Hervey 11 - On His Majesty's Service Read Online Free PDF

intercept any relief force, and of another which occupied Pravadi.
The enterprising spirit of the people of Varna, I venture to say, was elevated rather than daunted by the hosts which now threatened their walls, and perceiving a regiment of Cossacks rather in advance, covering a reconnoitring party, 500 Delis made a sudden dash and drove them back. It was on this occasion that my horse was shot from under me and I was rendered incapable .
Between that time when I was taken into the charge of the surgeon of His Majesty’s own flagship and this day, the explosion of a considerable mine effected a breach in the bastion at the easternmost angle. Still the Pasha, who was yet faithful to his trust, indignantly refused to receive a summons to capitulate. At this point, however , the difficulties attending the transport of heavy guns through Bulgaria had been at length overcome, and the siege train arrived from Brailow to replace the guns landed by the fleet. At the time at which I write, additional batteries have therefore now opened to render the breach more practicable, and I am myself to rejoin Count Woronzow’s suite presently …
    Lord Hill raised a hand. ‘I’m obliged. As you say, its intelligence is somewhat in arrears: this much we knew from the ambassador. See that Colonel Hervey reads it. You know, I was not minded to send anyone to observe this affair – Bingham can be deuced unrelenting – but I am certain now that it can only be to our advantage to see how these armies fare. The reforms in both are said to be considerable, but I wonder to what end? With a man like Hervey observing, we might have answer.’
    ‘Indeed, my lord. Will you see him now?’
    ‘I will.’ The commander-in-chief pushed aside his papers with an air of relish. ‘At what time is the levee at Prince Lieven’s?’
    ‘Twelve, my lord.’
    ‘Capital. I would not wish the interview to be hurried.’ He smiled. ‘I might even be able to impart some information to Lieven. He pressed me only yesterday at the Austrian ambassador’s to know who would replace Bingham, and when.’
    ‘Some might speculate on whether the inquiry were on the Princess’s behalf, my lord.’ Youell’s wryness was all the more for its being infrequent.
    ‘Indeed. Hah! What schemes Princess Lieven has to her name.’
    The door was opened, and Hervey ushered in. He put his feet together noisily in the Prussian style and saluted, a confident presenting to the man who disposed the future of every officer in the army.
    ‘Daddy’ Hill, as he had been known throughout the Peninsular army for his attention to the comforts of his men, looked for all the world like an elderly cleric, his coat dark, his pate bald and his form somewhat portly. The contrast in appearance with the previous occupant of the commander-in-chief’s office could not have been more profound.
    ‘My lord.’
    ‘Hervey, I am excessively glad to see you,’ declared Lord Hill, rising and extending a hand. ‘Nothing warms the heart better on a day such as this than to see an old friend return safe from the fray.’
    Hervey was taken aback, but agreeably, by the appellation ‘old friend’, for although he had galloped for the general at Talavera (and Lord Hill was not one to forget a service, especially one so capable as his had been that day), to be admitted to such a sphere, if in words alone, was honour indeed. All he could manage, however, was ‘Thank you, my lord.’
    ‘I have read your despatches with careful attention, and Sir Henry Hardinge likewise. I dare say there’ll be a ribbon in it.’
    The attention of Sir Henry Hardinge, the Secretary at War, and a soldier of some distinction himself – this was recognition indeed, let alone the ribbon (‘C.B.’, with which he had been honoured after the storming of Bhurtpore two years before, was already notable for an officer with so recent a half-colonelcy). ‘I am glad to have been able to do my duty, General. As did others in that