Whose Business Is to Die by Adrian Goldsworthy Read Free Book Online

corpse of the French colonel. ‘That must have taken considerable strength,’ he went on, impressed, but not moved to any other emotion. ‘You seem to forget, William, that you and I have ridden battlefields before.’
    Shouted orders drifted towards them. Brigadier General Long was forming two of the Portuguese squadrons into columns to follow the 13th Light Dragoons and act as a solid support should the French rally.
    ‘Ah, it looks like our lieutenant has won his prize,’ Baynes said as Williams came towards them, the two prisoners behind him and the hussar bringing up the rear. The man’s horse was limping from a gash on its hindquarters. ‘What is that fellow’s name?’ he asked the corporal.
    ‘Becker, sir.’
    ‘Well, Becker, you will take these men to the rear, but remember that one of their horses belongs to Mr Williams, here. You will take the officer’s, I presume?’
    ‘I should prefer the sergeant’s,’ Williams said. ‘Only let it carry him to have his wounds tended first.’ In response to Baynes’, questioning look, he offered an explanation. ‘I have generally found that an experienced sergeant will be better equipped than a young officer, sir.’
    The statement amused Baynes. ‘That does have the ring of truth – the old servant oft-times eats and drinks better than his lord! Well, you must stay with me and we shall keep one of the hussars. Corporal, choose another man and stay with Captain Hanley.’
    ‘Sir.’
    ‘Hanley, follow on with those stout fellows’ – Baynes gestured at the Portuguese as they set off after the light dragoons. ‘Do everything you can to ensure that we secure the guns and the rest of their train. I dare say more soldiers will be coming along behind you?’ The question was directed at Williams, who looked for a moment at the two French squares and the supporting hussars on the highway.
    ‘The heavies are not far behind us, and part of my brigade not much farther behind them. We should be able to force the column to surrender. Though perhaps we should attend General Long to discover his intentions.’ From where they were, they could see the French around the road, but could not see much behind them of their own supports. There was no sign of the heavy brigade, although it must be close.
    ‘In a moment perhaps. Go, Hanley, be off with you and do not come back without plenty of cannon!’ Baynes dropped his voice. ‘And better yet one of those rogues for me to talk to. I’ll keep Williams so that he can recognise Sinclair or Dalmas if it turns out that they are with the column. Now, off with you.’
    Hanley cantered towards the Portuguese, the corporal and the private just behind him. He exchanged greetings with the English colonel leading them, who showed no particular interest, but was happy for them to tag along. They dropped to a trot to match the two squadrons as they went steadily on, the ground rising a little before again dropping away. They passed a couple of bodies stretched on the ground, Frenchmen with their heads badly cut about, and a wounded light dragoon leading along some bloodstained and battered prisoners.
    Once over the rise they could see the light dragoons chasing after their quarry, both now spread out.
    ‘View halloa!’ said the English colonel softly. Without any order the trot quickened and Hanley could feel the exhilaration stirring all of them. More to his surprise, he felt it himself, the sense of power as the horses surged forward. He realised that he still held his sword and then the thought came to him that he had killed a man, and yet the world did not seem so very different.
    ‘View halloa!’ he said, and laughed out loud.

4
    W illiams took a rag from one of his saddle holsters and wiped his sword clean before sliding it back into the scabbard. He sat on his horse beside Baynes and the remaining hussar, as they waited at a polite distance for Brigadier General Long to give a message to an ADC.
    ‘Tell Marshal