When he’d finished, Armstrong tried again. ‘Name!’

‘Steele, Colonel.’

‘Well, Private Steele,’ began Hervey at last; ‘you are very welcome in the regiment. Where did you enlist?’

‘Stow, Colonel.’

The orderly corporal accompanying them made a note.

‘Gloucestershire,’ said Hervey, both to be certain and to put the man a little at ease.

‘Colonel.’

‘And your occupation before?’

‘Shepherd, sir – sorry, Colonel.’

‘Retained or hireling?’

‘Hireling, Colonel.’

‘How were you brought, by recruiting party?’

‘Yes, Colonel, at the hiring fair.’

‘The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep?’

The orderly corporal wrote simply ‘Colonel says some Scripture.’

‘No, Colonel, I’d never’ve fled. But there was no more sheep, Colonel.’

Hervey nodded. The country parts had been much depressed since the war with France – the natural check to the unnatural growth in demand. But it was an ill wind that brought no good, and this ill wind brought good countrymen into the army. ‘I had heard it. And I don’t doubt you’d have stood by your charges … You know those words, do you?’

‘Oh yes, Colonel, but the parson, he said they weren’t to be taken as meaning an English shepherd would.’

Hervey smiled to himself. Shepherd Steele would do. He asked of his family and sundry things, then nodded and moved to the next man.

‘Name!’ rasped Armstrong.

‘Beale, Colonel.’

‘Well, Private Beale, where were you listed?’

‘Hungerford, Colonel, but originally I am from—’

‘As you were, Beale!’ roared Armstrong. ‘The colonel asked where you enlisted. If he wishes to know the particulars of your childhood, or indeed of your paternity – if, that is, you are yourself aware of the latter – he will ask!’

‘Colonel! I just thought—’

Corporal Walcot winced. Armstrong thrust the head of his whip under Beale’s nose.

‘You don’t think, Private! You does as you’re told. You speak when you’re spoke to, an’ you keep it short!’

‘Colonel.’

Hervey was intrigued by the ‘originally from’, for here seemingly was a more articulate recruit than usual, and perhaps with some sort of story. But he could hardly enquire now, what with Armstrong telling the man he’d no interest in his particulars, which thwarted somewhat his purpose in addressing them direct. That, however, was discipline.

‘Your previous employ?’

‘Apprentice bookbinder, Colonel.’

Corporal Walcot winced again. Armstrong’s eyes narrowed.

Hervey nodded, and sensing ‘trouble’, moved to the next.

‘Name!’ Armstrong’s bark somehow managed to convey a note of warning.

‘Stratton, Colonel.’

‘Listed where?’

‘Braintree, Colonel.’

‘And where is that?’

‘Near Colchester, Colonel.’

‘In which direction?’

‘West, Colonel. That is, to the west of Colchester, Colonel.’

Hervey liked that reply. Not only did Stratton know the points of the compass, he had the presence of mind to realize his answer might have been ambiguous, and therefore clarified it. He’d be a corporal in eighteen months no doubt.