'Major?
Sharpe had cards to play now, but in a different game, and he must play them carefully. 'Sir Augustus had led a gallant attack today, as you can see.
'Indeed. Dubreton looked at the white bandage. Farth-ingdale's peevish face looked suspiciously at Sharpe.
'I've no doubt, sir, that the story of this morning's attack will bring nothing but glory to Sir Augustus. Farthingdale's face, in the presence of such praise, showed only more suspicion. Sharpe raised an eyebrow. 'Sadly the despatch will have to record that Sir Augustus received an injury while leading troops into the breach. Sharpe leaned forward. 'I have known times, Colonel, when such an injury caused a serious relapse during the night.
'We must pray that doesn't happen, Major. Dubreton said.
'And we'll be grateful for your prayers, sir. However, if it does, then the command of the British troops will fall on my unworthy shoulders.
'So?
'And I will exercise that command.
'Sharpe! Farthingdale protested, quite rightly. 'You take too much on yourself, Major! I have made my decision, given my word, and I will not tolerate this insult. You will accept my orders!
'Of course, sir. I apologize.
Dubreton understood. Sharpe, too, had been protecting his honour, disassociating himself from Farthingdale's decision, and the Frenchman had caught the message Sharpe had wished to convey. He held up a hand. 'We shall pray that Sir Augustus' health lasts the night, and in the morning, Major, we will know he has happily lived if we see that you have withdrawn.
'Yes, sir.
They stayed a half-hour more then made their farewells. Soldiers brought horses to the door, officers pulled on cloaks or greatcoats and stood to one side to allow Josefina to mount her horse. Sir Augustus mounted beside her, pulled his hat low over the bandage, and looked at the British officers at the inn door. 'All Company officers to my quarters in a half hour. All! That includes you, Sharpe. He raised a gloved finger to the tassel of his hat and nodded at Dubreton.
The French Colonel held Sharpe aside. 'I will remember my debt to you, Sharpe.
'There's no debt in my mind, sir.
'I'm a better judge. He smiled. 'Are you going to fight us tomorrow?
'I shall obey orders, sir.
'Yes. Dubreton watched the first horses leave. He brought a bottle of brandy from behind his back. 'To keep you warm on your march tomorrow.
'Thank you, sir.
'And a happy New Year, Major.
Sharpe mounted and walked his horse after the receding officers. Harry Price hung back for him, fell in alongside, and when they were well out of earshot the Lieutenant looked at his tall Major. 'Are we really going tomorrow morning, sir?
'No, Harry. Sharpe grinned at him, but the grin hid his real feelings. Many Riflemen and many Fusiliers, Sharpe knew, would never leave the high place in the hills that was called the Gateway of God. They had had their last Christmas.
CHAPTER 18
Christmas midnight. The mist clinging to stone and grass where the breeze had not yet taken it away, and the boot-heels of sentries were loud on the Castle ramparts. Flame flared in the courtyard. From below, the greatcoat-skirts of the patrolling sentries could have been the surcoats of armoured knights; their bayonets, catching the gleam of fire, the spearpoints of men who waited for Islam to attack in the dawn.
Sharpe held Teresa close. Two of her men waited in the Castle gateway, her horse moved restlessly behind her. 'You have the message.’
She nodded, pulled away from him. 'I'll be back in two days.
'I'll still be here.
She punched him softly. 'Make sure you are. She turned, mounted the horse, and pulled it towards the gateway. 'Take care!
'We ride more at night than at day! Two days! And she was gone through the arch, turning westward to take the news of the hidden French troops to Frenada. Another parting in a marriage that was made of too many partings, and he listened to the fading hooves and thought that at the end of two days' fighting there would be a reward.
He was late for Sir Augustus' meeting, and he hardly cared. The decision that Sharpe had made would render anything Sir Augustus had to say meaningless. Sharpe would take over. He climbed the stairway in the gate-tower, laboriously cleared of the windlass, and walked the circuit of the battlements towards the keep.
Sir Augustus had a huge fire in his room, the wood crackling fiercely as the thorns burned. The chimney, the only one in the Castle, opened up on the ramparts.
Farthingdale paused as Sharpe entered. A dozen officers sat or stood in the room, even Frederickson had been fetched from the watchtower, and the eyes looked at Sharpe. Farth-ingdale's voice was hostile. 'You're late, Major.
'My apologies, sir.
Pot-au-Feu had furnished the room in barbaric splendour, rugs on walls and floor, even serving as heavy curtains, and the curtains moved to reveal Josefina. She came from the balcony, smiled at Sharpe, then leaned against the wall as Sir Augustus lifted the piece of paper in his hand. 'I will recapitulate for those who could not be here on time. We leave at first light. The prisoners will go first, suitably dressed, and guarded by four Companies of the Fusiliers.
Brooker nodded, making notes on a folded square of paper.
'Captain Gilliland will go next. You will make space on your carts for the wounded.
Gilliland nodded. 'Yes, sir.
'Then the rest of the Fusiliers. Major Sharpe?
'Sir?
'Your Riflemen will be the rear-guard.
Captain Brooker raised the pertinent point of what was to be done with the women and children of the prisoners, and while the Captains made their suggestions, Frederickson looked appealingly towards Sharpe. Sharpe smiled and shook his head.
Frederickson misunderstood, or else was too upset to leave matters with Sharpe, for the Rifle Captain stood up and asked Farthingdale's permission to speak.
'Captain?
'Why are we leaving, sir?
'The Rifles are thirsting for glory, Farthingdale sneered, and Sharpe marked the men who smiled, for those were the men who had little taste for this fight. Farthingdale handed his piece of paper to a Fusilier, acting as clerk, who began the laborious task of copying out the orders. 'We are leaving, Captain Frederickson, because we are opposed by overwhelming force in a place where we have no reason to fight. We cannot fight four Battalions of French.
Sharpe ignored the fact that four Battalions of French were not too many for a well-sited defence. He uncurled from the wall. 'In fact, sir, a good many more than four.
All eyes were on Sharpe. Farthingdale looked lost for a second. 'More?
'Within eight miles of us, sir, and probably moving up tonight, there are nearer ten Battalions, maybe more. There's also five or six batteries of artillery, and at least another two hundred cavalry. My own suspicion is that that's a minimum. I'd venture a guess at fifteen Battalions.
The thorns crackled in the fireplace. The Fusilier clerk was staring open-mouthed at Sharpe. Farthingdale frowned. 'May I ask why you chose not to apprise me of this intelligence. Sharpe?’
’I just did, sir.
'And may I ask how you know?’
’My wife saw them, sir.’A woman's report.
'A woman, Sir Augustus, who has spent the last three years fighting the French. That jibe went home, provoking smiles from Frederickson and a handful of other officers.
Sir Augustus snapped at the clerk to keep writing, then snapped at Sharpe. 'I hardly see how it affects these orders, Major. If anything, it would seem to underline the wisdom of them.
'It would be interesting, sir, to know why the French are here in such force. I doubt if it's to destroy a watch tower.
'Interesting, no doubt, but that is not my concern. Are you suggesting we fight them? Sir Augustus let the sarcasm show in his question.
'Well, sir. They've probably got seven or eight thousand infantry, I suspect more. We've got, let me see, just over six hundred which includes our lightly w
ounded. We've also got Captain Gilliland's men, so I think we can pretty safely hold them off.
More smiles, and Sharpe marked those too, because they were the Captains he could rely on.
Sir Augustus was enjoying himself. 'How, Major?
'In the usual way, sir. Kill the bastards.
'My wife is in the room, Sharpe. You will apologize.
Sharpe bowed to Josefina. 'My apologies, Milady.
Farthingdale hitched the tail of his jacket up to warm himself in front of the fire. He was pleased with himself, having forced Sharpe to apologize, and he was enjoying his display of authority in front of Josefina. His voice was crisp. 'Major Sharpe dreams of miracles, I prefer to put my trust in soldierly common sense. Our plain duty is to live and fight another day. Captain Brooker?
'Sir? Sharpe had Brooker marked as a Farthingdale supporter.
'Detail two reliable Lieutenants to carry this intelligence ahead of us in the morning. See they're well mounted.
'Yes, sir.
Sharpe leaned back against the wall. 'I've already sent the message, sir.
'You take a great deal upon yourself, Major Sharpe. Sir Augustus' voice was rich in contempt. 'Did you think the courtesy of requesting my permission was too cumbersome for your precious time?
'My wife and her men are not subject to your permission, Sir Augustus. Sharpe let his own hostility show, and he saw the fury snap into Farthingdale's eyes. Sharpe kept talking, softening his tone. 'I do need your permission, sir, for one other thing. I would like one observation to be recorded of this meeting.
'Damn your observation!
'Doubtless you will, sir, but nevertheless it is important. Sharpe knew how to bully a bully. He was upright again, taller than anyone else in the room, a subdued anger and violence threatening the meeting. He paused, giving Sir Augustus a chance to order him into silence, and when the order did not come he threw out the lifeline he had thought about so carefully. If Sir Augustus listened, Sir Augustus could hold the pass. 'It's obvious, sir, that the French are interested in far more than the destruction of the watch tower. I suggest, sir, that their force denotes an attempt to enter Portugal, and once they are through this pass then there are a dozen routes they could take. It will take a day for our message to reach Frenada, another day for any troops to be concentrated, and by then their aim might well be accomplished. I do not know what that aim is, sir, but I do know one thing. There is one place where they can be stopped, and this is it. Sharpe's supporters, Gilliland among them, nodded.
Sir Augustus leaned against the ornate stone chimney hood and smoothed a hand over his hair, fiddling with the black bow at the nape of his neck. 'Thank you for the lecture, Major Sharpe. Sir Augustus was feeling more comfortable. The odds described by Sharpe had justified his decision, and he could sense the support of half the officers in the room. 'You wanted that observation recorded. So it shall be, as will mine. This may be the place to stop them, but only with adequate troops. I do not intend to sacrifice a fine Battalion to your ambition in a fruitless attempt to stop an enemy who outnumbers and outguns us. Are you really suggesting we can win?
'No, sir.
'Ah! Sir Augustus feigned surprise.
'I'm suggesting we have to fight.
'Your suggestion is noted, and refused. My decision is made. Tomorrow we leave. That is an order. He looked acidly at Sharpe. 'Do you accept that order, Major?
'Of course, sir, and I apologize for taking up your time. Frederickson looked appalled at Sharpe, Farthingdale looked pleased.
'Thank you, Major. Sir Augustus sighed. 'We were discussing the problem of the women and children. Captain Brooker?
Captain Brooker's contribution was doomed to be unsaid. Sharpe cleared his throat. 'Sir?
'Major Sharpe. Farthingdale was condescending in victory.
'There was one very small matter, sir, which I would be wrong not to bring to your attention.
'I would hate you to be in the wrong, Major. Farthingdale provoked smiles from his men. 'Pray enlighten me.
'It's a story, sir, and please bear with me, but it has some relevance. Sharpe spoke mildly, leaning back on the wall, his right hand across his body to hold the pommel of his sword. 'The odds against us do seem to be overwhelming, sir, extremely so, but I am reminded of a lady I know in Lisbon.
'Really, Sharpe! A lady in Lisbon? You say this has relevance?
'Yes, sir. Sharpe kept his voice humble. He glanced once at Josefina, then back to the slim, elegant man who leaned against the chimney. 'She was called La Lacosta, sir, and she always said the more the merrier.
Frederickson laughed, as did one or two others, and their laughter smothered the gasp from Josefina. Frederickson and the other officers had no idea of whom Sharpe spoke, but Sir Augustus did. He was speechless, shock in his face, and Sharpe bored on. 'Lady Farthingdale will forgive my language, sir, but La Lacosta was a whore. She still is, and her husband, Sir Augustus, is living in Brazil.
'Sharpe!
'You heard me, sir. The more the merrier! Sharpe was standing now, his voice harsh. 'Might I suggest it's time fora meeting of senior officers, sir. Majors and above? To discuss my report that I will have to submit to headquarters?
The joy of an ace falling on green baize, the joy of the moment when the enemy skirmish line turns and runs, the joy of seeing Sir Augustus trumped, beaten, destroyed.
'A meeting?
'In the next room, sir? Sharpe glanced at Josefina and there was shock on her face, disbelief too that Sharpe could have used the knowledge, but Sharpe's debts to La Lacosta were long paid. He walked through the room, ignoring the puzzled looks of the assembled officers, and held the door open for Sir Augustus.
There was a straw torch in the bracket outside the door and Sharpe took it and led the way into the great hall where Pot-au-Feu had reigned in shabby state. The balcony extended to the hall and Sharpe walked onto it and ordered the two soldiers who stood there with lit pipes to make themselves scarce. He lay the torch on the balustrade and turned to look at the white face of the cavalry Colonel. 'I think we understand each other, Sir Augustus. You have committed His Majesty's troops to rescue a Portuguese whore.
'No, Sharpe!
'Then pray tell me what we did do?
The fight was gone from Farthingdale, but he was not surrendering. His hands flapped weakly. 'We came to destroy Pot-au-Feu, to rescue all the hostages!
'A whore, Colonel. A whore I knew three years ago, and I knew her well. How is Duarte, her husband?
'Sharpe!
'Do you want a list of others who've been there, Colonel? In that nice house with the orange trees? Or shall I simply send a letter to one of the English papers? They'd like the story of how we stormed a Convent to rescue the whore Sir Augustus Farthingdale claimed was his wife.
Sir Augustus was trapped, caught fast. He had played with fire and the flames had burned him. Sharpe glanced into the hall to make sure no one was near. 'We have to stop them, here, Sir Augustus, and I don't think you're the man to do it. Have you ever defended against a French attack?
The head shook miserably. 'No.
'The drums never stop, Colonel, at least not until you've beaten the bastards and they take a hell of a lot of beating. I'll tell you now. We can't hold all three buildings, we don't have the men, so I'll give up the Convent first. They'll put guns in there, and once they've taken the watchtower, which they will, they'll put guns up there as well. It's like being in a meat grinder, Colonel. The bastards are turning the handle and all you can do is hope the bloody blades don't touch you. Do you want to conduct this defence?
'Sharpe? It was a plea.
'No. You can leave here with your reputation intact, Colonel, and you can take the whore with you. I'll say nothing. You say that your wound is hurting you, making you faint, and you hand the command to me. Do you understand? Then, at dawn, you'll go. I'll give you four men as an escort, but you go.
'This is blackmail, Sharpe!
'Yes it is. And i
t's war as well. Now what do you want? Me to say nothing? Or shall I tell your pretty tale all about the army?
Farthingdale accepted, as Sharpe had known he would. There was no pleasure in humiliating the man, and none at all in jeopardizing Josefina's wealth. The thin, handsome face looked pitiably at Sharpe. 'You'll say nothing?
'On my honour.
Clouds had spread far to the south, shrouding the moon, thickening the promise of rain or snow. Sharpe waited as Sir Augustus went back to his room to make his announcement, an announcement that regretted his health, that said he and Lady Farthingdale were moving to the Convent, that Major Sharpe was in command. In command. A month ago he had led twenty-eight men, tonight he had near eight hundred with Gilliland's men. Some men took responsibility whether it was offered or not.
He walked back into the room when Sir Augustus and Josefina had left and he was greeted by a babble of voices. Most of the officers were confused, awed by the turn in their fortunes, fearing that Sharpe had drawn them all a very short straw, and they clamoured for detail, for explanation, and Sharpe cut through the noise.
'Quiet!
He took the papers from the clerk's desk, the orders for withdrawal, and he tossed them onto the fire. They watched, some seeing their hopes burning in the fire.
'Our task, gentlemen, is to hold this pass for at least forty-eight hours. This is how it will be done. He brooked no questions, no discussion, not even when he ordered a bemused Lieutenant Price to have Patrick Harper capture as many live birds as he could.
'Yes, sir. Price shook his head in wonderment. Frederickson grinned, happy at last.
He dealt with questions at the end, dismissed them to their Companies, then pulled the rug off the window so he could stare westward at the darkness over Portugal. Teresa was down there somewhere, riding in the night.
'Sir?
He turned. Frederickson was leaning against the wall by the door.'Yes?
'How did you do it?
'Never mind. You just hold that tower for me.
'Consider it done. Frederickson grinned and went.
The tower. The key to the whole valley, the key to living through the next two days or else perpetual darkness. Sharpe looked at the paper ashes on the fire. He would hold the Gateway of God.
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