Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2016 13:58:48 +1200
From: arthur carkeek <artcart65@gmail.com>
Subject: drummer boy chp 21

DRUMMER BOY
CHAPTER 21
BY
ARTHUR



Contact author;
artcart65@gmail.com


At the first sound of the massed drums from the forecourt of the Residence;
Thomas and his friends straightened up and looked towards the large
doors. The band stopped playing and every one lined both sides of the dance
floor in anticipation of greeting their guest of honour.

The six friends suddenly recognized the drum music, although it was not
quite the same as they had played it; the similarity was obvious. As the
drums drew to a close, those in the ballroom heard the unmistakeable sound
of a number of boots marching in step towards the doors.

The Junior Officer that had stood guard at the door now stepped into the
opening and came to attention.

"My Lords, Ladies and Officers of His Majesties Services, our guest of
honour; Generalissimo Pedro De Alacantara Tellez-Giron Y Alfonso-Pimentel,
His Highness the Prince of Anglona."

Thomas and his friends watched as the small group of six Officers
accompanied the Prince into the ballroom; Thomas noted that General Cuesta
was one of the Officers. As the Prince began to walk towards where Viscount
Wellington stood at the far end of the room; his eyes surveyed the large
crowd of Officers and ladies, when he spied Thomas and his friends he
veered towards them with a wide smile on his face and completely ignoring
anyone else around him.

Thomas and his friends snapped to attention when the Prince stopped before
them and extended his hand to Thomas.

"Don Thomasino; I'm so glad you could make it; the evening promised to be
rather dull without you and your friends to liven things up."

The conversation of course was held in Spanish so that only those concerned
would know what was said. General Cuesta smiled at Thomas and said.

"Don Thomasino, did I not tell you that in our army you would be a General?
It is richly deserved and I hope after your duty to England you will come
back here to take up your post with us. There are many in Spain who would
like to know the Patron of the orphans, the homeless and defender of the
people."

Thomas could only blush redder as the General snapped to attention and
saluted the young group; he was quickly followed by the other Spanish
Officers before the Prince spoke once again.

"Well Don Thomasino, I have my duty to perform, I hope to have your company
once the formalities are out of the way; these English can be such a bore
at these functions. Until later Don Thomasino and once again, my thanks for
what you are doing for Spain and our allies."

The Prince stood erect and snapped his heels together as he gave Thomas and
his friends a small bow and then turned back towards where the Viscount was
now impatiently waiting for him.

The ballroom had been hushed as they watched their guest of honour stop to
talk to an young Officer that was not much more than a boy; only a few of
the older hands really knew who the boy was and it did not take long for
the soft whispers to begin to make the rounds; there were some strange
looks from some of the people in attendance not least of which was a
predominance of disbelief.

Just when Thomas thought things were now going to be peaceful and he would
no longer be on everyone's mind; a well known voice interrupted his
thoughts. The words were in Spanish and said far more than what they did
when they changed back to English.

"Well Don Thomasino you certainly know how to put the cat among the
pigeons. There is game afoot so let's stay with Spanish for now as these
other young men need a little comeuppance in their lives."

Thomas turned to look at Mister Percy as he stood with a number of young
Officers who looked as though they would much rather be somewhere
else. Mister Percy put on a Stella performance as he introduced the new
arrivals and made quite a thing about Thomas's lack of English. With a very
formal bow to Thomas, Mister Percy began the introductions.

"Gentlemen may I introduce you to General Don Thomasino, Colonel Don
Estaban and Colonel Don Carmelo, these other gentlemen are the General's
Junior Officers whom I am sure you will get to know some time in the
future. Don Thomasino is also known as the Patron El Toro, the scourge of
the French."

Thomas felt only embarrassment at the titles given by Mister Percy but
could not resist the temptation of a little bit of fun at the expense of
these young, newly arrived Officers; he was well aware that Mister Percy
would have something up his sleeve if he went to all this trouble to bring
the young Officers to meet him.

The young Officers could only stare at the young boy they saw before them;
they were not quite sure if the portly Colonel was making fun of them or
not; they hoped not as they were in no position to refute a Superior
Officer. The young Officers followed protocol even though they could not
believe any of what the Colonel had said but it was always better to play
it safe.

As one they all snapped to attention and saluted the group of younger
Officers standing before them, even though they were foreigners; again it
was always better to play safe and they had seen the guest of honour stop
and speak to them as though they were old friends.

Mister Percy spoke in Spanish again so that Thomas and the others would
know what he was about; it was time to set the game and he turned back to
the young Officers after he had given Thomas the broad outline of his plan
and invited him to make other suggestions so that the young Officers would
think there was more going on than they were ever told.

"Well Gentlemen, it appears that Don Thomasino is taken with your respect
and dedication to duty; he would like to invite you all to partake in a
little competition once the winter months have set in and the army is in
bivouac until next spring. What do you say, are you game for a little sport
with these foreign gentlemen; it should not be too much to ask for such
fine young Officers? Mister Braithwaite, perhaps you can speak for your
friends?"

"Well...yes Sir...I...Uhm think we could arrange something; in a friendly
way of course Sir."

"Good, jolly good, I will tell the Viscount and let you know what we can
come up with. The winter bivouac is such a tiresome time for the soldiers,
a little entertainment will lift their spirits for the campaign ahead,
don't you think?"

"Uhm...yes Sir but will the...uhm...General be permitted to do such a
thing; after all Sir, he is foreign and not English; perhaps he does not
understand about English honour Sir?"

"Oh have no worries there Mister Braithwaite, Don Thomasino is very well
aware of English honour; after all he has been fighting by our side for a
number of years; perhaps you know of some of his exploits? Rolica for
example. Well thank you gentlemen, I will let you know what is organised by
the Viscount. Thank you for your attendance and I will let you get back to
more important things."

The young Officers knew they had been dismissed and turned away as the
portly Colonel turned back to the six Spanish Officers to continue their
talks, none of them caught the faint hint of laughter in Mister Percy's
voice as they strode away to find more interesting things to do.

The ball continued into the night; at one time, Thomas was called up to the
front by the Viscounts aide Colonel Lewis, the six young Officers were
watched closely by all those in the ballroom as he went to the Viscount and
began to talk to the august body of Senior Officers, the portly figure of
Colonel Percy was also noted.

When he arrived in front of the Viscount, Thomas stood to attention and
saluted his leader; around the Viscount stood his staff Officers and guests
as Viscount Wellington began to speak.

"Well Captain Marking, our friend the Prince has told me you have been
offered a new commission; are you going to take it up and leave us to fight
Napoleon alone?"

"No My Lord, my duty at present is to England and I will serve out my time
with the army."

"I'm sure you will Captain, now then the Prince has asked me for a small
favour and it concerns you and your rag tag little army of drummer
boys. Are you game to put your lives at risk once again Captain?"

"If it is your wish My Lord."

"Good man, now then the Prince is very concerned about the small village of
Batuecas in the mountains west of the River Alagon; it would appear the
French have placed a large garrison there and are making the lives of the
people rather miserable. There are stories of reprisals and hostages, we
would like you to take some of your drummers and see if you can either free
them or help in some way. When do you think you can leave and assist our
ally?"

"I would think we can leave first thing in the morning My Lord. As soon as
we get back to Vimeiro I will have the men ready to move out My Lord. I
will make sure we will do what we can to free the village Sir."

"Good, now then Colonel Cruikshank has made a suggestion about having a
small competition when we go into bivouac for the winter; do you think you
would be interested in partaking; I am sure there would be some speculation
about your new force and their ability to show their experience on the
battle field?"

"If it is your wish My Lord, I am sure I can get a few of my men to take
part if we are not away doing something else at the time."

"Good show, I will let you know the arrangements once they are finalised;
now then I will let you go and enjoy the ball and entertainment. If you
require anything for the Batuecas problem then don't hesitate to contact my
office for aid and assistance; also I would like you to use the opportunity
to make as much trouble for the French as you can."

"Yes My Lord."

Thomas saluted and went back to where his friends were waiting; if at all
possible they were going to try to slip out before they became too bored to
watch their manners. It was a mystery to all of them why so many seemed to
be having fun in what to them was too much noise and too many snide
whispers about others at the ball.

The decision had just been made to leave when Thomas saw a young naval
Captain coming their way. When the Captain was close he smiled at Thomas
and asked.

"Captain Marking?"

"Yes." Replied Thomas.

"I have been asked by his Lordship the Admiral to speak with you on an
important matter. Shall we adjourn to the patio above the gardens; it would
be much easier there and away from all the noise?"

Thomas nodded and, followed by his six friends went with the Captain to
stand outside on the dark patio. Only the faint glimmer of the many lights
inside the residence made it possible to see the shrouded gardens below
where they all stood.

"Captain Marking I am sorry that I have to be the bearer of bad news but
the Admiral insisted you be told as soon as possible. We had not planned on
relating these facts until after the ball but we will be away at first tide
and no other chance seems to be available."

"What is it you wish Captain?"

"It is about your friend Lieutenant Roger Scully. I am sorry Captain
Marking but your friend was lost at sea some two weeks ago. As you were
named by him as his only next of kin it is our duty to inform you. There
are a few small things that belonged to Lieutenant Scully that are now
rightfully yours, these will be delivered to your lodgings first thing in
the morning. Are there any questions you would like me to answer?"

Thomas could not believe his ears; one of his closest and dearest friends
was now gone; would there be no end to the losses he had to endure? Scully
had been like a breath of fresh air and his skill had been the cause of a
number of their wins over the enemy. Thomas had no idea he had tears
falling silently down his cheeks as he got the image of the bright smiling
face of Scully in his mind.

Around Thomas his six friends stood in stunned silence; if there was one of
them that deserved to see this war to the end it was Scully and now they
were being told he had been lost, there had to be more to it. Finally
Thomas managed to get his head around the words and looked into the older
Captains eyes; he saw that there was genuine sorrow there but Thomas had to
know what had happened.

"How did it happen Captain?"

"He decided to take on a seventy two gun French Man-O-War. Sorry that
sounded flippant it was not meant to be."

"Why would Scully take on a French Man-O-War; if memory serves me right his
ship was only an eighteen gun sloop; it would be madness to even think of
attacking a ship as large and well armed as that?"

"Perhaps I should start at the beginning so you can understand how it
eventuated. Believe me Captain Marking, what he did was an act of unselfish
valour and nothing else; that's why I apologized for my comment that seemed
flippant."

"I would like to hear the full story Captain, thank you."

"As you may know, Lieutenant Scully was promoted to First Lieutenant and
given command of his ship the Bull Fighter. His orders were to be escort
for a supply convoy of ten merchantmen and had another refurbished ship,
the H.M.S. Chevron along for added protection. His orders were to get the
convoy to Portugal with needed supplies and reinforcements for the war and,
on the return journey would take back the seriously wounded and sick that
needed the care of hospitals in England. Most times he would return over a
thousand wounded and sick on each trip."

Thomas stood silently and listened, it was no time for questions yet.

"Now just a little over two weeks ago, he along with the Chevron were
escorting the convoy back to England with the Merchantmen filled with the
sick when they were seen by the French seventy two gunner. I do not know if
you are aware of all the facts about ships but the Merchantmen are slow and
could barely make five knots; Lieutenant Scully knew they could not outrun
the Frenchman on those terms. Lieutenant Scully sent flag orders to the
Chevron to close up the Merchantmen and make a run for English waters while
he stayed back in an attempt to delay the pursuit. I really don't think at
that stage that Lieutenant Scully fully intended to go up against the
French ship in a gun battle."

Thomas nodded his head in agreement, Scully may have been many things but
he was not a fool; an eighteen gun sloop would not last long against a
seventy two gun behemoth.

"From the report we got he did his best to harry the French ship without
getting too close to the ships gun range and thereby forcing the Frenchman
to give up the chase; he was not successful. The French ship kept its
course and Lieutenant Scully must have seen no other way but to try to
attack the larger ship in the hope of doing sufficient damage to make it
turn back to port for repairs. The Bull Fighter was smaller and lighter
which gave Lieutenant Scully an advantage with speed and manouverablitly
over the larger ship and so he set about trying to use his small advantages
to delay the Frenchman."

Thomas waited while the Captain organized his thoughts.

"Our report states that there was quite a sea running that day as they were
nearing the entrance to the channel where the sea can become very disturbed
with so many tides meeting in one place. Lieutenant Scully manoeuvred his
ship until they were both laying side to the sea, while his smaller ship
could dance in the troughs, the large Man-O-War tended to roll and pitch a
lot more; for Lieutenant Scully it meant the larger ship could not use his
lower gun deck for fear of swamping when the gun ports opened. By doing
this Lieutenant Scully had cut down the guns he was facing by a third. The
lieutenant's next move was almost masterful; with his better speed and the
wind in the right quadrant he was able to gain 8 and one ? knots to the
seven knots of the Frenchman."

Thomas tried to see a picture of the battle in his mind as the Captain
talked.

"Lieutenant Scully out manoeuvred the larger ship with his speed and
managed to get astern and come at him from behind. Now Captain Marking I
don't know if you are aware of sea-born tactics but, the one place you do
not want any ship in an upcoming battle is on your stern. Lieutenant Scully
got his position and then ran close in on the larboard side; this brought
his portside guns to bear. Using his better speed to gain quickly on the
Frenchman. As he came up on the stern he fired his two six pounder bow
chasers and did a little damage to the ships steering, not a lot but enough
to give the Frenchman trouble. As he drove his ship along the larboard side
he had only the mid-deck guns to worry about as he was close enough under
that the top deck guns could not range his ship; however, they did do
damage to his spars and rigging. As he went down the larboard side he fired
all his port guns at the tween deck guns and caused considerable damage to
that deck but he also had damage to his own ship being as he was so close
under the Frenchman."

Thomas tried to follow the picture he was building in his head and nodded
that he understood so far.

"After running past the Frenchman's bow he got ahead and then dropped his
larboard anchor and spun the wheel hard over; those who reported it said it
was as if the ship had stopped on a penny and spun in its own length. Once
fully around he had the anchor cut away and rushed head on at the Frenchman
again and this time he used all nine guns on the larboard side to hit the
French tween decks in the same place; they did not have time to reload
their guns and suffered badly from both ball and grape. Unfortunately
Lieutenant Scully's ship received quite a beating from the top deck guns
and lost the T'gallants and foremast as well as quite a lot of rigging and
spars. As the Lieutenant sailed past the stern of the Frenchman he gave
them the last two stern chasers and did more damage to their steering. The
Frenchman was now almost impossible to steer although he could call on all
his sail power but was directionless."

Thomas nodded as he formed a picture in his head.

"Lieutenant Scully must have looked at what remained of his hip and crew
and decided to try to finish the Frenchman or at least force him to turn
for port to get repairs. He called his Master Gunner a man by the name of
Craven and told him to prepare the only longboat left to them; step the
mast and take off his youngest crew members being his Midshipman, a young
boy of thirteen years; his cabin boy and the three remaining powder
monkeys. The rest of his crew only numbered three uninjured; the helmsman
and two of his gunners. Master Gunner Craven was given all of Lieutenant
Scully's logs and his nautical instruments and charts; he then gave the
bearing for Craven to make for the English coast while he held back the
Frenchman. Once the longboat was clear, the Lieutenant then turned what was
left of his ship towards the Frenchman and strangest of all, lowered his
colours as he got underway as best he could with what remained of his
sails."

The Captain paused again to get his thoughts right.

"As he sailed towards the Frenchman they must have thought he had
surrendered as his colours were lowered; our report says they could hear
the cheering Frenchmen from where the longboat was escaping. When
Lieutenant Scully was within range for his two six pounders on the bow, he
raised a red and gold battle flag with a large black bulls head at the
centre, tied off the helm and charged right at the Frenchman with all the
speed he could muster. The French then realised that Lieutenant Scully
meant to ram them and opened fire just as his six pounders using chain shot
tore into their sails and rigging. The French guns raked his sloop and it
is said there was no one left alive when the sloop rammed the Frenchman
just abaft of the middle beam. The damage he caused before the sloop sank
with all hands was enough to force the French ship to turn about for a
French dock and leave the escaping convoy for another day. Lieutenant
Scully was a very brave young man Captain and I hope you will not forget
his sacrifice like those poor sick and injured will never forget him for
giving them a chance to escape. There is little more I can say Captain; I
will have a man bring his personal items to your hostel in the morning. If
there is nothing more Captain, I will say good night and wish you well."

The Captain clicked his heels and gave Thomas a small nod of his head as he
returned to the ballroom leaving Thomas and his friends with tears in their
eyes at the loss of another one of their friends; the only good thing was
the knowledge that another friend in the form of Craven had made it
away. Thomas lifted his head to look up at the night sky; the question in
his mind was to ask why so many good people had to lose their lives for
this damnedable war.

The six young Officers made their silent way back to their hostel; there
was little they could say and the mood was dark and sombre as they climbed
the stairs to their rooms. For Thomas it was just one more debt the French
would have to pay in the months or years to come.

The next morning, just before they were to leave and return to Vimeiro
there was a knock on the door of their hostel room. Carmelo opened the door
to see a young Midshipman and a naval rating standing with some items in
their hands. Carmelo looked at the two young men and called for
Thomas. When Thomas stood in the doorway it was obvious by the look on the
young men's faces that they did not expect someone so young to be a
Captain.

"Yes gentlemen?" Thomas asked.

"Sir." Said the young Midshipman. "I have been instructed to return to one
Captain Thomas Marking the personal effects of First lieutenant Scully. Sir
I wish to offer the condolences of their Lordships of the Admiralty for the
loss of Lieutenant Scully and hope these last effects will keep his memory
alive for you."

Thomas could not stop the tears that fell from his eyes as he took the few
items from the two young men and handed them to the waiting Carmelo.

"Thank you gentlemen, please convey our thanks to your superiors and for
the return of Mister Scully's personal effects. If there is nothing else we
would like to have some time to ourselves?"

"There is one thing Sir. The log books have been copied for the Admiralty's
records but they are intact. Again our condolences Sir."

The young Midshipman stood to attention and saluted Thomas before leading
the rating away; Thomas turned to go back in the room with the wrapped
parcels, at this stage he did not want to have to look through them and the
need to return to Vimeiro was more pressing; when he got back to their home
away from home he would look at the last memories of his friend Scully.

The travel back to their home in Vimeiro was sombre and there was little
interplay among the small group of friends. It was almost with relief that
they rode into the busy valley. While they had been away there had been no
stopping in training or the need for their strange little army to become
better in all things they undertook. After a loud welcome to the sound of
the drums; Thomas retired to his little house to look at Scully's property
and remember the larger than life young man that had done so much to help
form their fighting force.

Thomas unwrapped the small parcels and laid them out on his table. There
were three log books, a gimble compass, a sextant and a small set of
instruments for measuring on a chart; the only thing left was a larger
volume of charts, many with small pencil lines going from one place to
another and carefully written numbers along the lines. The only thing that
stood out from the normal looking pieces used by a sailor at sea was the
Officer's sword wrapped in a separate length of red cloth.

For Thomas it was the one piece that symbolised his friend Scully; why
Scully had passed on his sword for Craven to bring back for Thomas would
remain a mystery but it told of Scully's belief he was not going to live
through the battle with the French seventy two gunner and wanted Thomas to
have it. Thomas looked at the sword and, with slightly damp eyes, removed
his smaller Portuguese sword and replaced it with Scully's; he determined
to wear it until the war was won or his life became forfeit like Scully's
had been.

That evening after their dinner, Thomas called a meeting of all Officers
and Senior NCO's; it was time to make plans for the small town of Batuecas
and the problems the French had created in that small mountain village.

It took until some late hour of the night before they had all agreed on a
plan to investigate the goings on in the village; if the report he had got
was correct then they could be in for an interesting time. With the village
being so far out of the way and tucked into the mountains, it would be
harder to get his men there without being seen; it was time for the French
uniforms to be worn once again.

The plan was to travel to Sabugal dressed in their usual uniforms then
change and move into the French held lands of Spain via Aldea de
Ponte. From there they would go up into the mountains along small tracks
and come upon Batuecas from the west. For some unknown reason, Thomas
decided they should all go and they set up the departing times for each
Company so they did not raise too many questions by anyone that saw them
move.

The move would begin the next night and there would be an hour between each
Company so they did not form too large a mass of troops. Sergeant Major
Croxley had the hardest part as he would have his sixteen guns to get to
Sabugal and then up into the mountains without causing too much alarm from
any French spies who would be around to watch for just such an event. It
was decided that the Sergeant Major could travel only at night and would
have to find a good hiding place for the day time.

Thomas sent out six of the younger ones to watch ahead and try to make
their way as close to Sabugal as they could do in safety. As it would take
six nights of travel to get to Sabugal the boys would have plenty of time
to gather information and then report back to Thomas at Aldea de Ponte.

The Companies left on time the next night, they would stay off all roads or
main tracks and keep to the woods or small goat tracks then go to ground
for the daylight; they all knew there were very few Portuguese that would
give them away but still preferred to keep their travel as private as they
could.

On the night of the sixth day they all met in Sabugal; from here on they
would wear French uniforms so they could also be attacked by English troops
as French, it was now time to be extra careful and they would once again
move in the late afternoon and night until they were well into French
territory between Aldea de Ponte and El Bodon where they would turn off to
the east and into the mountains for Batuecas.

Thomas found his six young boys waiting not at Sabugal but at Aldea de
Ponte; it had been worrying him for some time when they did not show at
Sabugal but he had to have confidence they would have a good reason. When
he finally found the boys he soon understood the reason for the change in
their meeting place.

When the boys had gone in the direction of Batuecas they had seen a vast
number of troops forming up and moving towards Ciudad Rodrigo; it was not
just a small detachment changing locations but they reported it was a
massive army on the move. The date was the 10th September; Thomas wasted no
time in having a letter written out by Jones and a rider sent off to warn
the Viscount of the movements. If the French were moving in such great
numbers there had to be a very good reason.

The town of Aldea de Ponte was sleeping deeply when the army of young men
left stealthily during the night; even the sixteen guns were wrapped and
tied so as not to make too much noise in the night. It was just as the
first hint of dawn rose in the east when Thomas found the markers of a
small strip of yellow cloth that the six boys had set out for them and
marked the turn off onto the goat track that would take them to their final
destination.

Thomas's Company was the last to turn onto the narrow goat path. The sun
was rising and he wanted them all under cover before anyone was moving
around although where they were was well out of the way of normal travelled
roads. It took only a short time for them to find a narrow gully to hide
and pass the day away. When the darkness of night came they would move onto
the last stopping place the six boys had found for them and was well within
reach of Batuecas.

Now that they were out of sight of any French troops; Thomas had his men
change back into their normal dress; if they were going into Batuecas then
they wanted to be as the army of El Toro and not as false Frenchmen. Thomas
went through the last of the plans as they all sat in the little gully; he
could not afford any mistakes this far behind the French lines and he had
no desire to lose more of his friends to his own mistakes.

The report from his six boys had been a terrible revelation for Thomas. It
appeared that the French had placed a rather larger troop than would
normally have been in such a small place; there was also the terror they
had instilled in what now remained of the small populace. As far as his six
boys could tell, there had been a large number of reprisal deaths in the
town but for what seemed no apparent reason.

Thomas decided that he and Carmelo would go into the village in the early
morning and try to look around; they would dress in plain clothes and try
to fit into what remained of the people in the town. There were many who
were against him going in accompanied only by one other person but Thomas
said he had to see for himself what they might be up against and try to
find out why the French would think it was needed for such a large troop to
be in the small village.

The next hour was spent making plans in case things did not go the way they
wanted; it was no time to be careless, they were a long way from home and
could not call on any help.

It was early morning when the two boys left their friends to make their way
into the small village. Thomas and Carmelo were dressed like many other
Spanish boys except for their boots which they had to rub dirt into and
scuff with a stone to make them look old and worn. Their trousers were the
usual heavy cotton and baggy white cloth with a large oversized smock
covering their pistols. Thomas had had to leave his sword behind but he
still carried all his knives and all four pistols although they would be
difficult to get to in a hurry as the smock hung loosely to their hips.

As the two boys quietly sneaked into the village they were taken with the
total silence, there was also no sign of the troops that were there only
days ago; the village seemed to be deserted as they moved carefully deeper
into it. As the two boys came to the small village square they saw one of
the reasons why there were no people about to see them; the sight made them
both start and a sense of shock overtook them.

In the square were the limp hanging bodies of ten men and six young teens;
they had obviously been like that since the night before; of the women and
girls there were no signs. Thomas grabbed Carmelo by the shoulder before he
reached for his two Manton pistols; as his hands gripped the pistol butts a
heavily accented voice caused him to pause.

"So finally the great El Toro has walked into my trap. Welcome Captain
Marking, or should I call you El Toro. Yes I can see by your surprise that
you did not think we would know about you. Please do not make any sudden
moves; my men have been waiting a long time to get their hands on you."

Thomas let go of his pistols and looked firstly at the man and then around
the rest of the small square; everywhere he looked there were French troops
with their muskets aimed at the two boys, the wicked glint of sharp
bayonets also did not go unnoticed by his quick glance. Keeping his
knowledge of French to himself, Thomas looked at the man once again and
asked him.

"So who are you; you don't look like an Officer?"

"And yet I am although I do not like to dress like one Captain Marking. My
name is Major Pierre Coultard and I have been sent here for the express
purposes to place you in your present position. Of course I had some help
but he assured me that the tactics we have used would be successful and so
they seem to have worked as you are now here just as he said."

"And who is that Major?"

"You will get to meet him all in good time my young Captain; firstly I
would ask you to disarm yourself and your friend; we would not want an
accident at this stage. We have plans for you and being shot on the day of
your capture is not one of them; I have a much better idea for your future
than that. Now Captain, your weapons if you please."

Thomas began to take his Manton's from their hiding place and told Carmelo
in Spanish to do the same; he was not really surprised that the Major
understood the language; he would test him with Portuguese when he got the
chance. Thomas handed his two pistols to a soldier who stood close by. The
Major watched closely and, when Thomas looked up at him he said in no
uncertain terms.

"And the other ones Captain; I also know about the knives you and your
friend carry so don't try to delay the inevitable."

Thomas sighed as he reached under his smock and took out his pair of Purdy
and Richards. Next he pulled his sleeves back and released his two fore-arm
knives before bending to take his boot knives out. After handing over
everything to the soldier just as Carmelo had done, and one of the soldiers
had patted them down to confirm they were now unarmed; the Major smiled and
then said.

"Well you certainly do come prepared Captain; I had been told you were a
walking armoury. Now then if you will walk ahead to that building over
there we will continue our conversation; and Captain?"

Thomas looked up into the flushed and satisfied face of the Major as though
asking a question.

"Do not try to do anything silly will you, my plans for your end would be
spoilt and that would be a great shame for all the hard work I have done to
get you here."

Thomas and Carmelo had little option but to do as asked, they could almost
feel the sharp bayonets only inches from their backs as they walked to the
small stone building they had been told to go to. Once inside they saw it
must have been some type of store house. Just inside the door was a small
room with a desk and single chair, there was a short passage that went into
the rear of the building that housed other small rooms.

The Major walked past them with a wide smile on his face and then sat
behind the table to look at the young boy that had been the bane of every
French soldier for so long; he was now in their grasp and his future would
only extend until the next day; the plans laid for midday were the best the
Major could think of.

Once the Major was seated he gave a nod to someone behind the boys; quickly
they had their arms pinioned and their wrists were soon tied tightly behind
their backs. Before either boy knew what was happening, they were roughly
kicked behind the knee and thrown to the floor; it was only seconds before
they were tightly bound hand and foot, the Major looked down on his
captives with a certain amount of satisfaction on his face.

The Major looked down on the two boys and was obviously happy with his
capture; he had managed to do what a number of others had failed to do and
now was the time to pay the piper and also let the boys know what was in
store for them and their limited future.

Thomas looked up from his prone position on the dirt floor, it was plain
the Major was feeling very happy with the way his day had started.

"Well now Captain, I suppose you would like to know how you were caught so
easily."

The major turned to a door behind him and said.

"You may come in the good Captain can do you no harm now."

Thomas watched as the door opened, the man who walked into the room made
Thomas stare with such hatred that he even surprised himself with the
feeling. The Major smiled widely as he watched the look on the boys face;
it went to add even more satisfaction to his capture.

"I'm sure you are familiar with the onetime Captain Selwynn; he has been
most helpful in devising this trap for you. Captain Selwynn I have your
purse here. 10,000 in gold as agreed; do you wish to stay to watch his end
tomorrow, I'm sure it will bring you some satisfaction."

The one time Captain Selwynn sneered at the two boys laying bound on the
floor; as he walked past Thomas he could not resist a kick at the boy's
thigh and said.

"Not so big now Boy; your head will look good in a basket tomorrow."

The Major frowned at Selwynn before saying.

"Well Captain, do you not have anything to say to the good Captain
Selwynn?"

"No Sir, I do not speak to thieves, deserters and traitors. When I get free
I will attend to him personally."

"I think you underestimate your position Captain. At midday tomorrow I will
introduce you to Madame Guillotine, I am sure she will silence your tongue
and end any hope you may have of reprisal to our friend Selwynn."

The Major changed to French as he called for four soldiers to take the two
boys to the small room they had ready for them; he also gave other orders
which Thomas listened to, the more he knew the better their chance of
escape would be. Thomas and Carmelo were roughly pulled up and as their
feet were tied tightly, they were partially carried and partially dragged
from the small room as they heard a chuckle come from Selwynn as they were
taken to the waiting prison room.

Once they had been thrown into the room still tied hand and foot, Thomas
looked at Carmelo and gave a small nod before saying in Portuguese.

"Looks like this is a bit more than we thought, I hope the others do not
move too soon."

"Yes Patron, but they will know what to do when we do not return as
planned."

Just as Carmelo finished, they heard the solid thick wooden door being
unlocked, seconds later and the Major walked in to look down at them.

"I am sorry your accommodations are not the best but they are only for the
night as you will find out. I have placed extra guards around the village
and this building so it is hopeless for you to try anything. I would have
you freed of those ropes but our mutual friend advises against it. I would
like to ask you one thing Captain. Why did you come here without your
little army of boys; it does not seem like the sort of thing a soldier like
you would do?"

Thomas smiled at the Major as he answered.

"We are here just for a look, we had heard stories and wanted to look
around first. Were we to find something wrong we were going to go back for
our men; it seems Major you have ruined that plan for now."

The Major could not quite put it together but the boys seemed to be
thinking they would escape and be able to do something about their present
situation; he was almost ready to scoff at the idea but instead said.

"Well Captain, I will give you your last lesson, it may do you no good but
I am feeling magnanimous now that you are in our hands. Life, like in war
is never what it seems Captain; you would have done well to have learnt
that long ago, now you have only the last night of your life to look
forward to. A pity really, you are a very talented young man and it's a
shame you will never be any more than what you are right now."

Thomas looked at the Major and smiled as he replied.

"That was a lesson I learned long ago, especially at Rolica, Major."

Thomas almost smiled as he saw the faintest of frowns come over the Major's
face.

"Well Captain, in that case I will give you something to think about during
the rest of the day and the coming night. Tomorrow at midday you will be
given to Madame Guillotine. In normal cases the convict is laid face down
on the bed and the blade is then released; for you we are going to lay you
on your back so you can watch the blade just before it takes your
head. Once your head is in the basket it will be sent to the Emperor as
proof that we have finished you. Now then Captain, I like those nice
Pistols of yours, quite unique, I think I will send them along with your
head. The Emperor will like them immensely I'm sure."

The Major gave the two trussed up boys a last smile and left their small
cell, Thomas Looked over at Carmelo and whispered in Portuguese so the two
guards outside the door could not hear them talking.

"We will have to wait until dark before we try to escape; it will give the
others time to get into position and the guards will be tired. The Major
has set only four guards to take turns as he feels we are no longer a
threat."

Carmelo nodded his understanding and both boys settled back to doze, the
more rest they got now would be better for them during the night to
come. It was two hours later when the boys opened their eyes; Thomas's
thigh ached a little from the kick but he shook it off as Carmelo shifted
beside him.

Thomas stayed with speaking Portuguese as he told Carmelo to start to put
their plan into operation. Carmelo wriggled until he could sit upright and
began to look closely at the small room. There was only one very small
barred window which was far too small for a body to get through. Next he
looked at the floor and saw it was made of stone and covered with a fine
layer of old straw. Far above them were the open rafters but even if they
got on each other's shoulders, they were too far to reach but the clay
tiles of the roof would be easy to remove if they could get up there.

While Carmelo looked about, Thomas was wriggling around until he could see
the thick door; it had a very small window set with two thick bars and he
could just make out the shadows of the two guards. With their inspection
done, the two boys lay back and whispered their ideas to each other.

Both boys lay back to wait for darkness, they could see no way to have
light in the room and that suited them entirely for what they had
planned. When night had fallen they had still not seen anyone, it looked as
though everyone had decided they did not need to watch them too closely or
to feed them. While the boys did feel hungry and now a little thirsty, they
both ignored it as they prepared to make their move to escape.

Thomas could hear the two guards outside the door; as he listened he heard
them change with another pair and walk away, the new guards would be more
alert and the opening of the door to inspect their prisoners proved they
would be watching. Thomas estimated they would have long guard shifts as
the other pair had been at the door since their capture.

Thomas again whispered to Carmelo and his friend replied in the positive so
they both settled back to wait. It was later in the evening and the small
room had gone mostly dark and the only light they had was from the faint
glimmer through the window in the door; the sound of the two guards told
Thomas they were bored and their occasional yawns could be plainly heard by
the two boys tied up inside.

Thomas moved carefully until his back was to Carmelo and then worked his
way down until his head was level with Carmelo's middle back. Carmelo
turned around and wriggled back until he could feel Thomas's head with his
hands. It took a few minutes for him to work his bound hands into the neck
of Thomas's shirt where he could grasp the small handle of the hidden dirk.

It took only seconds for Carmelo to remove the dirk and Thomas moved back
up until his hands were close to Carmelo's; he felt happy that he had kept
the dirk in good condition and always sharp as Carmelo went to work on the
ropes holding Thomas's hands. It took only a few minutes for Thomas to be
able to wriggle out of the cut ropes; he then turned and cut through
Carmelo's before setting to work on the ropes binding their legs.

The two boys stifled their groans as they freed their legs and worked the
cramps out of their aching arms. Once they felt ready, Carmelo went to work
building a small pile of the old straw against the back wall while Thomas
pulled up his left pants leg and withdrew his black baton from the top of
his boot.

Once Carmelo had his little pile of straw ready, Thomas gave him the dirk
while he twisted the top of the baton and pulled out the thin six inch
blade that had been hidden inside. Thomas had found the blade by pure
accident one day when he was twisting the top of the cane unconsciously as
he thought of something; he had been surprised when the top had come off
and revealed the long thin blade; it was one of the reasons he never went
anywhere without the baton.

Carmelo reached into his trousers and lifted the edge of his waist band;
with nimble fingers he removed a small piece of flint and crouched over the
pile of straw with the dirk close to the straw. Quickly Thomas piled the
cut ropes where they would be seen from the door and took his place close
to the wall where he would be behind the door when it opened; Carmelo would
take the other side and also be out of sight of the guards unless they came
into the room.

Carmelo had left a cleared area around the pile of straw so it would not
set it all alight and end up killing them both before they could
escape. With only two hard strikes of the dirk he had a good spark and
began to blow quickly until he had the first flames beginning; with that
done he scurried quickly to the other side of the door and nodded to
Thomas.

Both boys watched as the old straw caught and began to send flames and
smoke into the room, the small slit window gave just enough breeze to send
the smoke towards the door and the waiting guards.

When the first puff of smoke worked its way through the window in the door,
Thomas heard the gasp and a shadow filled the window; next Thomas heard one
of the guards exclaim loudly that there was a fire in the room and the rope
was on the floor, the prisoners had somehow escaped. Without thinking to
call for more guards, one of them unlocked the door and ran inside.

When the guard saw the fire he was well into the room and never had enough
time to turn around as Carmelo jumped onto his back and the dirk slid
cleanly through his throat. As Carmelo jumped from the falling guard, the
second one saw him and came in with his musket at the ready and had full
intensions of running the boy through with his bayonet; he never saw the
second boy slip from behind the door and drive the six inch thin blade up
through his chin and into his brain; he was dead before he even realised it
had happened.

Thomas and Carmelo picked up the two muskets and checked they were fully
loaded, the next part was to secure their weapons which they hoped were
still kept in the front room; they also prayed there were no more guards
inside the building.

Thomas peeked around the door to check the passageway; as he did so he
heard a faint noise above and turned to look up. What Thomas saw was not
only a surprise but a welcome relief as he signalled Carmelo to join him.

Thomas felt the smile form on his lips as he looked up into the smiling
faces of Diego, Maketja and Pablo, all three boys had a pistol in one hand
while the other was used to keep them from falling from the rafters.

They had carefully snuck into the village after dark and; as they had been
watching the village they knew which building their friends were held
in. Once they were inside the village they had climbed up on the roof and
carefully removed just enough tiles to get their slim bodies inside; they
had arrived just as Carmelo had lit the fire and so waited to see what the
outcome would be.

With the guards disposed of the three boys joined their Patron on the floor
as they began to work silently towards the room the Major had used as his
office. While Thomas had no idea what the time was; he guessed it had to be
late and the chances of there being anyone about except for the outer
guards was slim.

Thomas led the boys to the front room and put his ear to the closed door
and listened carefully; when he was sure there was no one inside he
tentively eased the door open and peeked inside; there was no one there and
he breathed a soft sigh of relief.

Thomas had to rely on what light was coming from outside as he crept close
to the small table, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw all their
weapons still sitting on the table where the Major had first placed
them. Thomas and Carmelo wasted no time rearming themselves and preparing
for the next part of the escape plan.

Before they could move outside to make a run for safety; Diego touched
Thomas's sleeve and whispered into his ear; when he had finished Thomas
looked at him and smiled as he nodded his head in understanding. The boys
waited inside the building while Maketja went back the way they had come
and jumped back up into the rafters; it was now only a matter of time
before they could make their run to safety.

The signal for them to make their escape came in the form of sixteen
cannons firing into the other end of the village; the uproar that the
cannons made caused the French troops to stumble from their beds in a
rabble of half dressed men, some even without their weapons and others
trying to pull on their trousers. The loud explosions filled the night
stillness as the four boys ran from the door towards the other end of the
village and away from the sound of the guns; they were soon joined by
Maketja as he jumped from the roof where he had sent the signal from and
landed beside them.

They had gone only a few yards when a number of figures began to appear
further along the narrow street; the flat crowned hats told the boys they
had friends approaching, the first one was Perrin and he was carrying
Carmelo and Thomas's muskets.

Thomas led the boys around a corner while he began to outline what he now
wanted to do; he finished his orders just as the second volley from the
guns rained down again at the other end of the village. The shouting of the
French was now louder as the few Officers tried to get some order into
their men as already the far end of the village was becoming a pile of
rubble and the cries of those caught in the second barrage filled the night
air.

Thomas was filled in with the information of what the other Companies were
doing and soon decided it was time to move into the town and finish with
the French. Diego gave out a very loud whistle into the dark night and was
quickly answered by others in return; it was the signal for all four
Companies to move in. It was clearly understood that there would be no
prisoners unless the rank and file surrendered and the Officers if they
survived the onslaught that was coming; were to be held separate from the
soldiers.

Thomas's little army moved like dark shadows as they set about hunting any
Frenchman in the village. Muskets and pistols were only a last resort as
the boys moved quickly and silently from one place to the other. Most times
their passing was marked by soft grunts or a sudden intake of breath which
was soon followed by a gurgle sound. The cannons had not fired a third time
and if the plan was being stuck to they would already be preparing to make
their escape; it was now up to the boys inside the village to finish what
the guns had started.

It was slow progress as each and every doorway and narrow lane had to be
carefully checked as they moved further into the town; the dead and dying
French were left behind them; it was a pure fight of both retribution and a
desire to make the French pay for what they had done to the original people
of the small village.

With all four Company's working their way towards the centre of the
village; the French were pushed in one's and two's towards the central
square. It was no more than a half hour since the first cannons had sent
their deadly shot into the far end of town before Thomas saw that those who
remained of the French had built a barricade to one side of the square.

Thomas kept his boys back and just out of musket range as he waited for the
rest to gather so the square was completely surrounded. Behind the
barricade Thomas estimated there were no more than about twenty soldiers
and from what he knew of French ranks, he could also make out at least five
Officers although in the dark it was difficult to make out who was who.

Thomas decided to give the last defenders a chance and; if they decided to
fight on then it would have to be to the last man except for any Officers
that remained at the end. Thomas called into the dark where the barricade
stood; the men behind the barricade were highlighted by a few flickering
torches mounted on a wall behind them.

"Major Coultard are you still alive?"

"Yes Captain, you will have to do better than that to kill a French
Officer. What is it you wish?"

"I would ask you to surrender and avoid any more killing. I have near five
hundred men spread through the village so there is no hope of escape. There
is one thing I would ask you if you wished to leave here with your lives."

"What is that Captain?"

"If Selwynn the traitor is still alive I want him handed over to me and
then you and what remains of your men may leave without further losses."

"And if I do not chose to hand Mister Selwynn over to you and prefer to
fight you?"

"Then you will all die right here and right now. It is your choice Major
and you have little time left."

"Captain there is one last thing I would like to know."

"What is it Major, you are wasting time and have little of it left."

"How did you know it was a trap we had set for you? It appears you came
prepared just in case or you would not have had your men waiting out of
sight."

"I will answer all your questions after you have surrendered Major and you
have even less time left so I suggest you decide right now what you will
do."

From the deep shadows of the corner he was hiding behind, Thomas watched
the faint outline of the man turn to the few soldiers he had left; it was
decision time for him or Thomas would give the order to fire.

It took only minutes before he saw the Major stand away from the barricade
and hold his hands out to show they were empty before he said in a voice
that seemed to carry a little disappointment.

"Very good Captain, you have the best of me. What do you wish us to do?"

"I want all of your men to come out one at a time and place their weapons
beside the fountain, they are then to walk to the western end where they
will be met by my men and have their hands tied. When all your men are
safely captured you will then have your remaining Officers do the same; any
attempt to fight will be met with the full force of my muskets."

Thomas watched as the Major stayed where he was but turned back to the dark
barricade and gave the order for his men to surrender one at a time and
what they had to do; Thomas's French was now good enough to follow what the
Major was saying; he did not want to get caught out in the open because of
a mistake.

It did not take long for Thomas's men to have the few survivors disarmed
and tied by their hands; it was then the turn of the remaining Officers; it
took only a few more minutes to have them all fastened except for the
traitor Selwynn; he had disappeared into the night.

Thomas went to where the soldiers were now waiting; in the eyes of some of
them Thomas could see fear; they had all heard about the terror El Toro and
what he could do to captives. Major Coultard and his five Officers stood
just apart from the rank and file; as Thomas came out of the darkness the
Major gave him a rather cynical nod of respect.

"Well Captain, I have kept my word, will you now answer the question I
posed earlier?"

"All in good time Major, I do not break my word even to an enemy. What
happened to the traitor Selwynn?"

"He ran when your guns first fired, I have not seen him since."

"Where are the rest of the people from this village; we saw the reprisals
you took but even a Frenchman would not kill every person in a village?"

"I do not know Captain, when we disposed of those last rebels the rest
disappeared into the hills hereabouts; we have not seen one of them since
then."

"Very good Major, there is only one thing left to do and then I will answer
your questions."

"And what is that Captain?"

"Tell your men that I will have their hands released one at a time, they
are to remove their boots and jackets and then have their hands bound once
more. To give them a good chance of returning to your lines I will have
their hands tide in front so they can release themselves when they are
clear of the village."

"Captain, your demands are becoming a little tiresome; it would appear you
do not trust our surrender?"

"Major; over the last few years I have learned not to trust any Frenchman
be he ranker or Officer. If you would be so kind as to instruct your men
then we can get on with other business."

Thomas waited until the Major had passed on Thomas's last demands, the
soldiers were not happy but they were also in no position to refuse. It
took less time to have all the rankers stripped as Thomas had demanded and
he soon had one of his Companies escorting them from the village and down
the east track where they would make their way to the plains far below.

With only the Officers left Thomas looked closely at them all before he
said to the Major.

"Well now Major, your men are safely on their way, what is it you wish to
know?"

The Officers relaxed a little as Thomas began to talk in a voice that was
non-threatening.

"Firstly Captain, how did you know we were waiting for you?"

"Some of my men saw your skirmishers shadowing us as we came through the
pass; from there it was just a wild guess and the fact I was not going to
take any chances with my men's lives."

"I see Captain, then you thought it all out well as I have had large losses
and it appears you have had little or none. The next question is how did
you get your guns within range without us hearing them?"

"That would be my Gunnery Sergeant Major. At a guess and knowing how he
works I would say he had the men pull them by hand and kept the horses well
to the rear."

"Your men pulled a large number of guns through these mountains and most of
your men look to be no more than young teens and boys; how is this so?"

"What you see here Major is only a small part of the army that is here;
there is enough of them to move the guns when needed."

"Very ingenious Captain. Now then how did you escape from the cell, I saw
one of my men search you thoroughly and yet you were able to not only break
out but kill the two guards?"

"All I can say to that Major is that your men did not search closely enough
but I am not going to tell you how it was done. You never know Major, I
might have need of it again one day."

"So Captain, what happens now?"

"You and your Officers will be taken to the room you kept us in and locked
away for the night; in the morning we will have to wait and see what
happens."

The Major could only nod his head as some of Thomas's boys surrounded them
and ushered them towards the building Thomas and Carmelo had been kept
in. There would be four guards on the room until morning so they could not
also be taken by surprise although Thomas thought it very unlikely. It was
time for Thomas to get the rest of his men settled for what remained of the
night; he was sure that Sergeant Major Croxley already had his guns on the
way back to their prearranged meeting place at Sabugal.



TBC.