Raging Rajahs (Man of Conflict Series, Book 2)

by Andrew Wareham

  Cooper dug into a bag he had with him, put a ruby ring of moderate size and a very respectable sapphire on the table and a brooch of northern manufacture, lapis lazuli and silver. The pins were headed by small diamonds.

  "Fair shares, sir?"

  "Very much so, Cooper. You know you could put these in your pocket, do you not?"

  "Wouldn't get bugger-all for them, sir. You know what it's like trying to sell jewels, can't get a shilling in the pound on 'em. Better for you to give 'em to the missus, sir. Gold coins is different, but I couldn't do nothing with them stones! Anyway, sir - you shot 'im, you got rights! That's why the men didn't get into 'im before me, sir."

  Marianne was delighted with the pieces. The rings would need to be resized for her fingers, but that was easily done by any local jeweller, and the brooch was just right for her blue dress and a pair of diamond pins could never come amiss.

  "Husband, are these what they call 'loot'?"

  "Yes indeed, ma'am."

  "It seems a very good idea to me! Will there be any more, do you suppose?"

  "We may well go on campaign again in the Dry Season. There is every reason to suppose that the Governor-General wishes to expand British rule, but, of course, we may be chosen to stay in garrison."

  "Hmm! Safer, but less profitable by far! I do not know which I wish for, sir! I know that you will prefer to be in the field, accruing more honour - but I might like not to worry whether you might be standing on another entrenchment and offering a defiance to the foe!"

  "It was not quite like that, ma'am!"

  "The stories I have heard suggest that you have been reading of the knights errant of Old England, sir!"

  "Not at all, my dear. There was the opportunity to use my pistols to advantage - I was probably the only man on the field with dry powder, you see. My holsters have flaps over the top which protects the lock from rain so I had the shots that others did not, could not, have. In any case, my dear, it is one of the things that officers must do on occasion - when things are getting a little hot then the captain or major or whoever must stand up and be seen and calm the men."

  "I had rather you found some less exposed way of 'calming' them, sir."

  "It is part of the job, ma'am. I am paid far more, live more comfortably, enjoy an easy existence in fact; in exchange I must just occasionally stand up and show myself in battle. I had rather have my way of life than theirs, I assure you!"

  She was not convinced but could see no gain in arguing.

  Mrs Colonel commiserated with her when they next took tea together.

  "Your husband wishes to make a name in the army, my dear. Very understandable, too! He will at his present rate certainly be chosen as a commander in the field. When he becomes colonel he may expect to be given a brigade at an early hour and then will be able to distinguish himself sufficiently to be awarded a knighthood at least. Seniority will then make him a general in time and he will be given a division as Major-General. Success then turns knighthood into a baronetcy - a title for a son to inherit, which is worth having. Your son is then a gentleman by birth and may progress to great things, and his son further still. That is how families are created, my dear."

  "But, he must win, ma'am."

  "He must, my dear. Which means that he must take far more risks than the average soldier - he must be successful. Colonel Horncastle has never displayed that ambition - the family has its acres and its name and he is under no obligation to add to its honours. His elder brother is Sir Michael Horncastle and the family is secure."

  "Major Pearce's father was a merchant, and so is his brother. Rich, but not honoured. He can overcome that, ma'am, but only at risk of his life, you say?"

  Mrs Colonel nodded, sympathetically. She had seen ambitious young men before, not infrequently, in fact; some of them had survived.

  Man of Conflict Series

  BOOK TWO

  Chapter Five

  “Showing the flag, it is sometimes called, Major Pearce; it amuses our political masters. Marching a company or two, occasionally the half battalion, through the back country and setting up tents for a day or a week outside each of the smaller towns before holding a parade for the benefit of the Collector or whoever the local bigwig may be. The rajahs love to see us, you know; their own people think we are showing them respect. Besides that, the sight of red coats and brown muskets is said to do the natives no end of good, especially if they have been inclined to be uppish in the previous while.”

  The colonel seemed resigned rather than enthusiastic, shook his head deprecatingly. It was his opinion that soldiers should never be used as a threat.

  “Shoot ‘em, if that’s what they need; leave ‘em alone otherwise! If they see a soldier they should know it’s because he has come to burn their village down! That’s what I say, Major Pearce. Don’t play games, as if we don’t know what to do next!”

  Septimus could see no reason to disagree. A soldier’s job was to kill enemies; no more, no less; no half measures. Attempting to overawe the disaffected seemed not to work in English streets, so why should it do better in India?

  “The Brigadier has chosen us for the honour this year, Major Pearce. We should send Reynolds with his half battalion, I believe. He must be given the chance at a detached command. You do not need that experience and I do not believe you should go with him to hold his hand – he will never be respected by the men if they believe that we do not trust him out on his own. I have discussed with the general whether he must be given his brevet. What is your opinion on the matter?”

  Septimus knew that Captain Reynolds could not purchase; he lacked the funds. Such being the case, inevitably the commission would eventually be sold and Reynolds would step down to captain again, and that could lead to difficulties if the new man was not a very tactful being. But, they were in India and with five years to remain – it was possible, likely indeed, that the commission would remain unpurchased until immediately before the battalion arrived back in England. There were relatively few captains with the money to buy their step in a battalion of infantry of the line, and they often preferred to avoid service in India. Rich young men seeking to leap through the ranks almost always purchased in England, and stayed there if they possibly could, generally in favoured cavalry regiments or in the Gentleman’s Sons or as a last resort in Second Battalions, where such existed.

  “If he is ambitious then he might take his brevet across to one of the Company armies where he could be made substantive in the rank. That would solve our problems, and his. Is it possible that Mr Reynolds might eventually wish to transfer to the forces of the Company, sir?”

  “Unlikely, I suspect, Major Pearce. The family are small landholders down on the Itchen not so far from Bishopstoke and I believe, from conversation with him, that he stands to inherit, an elder brother suffering from an infirmity of the chest which is increasing upon him. I understand he is inclined towards selling out on return to England. He will never really be in a position to purchase, even when he becomes the holder himself.”

  That made the position easier, provided the majority was not purchased in the immediate future by a man who would come out. It was worth a risk of an upset in the Mess – the chance of a new man was slight enough.

  “Then I would give him the brevet, sir, in the full and openly discussed knowledge that he will not expect to remain in the rank in England. He is more than competent, I believe, from all that I have seen of him; he will like to receive the pay of the higher rank as well. I think he will be well able to take his people out for a few weeks, sir.”

  “He is capable enough, but, I rather fear, Major Pearce… it is a hard thing to say of one of my people, but… he is really not quite entirely a gentleman, you know!”

  Septimus had noticed no great vulgarity about the man, was surprised to hear this.

  “His grandfather was no more than a publican – an inn-keeper! He made money, and how was never divulged! He bought his acres and set his son up in them and left Reyn
olds cash enough to buy his first steps when he died a very old man.”

  “A businessman, in fact, sir. Like my own father, I presume!”

  The colonel was abashed, tried to make up for his error; he knew that Septimus owned land and had thought it to be inherited.

  “Oh! I had not been aware, Major Pearce, had assumed your acres to have been long in the family.”

  Septimus thought it better not to mention the part loot had played in his possession of land.

  “My own purchase, in fact, sir, using my share of the profits in the firm my father created and my brother now owns. The merchant enterprise, sir, Pearce of Winchester.”

  “Oh! Those Pearces! I had not realised, sir. It is one of the greatest enterprises in Southern England, is it not?”

  “I am told that it is, sir, though how and why, I know not! I am afraid I am no man of business, though I must confess I am happy to accept my share of the income my brother George makes.”

  “He married into the Everholts, did he not, Major Pearce?”

  “He did, sir.”

  It was clear that the Colonel approved of a family that was turning itself into gentlefolk. His lady had made him aware of the gentility of Septimus’ wife, that she came from the upper ranks of the County; he evidently felt that Reynolds was capable of marrying the daughter of some peasant family of landless labourers, making no attempt to climb in the world.

  “You will wish to remain in barracks for the next few months, Major Pearce, until your lady is delivered and all is well. Another reason why Reynolds should go. I think I shall invite him to put up his brevet with immediate effect. As my second, I believe I must have your approval for the course; you are sure in your own mind, sir?”

  “My approval is given, wholeheartedly, colonel. I believe he has the makings of a very good field officer, sir. I believe as well that the Officers Mess must be reassured that promotion can follow displayed merit, sir.”

  At least one half of the officers in the battalion were unable to purchase their next step and clung to the distant hope of promotion in the field.

  “Mr Taft, of course. His purchase has occasioned some murmuring, I believe.”

  “Inevitably so, sir. Yet he is making a good start with his company. The men know that he is not shy – they saw him at the front, where he should be, calling ‘Come on’ in our little engagement. That is by far the most important demand the rankers have of an officer, sir – they will forgive almost everything of a brave man. Add to that, Mr Grundy is so very willing to support him, and makes it clear that he likes him as well. The men have great respect for Mr Grundy – and if Mr Taft is good enough for him, then they will not argue.”

  The colonel was not certain that he approved – ensigns newly made from the ranks should not exercise quite such a degree of influence.

  “Mr Grundy must be made lieutenant in a very few months, sir. He is too useful a man to allow him to stagnate as an ensign and then be pushed off as a Quartermaster.”

  Colonel Horncastle definitely did not approve of that – rankers should never, he believed, become ‘real’ officers. He doubted he had the energy to oppose his vigorous young second, however.

  “What of promotions to fill Reynold’s vacancy, Major Pearce? One lieutenant to captain, and an ensign to climb as well. Too soon for Grundy, is it not?”

  “Yes, sir. Next time around, I would suggest. Marriott in my B Company, sir, is fit to become a captain. He is able to purchase, I believe. For ensign to lieutenant – none of my boys are ready yet. Has Mr Reynolds any youngster able to take on the work of a company?”

  “I do not know, Major Pearce. They seem a very poor set this year!”

  “Perhaps we are growing older, sir!”

  Horncastle shook his head, unable to deny the accusation but not welcoming it either.

  “I will speak to Reynolds – between us we may select the best of a bad bunch.”

  Septimus smiled sympathetically, reviewing his own crop of ensigns and deciding which must be brought on over the next months. The fevers and the bickerings of India meant there was a regular need to promote youngsters.

  “I wish to exercise my people, sir, now that the Dry Season is here. A march of say ten miles followed by a set of field manoeuvres and musketry practice, then a march back in the evening, or possibly the next morning. The men need to sharpen up, I think, and the officers very definitely must become accustomed to the demands of a campaign. They did their duty when we went in search of Dhoondiah, but they showed little of initiative. I would not wish to see what might happen to an isolated company taken in ambush, sir, the officers having to react to an unexpected onslaught.”

  Horncastle agreed – it was fatally easy for a battalion in barracks to become stale.

  “You wish to take the half battalion out, Major Pearce, or one company at a time?”

  “Both, sir. One company a day, then the half battalion at the end of the week. Every man to be out of barracks at twice a week. As well, they will spend four days on the parade ground and butts, to rebuild their skills. They seem to have grown slack, sir, and that may kill them if they go to war!”

  “You are right, sir. I wish I still had your energy! I think, Major Pearce, that I shall, with your permission, call all officers together and inform them that these are my orders. They might resent you turning their easy life upside down. Better for the battalion for the changes to come from me.”

  Septimus was much relieved. He had wanted to suggest to the colonel that he should take the lead, but it would have been presumptuous, he felt.

  Reynolds took his companies out, Septimus watching from the balcony of the Mess. It would have been ill-mannered of him to have appeared on the parade ground as an obtrusive observer.

  Taft and Grundy stood at his shoulder, obviously present purely by accident, not there to poke their noses into other companies’ business at all.

  “Distances between companies are irregular, gentlemen. The column itself is untidy. They should be in precise line, not wandering from side to side like that. I know that it keeps them out of each other’s dust, but it don’t look good leaving camp. Let them march at ease when they are out of sight, by all means, but they should look right when they are in the sight of senior officers! See there! Across the cantonment!”

  Both Brigadier and Major-General were standing outside the headquarters offices, hands clasped behind their backs, watching and presumably disapproving.

  “We shall do better than that, gentlemen, or I shall be forced to express my displeasure to some company officers!”

  Taft could not quite understand why the matter was so important.

  “There will be a campaign, Mr Taft, either later this year or early next, and we wish to play a prominent part in it. We do not intend to be left behind as barracks-minders! There must be a garrison, but it is not to be us! A battalion that is favoured will have the chance to shine, gentlemen. Its officers will make names for themselves and will be given greater responsibilities. When the time comes, Mr Taft, that you are a lieutenant-colonel, then if you are known you will be given a brigade and, following success in the field, you will in time be employed as a major-general. You know that promotion is by seniority after purchase ends, and there is typically a score of brigadiers and major-generals available and eager to take any command in the field; to be used, and to reach the heights, you must be prominent in your profession. Of course, if you are born into the nobility you need nothing else at all – we have all seen the idiots who command because their grandmothers were whores to a king!”

  Taft winced and Grundy grinned; neither denied the validity of Septimus’ words.

  “I know you are only a captain now, Mr Taft – but this is where you lay the groundwork for your career, sir. A major-general who has a success will be rewarded, and when he is lieutenant-general then he will have the chance to earn his peerage. The ranks come with seniority – but employment depends on merit, to a great extent. And you must be see
n, sir!”

  Taft nodded slowly, assimilating the concept that he must work to achieve success. It was a very new concept and he was not sure he knew how to work at all. He wandered slowly back to his company office, Grundy at his side.

  “What are we to do to bring the company up to Major Pearce’s standards, Mr Grundy?”

  “We have Guard this week, sir. A snap inspection or two during the night would not come amiss, sir. Walk into the Guard Room at three o’clock in the morning and discover only one man awake, and him with his uniform unbuttoned and his boots off, I do not doubt, and you could raise Cain with none to call you tyrant for it. Hours of extra drill and a corporal returned to the ranks would be seen as acceptable, an honest response that they would all be thankful for, knowing that Maxwell would have demanded a court and called for a thousand in like circumstance.”

  Taft puzzled out what was being said.

  “You mean I can gain respect for being properly severe, and then win more for not being a brute?”

  “You need respect, sir – that you must have. The men’s affection helps as well, but is less important. They know you are no coward, sir, and that is the first step, but you must show you are awake to all their tricks as well.”

  Grundy was unaffectedly a partisan of Taft’s, made it clear to the men that he was in favour of the little chap. He made no mention of the ten gold five-rupee pieces that augmented his pay each month, for that was none of their business.

  All went well for a month, the men accepting the marching and drill and musketry as part of the trade in the Dry Season, and knowing they were having an easier time than Reynolds’ companies out in the back country. Septimus was pleased with the way the battalion was shaping up; then came the unfortunate affair of Lieutenant Sawbridge of B Company.