Chapter 10
The small group of men quietly made their way up the bank. When they reached the top of the incline, Robert held up a hand to indicate that he wanted them to stop. It was still dark although to the east, the first signs of the rising sun had started to brighten the horizon.
Robert had no concerns about the sunrise however, it was the fact that he and his men, who he was responsible for, were walking into the unknown. The Lieutenant had been very vague about what to expect and the men had been nervous, especially the two youngest.
Robert had taken Brian and Paddy aside and told them what to expect. He explained that their roles would be to hang back and use their sharp shooting skills to pick off any enemy soldiers who would appear once Robert and the three other members of the unit engaged the enemy.
Albert, Jimmy and Alf were all excellent skirmishers and their close quarters combat with bayonet, sword or knife was incredible. Robert himself had superior hand to hand combat skills as well as being an excellent shot.
The young corporal peered over the crest of the small hill they had just climbed up and looked down into the small bowl shaped hollow. True to the Lieutenant's predictions a pair of French guns had been placed there and they were pointed, rather ominously, right at them. Robert knew that these guns' range could severely impact Sir Arthur Wellesly's plan and it was important that they were put out of commission before dawn. He scanned for French troops and he saw 4 men sitting around a camp fire. They were wearing the blue uniforms of French gunners and they also wore swords on their belts. He also saw three large tents beyond the guns and he guessed that the four men were on guard duty while the others slept.
He had no doubt in his men's ability to deal with the four men quickly and quietly but the tents meant their could be another ten men who could appear at any time. He gestured to Alf and the veteran slipped quietly over to his side.
"Alf, I don’t like this situation, but we have our orders. I want you and Albert to make your way down so you are behind the tents. Stay quiet and stay alert. When you hear my signal, you may have to act fast."
"What's the signal?"
"Me and Jimmy helping the Frogs reach paradise of course."
"Ah well" Alf mused, "I don’t think we will miss that."
"Good man. Head around the ridge and when you're in position, Jimmy and I will make our move."
"Good luck Robbie."
"You too."
"Come on Alby, lets go."
The two men slipped away into the gloom and Robert turned to the two youngsters.
"Paddy, Brian, Jimmy and I are going to give the Frogs a little wake up call. Paddy, you head up there." He pointed to a large outcrop of rock about 15 metres to their right.
"Brian, stay here. Its vital that you two keep your eyes open. If it looks like we are going to be outgunned, we need you two to cover us. Only fire though if you absolutely have to.'
Both men nodded their understanding. The whole troop knew that just a single shot could alert the other French troops in the area and the carefully planned covert operation wouldn't be very covert any more.
"OK Jimmy, feeling lucky?
"Well, my mother always said I would come to a sticky end corporal."
He unsheathed his knife which was sharp with an 8 inch blade. Robert knew that Jimmy would occasionally talk to the knife and he was glad that the London boy was on his side.
"Mary and me are going to be quiet" Jimmy said as he ran his fingers along the blade.
"I don’t know about the French Jimmy, but you scare seven shades of shit out of me. Lets go.'
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