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savages.’
     
    They came by night. While some of them rustled the cattle and seized the rest of the livestock, others set fire to the barn and to the stables. When the flames began to lick hungrily at the farmhouse itself, its occupants flung open the shutters to see what had caused the conflagration. They were instantly shot dead. As the fire roared on with deafening force, their bodies were soon burnt and blackened beyond recognition. The redcoats took on a deeper hue in the dazzling light. They had struck again. All that would be left behind him were sizzling embers. On a command from their leader, the men rode off with their booty, their harsh laughter echoing through the night.

C HAPTER F OUR
    ‘Oh, you’re still alive then,’ said Welbeck with heavy sarcasm. ‘I thought you were either dead or that you’d run off to join the enemy.’
    ‘You know me better than that, Henry.’
    ‘In the old days, I did, but I saw a lot more of you then.’
    ‘Things have changed,’ said Daniel. ‘Since I joined His Grace’s personal staff, I can’t spend as much time with the regiment as I’d like. I have other duties.’
    ‘Yes…chasing women around the bedroom.’
    Daniel grinned. ‘There’s not much chance of doing that.’
    ‘You can’t fool me, Dan Rawson. I’ve got your true measure. You simply can’t resist a pretty face and a nice pair of bubbies.’
    ‘That’s where you’re wrong, Henry. My roving days are over. I’ve finally met the woman I want above all others.’
    Welbeck was sardonic. ‘That’s what you tell each and every one of them,’ he said. ‘But when you’ve had a gallop on your latest filly, you probably can’t even remember her name.’
    ‘I have a name that I’ll never forget,’ said Daniel as an image of Amalia Janssen popped into his mind. ‘And it’s very precious to me. But,’ he added, ‘I didn’t come here to discuss my private life. I’m here because I missed seeing your ugly old face.’
    ‘Flattery will get you nowhere, you damnable liar.’
    They shared a laugh and embraced.
    Spring had brought the army out of winter quarters and Daniel had returned to his regiment. He’d watched Welbeck drilling his men with a stentorian voice that cowed them into obedience. Those who fell below the sergeant’s high standards earned themselves some harsh criticism. They soon learnt to march in step and in line. Daniel had waited until his friend had dismissed the troops before he stepped forward to surprise him. Welbeck’s mockery didn’t offend him in the least because it was grounded in affection.
    ‘So,’ said the sergeant, ‘where have you been?’
    ‘Here, there and everywhere, Henry.’
    ‘And where might that be?’
    ‘Well, I spent some time in England at the start of the year.’
    ‘I doubt if I’ll ever do that again,’ moaned Welbeck. ‘This bleeding war will drag on for ever.’
    ‘Don’t be so pessimistic,’ said Daniel.
    ‘We take one step forward and two back. After we battered the Frenchies at Ramillies, I was rash enough to believe that the end might finally be in sight. But what happened?’ he asked, jabbing a belligerent finger in the air. ‘Last year we managed to lose almost everything we’d gained the year before. Marshal Villars stormed the Lines of Stollhofen before surging on into Germany and any hope we had of making headway in Spain vanished at the battle of Almanza. As for the naval attack on Toulon, it came to nothing – just like every other bloody thing we tried to do. I sometimes wonder if our so-called commanders have a clue how to win this war.’
    ‘Now that’s unfair, Henry.’
    ‘Is it? I don’t think so. We’re supposed to be part of the Grand Alliance but, if you ask me, it’s neither grand nor allied.’
    Daniel grimaced. ‘I’d have to agree with that.’
    ‘Time and time again, we’ve been let down by the Dutch or by some other foreign frigging idiots who are meant to be on our side.’
    ‘Be