But today things had taken a further dramatic turn for Kasey. The moment Rupe had muttered the news to him as they’d been about to set off on their march to the work site, Kasey’s agenda had changed. When Rupe had told him it now appeared glaringly obvious the death of Anthony Hill was to go unavenged and that Chuck Maxwell was to walk away scot-free, Kasey wanted one thing, and one thing only. He was on the warpath now. He wanted revenge.

Samuel had called Rupe to the Company C headquarters tent early that morning. The four lieutenant platoon commanders were not present, having already embarked upon their duties, and the moment Chuck Maxwell had collected his paperwork and left, Samuel had sent off young Percy Owen to summon Corporal Barrett to the tent. Upon the pair’s arrival, he hadn’t even cared if Percy Owen, from the little desk where he sat in the corner, had overheard his admission. As if to punish himself for his failure, Samuel felt compelled to admit to his botched attempt in confronting Maxwell with the mutilated book. He couldn’t allow Rupert Barrett to live with false hope a minute longer, it simply wasn’t fair.

‘I’m sorry, Corporal,’ he said in conclusion, ‘I’ve let you down, you and Private Davis. The book you gave me can serve no purpose now. Maxwell has covered his tracks perfectly.’ This time, throughout the brief telling of his story, Samuel had named the name he’d previously avoided. ‘There appears nothing else we can do, I’m afraid.’

He’d spoken so softly that Percy Owen had heard very little and understood nothing. But the young private’s ears had pricked up at the several mentions of Maxwell’s name, and each time without the rank that should have preceded it. A most unusual discussion it would seem between a black soldier and his white commanding officer, Percy had thought.

Throughout the whole of that work day, the knowledge continued to plague all three men, Samuel Robinson, Rupert Barrett and Kasey Davis. Chuck Maxwell had literally got away with murder and they were helpless to do anything about it.

But Kasey had decided to use this news to further incite the men, to set them on the path of rebellion. He began spreading the rumour right there and then, starting with big Amos Cole and the other two men who had shared Ant’s tent. Amos and his buddies were in the same working party, so it was easy to wend his way over to where they were, even under the watchful eye of Strut Stowers, just so long as he kept wielding his pick.

‘You remember that book of Ant’s that you gave to Rupe,’ he muttered to Amos as they laboured side by side.

‘’Course I do,’ the big man replied.

‘We know who ripped it in half.’

‘Oh yeah? And who’d that be?’