‘Very probably.’

‘Corporal Boyle’s just come in, by the way.’

Hervey quickened. Boyle was one of Worsley’s best NCOs.

‘’E’s talking to Major Parry.’

Five minutes later, Parry came with him, and the news he’d been waiting for.

‘Captain Worsley reached Chintalpore last night, General. His intention was to make touch with Captain Fairbrother at once and then report in person as soon as he has intelligence.’

Hervey nodded. He’d expected no more at this time, only confirmation that they’d made Chintalpore without mishap.

He turned to Worsley’s galloper. ‘What time did you leave Captain Worsley, Corp’l Boyle?’

‘Two hours before dark, Colonel – sorry, General. The road was full of Chintalees though. I ’ad to lie up for a few hours, and then find the stream we’d come down to get back to the middle o’ the forest. There was a good moon, when it could get through the trees. I didn’t sleep or anything, General. I kept on.’

Hervey nodded again. ‘I hadn’t supposed you could have done, Corp’l Boyle. I commend you heartily.’

‘Colonel. Private Prettyman was my second, also, Colonel, sorry, General. He’s green still, but he didn’t once hesitate.’

‘Prettyman …’

‘He came with the last draft, General. Been a postboy.’

‘Ah, yes. Capital.’

Garratt had brought the rest of the recruits with him to Sthambadree, reckoning they’d learn as much in a month as they would in six drilling at Fort St George. They hadn’t passed out of sabre and carbine yet, but that was no great matter compared with the advantage of having a couple of dozen extra horse-holders (at least, perhaps, not unless it came to really hot work).

‘The Somersets will be mustering soon, General,’ said Parry. ‘Do you want them to proceed?’

Hervey smiled. ‘So Lindesay did choose Dennie … Yes, better to take the risks early – and it is still early. We can’t expect anything more from Worsley for a good few hours yet, and if his intelligence is contrary, Dennie can always be recalled.’

At that he kept the smile to himself, though, well imagining Dennie’s indignation on being told to counter-march. His concern at that moment was leaving Lindesay and the Thirty-ninth to fight the battle at the river. (And the beginnings again of that battle were quite audible, now.) In truth Lindesay would need another battalion if they were to keep up the demonstration for long. Sending off Dennie’s on a flank march was indeed a gamble: If a segment of one’s force is located where it is not sufficiently engaged with the enemy, or if the troops are on the march while the enemy is fighting, then these forces are being managed inefficiently.

It was all nonsense, of course; typical Prussian purism, but it nagged at him nevertheless.

‘Have we offered you refreshment, Corp’l Boyle? You and Prettyman.’

‘Colonel? Sorry – General.’

‘Corp’l Johnson, please see to it that Corp’l Boyle and Private Prettyman have their fill of tea, and an egg.’

‘Tea and one egg, yes, Colonel.’