by Barney Broom
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Na. Prob’ly not.”
He quaffed some more beer.
“When are you gonna try and get him?”
“There’s an attack soon. Then.”
“Huh. Knew there’s something brewin’. I’m in Sir Smith’s squadron. We’ve been told there’ll be some action ashore.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
Barney suddenly grabbed Podric across the table.
“Askin’ a lot of questions, aren’t yer, ensign? Maybe you’ve got other reasons to get me in ‘ere?”
Podric was surprised how steadily he was able to look the school thug in the eye.
“I just wanted to see what you’re really like.”
For several seconds they studied each other. Letting go of Podric, Barney stood up and finished his drink.
“You’re weird.”
Watching him disappear out of the door, Podric felt he could only agree.
“I’ll give you that one, Sturridge. But things are going to get a whole lot weirder yet.”
Returning to headquarters, Podric discovered the place was a hive of activity. Walking past the guard house, he watched as carriages filled with senior officials drove away. Other officers, including the man Podric recognised as General O’Hara, rode out on chargers. Amidst this throng, he suddenly saw Dog running around accompanied by Lord Mulgrave. The general was apparently more preoccupied with the animal than in the professional activity surrounding him. Becoming aware of Podric’s presence, Dog ran towards him. Podric did his best to calm the giant hound as General Mulgrave came wheezing up.
“He’s quite a challenge. Do you think Captain Light will sell him to me?”
Podric didn’t tell Mulgrave he thought Archie would probably give Dog away, but because it was their first UAR foray, an odd bond had fostered between them; he’d become attached to the big pet.
“I couldn’t possibly say what Captain Light’s intentions might be regarding the matter. We came here with Dog and have been through some adventures together.”
“Oh indeed, indeed.”
Mulgrave looked at the wolfhound who stood panting beside him. Podric bent down and taking Dog’s collar, appeared to make some adjustment to it.
“On the other hand, I would pay handsomely.”
A stressed Fusilier Grainger appeared.
“Er, General. Excuse me, General.”
“What is it, Grainger?”
Mulgrave was irritable.
“Come quickly, sir. You’ve got to come quickly. There’s some trouble in the ’ouse.”
“What sort of trouble?”
“Captain Drummond, sir; he’s taken a sword to the new fellow, Captain Light.”
“He’s done what?”
“Threatened him, sir. They’re about to fight a duel.”
“Damn and blast Drummond. Fellow’s a surly devil at the best of times.”
Mulgrave, Grainger and Podric set off. Rounding a corner, they were just in time to see Archie attacking Drummond.
“Cease, gentlemen! Put up your sabres. Now!”
Mulgrave’s words echoed across the courtyard. Drummond’s face was furious, but Archie’s demeanour left one in no doubt that he was about to deliver a coup de grace. Mulgrave approached the two men.
“Were it not for this attack I’d have you both in irons. Captain Light, you are new to my staff and I’ll make some allowance. But be aware, sir, I will not have my officers involved in duels. Is that understood?”
Duly admonished, Archie gave a nod of acknowledgement. Mulgrave turned to Drummond.
“You, Drummond, I intend to remove from my staff at the earliest opportunity. You will not take part in the forthcoming activities and are to be confined to quarters awaiting further orders. Your sword, sir.”
Drummond’s face looked like death.
“General, I really must pro—”
Mulgrave was apoplectic.
“You dare argue with me, sir? Guard – take this man’s sword.”
Two soldiers appeared but before they could accost him, Drummond handed Mulgrave his weapon hilt first. Taking it, the general cocked his head to the soldiers who escorted Drummond away.
“I meant what I said, Light – I allow no duelling on my staff.”
Archie stood quietly, his face impassive. The general’s attitude suddenly changed, becoming almost over familiar.
“I wanted to ask you about your magnificent wolfhound. Wondered if you’d care to sell him to me? Would the sum of six guineas be acceptable?”
Rarely at a loss for words, it was a second or two before Archie could speak.
“I’m not sure if it would be right to sell him, sir. You see, he’s something of a mascot to Ensign Moon and myself on our travels.”
“I’ll go ten. That would buy several talismans.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of shells exploding near the compound. Soldiers poured out of the garrison and under orders from their NCOs, began forming up.
“If you’ll excuse me, sir, perhaps we can discuss this on another occasion. I must attend to my duties.”
Saluting, Archie turned to Podric and the two hurried off accompanied by Dog. Mulgrave was left gazing after them.
“Confound this damned siege!”
Entering the stables, Archie and Podric found numerous grooms hard at work saddling horses.
“Captain Light and Ensign Moon.”
“Oh yes, sir. General O’Hara’s taken your horse. I’ve another for you and er… the general said something about a quiet mount for the ensign.”
“Did he now? How thoughtful of the general.”
The grooms continued their work a pace. Archie turned to Podric.
“Podric.”
Archie kept his voice low. Podric watched one of the stablemen saddle a particularly frisky horse.
“Whether this is real or not, it seems pretty real to me. Given we’re back here at my insistence, I’ll understand if you don’t participate tonight.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not go up there – the heights, Napoleon, you know. It was my idea to come back. I wanted to do this.”
“Yeah – taking me away from Catherine!”
Archie looked at his young friend.
“Youth… Fanciful in their imaginings, aberrant in their creations…” Podric looked at him blankly. Archie continued.
“Right now, let’s leave aside our reality debate. In history, O’Hara goes to Paris but gets traded – swapped with the enemy. He says he’d try and get as many royalist allies out as he could but under the Suppression, the Republicans murder several thousand of their monarchist countrymen in Toulon.”
Podric took hold of Archie’s wrist.
“Okay Archie, I’ve had enough of the history lesson and you listen to me. I may only be an inexperienced boy in your eyes but coming from London, making it with the girl of my dreams – you’re right – it didn’t feel like a dream! But I’m back here now and there’s no way I’m not going to see some action.”
Podric lifted Archie’s wrist.
“If we get separated and have to get out of this world fast…”
Podric moved his own finger over Archie’s left radiocarpal joint.
“Use your index finger to activate UAR. Your finger’s the cursor. Move it across the chip and hit ‘Exit Game’. Got it?”
“Is that it – no other programming?”
Podric smiled.
“Made it easy for you.”
Podric released his business partner’s wrist.
“Still don’t see how it works. What about our four-legged friend?”
“I’ve already set his exit. You just concentrate on getting yourself out.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Podric nodded outside the stables where General Mulgrave was stroking Dog.
“Anyway, if he did stay behind you know he’d have a good home.”
“Your mounts, sirs.”
A groom led two horses into the yard – a stallion for Archie and a smaller cob for Podric. Whether it was because he was pumped up in anticipation of imminent action, unlike the previous afternoon, Podric felt calm – stroking the gelding’s neck and mounting without any trouble.
“Thought you said you hadn’t ridden. You don’t get into the saddle like that without having been on a horse before.”
“School said I’m a quick learner!”
With that, Podric pushed his heels into the animal’s flanks, and rode out of the yard with the confidence of one who might have spent a lifetime enjoying equestrian pursuits.
***
Galloping into the hills, the scene that greeted Podric and Archie the night of 9th December 1793 was chaotic. The muddied lanes were full of soldiers trying to deploy themselves along the heights and it wasn’t until the first light of dawn that the two Life Guards were able to present themselves to General O’Hara at his forward command post.
“At last.”
“We…”
Archie thought better of remonstrating. O’Hara seemed animated.
“We’re attacking the ‘Convention’ battery within the hour. I intend to lead the attack myself. Sergeant Tweeney!”
Two cries of ‘Sir!’ rang out. Exasperated, O’Hara turned to Don Tweeney.
“Sergeant Don. You’ll be under the command of Captain Light. Have C Company at the ready.”
“’Sir.”
“Sergeant Ralph, you’re with me. Was there anything else, Captain Light?”
Archie looked hard at O’Hara.
“No sir.”
O’Hara turned away and busied himself studying a map. Dismissed, Archie and Podric left the tent and walked out across the hilltop where a clearer picture of the battlefield was visible. The French had constructed a series of fortifications that would enable them to fire more accurately on British positions. Remounting and heading off along the ridge to their allocated place in the line, Podric realised that he and Archie were being followed by a hundred or more men. At their head was Sergeant Don Tweeney!
“So, you and your brother are both sergeants then.”
“Sir.”
“Are you in the Engineers and Sergeant Ralph more in the organising line?”
Sergeant Don eyed Podric.
“You’ll be right, sir. I’m with the Artillery and my brother is a quartermaster in Supply.”
Podric smiled.
“Do you, er, know of us then, sir?”
Don Tweeney looked perplexed. Shells and cannon fire began exploding about them.
“Kind of.”
Tweeney stared at Podric. Reining in his horse and dismounting, Archie shouted to take cover. Podric slid neatly off his mount.
Over on the right side of the allied lines troops began to advance. General O’Hara could be seen leading, but their pace was slow. Giving his horse to Ensign Moon, Archie issued orders.
“Sergeant. Have the men stand at the ready.”
Archie turned to Podric.
“Tether them over the ridge.”
Leading the two horses away, Podric set off along the escarpment. Climbing the crest of a hill, musket fire singing about his ears, Podric saw a crude corral below containing ammunition. Guarded, several men were preparing a gun carriage. Tethering his two mounts to a hitching post, Podric turned and scrambled back up the ridge.
Opening the leather pouch on his bandolier, Podric took out a pair of binoculars. Adjusting them, he began scanning the horizon. Spotting Archie’s section advancing on the French position, his partner’s men were moving forward in a crouched position rather than standing bolt upright.
The French artillery barrage suddenly intensified, causing the boy to dive for cover. Hearing horses’ hooves, Podric looked round. A pair of mounts pulling a caisson reared up, the field gun behind them perilously close to overturning. Bodies of the dead driver and his assistant lay across the limber’s small seat. Podric leaped aboard and seizing the flying reins, brought the two horses under control.
Other shells dropped nearby as they raced down the hill – wheels barely touching the rough ground. Getting the excited horses under some sort of control, Podric managed to swing the cannon round into position. Sergeant Tweeney and another soldier grabbed the hauling pin, and released it from the caisson. Feeling their load lighten, the horses shot forward. Podric let go the reins and jumped from the driver’s seat.
“Thanks Don.”
“Experienced ensign, aren’t yer? If you’d pick up some ammo, sir.”
Don Tweeney already had the loading pin ready and was lining up the gun. Podric took a shell and helped another soldier insert it into the breach.
“Now, let’s see what we can do.”
Sighting the barrel at the ‘Convention’ battery, Tweeney made a crude elevation adjustment and placed a burning firing stick to the vent tube. Exuding an enormous roar, the gun recoiled as a brigade of French cavalry charged out of their fortified position.
Grabbing a musket from a fallen comrade, Podric thrust the weapon’s bayonet this way and that. Barely twenty yards away Archie felt, rather than saw, a difference in the action across the ridge where O’Hara was attacking the battery from the other flank. During a brief lull, he clambered up on a field gun in time to watch men in blue uniforms swarming around the distant allied position.
A few seconds later the colours fell. A huge cheer went up from the French as Neapolitan and Piedmontese troops fled the field. Realising the British position was now exposed, Archie spun around.
“Fall back. Fall back Second Company!”
A young soldier carrying the regimental flag was hit by a musket ball and collapsed. Catching the lad in one arm, Sergeant Tweeney thrust the colours into Podric’s hands.
“More than your life!”
Podric waved the standard.
“Fall back. Fall back steady and in order!”
Archie’s voice was urgent but controlled. The men gradually closed up and began their retreat from the battery.
At Podric’s part of the line, the last charge by French chasseurs nearly killed him. Leaping aside from a cavalryman’s swinging sabre, Podric stabbed the colours between the legs of the Frenchman’s horse, throwing the man. Up in a flash, the lancer immediately attacked Podric, who parried the enemy’s sword thrusts with his broken staff.
It was the flag that saved him.
Seeing the battalion’s colours wavering amidst the swarming French cavalry, Tweeney led a platoon back into the fray. The fighting was fierce and bloody but the French were driven off.
“Where have you been fighting, Mr. Moon, sir?”
Sergeant Don was angry.
“You never ever use the colours as a weapon – even unto death. They’re to be defended.”
Podric was so surprised by this outburst, for a moment he stood dumbfounded. He was still in a state of shock when later that afternoon, he left the field. Climbing wearily up the slope towards the British lines, he met Archie coming out of the field HQ.
“Our allies are quitting the field. O’Hara’s section’s surrendered. Your attack on that cavalry troop made enough diversion to slow the enemy down and help keep our men retreating steady. Without that, they would have routed us.”
“If the General has surrendered, what do we do?”
Archie looked at Podric keenly.
“We know what could happen and what we’re trying to stop. I thought of attacking tonight. It’s not in the history books, but…”
Leaving Archie to his plans, Podric wen
t to assist the wounded. He helped orderlies carry soldiers with ripped arms and shattered limbs into a crude field hospital. It was there he bumped into the indestructible Sergeant Don, pulling a cart with yet more injured sappers from the battlefield.
“Captain’s told me about the night attack. I’d try and get a bit of shut-eye if I were you, sir.”
Wrapping himself in a blanket and huddling under a gun carriage, Podric drifted into a fitful sleep. When he awoke, several inches of snow lay on the ground and he was grateful for the mug of sweet tea thrust into his hands by a field cook.
Entering the makeshift tent, Podric noticed bags under his partner’s eyes. Having sent off a runner with a message to General Mulgrave reporting their position, Archie sat down on a stool.
“He’s where we attacked today. I know it. The artillery is much better organised there and that’ll be his work. You know what he looks like, don’t you?”
“Er, sort of small I think. He was a bit fat in pictures.”
“That’s how he was later. He wasn’t fat when he was young. Right now, he’s only twenty-four.”
Archie got up and pulled back the tent flap. They stared out through the dimming light at the battery across the valley.
“When we go in, stick with me. I’m going to find him, even if it’s the last thing I do…”
“Well it won’t be, will it? The last thing you do…”
Archie’s eyes had a faraway look.
“I’m going to get him. I’m going to change history.”
Podric considered his partner. Although so much younger, he was much more realistic than the older man.
“Archie, I shouldn’t be bothering to tell you any more about our life here. We’ve come here because of a game. We can leave all this when we want. We don’t have to be here!”
With great effort, Archie seemed to pull himself together.
“Oh yuh – course.”
“If we get separated or we need to get out, I’ve shown you what you’ve got to do – several times!”
“Sure.”
Podric didn’t look satisfied but Archie snapped back.
“I know, I know, hit ‘Exit’. Okay, you created the damn thing but I do have some computer knowledge!”
“Not much UAR.”
Sinking back, Archie sighed.