A Despite of Hornets

by Geoffrey Watson

  Half-an-hour later, Welbeloved realised that the Condesa had once more made herself one of the Hornets. He glared at her in exasperation. Having settled the women aboard Daphne, he had assumed that they would be content to remain there until they were landed in England where they could resume the conventional role of lady and maid, and perhaps look back on their adventures as a nightmare interlude in their lives.

  Going on that assumption, he realised that he hadn’t actually forbidden them to come, he just hadn’t given it a thought. When he reined back alongside her, intending to rate her soundly for placing herself in danger once more, his rebuke was stillborn in the face of her wide-eyed, innocent expression, and the knowledge that sending her back would delay them while he arranged for a suitable escort.

  He looked pointedly at Bennett and Hickson, who must have co-operated willingly to get her ashore and mounted. Both men carefully avoided his eye, being totally absorbed scanning the hills and woods for imaginary dangers. Then he noticed Isabella riding alongside Hickson, looking as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, and sitting her horse as if she had been born in the saddle. It came to him that they would somehow have found a way of joining him, even if he had thought of forbidding it.

  He nodded curtly as she was about to speak and spurred his mount forward to the head of the column. She knew he was displeased. She knew she had got her own way again. He wouldn’t give her the opportunity to gloat, no matter how demurely she did it. The Condesa smiled happily. All her life she had only had to ask for what she wanted and it would be given. She had never, until now, been in a situation where anything could possibly be denied her. Now she was having to use her wits, her charm and her feminine wiles, and she was succeeding and enjoying all her little triumphs. She had been determined not to be left out of any of the action; parked on board ship like a piece of baggage.

  They were climbing now, away from the coastal plain and through the hills towards Villalba, with the last small area of high ground to the west, a final upthrust of the Cantabrian Chain, which nonetheless rose to well over three thousand feet. A minor outcrop in this land of mountains perhaps; but only a couple of hundred feet lower than Snowdon.

  As soon as they rose into the foothills, the weather lost all pretence of Spring. The temperature plunged and the clouds sweeping in from the Atlantic, deposited their stored-up moisture in bitter, driving rain, hiding the tops of the hills and making them huddle into their cloaks while forcing their unwilling horses onwards. Welbeloved eyed the inhospitable terrain with satisfaction. His small force could always vanish into the hills and valleys if the French were too strong. They could then quickly reappear, hopefully where they would be least expected.

  In the meantime, something had to be done to delay the French once more. Roussillon would be pressing on as fast as he could go, and even if Tasselot managed to effect his escape, he was unlikely to meet up with his army until this evening and there was no guarantee that he would have swallowed the bait.

  They soon came up with the Spanish infantry, marching along steadily and cheerfully. They greeted them with boisterous good humour, which quickly changed to cheers when they learned that wagons with food and ammunition were following as quickly as they could be driven. Their fifty or more comrades, now fully armed with British muskets, were also following with the marines and the redcoats.

  Several miles farther on, Anstruthers met them. His Wolves were keeping in close contact with the French rearguard, skirmishing with the cavalry who were making frequent sallies against them. Much more importantly, they were harrying the grenadiers of the rearguard, trying to force them to stand and defend themselves. They were fighting almost as if they were in retreat instead of advancing to attack La Coruña.

  The road was still winding upwards through a wide, green valley, bounded by high slopes and filled with lush meadows and scattered woods. Lower down, many of the slopes had been thickly covered with trees, but as they went higher, these had given way to scrub, brambles and thorns. Anstruthers pointed out that the French grenadiers were making the most of any defensible ground to make a stand. His standard move in each case was to try and outflank their position. He was invariably opposed in this by troops of mounted soldiers, who made themselves a nuisance until they were outnumbered, when they quickly withdrew. By that time, the grenadiers had doubled back to the next strong point, and the process had to begin all over again.

  Welbeloved watched one of the actions while he brought Anstruthers up to date on the events in La Coruña and on the present parlous situation of Sir John’s army. The Major quickly grasped the strategic situation and accepted the need for desperate measures if Welbeloved’s deception of Tasselot failed to work. “It would help,” he was saying, “if we could break this sequence of defence and withdrawal, but with only the one road and the restrictions due to the steep sides of the valley, it becomes almost a text book manoeuvre each time. They are only using about a hundred of foot and a couple of troops of horse, and they’re holding us back while their main body can move at whatever pace it chooses. You can see most of the way up this valley, and I can spot half-a-dozen places where they will delay us for at least half-an-hour each time, if they so choose.”

  Welbeloved took his glass and studied the route they were following. The rain made viewing difficult, but he could trace the road as it wound up the valley, until it disappeared round a spur about three miles away. There was no sign of the main body of the French army. They must be some miles ahead and their rearguard was performing an invaluable service for them, allowing them to march unhindered and relaxed.

  He watched with interest as about fifty men abandoned their positions and doubled back up the road. Some of the Wolves noticed it at the same time, and a troop of them galloped past the now deserted strong point and chased after the French, only to break off again as tell-tale puffs of smoke rose from the next position to cover the retreating grenadiers.

  He nodded his understanding as the soldiers doubled right through the position that their colleagues were defending, and made straight for the next point of strength, farther up the road. The French were using identical, leapfrog tactics to those he had trained the Hornets to perform.

  His glass was now trained on the far, upper slopes of the valley. The road disappeared behind an enormous spur that stuck out into the middle of the valley floor. The line of the hills behind seemed to indicate that the upper end must bend almost at right angles. He moved the glass slowly over the slope of the spur. It was steep-sided and covered with bushes and wind-blasted, stunted trees. No way over there for mounted men.

  Vere was riding a little way behind and he called him over. He passed over his glass and pointed out the spur, so that he could study the lie of the land. “The way those Frogs are holding us George, it’s likely to be an hour and a half before we get round the back of that spur. Now, I reckon that if yew drop down to the valley bottom while we distract those horse soldiers, yew could leave yor mounts at the base and hop over the top without being seen. Seems to me they could be almighty put out to find yew right behind them.”

  Snapping the glass shut, Vere handed it back. He looked like a young boy who had just been offered a sticky sweet. If you’ll keep the top of the spur under observation sir, I’ll have a signal made when we’re in position.”

  He moved away shouting orders and the Hornets came together at the gallop, ready to move off; to be halted abruptly by a bellow from Welbeloved. “Condesa!” She looked round, startled, from the middle of the group. “Please come here Condesa!” she walked her horse over. He looked at her in exasperation. “Under no circumstances whatever, Madam, will yew or yor maid accompany Lieutenant Vere.” He turned and signalled Vere to move off as the Condesa started to protest. He raised his voice over hers. “Yor courage is not in question, Madam. I have every admiration for what yew have achieved since I met yew, but I will not have yew putting yorself into unnecessary peril while under my protection.”

  She blustered
. “But Joshua, I won’t be in danger. I can take care of the horses and release another man for action –.” He broke in, speaking very quietly. “Please do not question my orders Condesa, it’s bad for discipline. No! Please don’t interrupt! The danger of riding through country swarming with French cavalry is obvious to us all, and although I am thinking of yor safety, I am also thinking of my men, who are highly trained and competent soldiers.” He paused to add emphasis to his next words, which he guessed would hurt. “Yew, Madam, are neither a soldier nor highly trained, and I have no intention of limiting their freedom of action by allowing a passenger to ride with them.”

  There was a gasp of indignation and she turned scarlet with mortification. “I had no i-idea s-sir, that we were s-such a b-burden on your g-goodwill.” She stuttered when she was really angry, he noted with detached interest. “I will t-take Isabella and return to the ship immediately.”

  He found her display of temper rather enchanting, but composed his features. “As yew well know, Condesa, it was never my intention that yew should have left the safety of the ship, but now that yew have, I cannot spare the men to escort yew back. Yew must, I fear, remain with us: and being with us, yew could if yew so wished, contribute materially to our efforts. But not,” and he raised his voice slightly to stress his determination, “but not if yew attempt to act in any way without my express orders. Our situation is too difficult and dangerous for me to have the distraction of novices like yew and yor maid acting independently and probably unwisely.”

  He waited, watching calmly as she struggled to control her emotions. He suspected from the brightness of her eyes, that she was very close to tears, but was determined that he shouldn’t see them. Her own good sense told her that she had overstepped the mark just once too often, and that this sudden jerk on the reins was so much harder to accept, for having got away with it so often before.

  She raised her head and said, with just a trace of defiance, “Isabella and I will obey whatever orders you give sir.” Her voice assumed a sweetness which caused him to look sharply at her. “Do pray tell us what is this material contribution you wish us to make?”

  She felt she could have struck him, as the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement, but he maintained a composed expression as he handed his telescope across to her. “Lieutenant Vere will be making a signal from the top of yonder spur, as soon as he is in position. We need to know, the moment it is made. Will yew and Isabella please take it in turns, but keep the spur constantly in view until yew see it? Then report to me directly.”

  He didn’t wait for an answer, but turned to Anstruthers. “Will yew send yor men off now please, Major? Make sure that they realise that they have to act as decoys, so the Frogs don’t spot my lads heading towards that spur.”

  The Spanish cavalry trotted off to the right and the deadly game continued. The French hussars countered the move until they were outnumbered. The forward infantry retreated past their comrades, as soon as they saw that their flank was turned.

  Welbeloved looked back down the road. The Spanish infantry were in sight and ought to be up with them in the next half-hour. Unfortunately, they were still relatively toothless, until the powder and shot unloaded from the ships could get here; together with the British troops and the re-equipped Spaniards. The small artillery troop and their gun would now be fully operational again and would be coming with them.

  He walked his horse over to Anstruthers. He’d given him command of the Spanish soldiers and he didn’t want him to think he was interfering. “When my lads are in position Major, those Frogs will suddenly find they’ve nowhere to go and I’ve no doubt yew’ve already got yor men ready to hit them while they are still confused.”

  Anstruthers agreed. “I’ve divided the Wolves into four squadrons sir, and one of them is holding itself ready for action almost immediately we hear the rifles start to fire. The second squadron will follow at the trot, alert for anything not taken care of by the first charge.”

  He stood upright in his stirrups, watching as the French abandoned another position and went doubling back. Sitting down again, he resumed. “I’m holding one squadron in reserve and the other one is split into two troops whose job it will be to contain those hussars while we’re mopping up the infantry.”

  That’s excellent, Major. I’m sure it’s exactly as it should be done. Perhaps though, yew would care to join me at the head of yor second squadron? I’m sure the other three, together with the infantry that will be here by then, will be able to tidy up this little problem. I think that we should go straight through them if we can, and go after the main force, ahead of any of those hussars of theirs that might decide to retreat when we hit them.”

  Anstruthers was immediately enthusiastic. “I should have thought of that myself sir. You never know what mischief we might do if we can come upon them when they’re not expecting us. If you’ll allow me, I’ll just make sure everyone knows what we’re doing.” He rode off, yelling for the commanders of the squadrons.

  Welbeloved rode back to the two women. Both had dismounted and Isabella was taking her turn with the glass. He reined in alongside. Having got Mercedes to agree to follow instructions, he didn’t want her to find that he had gone tearing off after the French, leaving her to her own devices once more.

  He swung down beside them. “Condesa, we are going to attack this rearguard as soon as Vere is in position. Anstruthers and I will be breaking through and trying to catch up with the French main body. I would be obliged if yew would wait until the fighting here is over, then find Lieutenant Vere and ask him to follow us as soon as he is able. That done, please rejoin the Spanish infantry and await the arrival of the marines and the redcoats. Your services as an interpreter are likely to be in great demand.”

  She had recovered her composure completely, but her manner was cool. “I promised I would obey your orders, Captain. I will do my best to follow your instructions.” She tapped Isabella on the shoulder and took over the glass. Welbeloved watched her for a few seconds, shrugged, remounted and rode to join Anstruthers.

  CHAPTER 30

  The French rearguard was falling back more quickly now. They were not dragging it out to the same extent as before. They had probably realised that their army had moved on and left rather a large gap between them. No longer were they waiting for the flanking movements to be completed, before abandoning their position and racing back to fresh cover.

  Welbeloved borrowed Anstruthers’s glass. He peered through the rain at the road ahead, trying to guess where Vere would go to ground to set his ambush. Probably on the far side of the spur, hidden from view from where they were sitting, but at the present rate of progress it looked as though they would be level with the foot of the spur very shortly, and able to see the whole of the road up to the col.

  There was a sudden flurry of activity on the right. A troop of Wolves thought they had caught the French horsemen at a disadvantage, but more hussars galloped to their assistance. Both sides withdrew warily. Welbeloved turned as the Condesa came cantering up. “There’s one of your men on top of that slope, waving a square of green material. Is that the signal you were looking for?”

  He grinned his thanks and turned to Anstruthers. “Vere and his men are in position, Major. Have yor men ready. Any time from now on, the Frogs are going to get a nasty surprise when they move back.

  Smiling at the Condesa. “I would be grateful, Mercedes, if yew would ride back to the commander of the Spanish infantry. Tell him that we will be attacking shortly, hoping to catch the French between Vere’s ambush and us. Request him please, that he follow up with his men as quickly as he can to secure as many prisoners as he can round up.” The Condesa repeated the instructions dutifully and cantered away.

  Hardly had she left when events moved swiftly from wary fencing to violent action. The French doubled back through their second line towards a small stand of trees a hundred yards farther up the valley. They had covered less than half the distance when the Hornets
opened fire. A dozen fell to the first volley and the rest scattered.

  Welbeloved gestured to Anstruthers, who waved at the leading squadron of Wolves. A bugle sounded and in seconds they were in full gallop, charging at the remaining French, who, distracted by the shooting in their rear, offered little resistance. They got away three or four shots only before the horsemen were among them, hacking and slashing. Then they broke and ran with the Wolves in hot pursuit.

  The second squadron, with Welbeloved and Anstruthers at its head, had followed on the heels of the first, and burst through onto the remnants of the retreating grenadiers, catching them, like the meat in a sandwich, between the Hornets and themselves. Muskets clattered to the ground and arms were raised desperately as they yelled for quarter.

  The Spanish discipline was excellent, a tribute to Anstruthers’s training in the short time he had been with them. A few sabres rose and fell on the odd grenadier who looked as if he was resisting. Then they were past and cantering up the road in a body, shouting in triumph and waving to Vere and his men who had risen from cover to urge them on.

  The road was clear in front of them and Anstruthers adopted a more cautious trot when approaching the high point where the track bent sharply, ascending over what appeared to be a neck of ground leading to the next valley. At two hundred yards they halted and two small detachments moved forward warily. It was just as well they were cautious. A line of blue uniforms suddenly rose from behind boulders and rocks and muskets were cocked and presented. The two troops wheeled away and galloped back without provoking a single shot. Welbeloved looked thoughtful. The Spanish horsemen were well within range but the French had held their fire

  He stood in his stirrups and looked back down the valley. With the exception of a few hussars, all the French had surrendered. At that very moment as he watched, Anstruthers detached a troop of Wolves to intercept a dozen Frenchmen trying to gallop past to join their comrades. There was a brief clash of sabres and a swirl of movement. Two only broke through and reached their lines safely. The rest were either cut down, unhorsed, or surrendered themselves.