of a coil, Corporal Wainwright playing it out and Serjeant Lightfoot attaching other lengths with deft reef knots.
'Relay my orders, if you please, Irvine,' said Hervey as he pushed aside the burlap.
Corporal Stray had cleared to Armstrong's calves, but earth slid his way as fast as he could move it.
'There's a good fifteen feet of tunnel forward,' said Brigadier Anburey. 'It's that spoil which is falling back. I don't think the whole working has collapsed.'
'He knows we're 'ere at least, sir,' said Stray, sounding as though he was taking as much comfort by it as Armstrong himself.
The brigadier's assessment was cheering. At least they wouldn't be pulling against the weight of a dozen feet of earth. Hervey looped the rope around Armstrong's feet, binding them together tight. He thought of removing the boots, but judged it better to leave them for protection. 'Keep digging, Corporal Stray,' he said, once he had made the final hitch. 'Irvine, pull away!'
A second or so and the rope tautened. Then it began to inch back. Then more obviously. In a minute they saw the back of Armstrong's knees.
'Thank Christ, sir!' said Stray, digging for all he was worth.
'It's taking too long,' said Hervey. 'He'll soon have no air.' He started clawing away at the earth with his bare hands. 'Pull harder, Irvine!'
It was working, just. Inch by inch Armstrong's body emerged from the roof-fall, but the minutes ticked by. How in God's name could anyone go that long without air?
In five more they saw his waist. And then he was out in one, like a cork pulling evenly from a bottle.
'Stop!' bellowed Hervey down the tunnel.
The rope slackened at once.
He turned over the uncharacteristically motionless frame, desperate for some sign of life. He saw only the earth-caked shell of a man he'd once believed was indestructible - limp, like a rag doll thrown down in the mud.
'Surgeon!' He cursed himself; he ought to have called him up before.
Armstrong's mouth fell open, and then his eyes, the lids flickering perceptibly.
Hervey gasped, and Stray knew they'd done it. But it was too much like the brush with death in America, when Armstrong, alone, had taken on the war party - then, as now, beyond,
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
FORLORN HOPES
Three days later
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
'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.
