Drummer Boy: The Road North

[Castle Herald]

Arthur

Drummer Boy: The Road North

Winter Campaign

Chapter 16

[Jay]

We see Thomas and his men do battle with the French and the winterat the same time. They winning over both with hard work. Now returning to their main camp. One has to wonder what is in the small wooden boxes thay hold. We may find out next time we return to see how Thomas is doing.

[Tinker Taylor Soldier I]

My first idea about the plain wooden crates was "payroll;" but I'm sure shipment of money like that would be in chests and have a much heavier guard... so, yeah... I'm wondering about that, too.

Being as well trained as they are, Thomas' troopers carried off the "up close, and very personal" attack on the last wagon train very well... face-to-face with the men they killed. Still, at first I felt badly for them, especially the younger ones. Even Thomas seemed to regret a little that it was necessary to carry out the attack this way, and assigned they youngest to tend their horses. But then I remembered these guys are now vets of several actions against their enemy. They really hate the French with a passion, often for really good, personal reasons. Most of these men are no longer a bunch of 14 to 25 year old innocent boys anymore. They're soldiers.

Thanks, Sir Arthur, for another very well written chapter! Your descriptions are so vivid I shivered through this chapter.

[SussexBoi]

Just thinking about the cold they were suffering had me shivering, having been in that situation a few times during my Military service, I hope that thomases quartermaster  was making a daily rum ration to the guys, or I think in there case a daily brandy ration. As to the wooden cases, just another evil plot by Arthur to keep us guessing. Hopefully all will be revealed in the next few chapters.

[Jeikor]

After giving it much thought I am quite sure I have figured out what is in those crates.

 

They are full of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Herring!!!!!

 

Another great chapter!

[Arthur]

You guys know that I'm a fishing fanatic, don't you?

[Tinker Taylor Soldier I]

On 3/31/2017 at 11:30 PM, Arthur said:

You guys know that I'm a fishing fanatic, don't you?

And there are many of us who are perfectly content to sit in a circle around you, waiting for you to toss us another herring to devour and then clap like a devoted herd of seals... errrr, fans.  

May your herring bucket never be empty!  (disappointed seals can be a mean lot) 

[Arthur]

Tinker,

As good as I am and with all my experience of tossing herrings, even I cannot beat that one; do you want a job as my ghost writer and clapping coach?

[R08m4rv]

You know, there is a saying, " Never clap alone, someone will throw you a Fish"

Me thinks the Pablo has found something very valuable in the four boxes.

The last wagon was almost over full when Pablo and six others arrived back with four wooden crates, it was the last of the goods they would take with them but Thomas could not think of why the young Captain had insisted on taking the four plain looking crates. With a little grunting and moving of cargo already on the heavy wagon, Pablo managed to get the four crates on the wagon and then stood back with a wide smile on his face. 

It's not Pickled Herring I bet !!!!!!!!!!

Could be something to warm everyone up once we find out.

[Castle Herald]

Arthur

Drummer Boy: The Road North

Advice and Consent

Chapter 17

[Jay]

We see Thomas as tired as he is push forward. When he meets the Viscount we see his back bone. Taking no crap from the man and disregarding his rank.  Thomas' only thought was for his friends and his men. We also saw the thought of Thomas after the war of a place for his own men and himself. None can say he dose not deeply care for them. We will have to return next time to see how he fairs in the coming fight.

[dtm180]

Thomas is working tirelessly, and although it is beyoud doubt that he is very tired he does what needs to be done, i agree with him taking a few days first before meeting the prince. The state he was in it would have been detrimental to immediately rush out. I do hope we see Snot and his boys return safely to Thomas's main regiment after their guide duty is fulfilled. I also feel that the meeting between Carmelo and his father Colonel Grey was quite emotional, i'm sure that the viscount could imagine it so thats why he was so gruff, and called them inside.

It's a very good chapter even if loki  did make an appearance by claiming, "When you've finished here I want you to go and tell Colonel Estaban to relate to my escort to do the same and that I will be wanting Major Grey to accompany me as well."

 

How quickly Arthur found out because he changed it back to Colonel once the boys had entered the british camp.

 

Great story Arthur, i am waiting patiently for next week so i may read more of their exploits.

[Tinker Taylor Soldier I]

7 hours ago, Jay said:

We see Thomas as tired as he is push forward. When he meets the Viscount we see his back bone.

At first I presumed Thomas' directness with the Viscount was a bit of carelessness because he was so exhausted, but was glad to realize it was intentional. It really was backbone, as you say. It shows he knows the Viscount needs him and his troops’ skills/knowledge/experience more than they need the Viscount; they rely on Wellington for nothing (thanks to Thomas’ other friends in London and Spain). It also show that it pisses off Wellington to realize the truth of their relationship (which could perhaps be a bit dangerous for Thomas in the future).

This is another chapter that gives us a glimpse of how the war is wearing on Thomas, personally.

We see other war leaders who love power and authority, and wrap themselves in a mantle of arrogance that blinds them to the needs of those around them. Selfish pricks who are only concerned about what they are getting from the war, who are reckless with the lives of those under their command, and who care nothing for the local Spanish and Portuguese people and their culture/customs.

Thomas again shows his understanding that the war has taken so much for most of the men and boys who fight with him. A few of them were well-to-do before the French invasion. But many of them were like Thomas’ own family, worried daily about the basics of food, clothing, and shelter; they had little, but the war has taken all they had, including their family. He understands this shared loss is what binds them to each other now.

His statement about their right to have revenge, and his commitment to help them get it, was telling.

Thomas shows little awareness, or care for what the war is costing him. It has cost him his youth and innocence, and is endangering his health (aside from the bullets and bayonets).

He is aging much faster than he should, or than is good for him. To be given so much authority and power at such a young age, and to be hobnobbing with nobles and generals, makes some men arrogant. But, it seems to be bringing Thomas to a higher level of maturity, where he understands his environment (those around him, friend and foe) and accepts the responsibilities that have been thrust upon him by others/fate. As a very young, thin, underfed boy Thomas learned how tough life is, but he also learned to sort out right from wrong, and to steer himself toward what he believes is right. Thomas is sticking to what he learned from his careworn parents in their one-room tenement in the destitution of Limehouse. This helps strengthen his backbone enough to tell the great Viscount he and his friends won’t be taking any crap from the likes of his Lordship.

Money… of course it was money in the plain wooden crates. Well, that’s good. I was wondering about how well the payroll was being delivered (from someone?) for Thomas and his men.

It will be interesting to see how Sir Thomas receives and deals with Maketja and Lieutenant Morgan. If challenged, I have no doubt they will find a way to follow Thomas’ orders.

I’m very glad to see Thomas is strongly committed to staying out of politics and staying neutral about the Spanish King’s return.

Wouldn’t it be fun to see Thomas nearly capture Joseph, Napoleon’s brother? Perhaps Thomas sneaks away from his guard and encounters him without anyone else knowing… King Joseph would tremble at first when he realizes he’s in the presence of the great Patron El Toro… but the two of them could have an interesting discussion about their mutual experiences of being used for the glory of other people… and then Thomas would of course decide to let Joseph quietly escape over the border to France…

I'll stop rambling...

Thanks again, Sir Arthur!

[WolfLover]

I agree with Tinker, I hope that Snot and his men make it back safely.  I have a feeling that in a pinch Snot et al will melt away if pushed too hard.  On the thought of payroll, I thought that the payroll would be coming from Oporto along with supplies.

Dear Arthur, I did not like the (to me) foreshadowing of trouble for Col. Grey.  I am hoping that his comment " Whatever happens in the future, I want you to remember that there is nothing that will ever change my opinion of you and I will go to my grave just as proud as I am today."  is just a fathers love for his son and not a farewell speech.

Between the Prince and Grey, Thomas is well informed of the possible problem areas and ways to get around them.

Another good chapter. Thank you

[Arthur]

Wolflover,

Perhaps there is something fishy about Colonel Grey's statement to his son  one never can tell when a line and hook has been dispatched but no bait added.

A

[R08m4rv]

18 hours ago, WolfLover said:

I have a feeling that in a pinch Snot et al will melt away if pushed too hard. 

I must disagree totally with the above from WolfLover. Young Snot is also a " Morgan" and they do not " melt away". Thomas is his " HERO" and Snot will not take any job that Thomas gives him lightly, he will do his duty as he is the Interpreter. 

Maketja is selecting the men now but they will need an interpreter that speaks English or there could be some confusion with directions and language. I would like to ask you to go in that capacity so there can be no mistakes. The one order I will give you and the others is that under no circumstances are you or the others to join in any fighting under English Officers orders. You and the men are there only to act as guides and that is all. If the English get into a fight I want you and the others to get your heads down and stay safely out of it. Is that quite clear Lieutenant ?"

I can see Snot and Maketja saving Sir Thomas's backside from some unwelcome French attention.

As for Colonel Grey showing his son some well deserved praise and concern, it was richly deserved. 

[Jeikor]

5 hours ago, R08m4rv said:

The one order I will give you and the others is that under no circumstances are you or the others to join in any fighting under English Officers orders. You and the men are there only to act as guides and that is all. If the English get into a fight I want you and the others to get your heads down and stay safely out of it. Is that quite clear Lieutenant ?"

I think this is what Wolflover was referring to. Thomas ordered them to stay out and if Sir Thomas tries to order them otherwise then Snot and Makjeta will take their men and leave. Although you may be right about them saving Sir Thomas because I could see them following out of sight and using their guerilla tactics.

[militarypress]

...Wouldn’t it be fun to see Thomas nearly capture Joseph, Napoleon’s brother? Perhaps Thomas sneaks away from his guard and encounters him without anyone else knowing… King Joseph would tremble at first when he realizes he’s in the presence of the great Patron El Toro...................Good gosh Tinker!!! You've half written Arthur's next chapter!!

[Tinker Taylor Soldier I]

4 hours ago, militarypress said:

Good gosh Tinker!!! You've half written Arthur's next chapter!!

I hope not. His chapters are much better. Sorry, I got carried away.

[R08m4rv]

Looking forward to tomorrow's chapter, Happy Easter to those of you who will celebrate this weekend.

This is what I will be doing Easter Sunday, best way to cook Lamb. 

 

[Mark C.]

My, that lamb looks so delicious! You tease us with food, Arthur teases with his red herrings... and we love it alll!

[Tinker Taylor Soldier I]

7 hours ago, R08m4rv said:

This is what I will be doing Easter Sunday, best way to cook Lamb. 

Yum! That looks great. (...calculating the hours it will take to swim there.)

Uhhhh... we seem to be missing something tonight... ?  Maybe I missed an announcement...

[Al Norris]

Well, I waited as long as I could. The update had to be posted.

Arthur is still busy writing chapter 18, so let give the man some slack and not pester him (as much as we want too....).

[R08m4rv]

It looks like LOKI or Politicians this time Al, or maybe Arthur has run out HERRINGS !!!!

I hope he is OK ,we can wait for the next chapter for as long as Arthur needs to complete it. Then it will be even better when we all can comment on Chapter 18.

[Tinker Taylor Soldier I]

Yeah we definitely can wait as long as it takes for Sir Arthur to finish the chapter. It just wouldn't do to be reading along...  "Just as Thomas sidestepped the powerful oncoming saber thrust... "  (stay tuned for the rest of the sentence next week)

Whole herring are better than half-herring... if one must have herring... and we're addicted.

(Note the absence of the word "patiently" in the first sentence. But I'll just swill another glass or two of "false patience" and take a nap while waiting.)   :-)