Soldier of Fortune

'How do I know the horse will behave itself?'

'You'll ride the mare — she looks placid enough.'

'What if she bolts?'

'I'll be beside you every inch of the way,' said Abigail, putting a consoling arm around her. 'Come on — I'll help you to mount up.'

It took some time to get Emily in the saddle and she looked very unhappy about it. Their belongings had been stuffed into satchels that were slung across their horses. Knowing the dangers of travelling alone, they joined some merchants for the first stage of their journey. They had no difficulty in following the army. A body of men that large left clear evidence of their route. The weather was fine, the roads flat and their travelling companions were pleasant. Abigail was relieved to be on the move at last and Emily slowly became accustomed to the jolting rhythm of her mount.

'I could never have done this without you,' said Abigail.

'I wish you hadn't done it at all,' Emily admitted.

'You were keen to join me in my adventure at the start.'

'Yes, Miss Abigail, but that was before I knew what lay ahead.' 'Captain Rawson,' said Abigail, beaming. 'He is what lies ahead. The captain is the sole reason we're here, Emily, and I'll endure any misery to reach him so that I can show my true feelings for him.'

'I hope he appreciates all the efforts you've made for him.'

Abigail was transported. 'Oh, he will — I know he will.'

Edward Marston

Soldier of Fortune

Daniel Rawson liked to keep busy. When the army pitched camp for another day, he did not take the opportunity to rest. He checked on his men, practised his swordplay for an hour, then swam in the river. On his way back to his tent, he encountered Sergeant Henry Welbeck.

'It's too hot,' said Welbeck, sweat dribbling down his face.

'Do what I did,' advised Daniel, hair still wet. 'A dip in the river will cool you off nicely, Henry.'

'I can't swim.'

'Then it's high time you learnt. What will happen if we're cornered by the enemy and have to beat a hasty retreat across a river? Do you want to be drowned?'

'No, Dan. But, then, I don't ever expect to be in retreat. The Frenchies won't attack us. They'll simply observe from a distance. That's all Marshal Villeroi ever does.'

'He may be forced to do more than that this time.'

'Is that what the Corporal John told you?'

'No, Henry.'

'Then how do you know?'

'It's what I'd do in his position,' said Daniel. 'We've spent years trying to bring the French to battle and they've only obliged us with an occasional skirmish. I'm ashamed to say that my own countrymen, the Dutch, are to blame. They're more interested in protecting their own borders than launching a concerted attack on the enemy.'

'I always think of you as English — not Dutch.'

'I'm both, Henry.'

'That's impossible.'

'No, it isn't,' said Daniel genially. 'When I'm in pursuit of a young lady in London, I'm pure-bred English. When I'm doing the same in The Hague, I'm as Dutch as a windmill.'

'You always claim to be a churchgoing man.'

'So I am — I attend services every day here in the camp.'

'Does your religion allow you to chase so many women?'

'I always make sure that they're Christians,' replied Daniel with a wicked grin. 'I do it for sport, Henry, like every other soldier.'

'Not me,' said Welbeck, scowling. 'I can't abide women.'

'Then whatever do you do for pleasure?'

'I watch people like you getting into a tangle with the fairer sex. Seeing idiots led by their pizzle is always worth a laugh. They never learn. Your time will come, Dan, mark my words. Women will be the death of you in the end.'

'Every man is entitled to one vice.'

'Where does it say that in the Bible?'

Daniel chuckled. 'I can't remember offhand,' he said. 'But I'm surprised that an atheist like you has even heard of the Bible. If you had, you'd lead a more honest and God-fearing life.'

'There's no more honest man in the whole army,' said Welbeck, bristling. 'I don't need to fear a God in order to do my duty. And I don't need to pray for success in battle when I know that prayers are useless. Good commanders and well- trained soldiers win victories not someone up there in a place you call Heaven.' 'Don't mock, Henry. You may end up in Heaven one day.'

'I still won't believe it exists.'

Daniel burst into laughter. 'There's no convincing you, is there?' he said. 'Miracles happen every time we fight yet you still refuse to accept that there's a God.'

'The only miracle I want to see is an end to this war. Then we can all go home, put our weapons aside and lead peaceful lives.'

'That will only happen when we finally defeat the French.'

'Then where are they?' demanded Welbeck.

'Villeroi and his men are probably very close.'

'Watching and waiting.'

'There'll be plenty of action before too long,' said Daniel, giving him a playful punch on the arm. 'I feel it in my bones.'

Edward Marston

Soldier of Fortune

When they crested the hill, the two men pulled their horses to a halt and surveyed the scene below. The camp covered a huge area, a small town of canvas nestling beside the river. Even from that distance, they could pick out the different colours of the uniforms. Charles Catto and Frederic Seurel had caught up with their prey at last.

'There you are,' said Catto, 'I told you we'd find them.'

'How do we get to him?' asked Seurel.

'Leave that to me.'

'What do I do?'

'You can sharpen your dagger,' said Catto, taking a telescope from his saddlebag. 'It will soon be needed, Frederic. You can have the honour of cutting off Captain Daniel Rawson's head.'

CHAPTER SIX

Long experience as a soldier had taught the Duke of Marlborough the importance of being a visible commander. The sight of their captain-general not only raised the morale of the men, it let them see that he was a flesh and blood human being and not some phantom who made vital decisions that marked the difference between their lives and deaths. Marlborough was therefore careful to be on show to his troops, riding through the camp on a regular basis so that he could inspect his men and allow them, in turn, to inspect him. A cheering word from their commander could have a big impact on the spirits of his soldiers, and they were touched when he remembered so many of their names.

Accompanied by Adam Cardonnel, he went through the camp that afternoon, noting everything with interest as he did so and dispensing pleasantries along the way. When he reached the area where Daniel Rawson's regiment were camped, he recalled the piece of news in his wife's latest letter. He sought the captain out and found him in his tent, playing backgammon with Richard Hopwood, a young lieutenant in the regiment. After chatting amiably with the two of them for a few minutes, Marlborough asked to be left alone with Daniel. Having already lost more money than he intended, the lieutenant was glad of an excuse to leave.

'I was just about to win another game,' said Daniel, indicating the board. 'Richard Hopwood is an obliging loser.'

'I'm sorry to interrupt you,' said Marlborough. 'I know how much you enjoy backgammon.'

'It's my most reliable source of income, Your Grace.'

'I'm sure it is. As it happens, I wanted a word about another game at which you excel.'

Daniel rubbed his hands. 'You've work for me behind enemy lines again,' he said, eyes igniting at the prospect. 'I was hoping you'd wish to deploy me.'

'That will come in time, Daniel.'

'I'm not to be sent on another assignment?'

'Not yet.' 'Oh.'

'I'm sorry to disappoint you,' said Marlborough, 'but this concerns another type of game altogether. It's just as dangerous in some ways, though seldom fatal.'

'I don't understand, Your Grace.'