Guns to the Far East Read Online Free PDF Page A

Fusiliers will deal with it and press on to Cawnpore, have no fear. Indeed I—” He broke off in mid-sentence, recalled to Augusta Hazard’s presence by the little gasp of dismay which escaped her. “My dear Lady Hazard, you must not let anything I’ve said upset you,” he offered apologetically. “This affair in India will fizzle out as soon as General Barnard recaptures Delhi—and that, I’m assured on the best authority, could be any day now.”
    â€œYes,” Augusta Hazard agreed faintly, “so the papers tell us repeatedly and I … I try to believe it but …” She bit her lower lip feeling it tremble.
    The Admiral was unexpectedly silent, his hand closing about hers, and Lord George went on, “There have been a great many panic telegraph messages but none from Cawnpore itself. The wires are down, so communication is cut off for the time being. We don’t even know for certain that the garrison is under attack. Half the panic reports have proved to be false— this one probably will be, too. The natives are said to cut the telegraph wires wherever they can in order to make bracelets for their womenfolk.” He talked on, deliberately making light of it, Lady Hazard sensed and added, as the carriage bowled into Cornwall Gardens, “As to the sinking of the Raleigh, dear Lady Hazard, Commodore Keppel must—as you will know better than I—stand trial by court martial for the loss of his ship. But it will be the merest formality. Keppel’s a fine seaman, with a reputation second to none, and he not only saved all his people, he saved his guns and most of his stores as well. He’s bound to be exonerated and his officers with him, including your son Phillip. The talk about Keppel’s being recalled is just talk … and political talk, most of it, I’m sorry to say. Certain people are jealous of his influence. But all that will change when a full report of the recent action at Fatshan Creek reaches the Admiralty. Keppel covered himself with glory on that occasion, I’m led to believe—they won’t dare to recall him.”
    â€œNo. No, of course not,” Augusta Hazard echoed politely but somewhat at a loss. She had not heard the earlier part of Lord George’s conversation with her husband and had no idea why he should imagine that there was any likelihood of Commodore Keppel’s recall … and, until now, she had known nothing about his part in the actions in the Canton River. His part and—she drew in her breath sharply. Perhaps also Phillip’s. The Admiral, however, had evidently followed every word, for he said gruffly, “The First Lord doesn’t like Henry Keppel. Some difference of opinion over his C.B. award, if I remember rightly—Sir Charles Wood refused to put his name forward for a K.C.B.. which, in my view, he’d thoroughly earned as Commander of the Naval Brigade at Sebastopol. Keppel’s a proud fellow and he wanted to refuse the lesser honour. They had words over it, strong words, and Wood isn’t the man to forget a slight.”
    Lord George chuckled with what appeared to be great delight. “Well, he’ll have to now, I fancy. May even have to eat his words!” The carriage drew up outside the door of the Hazards’ modest residence but he refused Lady Hazard’s invitation to join them for a glass of Madeira. “I must press on, to my regret, dear Lady Hazard … I’ve an engagement for luncheon.” Top hat in hand, he bowed them farewell, brushing aside the Admiral’s thanks. “I’m glad to have been of service and it has been a very great pleasure to see and talk to you both. I see too little of old friends these days, far too little. Good day to you, Admiral … your servant, Lady Hazard. I trust you will soon receive good news of all your absent children.”
    The luxurious carriage moved on across the square and