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 silver statuette of a mounted officer of the regiment, a wedding present executed by one of the best native silversmiths in Hindoostan.
'Thank you, Eustace. Thank you very much indeed.' He nodded to his orderly, who advanced on him with a small box. 'And I should like you to have this, just a little token of my gratitude.'
A silver-mounted horn snuff mull - Joynson looked genuinely abashed. 'It is very handsome, Colonel. Thank you.'
'Well then. I will tell you what I know -which is only that which the brigadier has told me - and you may then tell me how little I know.'
They all smiled. And then Sir Ivo began.
It was more than an hour by the time Joynson had related the signal occurrences, incidents and events of the past year. Here and there Hervey added some detail or opinion, but it was largely the major's occasion, and one which admirably suited his eye for detail.
Sir Ivo was well pleased both by what he heard (on the whole) and by how Joynson related it. At length he smiled again, expressed himself ready to reassume command, and called for wine. 'One thing more I would hear about, though it is a curious interest only: how did Armstrong survive his entombment?'
Hervey inclined his head and raised an eyebrow as if to acknowledge the singularity of the ordeal. 'There was a duct which conveyed air to the end of the tunnel - which was itself of Armstrong's doing - and it seems that this was somehow close enough to ensure a sufficient quantity of air, even amid the debris of the roof. But how there remained sufficient air once we began to pull him free is unclear. Certainly, Armstrong has no recollection.'
'Well, let us not speculate on the science of it. But I am intrigued to know of his design.'
'The principle appears very simple, Colonel. The duct extends the length of the working, and about eighty yards in, just behind one of the siege battery earthworks, there is a narrow ventilation shaft -masked from the enemy, of course - and the tunnel is sealed by canvas, but which the duct passes through, just to the rear of the shaft. There is a fire at the foot of the shaft which draws air from the tunnel, and this in turn draws fresh air along the duct.'
'Most ingenious’ said Sir Ivo. 'I wonder the engineers didn't think of it themselves.'
'Oh, Colonel Anburey, their brigadier, is full of praise for Armstrong,' said Joynson. 'And Combermere's made special mention in his orders.'
'Capital! Now, leave us, if you will, Hervey. I have one or two matters I would discuss with Eustace in private. And do be assured that I am most especially obliged for all you have done, too, in my absence.'
Hervey was gratified, if, like Joynson, a shade abashed. 'Honoured, Colonel.' He saluted and left them to the privacy of the orderly room.
'In truth I should have been lost without him on any number of occasions,' said Joynson when he was gone.
Sir Ivo nodded. 'I saw Combermere on the way up. He said he would have him for his staff. I think we might contemplate that when we return to Calcutta. It would be greatly to his advantage.'
'I agree.'
'Very well. Now, the storming parties you spoke of - the volunteers.'
Joynson smiled. 'A very full manger.'
'And you'll draw the names in the usual fashion?'
Joynson hesitated. 'I have had two representations.' 'Indeed?'
'Well, three indirectly. Rose for one, for obvious reasons.'
'I should be very much inclined to accept that, Eustace. He will feel it keenly that he should restore his honour in the breaches. It could only serve the regiment's
'The other is Hervey and his cornet, Green, who really is a most execrable tick. Hervey believes him to have shown cowardice on two occasions, which he cannot of course substantiate, and wants to determine his mettle.'
Sir Ivo's benign expression changed. 'Good God! Never did I think to hear we should have a coward in the mess again.'
'I fear so.'
'Then I am inclined to accept Green's bid. The fact that he's made one would indicate there might be some doubt as to his infamy.'
Joynson raised an eyebrow. 'We must hope so. However - I do not know this, officially, of course - but Hervey gave him no practicable option.'
'How so?'
'Better you do not know, Colonel.' Sir Ivo sighed. 'Why does Hervey have to go too? To bear witness, I suppose?' Joynson nodded.
'Very well. And there is a fourth representation, Eustace.'
'Indeed, Colonel?'
