on a wild-goose chase. 'I wonder if our birds will leave their covert, though?'
'Well, someone has the wind up. How is Armstrong, by the way?'
'He's doing well.'
'Let's hope he continues doing well, then. Combermere's in the dumps well and truly, if this morning's anything to go by. He rode through and said the artillery had made not the slightest impression on the walls to date.'
'That much was evident to a telescope in the garden just now. And the Jhauts have some deuced big guns in that bastion.'
'Thirty-two-pounders, says Combermere.' Joynson nodded to his front. 'Well, that looks like the Sixteenth off. Trumpet-Major, regiment will advance!'
But the day went as Hervey feared. Round the fortress they rode - ten miles without sight or sign of the enemy save the odd impudent ball that flew their way. None fell within a hundred yards of them, but they signalled nevertheless the defender's constant surveillance of their progress. Why would anyone oblige Combermere with a sortie when his men paraded before Bhurtpore in such strength? The Jhauts had their walls, and these were serving them very well indeed. Why should they leave their shelter?
When the Sixth rode back into camp, it was a tired and frustrated Hervey who dismounted and handed the reins of an equally weary Gilbert to his groom.
'I said I would go see the sar'nt-major, but it's too late. We'll go tomorrow morning.' He took the pistols from the holsters on the saddle as Johnson drew up the stirrups. 'At least
'Ay, sir.' Johnson had not the-least idea what was this ruse, but evidently his ignorance was of no moment now. 'A merry Christmas, then, sir. See thee at gunfire?'
Hervey smiled. 'Gunfire - yes, indeed.'
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THE SINEWS OF WAR
Next day
General for the Day to-morrow. Brigadier Whitehead.
The Advanced Posts of Buldeo Singh's Garden and Kuddum Kundee to be relieved this afternoon at three o'clock, by parties of similar strength in Infantry as directed in yesterday's Orders, from the 1st and 2nd Divisions respectively. H.M. 11th Dragoons, and 4th Light Cavalry, will relieve the two Troops at present on duty at the Posts; and the Officers commanding them, to consider themselves placed under the immediate orders of the General of the Day, to whom they will report accordingly.
The remaining Guns of the Light Field Battery (from which a portion has already been attached) on duty at the Advanced Posts, are to be ordered down to join this afternoon, and to be considered as placed under the orders of the General of the Day.
One hundred Sepoys (Goorkas) from the Sirmoor Detachment, with a proportion of Native Officers, to be sent to Buldeo Singh's Garden at three p.m.; and the Officer in Command is instructed to report himself to the General of the Day.
Working parties for the Trenches will parade in front of H.M.'s 14th and 59th Regiments, this afternoon at four o'clock, and to be furnished as follows: by the 1st Division, for the Posts of Buldeo Singh's Garden, 200 Europeans, and 450 sepoys; by the 2nd Division, for the Post of Kuddum Kundee, 100 Europeans, and 400 Sepoys. An Engineer Officer to attend at the hour appointed.
Officers proceeding in charge of working parties, are to be strictly cautioned to pay particular attention to the conduct of the men under their command, whilst employed on working duties, and to prevent fires being lighted in the Trenches, and any unnecessary noise being made . . .
. . . The Hon. Lieut.-Col. Finch, Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief, is appointed Prize-Agent for His Excellency and the Field-Officers of the Army.
The second Agent, authorized to be nominated by the Captains and Subalterns, is to be selected from the Hon. Company's Service, and may be an officer of any rank.
The General Officers commanding Divisions, and Commandants of Departments, are requested to collect, without delay, the Votes for a Prize-Agent from the Captains and Subalterns of their Divisions and Commands respectively, and will transmit them to the Adjutant-General.
It is to be proclaimed through the several Suddur Bazaars in Camp, and Bazaars of Corps, that any person bringing in cannon-shot or shell, delivering them into the Park, to the Commissary or Deputy-Commissary of Ordnance, will be entitled to rewards, as follows:
For every 24lb. Shot . 12 annas.
8 & 12 ditto. 6 ditto.
6 ditto. 4 ditto.
13-inch shell. 2 rupees.
10-inch ditto. 1 rupee, 4 annas.
8-inch ditto. 1 rupee.
The Commissary or Deputy-Commissary of Ordnance, will grant Certificates for shot or shell received, and the Commissariat is directed to pay the amount on presentation of Certificate so furnished.
To-morrow being Christmas-Day, the usual gratuity of extra Batta to be issued to the Europeans in Camp.
Joynson took off his spectacles. ‘Well, Gentlemen, the orders are eminently clear, if late in the arriving. The adjutant will collect votes for prize agent at evening stables. By the by, who is field officer of the day?'
‘I am,' said Rose.
'The outlying picket, only, under saddle today please.'
Rose nodded.
'I conclude, then, by extending my own good wishes for the day. The chaplain will say prayers at eleven. That is all.'
Joynson had called them together earlier than usual. Since the officers had taken gunfire to every man at reveille he had thought it best to capitalize on their wakefulness by holding his conference immediately after stand-down. The sun was now well up and taking the chill off the air, which even the braziers in the marquee had not managed to do when they first assembled, and the prospects for the festive day looked good.
Hervey stayed seated as the others left.
'I believe I may guess your thoughts’ said the major.
'It were better not to’ replied Hervey. 'Not all of them at any rate. I was wondering earlier what we might do to tempt out Durjan Sal's cavalry.'
'And what did you conclude?'
'That we couldn't.'
Joynson looked blank. 'Really, Hervey, what profit had you supposed lay in such a line of thought?'
'When I was brigade field officer the day before yesterday, Murray told me he had conceived a stratagem by which all the Jhaut cavalry could be lured from the fortress and then destroyed, which would mean that Durjan Sal, having no means to escape if the fortress fell, could not dare risk a storming and would have to sue for peace at once.'
