
'We shall do it in the old way,' said Joynson, holding up his hand. 'And a ballot.'
The hubbub continued. 'Useless to ask when we shall be needed?' said Rose. 'Yes,' replied Joynson.
The adjutant cleared his throat in such a way as to bring the conference to order.
'One more thing, gentlemen. This shall be my last with you in command. Sir Ivo will be here this evening. Thank you for your forbearance this past year. That will be all.'
There was silence, and then a buzz that somehow managed to combine the keen anticipation of the lieutenant-colonel's return with genuine regret at Joynson's supersession. There was scarce a man who would not say that the major had grown comfortably into the habit of command.
When the others had left, Hervey stood up and put on his forage cap. 'Sir, I speak for myself, but I don't doubt that were I not here any of the other captains would say the same. It has been-'
'Yes, yes, Hervey. Likely so, but we have much to be about. There are loose ends I would tie up before Sir Ivo arrives. It wouldn't do for the regiment to appear to any degree careless.' Hervey smiled. 'Eustace, I hardly think-'
But Joynson would have no compliments. 'And you shall be able to return your attention wholly to your troop.'
That, of course, was a blessing. 'Do you want me to do anything preparatory to Sir Ivo's arriving?'
'I think not. But I should like you to be here when he does arrive. He will need to be apprised of things, and yours is the greatest knowledge of what went before.' Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Ivo Lankester, Bt, had returned to the executive command of His Majesty's 6th Light Dragoons from his post-nuptial leave amid several thousand acres of Hertfordshire by way of Calcutta, where his bride, the second daughter of Sir Delaval Rumsey, a man of greater acres even than Lankester himself, had been hastily lodged with the Governor-General. To Hervey he looked not a day older, very content (but then, he had always appeared so), and keen to gather up the reins.
'Eustace, I heard a great deal of the regiment even in the short time I was in Calcutta, and all of it the highest praise. I really cannot thank you enough, especially since my furlough was longer, in the event, than anticipated.'
'You have our congratulations on that account, Colonel,' replied Joynson.
And at dinner Sir Ivo would see those sentiments in tangible form, for the officers would present him with a fine
