Sharpes Battle   ::   Корнуэлл Бернард

"Good! Because that is precisely whyI wanted you to meet the Dona Juanita," Ducos said, and the lady smiled at the dragoon. "The Dona Juanita will be crossing the lines," Ducos continued, "and living among our enemies. From time to time, Brigadier, she will come to you for certain supplies that I shall provide. I want you to make the provision of those supplies to Dona Juanita your most important duty."

"Supplies?" Loup asked. "You mean guns? Ammunition?"

Dona Juanita answered for Ducos. "Nothing, Brigadier, that cannot be carried in the panniers of a packhorse."

Loup looked at Ducos. "You think it's easy to ride from one army to another? Hell, Ducos, the British have a cavalry screen and there are partisans and our own picquets and God knows how many other British sentries. It isn't like riding in the Bois de Boulogne."

Ducos looked unconcerned. "The Dona Juanita will make her own arrangements and I have faith in those. What you must do, Brigadier, is acquaint the lady with your lair. She must know where to find you, and how. You can arrange that?"

Loup nodded, then looked at the woman. "You can ride with me tomorrow?"

"All day, Brigadier."

"Then we ride tomorrow," Loup said, "and maybe the next day too?"

"Maybe, General, maybe," the woman answered.

Ducos again interrupted their flirtation. It was late, his supper was waiting and he still had several hours of paperwork to be completed. "Your men," he said to Loup, "are now the army's picquet line. So I want you to be alert for the arrival of a new unit in the British army."

Loup, suspecting he was being taught how to suck eggs, frowned. "We're always alert to such things, Major. We're soldiers, remember?"

"Especially alert, Brigadier." Ducos was unruffled by Loup's scorn. "A Spanish unit, the Real Companпa Irlandesa , is expected to join the British soon and I want to know when they arrive and where they are positioned. It is important, Brigadier."

Loup glanced at Juanita, suspecting that the Real Companпa Irlandesa was somehow connected with her mission, but her face gave nothing away. Never mind, Loup thought, the woman would tell him everything before the next two nights were done. He looked back to Ducos. "If a dog farts in the British lines, Major, you'll know about it."

"Good!" Ducos said, ending the conversation. "I won't keep you, Brigadier. I'm sure you have plans for the evening."

Loup, thus dismissed, picked up his helmet with its plume of wet grey hair.