WarHorse

MICHAELMORPURGO

Copyright

WarHorse

Textcopyright©1982MichaelMorpurgo

Covercopyright©2006fromtheposterfortheNationalTheatre’sstageadaptationofWarHorse,playingfromOctober2007

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,distributed,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,orstoredinadatabaseorretrievalsystem,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

EgmontUKLtd239KensingtonHighStreetLondonW86SA

Visitourwebsiteatwww.egmont.co.uk

Firste-bookedition2010

ISBN9781405249331

ForLettice

Manypeoplehavehelpedmeinthewritingofthisbook.InparticularIwanttothankClareandRosalind,SebastianandHoratio,JimHindson(veterinarysurgeon),AlbertWeeks,thelateWilfredEllisandthelateCaptainBudgett–

allthreeoctogenariansintheparishofIddesleigh.

TableofContentsCover

TitlePage

Copyright

Dedication

Author’sNote

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Chapter21

OtherBooksBy

AUTHOR’SNOTEINTHEOLDschooltheyusenowfortheVillageHall,belowtheclockthathasstoodalwaysatoneminutepastten,hangsasmalldustypaintingofahorse.Hestands,asplendidredbaywitharemarkablewhitecrossemblazonedonhisforeheadandwithfourperfectlymatchedwhitesocks.Helookswistfullyoutofthepicture,hisearsprickedforward,hisheadturnedasifhehasjustnoticedusstandingthere.

Tomanywhoglanceupatitcasually,astheymightdowhenthehallisopenedupforParishmeetings,forharvestsuppersoreveningsocials,itismerelyatarnishedoldoilpaintingofsomeunknownhorsebyacompetentbutanonymousartist.Tothemthepictureissofamiliarthatitcommandslittleattention.Butthosewholookmorecloselywillsee,writteninfadingblackcopperplatewritingacrossthebottomofthebronzeframe:

Joey.PaintedbyCaptainJamesNicholls,autumn1914.

Someinthevillage,onlyaveryfewnowandfeweraseachyeargoesby,rememberJoeyashewas.Hisstoryiswrittensothatneitherhenorthosewhoknewhim,northewartheylivedanddiedin,willbeforgotten.

CHAPTER1MYEARLIESTMEMORIESareaconfusionofhillyfieldsanddark,dampstables,andratsthatscamperedalongthebeamsabovemyhead.ButIrememberwellenoughthedayofthehorsesale.Theterrorofitstayedwithmeallmylife.

Iwasnotyetsixmonthsold,agangling,leggycoltwhohadneverbeenfurtherthanafewfeetfromhismother.WewerepartedthatdayintheterriblehubbuboftheauctionringandIwasnevertoseeheragain.Shewasafineworkingfarmhorse,gettingoninyearsbutwithallthestrengthandstaminaofanIrishdraughthorsequiteevidentinherforeandhindquarters.Shewassoldwithinminutes,andbeforeIcouldfollowherthroughthegates,shewaswhiskedoutoftheringandaway.ButsomehowIwasmoredifficulttodisposeof.PerhapsitwasthewildlookinmyeyeasIcircledtheringinadesperatesearchformymother,orperhapsitwasthatnoneofthefarmersandgypsiestherewerelookingforaspindly-lookinghalf-thoroughbredcolt.ButwhateverthereasontheywerealongtimehagglingoverhowlittleIwasworthbeforeIheardthehammergodownandIwasdrivenoutthroughthegatesandintoapenoutside.

‘Notbadforthreeguineas,ishe?Areyou,mylittlefirebrand?Notbadatall.’Thevoicewasharshandthickwithdrink,anditbelongedquiteevidentlytomyowner.Ishallnotcallhimmymaster,foronlyonemanwasevermymaster.Myownerhadaropeinhishandandwasclamberingintothepenfollowedbythreeorfourofhisred-facedfriends.Eachonecarriedarope.Theyhadtakenofftheirhatsandjacketsandrolleduptheirsleeves;andtheywerealllaughingastheycametowardsme.IhadasyetbeentouchedbynomanandbackedawayfromthemuntilIfeltthebarsofthepenbehindmeandcouldgonofurther.Theyseemedtolungeatmeallatonce,buttheywereslowandImanagedtoslippastthemandintothemiddleofthepenwhereIturnedtofacethemagain.Theyhadstoppedlaughingnow.Iscreamedformymotherandheardherreplyechoinginthefardistance.ItwastowardsthatcrythatIbolted,halfcharging,halfjumpingtherailssothatIcaughtmyoffforelegasItriedtoclamberoverandwasstrandedthere.IwasgrabbedroughlybythemaneandtailandfeltaropetightenaroundmyneckbeforeIwasthrowntothegroundandheldtherewithamansittingitseemedoneverypartofme.IstruggleduntilIwasweak,kickingoutviolentlyeverytimeIfeltthemrelax,buttheyweretoomanyandtoostrong

forme.Ifeltthehalterslipovermyheadandtightenaroundmyneckandface.‘Soyou’requiteafighter,areyou?’saidmyowner,tighteningtheropeandsmilingthroughgrittedteeth.‘Ilikeafighter.ButI’llbreakyouonewayortheother.Quitethelittlefightingcockyouare,butyou’llbeeatingoutofmyhandquickasatwick.’

Iwasdraggedalongthelanestiedonashortropetothetailboardofafarmcartsothateverytwistandturnwrenchedatmyneck.Bythetimewereachedthefarmlaneandrumbledoverthebridgeintothestableyardthatwastobecomemyhome,Iwassoakedwithexhaustionandthehalterhadrubbedmyfaceraw.MyoneconsolationasIwashauledintothestablesthatfirsteveningwastheknowledgethatIwasnotalone.Theoldhorsethathadbeenpullingthecartallthewaybackfrommarketwasledintothestablenexttomine.Asshewentinshestoppedtolookovermydoorandnickeredgently.IwasabouttoventureawayfromthebackofmystablewhenmynewownerbroughthiscropdownonhersidewithsuchaviciousblowthatIrecoiledonceagainandhuddledintothecorneragainstthewall.‘Getinthereyouoldratbag,’hebellowed.‘PropernuisanceyouareZoey,andIdon’twantyouteachingthisyoung’unyouroldtricks.’ButinthatshortmomentIhadcaughtaglimpseofkindnessandsympathyfromthatoldmarethatcooledmypanicandsoothedmyspirit.

Iwaslefttherewithnowaterandnofoodwhilehestumbledoffacrossthecobblesandupintothefarm-housebeyond.TherewasthesoundofslammingdoorsandraisedvoicesbeforeIheardfootstepsrunningbackacrosstheyardandexcitedvoicescomingcloser.Twoheadsappearedatmydoor.Onewasthatofayoungboywholookedatmeforalongtime,consideringmecarefullybeforehisfacebrokeintoabeamingsmile.‘Mother,’hesaiddeliberately.‘Thatwillbeawonderfulandbravehorse.Lookhowheholdshishead.’Andthen,‘Lookathim,Mother,he’swetthroughtotheskin.I’llhavetorubhimdown.’

‘Butyourfathersaidtoleavehim,Albert,’saidtheboy’smother.‘Saidit’lldohimgoodtobeleftalone.Hetoldyounottotouchhim.’

‘Mother,’saidAlbert,slippingbacktheboltsonthestabledoor.‘Whenfather’sdrunkhedoesn’tknowwhathe’ssayingorwhathe’sdoing.He’salwaysdrunkonmarketdays.You’vetoldmeoftenenoughnottopayhimanyaccountwhenhe’slikethat.YoufeedupoldZoey,Mother,whileIseetohim.Oh,isn’thegrand,Mother?He’sredalmost,red-bayyou’dcallhim,wouldn’tyou?Andthatcrossdownhisnoseisperfect.Haveyoueverseenahorsewithawhitecrosslikethat?Haveyoueverseensuchathing?Ishall

ridethishorsewhenhe’sready.Ishallridehimeverywhereandtherewon’tbeahorsetotouchhim,notinthewholeparish,notinthewholecounty.’

‘You’rebarelypastthirteen,Albert,’saidhismotherfromthenextstable.‘He’stooyoungandyou’retooyoung,andanywayfathersaysyou’renottotouchhim,sodon’tcomecryingtomeifhecatchesyouinthere.’

‘Butwhythedivildidhebuyhim,Mother?’Albertasked.‘Itwasacalfwewanted,wasn’tit?That’swhathewentintomarketfor,wasn’tit?AcalftosuckleoldCelandine?’

‘Iknowdear,yourfather’snothimselfwhenhe’slikethat,’hismothersaidsoftly.‘HesaysthatFarmerEastonwasbiddingforthehorse,andyouknowwhathethinksofthatmanafterthatbarneyoverthefencing.Ishouldimagineheboughtitjusttodenyhim.Wellthat’swhatitlooksliketome.’

‘WellI’mgladhedid,Mother,’saidAlbert,walkingslowlytowardsme,pullingoffhisjacket.‘Drunkornot,it’sthebestthingheeverdid.’

‘Don’tspeaklikethataboutyourfather,Albert.He’sbeenthroughalot.It’snotright,’saidhismother.Butherwordslackedconviction.

AlbertwasaboutthesameheightasmeandtalkedsogentlyasheapproachedthatIwasimmediatelycalmedandnotalittleintrigued,andsostoodwhereIwasagainstthewall.Ijumpedatfirstwhenhetouchedmebutcouldseeatoncethathemeantmenoharm.Hesmoothedmybackfirstandthenmyneck,talkingallthewhileaboutwhatafinetimewewouldhavetogether,howIwouldgrowuptobethesmartesthorseinthewholewideworld,andhowwewouldgoouthuntingtogether.Afterabithebegantorubmegentlywithhiscoat.HerubbedmeuntilIwasdryandthendabbedsaltedwaterontomyfacewheretheskinhadbeenrubbedraw.Hebroughtinsomesweethayandabucketofcool,deepwater.Idonotbelievehestoppedtalkingallthetime.AsheturnedtogooutofthestableIcalledouttohimtothankhimandheseemedtounderstandforhesmiledbroadlyandstrokedmynose.‘We’llgetalong,youandI,’hesaidkindly.‘IshallcallyouJoey,onlybecauseitrhymeswithZoey,andthenmaybe,yesmaybebecauseitsuitsyou.I’llbeoutagaininthemorning–anddon’tworry,I’lllookafteryou.Ipromiseyouthat.Sweetdreams,Joey.’

‘Youshouldnevertalktohorses,Albert,’saidhismotherfromoutside.‘Theyneverunderstandyou.They’restupidcreatures.Obstinateandstupid,that’swhatyourfathersays,andhe’sknownhorsesallhislife.’

‘Fatherjustdoesn’tunderstandthem,’saidAlbert.‘Ithinkhe’sfrightenedofthem.’

IwentovertothedoorandwatchedAlbertandhismotherwalkingawayandupintothedarkness.IknewthenthatIhadfoundafriendforlife,thattherewasaninstinctiveandimmediatebondoftrustandaffectionbetweenus.NexttomeoldZoeyleantoverherdoortotrytotouchme,butournoseswouldnotquitemeet.

CHAPTER2THROUGHTHELONGhardwintersandhazysummersthatfollowed,AlbertandIgrewuptogether.Ayearlingcoltandayoungladhavemoreincommonthanawkwardgawkishness.

Wheneverhewasnotatschoolinthevillage,oroutatworkwithhisfatheronthefarm,hewouldleadmeoutoverthefieldsanddowntotheflat,thistlymarshbytheTorridgeriver.Hereontheonlylevelgroundonthefarmhebeganmytraining,justwalkingandtrottingmeupanddown,andlateronlungingmefirstonewayandthentheother.Onthewaybacktothefarmhewouldallowmetofollowonatmyownspeed,andIlearnttocomeathiswhistle,notoutofobediencebutbecauseIalwayswantedtobewithhim.Hiswhistleimitatedthestutteringcallofanowl–itwasacallIneverrefusedandIwouldneverforget.

OldZoey,myonlyothercompanion,wasoftenawayalldayploughingandharrowing,cuttingandturningoutonthefarmandsoIwasleftonmyownmuchofthetime.OutinthefieldsinthesummertimethiswasbearablebecauseIcouldalwayshearherworkingandcallouttoherfromtimetotime,butshutinthelone-linessofthestableinthewinter,alldaycouldpasswithoutseeingorhearingasoul,unlessAlbertcameforme.

AsAlberthadpromised,itwashewhocaredforme,andprotectedmeallhecouldfromhisfather;andhisfatherdidnotturnouttobethemonsterIhadexpected.Mostofthetimeheignoredmeandifhedidlookmeover,itwasalwaysfromadistance.Fromtimetotimehecouldevenbequitefriendly,butIwasneverquiteabletotrusthim,notafterourfirstencounter.Iwouldneverlethimcometooclose,andwouldalwaysbackoffandshyawaytotheotherendofthefieldandputoldZoeybetweenus.OneveryTuesdayhowever,Albert’sfathercouldstillbereliedupontogetdrunk,andonhisreturnAlbertwouldoftenfindsomepretexttobewithmetoensurethathenevercamenearme.

OnonesuchautumneveningabouttwoyearsafterIcametothefarmAlbertwasupinthevillagechurchringingthebells.AsaprecautionhehadputmeinthestablewitholdZoeyashealwaysdidonTuesdayevenings.‘You’llbesafertogether.Fatherwon’tcomeinandbotheryou,notifyou’retogether,’he’dsay,andthenhe’dleanoverthestabledoorandlectureusabouttheintricaciesofbell-ringingandhowhehadbeengiventhebigtenor

bellbecausetheythoughthewasmanenoughalreadytohandleitandthatinnotimehe’dbethebiggestladinthevillage.MyAlbertwasproudofhisbell-ringingprowessandasZoeyandIstoodheadtotailinthedarkeningstable,lulledbythesixbellsringingoutovertheduskyfieldsfromthechurch,weknewhehadeveryrighttobeproud.Itisthenoblestofmusicforeveryonecanshareit–theyhaveonlytolisten.

ImusthavebeenstandingasleepforIdonotrecallhearinghimapproach,butquitesuddenlytherewasthedancinglightofalanternatthestabledoorandtheboltswerepulledback.IthoughtatfirstitmightbeAlbert,butthebellswerestillringing,andthenIheardthevoicethatwasunmistakablythatofAlbert’sfatheronaTuesdaynightaftermarket.Hehungthelanternupabovethedoorandcametowardsme.Therewasawhippystickinhishandandhewasstaggeringaroundthestabletowardsme.

‘So,myproudlittledevil,’hesaid,thethreatinhisvoicequiteundisguised.‘I’veabetonthatIcan’thaveyoupullingaploughinsideaweek.FarmerEastonandtheothersatTheGeorgethinkIcan’thandleyou.ButI’llshow’em.You’vebeenmolly-coddledenough,andthetimehascomeforyoutoearnyourkeep.I’mgoingtotrysomecollarsonyouthisevening,findonethatfits,andthentomorrowwe’llstartploughing.Nowwecandoitthenicewayorthenastyway.GivemetroubleandI’llwhipyoutillyoubleed.’

OldZoeyknewhismoodwellenoughandwhinniedherwarning,backingoffintothedarkrecessesofthestable,butsheneednothavewarnedmeforIsensedhisintention.Onelookattheraisedsticksentmyheartthumpingwildlywithfear.Terrified,IknewIcouldnotrun,fortherewasnowheretogo,soIputmybacktohimandlashedoutbehindme.Ifeltmyhoovesstrikehome.Iheardacryofpainandturnedtoseehimcrawlingoutofthestabledoordraggingonelegstifflybehindhimandmutteringwordsofcruelvengeance.

ThatnextmorningbothAlbertandhisfathercameouttogethertothestables.Hisfatherwaswalkingwithapronouncedlimp.TheywerecarryingacollareachandIcouldseethatAlberthadbeencryingforhispalecheekswerestainedwithtears.Theystoodtogetheratthestabledoor.InoticedwithinfiniteprideandpleasurethatmyAlbertwasalreadytallerthanhisfatherwhosefacewasdrawnandlinedwithpain.‘Ifyourmotherhadn’tbeggedmelastnight,Albert,I’dhaveshotthathorseonthespot.Hecould’vekilledme.NowI’mwarningyou,ifthatanimalisnotploughingstraightasanarrowinsideaweek,he’llbesoldon,andthat’sapromise.It’suptoyou.Yousay

youcandealwithhim,andI’llgiveyoujustonechance.Hewon’tletmegonearhim.He’swildandvicious,andunlessyoumakeityourbusinesstotamehimandtrainhiminsidethatweek,he’sgoing.Doyouunderstand?Thathorsehastoearnhiskeeplikeeveryoneelsearoundhere–Idon’tcarehowshowyheis–thathorsehasgottolearnhowtowork.AndI’llpromiseyouanotherthing,Albert,ifIhavetolosethatbet,thenhehastogo.’Hedroppedthecollaronthegroundandturnedonhisheeltogo.

‘Father,’saidAlbertwithresolutioninhisvoice.‘I’lltrainJoey–I’lltrainhimtoploughallright–butyoumustpromisenevertoraiseasticktohimagain.Hecan’tbehandledthatway,Iknowhim,Father.Iknowhimasifheweremyownbrother.’

‘Youtrainhim,Albert,youhandlehim.Don’tcarehowyoudoit.Idon’twanttoknow,’saidhisfatherdismissively.‘I’llnotgonearthebruteagain.I’dshoothimfirst.’

ButwhenAlbertcameintothestableitwasnottosmoothemeasheusuallydid,nortotalktomegently.Insteadhewalkeduptomeandlookedmehardintheeye.‘Thatwasdivilishstupid,’hesaidsternly.‘Ifyouwanttosurvive,Joey,you’llhavetolearn.You’renevertokickoutatanyoneeveragain.Hemeansit,Joey.He’dhaveshotyoujustlikethatifithadn’tbeenforMother.ItwasMotherwhosavedyou.Hewouldn’tlistentomeandheneverwill.SoneveragainJoey.Never.’Hisvoicechangednow,andhespokemorelikehimself.‘WehaveoneweekJoey,onlyoneweektogetyouploughing.Iknowwithallthatthoroughbredinyouyoumaythinkitbeneathyou,butthat’swhatyou’regoingtohavetodo.OldZoeyandme,we’regoingtotrainyou;andit’llbedivilishhardwork–evenharderforyou’cosyou’renotquitetherightshapeforit.There’snotenoughofyouyet.Youwon’tmuchlikemebytheendofit,Joey.ButFathermeanswhathesays.He’samanofhisword.Oncehe’smadeuphismind,thenthat’sthat.He’dsellyouon,evenshootyouratherthanlosethatbet,andthat’sforsure.’

Thatsamemorning,withthemistsstillclingingtothefieldsandlinkedsidebysidetodearoldZoeyinacollarthathungloosearoundmyshoulders,IwasledoutontoLongCloseandmytrainingasafarmhorsebegan.Aswetookthestraintogetherforthefirsttimethecollarrubbedatmyskinandmyfeetsankdeepintothesoftgroundwiththeeffortofit.Behind,Albertwasshoutingalmostcontinuously,flashingawhipatmewheneverIhesitatedorwentoffline,wheneverhefeltIwasnotgivingitmybest–andheknew.ThiswasadifferentAlbert.Gonewerethegentlewordsandthekindnessesofthepast.Hisvoicehadaharshnessandasharpnesstoitthatwouldbrookno

refusalonmypart.BesidemeoldZoeyleantintohercollarandpulledsilently,headdown,digginginwithherfeet.Forhersakeandformyownsake,forAlbert’stoo,Ileantmyweightintomycollarandbegantopull.Iwastolearnduringthatweektherudimentsofploughinglikeafarmhorse.EverymuscleIhadachedwiththestrainofit;butafteranight’sgoodreststretchedoutinthestableIwasfreshagainandreadyforworkthenextmorning.

EachdayasIprogressedandwebegantoploughmoreasateam,Albertusedthewhiplessandlessandspokemoregentlytomeagain,untilfinallyattheendoftheweekIwassureIhadallbutregainedhisaffection.ThenoneafternoonafterwehadfinishedtheheadlandaroundLongClose,heunhitchedtheploughandputanarmaroundeachofus.‘It’sallrightnow,you’vedoneitmybeauties.You’vedoneit,’hesaid.‘Ididn’ttellyou,’cosIdidn’twanttoputyouoff,butFatherandFarmerEastonhavebeenwatchingusfromthehousethisafternoon.’Hescratchedusbehindtheearsandsmoothedournoses.‘Father’swonhisbetandhetoldmeatbreakfastthatifwefinishedthefieldtodayhe’dforgetallabouttheincident,andthatyoucouldstayon,Joey.Soyou’vedoneitmybeautyandI’msoproudofyouIcouldkissyou,youoldsilly,butIwon’tdothat,notwiththemwatching.He’llletyoustaynow,I’msurehewill.He’samanofhiswordismyfather,youcanbesureofthat–longashe’ssober.’

Itwassomemonthslater,onthewaybackfromcuttingthehayinGreatMeadowalongthesunkenleafylanethatledupintothefarmyardthatAlbertfirsttalkedtousofthewar.Hiswhistlingstoppedinmidtune.‘Mothersaysthere’slikelytobeawar,’hesaidsadly.‘Idon’tknowwhatit’sabout,somethingaboutsomeoldDukethat’sbeenshotatsomewhere.Can’tthinkwhythatshouldmattertoanyone,butshesayswe’llbeinitallthesame.Butitwon’taffectus,notdownhere.We’llgoonjustthesame.AtfifteenI’mtooyoungtogoanyway–wellthat’swhatshesaid.ButItellyouJoey,ifthereisawarI’dwanttogo.IthinkI’dmakeagoodsoldier,don’tyou?Lookfineinauniform,wouldn’tI?AndI’vealwayswantedtomarchtothebeatofaband.Canyouimaginethat,Joey?Cometothat,you’dmakeagoodwarhorseyourself,wouldn’tyou,ifyourideaswellasyoupull,andIknowyouwill.We’dmakequiteapair.GodhelptheGermansiftheyeverhavetofightthetwoofus.’

Onehotsummerevening,afteralonganddustydayinthefields,Iwasdeepintomymashandoats,withAlbertstillrubbingmedownwithstrawandtalkingonabouttheabundanceofgoodstrawthey’dhaveforthewintermonths,andabouthowgoodthewheatstrawwouldbeforthethatchingthey

wouldbedoing,whenIheardhisfather’sheavystepscomingacrosstheyardtowardsus.Hewascallingoutashecame.‘Mother,’heshouted.‘Mother,comeoutMother.’Itwashissanevoice,hissobervoiceandwasavoicethatheldnofearforme.‘It’swar,Mother.I’vejusthearditinthevillage.Postmancameinthisafternoonwiththenews.ThedevilshavemarchedintoBelgium.It’scertainforsurenow.Wedeclaredwaryesterdayateleveno’clock.We’reatwarwiththeGermans.We’llgivethemsuchahidingastheywon’teverraisetheirfistsagaintoanyone.Beoverinafewmonths.It’salwaysbeenthesame.JustbecausetheBritishlion’ssleepingtheythinkhe’sdead.We’llteachthemathingortwo,Mother–we’llteachthemalessonthey’llneverforget.’

Alberthadstoppedbrushingmeanddroppedthestrawontheground.Wemovedovertowardsthestabledoor.Hismotherwasstandingonthestepsbythedoorofthefarmhouse.Shehadherhandtohermouth.‘OhdearGod,’shesaidsoftly.‘OhdearGod.’

CHAPTER3GRADUALLYDURINGTHATlastsummeronthefarm,sograduallythatIhadhardlynoticedit,Alberthadbegunridingmeoutoverthefarmtocheckthesheep.OldZoeywouldfollowalongbehindandIwouldstopeverynowandthentobesureshewasstillwithus.Idonotevenrememberthefirsttimeheputasaddleonme,butatsometimehemusthavedonesoforbythetimewarwasdeclaredthatsummerAlbertwasridingmeouttothesheepeachmorningandalmosteveryeveningafterhiswork.Icametoknoweverylaneintheparish,everywhisperingoaktreeandeverybanginggate.WewouldsplashthroughthestreamunderInnocent’sCopseandthunderupFernyPiecebeyond.WithAlbertridingmetherewasnohangingonthereins,nojerkingonthebitinmymouth,butalwaysagentlesqueezewiththekneesandatouchwithhisheelswasenoughtotellmewhathewantedofme.Ithinkhecouldhaveriddenmeevenwithoutthatsowelldidwecometounderstandeachother.Wheneverhewasnottalkingtome,hewouldwhistleorsingallthetime,andthatseemedsomehowtoreassureme.

Thewarhardlytouchedusonthefarmtostartwith.Withmorestrawstilltoturnandstackforthewinter,oldZoeyandIwereledouteverymorningearlyintothefieldstowork.Toourgreatrelief,Alberthadnowtakenovermostofthehorseworkonthefarm,leavinghisfathertoseetothepigsandthebullocks,tocheckthesheep,andtomendfencesanddigtheditchesaroundthefarm,sothatwescarcelysawhimformorethanafewminuteseachday.Yetinspiteofthenormalityoftheroutine,therewasagrowingtensiononthefarm,andIbegantofeelanacutesenseofforeboding.Therewouldbelongandheatedexchangesintheyard,sometimesbetweenAlbert’sfatherandmother,butmoreoften,strangelyenough,betweenAlbertandhismother.

‘Youmustn’tblamehim,Albert,’shesaidonemorning,turningonhimangrilyoutsidethestabledoor.‘Hediditallforyou,youknow.WhenLordDentonofferedtosellhimthefarmtenyearsagohetookoutthemortgagesothatyou’dhaveafarmofyourownwhenyougrowup.Andit’sthemortgagethatworrieshimsickandmakeshimdrink.Soifheisn’thimselffromtimetotimeyou’venocalltokeeponabouthim.He’snotaswellasheusedtobeandbecan’tputintheworkonthefarmlikeheused.He’soverfifty,youknow–childrendon’tthinkoftheirfathersasbeingoldoryoung.Andit’sthewartoo.ThewarworrieshimAlbert.He’sworriedpriceswillbefalling

back,andIthinkinhisheartofheartshefeelsheshouldbesoldieringinFrance–buthe’stoooldforthat.You’vegottotrytounderstandhim,Albert.Hedeservesthatmuch.’

‘Youdon’tdrink,Mother,’Albertrepliedvehemently.‘Andyou’vegotworriesjustlikehehas,andanywayifyoudiddrinkyouwouldn’tgetatmeashedoes.IdoalltheworkIcan,andmore,andstillheneverstopscomplainingthatthisisn’tdoneandthatisn’tdone.HecomplainseverytimeItakeJoeyoutintheevening.Hedoesn’tevenwantmetogooffbell-ringingonceaweek.It’snotreasonable,Mother.’

‘Iknowthat,Albert,’hismothersaidmoregentlynow,takinghishandinbothofhers.‘Butyoumusttrytoseethegoodinhim.He’sagoodman–hereallyis.Yourememberhimthatwaytoo,don’tyou?’

‘YesMother,Irememberhimlikethat,’Albertacknowledged,‘butifonlyhewouldn’tkeeponaboutJoeyashedoes.Afterall,Joeyworksforhislivingnowandhehastohavetimeofftoenjoyhimself,justasIdo.’

‘Ofcoursedear,’shesaid,takinghiselbowandwalkinghimuptowardsthefarmhouse,‘butyouknowhowhefeelsaboutJoey,don’tyou?Heboughthiminafitofpiqueandhasregrettediteversince.Ashesays,wereallyonlyneedonehorseforthefarmwork,andthathorseofyourseatsmoney.That’swhatworrieshim.Farmersandhorses,it’salwaysthesame.Myfatherwaslikeittoo.Buthe’llcomeroundifyou’rekindwithhim–Iknowhewill.’

ButAlbertandhisfatherscarcelyspoketoeachotheranymorethesedays,andAlbert’smotherwasusedmoreandmorebybothasago-between,asanegotiator.ItwasonaWednesdaymorningwiththewarbutafewweeksold,thatAlbert’smotherwasagainarbitratingbetweenthemintheyardoutside.AsusualAlbert’sfatherhadcomehomedrunkfromthemarketthenightbefore.HesaidhehadforgottentotakebacktheSaddlebackboartheyhadborrowedtoservethesowsandgilts.HehadtoldAlberttodoit,butAlberthadobjectedstronglyandanargumentwasbrewing.Albert’sfathersaidthathe‘hadbusinesstoattendto’andAlbertmaintainedhehadthestablestocleanout.

‘Won’ttakeyoubuthalfanhour,dear,todrivetheboarbackdownthevalleytoFursden,’Albert’smothersaidswiftly,tryingtosoftentheinevitable.

‘Allrightthen,’Albertconceded,ashealwaysdidwhenhismotherintervened,forhehatedtoupsether.‘I’lldoitforyou,Mother.ButonlyonconditionIcantakeJoeyoutthisevening.IwanttohunthimthiswinterandIhavetogethimfit.’Albert’sfatherstayedsilentandthinlipped,andInoticed

thenthathewaslookingstraightatme.Albertturned,pattedmegentlyonthenose,pickedupastickfromthepileoflightingsupagainstthewoodshed,andmadehiswaydowntowardsthepiggery.AfewminuteslaterIsawhimdrivingthegreatblackandwhiteboaroutdownthefarmtracktowardsthelane.Icalledoutafterhimbuthedidnotturnround.

NowifAlbert’sfathercameintothestableatall,itwasalwaystoleadoutoldZoey.Heleftmealonethesedays.HewouldthrowasaddleontoZoeyoutintheyardandrideoutontothehillsabovethefarmhousetocheckthesheep.SoitwasnothingspecialwhenhecameintothestablethatmorningandledZoeyout.Butwhenhecamebackintothestableafterwardsandbegantosweet-talkmeandheldoutabucketofsweet-smellingoats,Iwasimmediatelysuspicious.ButtheoatsandmyowninquisitivenessovercamemybetterjudgementandhewasabletoslipahalterovermyheadbeforeIcouldpullaway.Hisvoicehoweverwasunusuallygentleandkindashetightenedthehalterandreachedoutslowlytostrokemyneck.‘You’llbeallright,oldson,’hesaidsoftly.‘You’llbeallright.They’lllookafteryou,promisedtheywould.AndIneedthemoney,Joey,Ineedthemoneybad.’

CHAPTER4TYINGALONGropetothehalterhewalkedmeoutofthestable.IwentwithhimbecauseZoeywasouttherelookingbackoverhershoulderatmeandIwasalwayshappytogoanywhereandwithanyoneaslongasshewaswithme.AllthewhileInoticedthatAlbert’sfatherwasspeakinginahushedvoiceandlookingaroundhimlikeathief.

HemusthaveknownthatIwouldfollowoldZoey,forheropedmeuptohersaddleandledusbothquietlyoutoftheyarddownthetrackandoverthebridge.OnceinthelanehemountedZoeyswiftlyandwetrottedupthehillandintothevillage.Heneverspokeawordtoeitherofus.IknewtheroadwellenoughofcourseforIhadbeenthereoftenenoughwithAlbert,andindeedIlovedgoingtherebecausetherewerealwaysotherhorsestomeetandpeopletosee.ItwasinthevillageonlyashorttimebeforethatIhadmetmyfirstmotor-caroutsidethePostOfficeandhadstiffenedwithfearasitrattledpast,butIhadstoodsteadyandIrememberthatAlberthadmadeagreatfussofmeafterthat.ButnowaswenearedthevillageIcouldseethatseveralmotor-carswereparkeduparoundthegreenandtherewasagreatergatheringofmenandhorsesthanIhadeverseen.ExcitedasIwas,Irememberthatasenseofdeepapprehensioncameovermeaswetrottedupintothevillage.

Thereweremeninkhakiuniformseverywhere;andthenasAlbert’sfatherdismountedandledusuppastthechurchtowardsthegreenamilitarybandstruckuparousing,poundingmarch.Thepulseofthegreatbassdrumbeatoutthroughthevillageandtherewerechildreneverywhere,somemarchingupanddownwithbroomsticksovertheirshouldersandsomeleaningoutofwindowswavingflags.

AsweapproachedtheflagpoleinthecentreofthegreenwheretheUnionJackhunglimpinthesunagainstthewhitepole,anofficerpushedthroughthecrowdtowardsus.HewastallandelegantinhisjodhpursandSamBrownbelt,withasilverswordathisside.HeshookAlbert’sfatherbythehand.‘ItoldyouI’dcome,CaptainNicholls,sir,’saidAlbert’sfather.‘It’sbecauseIneedthemoney,youunderstand.Wouldn’tpartwithahorselikethis’lessIhadto.’

‘Wellfarmer,’saidtheofficer,noddinghisappreciationashelookedmeover.‘I’dthoughtyou’dbeexaggeratingwhenwetalkedinTheGeorgelast

evening.“Finesthorseintheparish”yousaid,buttheneveryonesaysthat.Butthisoneisdifferent–Icanseethat.’Andhesmoothedmyneckgentlyandscratchedmebehindmyears.BothhishandandhisvoicewerekindandIdidnotshrinkawayfromhim.‘You’reright,farmer,he’dmakeafinemountforanyregimentandwe’dbeproudtohavehim–Iwouldn’tmindusinghimmyself.No,Iwouldn’tmindatall.Ifheturnsouttobeallhelooks,thenhe’dsuitmewellenough.Finelookinganimal,noquestionaboutit.’

‘Fortypoundsyou’llpayme,CaptainNicholls,likeyoupromisedyesterday?’Albert’sfathersaidinavoicethatwasunnaturallylow,almostasifhedidnotwanttobeheardbyanyoneelse.‘Ican’tlethimgoforapennyless.Man’sgottolive.’

‘That’swhatIpromisedyoulastevening,farmer,’CaptainNichollssaid,openingmymouthandexaminingmyteeth.‘He’safineyounghorse,strongneck,slopingshoulder,straightfetlocks.Donemuchworkhashe?Huntedhimoutyet,haveyou?’

‘Mysonrideshimouteveryday,’saidAlbert’sfather.‘Goeslikearacer,jumpslikeahunterhetellsme.’

‘Well,’saidtheofficer,‘aslongasourvetpasseshimasfitandsoundinwindandlimb,you’llhaveyourfortypounds,asweagreed.’

‘Ican’tbelong,sir,’Albert’sfathersaid,glancingbackoverhisshoulder.‘Ihavetogetback.Ihavemyworktoseeto.’

‘Well,we’rebusyrecruitinginthevillageaswellasbuying,’saidtheofficer.‘Butwe’llbeasquickaswecanforyou.True,there’salotmoregoodmenvolunteersthantherearegoodhorsesintheseparts,andthevetdoesn’thavetoexaminethemen,doeshe?Youwaithere,I’llonlybeafewminutes.’

CaptainNichollsledmeawaythroughthearchwayoppositethepublichouseandintoalargegardenbeyondwherethereweremeninwhitecoatsandauniformedclerksittingdownatatabletakingnotes.IthoughtIheardoldZoeycallingafterme,soIshoutedbacktoreassureherforIfeltnofearatthismoment.Iwastoointerestedinwhatwasgoingonaroundme.Theofficertalkedtomegentlyaswewalkedaway,soIwentalongalmosteagerly.Thevet,asmall,bustlingmanwithabushyblackmoustache,proddedmeallover,liftedeachofmyfeettoexaminethem–whichIobjectedto–andthenpeeredintomyeyesandmymouth,sniffingatmybreath.ThenIwastrottedroundandroundthegardenbeforehepronouncedmeaperfectspecimen.‘Soundasabell.Fitforanything,cavalryorartillery,’werethewordsheused.‘Nosplints,nocurbs,goodfeetandteeth.Buyhim,

Captain,’hesaid.‘He’sagoodone.’

IwasledbacktoAlbert’sfatherwhotooktheofferednotesfromCaptainNicholls,stuffingthemquicklyintohistrouserpocket.‘You’lllookafterhim,sir?’hesaid.‘You’llseehecomestonoharm?Myson’sveryfondofhimyousee.’Hereachedoutandbrushedmynosewithhishand.Thereweretearsfillinghiseyes.Atthatmomenthebecamealmostalikeablemanforme.‘You’llbeallright,oldson,’hewhisperedtome.‘Youwon’tunderstandandneitherwillAlbert,butunlessIsellyouIcan’tkeepupwiththemortgageandwe’lllosethefarm.I’vetreatedyoubad–I’vetreatedeveryonebad.IknowitandI’msorryforit.’AndhewalkedawayfrommeleadingZoeybehindhim.Hisheadwasloweredandhelookedsuddenlyashrunkenman.

ItwasthenthatIfullyrealisedIwasbeingabandonedandIbegantoneigh,ahigh-pitchedcryofpainandanxietythatshriekedoutthroughthevillage.EvenoldZoey,obedientandplacidasshealwayswas,stoppedandwouldnotbemovedonnomatterhowhardAlbert’sfatherpulledher.Sheturned,tossedupherheadandshoutedherfarewell.Buthercriesbecameweakerandshewasfinallydraggedawayandoutofmysight.Kindhandstriedtocontainmeandtoconsoleme,butIwasunconsolable.

Ihadjustaboutgivenupallhope,whenIsawmyAlbertrunninguptowardsmethroughthecrowd,hisfaceredwithexertion.Thebandhadstoppedplayingandtheentirevillagelookedonashecameuptomeandputhisarmsaroundmyneck.

‘He’ssoldhim,hasn’the?’hesaidquietly,lookingupatCaptainNichollswhowasholdingme.‘Joeyismyhorse.He’smyhorseandhealwayswillbe,nomatterwhobuyshim.Ican’tstopmyfatherfromsellinghim,butifJoeygoeswithyou,Igo.Iwanttojoinupandstaywithhim.’

‘You’vetherightspiritforasoldier,youngman,’saidtheofficer,takingoffhispeakedcapandwipinghisbrowwiththebackofhishand.Hehadblackcurlyhairandakind,openlookonhisface.‘You’vethespiritbutyouhaven’ttheyears.You’retooyoungandyouknowit.Seventeen’stheyoungestwetake.Comebackinayearorsoandthenwe’llsee.’

‘Ilookseventeen,’Albertsaid,almostpleading.‘I’mbiggerthanmostseventeenyearolds.’Butevenashespokehecouldseehewasgettingnowhere.‘Youwon’ttakemethen,sir?Notevenasastableboy?I’lldoanything,anything.’

‘What’syourname,youngman?’CaptainNichollsasked.

‘Narracott,sir.AlbertNarracott.’

‘Well,MrNarracott.I’msorryIcan’thelpyou.’Theofficershookhisheadandreplacedhiscap.‘I’msorry,youngman,regulations.Butdon’tyouworryaboutyourJoey.Ishalltakegoodcareofhimuntilyou’rereadytojoinus.You’vedoneafinejobonhim.Youshouldbeproudofhim–he’safine,finehorse,butyourfatherneededthemoneyforthefarm,andafarmwon’trunwithoutmoney.Youmustknowthat.Ilikeyourspirit,sowhenyou’reoldenoughyoumustcomeandjointheYeomanry.Weshallneedmenlikeyou,anditwillbealongwarIfear,longerthanpeoplethink.Mentionmyname.I’mCaptainNicholls,andI’dbeproudtohaveyouwithus.’

‘There’snowaythen?’Albertasked.‘There’snothingIcando?’

‘Nothing,’saidCaptainNicholls.‘Yourhorsebelongstothearmynowandyou’retooyoungtojoinup.Don’tyouworry–we’lllookafterhim.I’lltakepersonalcareofhim,andthat’sapromise.’

Albertwriggledmynoseformeasheoftendidandstrokedmyears.Hewastryingtosmilebutcouldnot.‘I’llfindyouagain,youoldsilly,’hesaidquietly.‘Whereveryouare,I’llfindyou,Joey.Takegoodcareofhim,pleasesir,tillIfindhimagain.There’snotanotherhorselikehim,notinthewholeworld–you’llfindthatout.Sayyoupromise?’

‘Ipromise,’saidCaptainNicholls.‘I’lldoeverythingIcan.’AndAlbertturnedandwentawaythroughthecrowduntilIcouldseehimnomore.

CHAPTER5INTHEFEWshortweeksbeforeIwentofftowarIwastobechangedfromaworkingfarmhorseintoacavalrymount.Itwasnoeasytransformation,forIresenteddeeplythetightdisciplinesoftheridingschoolandthehardhothoursoutonmanoeuvresonthePlain.BackathomewithAlbertIhadrevelledinthelongridesalongthelanesandoverthefields,andtheheatandtheflieshadnotseemedtomatter;IhadlovedtheachingdaysofploughingandharrowingalongsideZoey,butthatwasbecausetherehadbeenabondbetweenusoftrustanddevotion.Nowtherewereendlesstedioushourscirclingtheschool.GonewasthegentlesnafflebitthatIwassousedto,andinitsplacewasanuncomfortable,cumbersomeWeymouththatsnaggedthecornersofmymouthandinfuriatedmebeyondbelief.

ButitwasmyriderthatIdislikedmorethananythinginmynewlife.CorporalSamuelPerkinswasahard,grittylittleman,anex-jockeywhoseonlypleasureinlifeseemedtobethepowerhecouldexertoverahorse.Hewasuniversallyfearedbyalltroopersandhorsesalike.Eventheofficers,Ifelt,wentintrepidationofhim;forheknewitseemedalltherewastoknowabouthorsesandhadtheexperienceofalifetimebehindhim.Andherodehardandheavy-handed.Withhimthewhipandthespurswerenotjustforshow.

Hewouldneverbeatmeorlosehistemperwithme,indeedsometimeswhenhewasgroomingmeIthinkmaybehequitelikedmeandIcertainlyfeltforhimadegreeofrespect,butthiswasbasedonfearandnotlove.InmyangerandunhappinessItriedseveraltimestothrowhimoffbutneversucceeded.HiskneeshadagripofironandheseemedinstinctivelytoknowwhatIwasabouttodo.

MyonlyconsolationinthoseearlydaysoftrainingwerethevisitsofCaptainNichollseveryeveningtothestables.HealoneseemedtohavethetimetocomeandtalktomeasAlberthaddonebefore.Sittingonanupturnedbucketinthecornerofmystable,asketch-bookonhisknees,hewoulddrawmeashetalked.‘I’vedoneafewsketchesofyounow,’hesaidoneevening,‘andwhenI’vefinishedthisoneI’llbereadytopaintapictureofyou.Itwon’tbeStubbs–it’llbebetterthanStubbsbecauseStubbsneverhadahorseasbeautifulasyoutopaint.Ican’ttakeitwithmetoFrance–nopoint,isthere?SoI’mgoingtosenditofftoyourfriendAlbert,justsothathe’llknow

thatImeantwhatIsaidwhenIpromisedIwouldlookafteryou.’HekeptlookingupanddownatmeasheworkedandIlongedtotellhimhowmuchIwishedhewouldtakeovermytraininghimselfandhowhardtheCorporalwasandhowmysideshurtandmyfeethurt.‘Tobehonestwithyou,Joey,Ihopethiswarwillbeoverbeforehe’soldenoughtojoinusbecause–youmarkmywords–it’sgoingtobenasty,verynastyindeed.BackintheMessthey’realltalkingabouthowthey’llsetaboutJerry,howthecavalrywillsmashthroughthemandthrowthemclearbacktoBerlinbeforeChristmas.It’sjustJamieandme,we’retheonlyonesthatdon’tagree,Joey.Wehaveourdoubts,Icantellyouthat.Wehaveourdoubts.Noneoftheminthereseemtohaveheardofmachine-gunsandartillery.Itellyou,Joey,onemachine-gunoperatedrightcouldwipeoutanentiresquadronofthebestcavalryintheworld–GermanorBritish.Imean,lookwhathappenedtotheLightBrigadeatBalaclavawhentheytookontheRussianguns–noneofthemseemtorememberthat.AndtheFrenchlearntthelessonintheFranco-PrussianWar.Butyoucan’tsayanythingtothem,Joey.Ifyoudotheycallyoudefeatist,orsomesuchrubbish.Ihonestlythinkthatsomeoftheminthereonlywanttowinthiswarifthecavalrycanwinit.’

Hestoodup,tuckedhissketchbookunderhisarmandcameovertowardsmeandtickledmebehindtheears.‘Youlikethatoldson,don’tyou?Belowallthatfireandbrimstoneyou’reasoppyolddateatheart.CometothinkofitwehavealotincommonyouandI.First,wedon’tmuchlikeithereandwouldratherbesomewhereelse.Second,we’veneitherofuseverbeentowar–neverevenheardashotfiredinanger,havewe?IjusthopeI’muptoitwhenthetimecomes–that’swhatworriesmemorethananything,Joey.BecauseItellyou,andIhaven’teventoldJamiethis–I’mfrightenedashell,soyou’dbetterhaveenoughcourageforthetwoofus.’

AdoorbangedacrosstheyardandIheardthefamiliarsoundofboots,crisponthecobbles.ItwasCorporalSamuelPerkinspassingalongthelinesofstablesonhiseveningrounds,stoppingateachonetocheckuntilatlasthecametomine.‘Goodevening,sir,’hesaid,salutingsmartly.‘Sketchingagain?’

‘Doingmybest,Corporal,’saidCaptainNicholls.‘Doingmybesttodohimjustice.Ishenotthefinestmountintheentiresquadron?I’veneverseenahorsesowellputtogetherasheis,haveyou?’

‘Ohhe’sspecialenoughtolookat,sir,’saidtheCorporalofHorse.Evenhisvoiceputmyearsback,therewasathin,acidtonetoitthatIdreaded.‘Igrantyouthat,butlooksaren’teverything,arethey,sir?There’salwaysmore

toahorsethanmeetstheeye,isn’tthatright,sir?HowshallIputit,sir?’

‘Howeveryoulike,Corporal,’saidCaptainNichollssomewhatfrostily,‘butbecarefulwhatyousayforthat’smyhorseyou’respeakingabout,sotakecare.’

‘Let’ssayIfeelhehasamindofhisown.Yes,let’sputitthatway.He’sgoodenoughoutonmanoeuvres–arealstayer,oneoftheverybest–butinsidetheschool,sir,he’sadevil,andastrongdeviltoo.Neverbeenproperlyschooled,sir,youcantellthat.Farmhorseheisandfarmtrained.Ifhe’stomakeacavalryhorse,sir,he’llhavetolearntoacceptthedisciplines.Hehastolearntoobeyinstantlyandinstinctively.Youdon’twantaprimadonnaunderyouwhenthebulletsstartflying.’

‘Fortunately,Corporal,’saidCaptainNicholls.‘Fortunatelythiswarwillbefoughtoutofdoorsandnotindoors.IaskedyoutotrainJoeybecauseIthinkyouarethebestmanforthejob–there’snoonebetterinthesquadron.Butperhapsyoushouldeaseuponhimjustabit.You’vegottorememberwherehecamefrom.He’sawillingsoul–hejustneedsabitofgentlepersuasion,that’sall.Butkeepitgentle,Corporal,keepitgentle.Idon’twanthimsoured.Thishorseisgoingtocarrymethroughthewarandwithanyluckouttheothersideofit.He’sspecialtomeCorporal,youknowthat.Somakesureyoulookafterhimasifhewasyourown,won’tyou?WeleaveforFranceinunderaweeknow.IfIhadthetimeI’dbeschoolinghimonmyself,butI’mfartoobusytryingtoturntroopersintomountedinfantry.Ahorsemaycarryyouthrough,Corporal,buthecan’tdoyourfightingforyou.Andthere’ssomeofthemstillthinkthey’llonlybeneedingtheirsabreswhentheygetoutthere.SomeofthemreallybelievethatflashingtheirsabresaroundwillfrightenJerryallthewayhome.Itellyoutheyhavegottolearntoshootstraight–we’llallhavetolearntoshootstraightifwewanttowinthiswar.’

‘Yessir,’saidthecorporalwithanewrespectinhisvoice.HewasmoremeekandmildnowthanIhadeverseenhim.

‘AndCorporal,’saidCaptainNichollswalkingtowardsthestabledoor,‘I’dbeobligedifyou’dfeedJoeyupsomewhat,he’slostabitofcondition,gonebackabitI’dsay.IshallbetakinghimoutmyselfonfinalmanoeuvresintwoorthreedaysandIwanthimfitandshining.He’stolookthebestinthesquadron.’

ItwasonlyinthatlastweekofmymilitaryeducationthatIbeganatlasttosettleintothework.CorporalSamuelPerkinsseemedlessharshtowardsmeafterthatevening.Heusedthespurslessandgavememorerein.Wedid

lessworknowintheschoolandmoreformationworkontheopenplainsoutsidethecamp.ItooktheWeymouthbitmorereadilynowandbegantoplaywithitbetweenmyteethasIhadalwaysdonewiththesnaffle.Ibegantoappreciatethegoodfoodandthegroomingandthebuffingup,alltheunendingattentionandcarethatwasdevotedtome.AsthedayspassedIbegantothinklessandlessofthefarmandoldZoeyandofmyearlylife.ButAlbert,hisfaceandhisvoicestayedclearinmyminddespitetheunerringroutineoftheworkthatwasturningmeimperceptiblyintoanarmyhorse.

BythetimeCaptainNichollscametotakemeoutonthoselastmanoeuvresbeforewewenttowarIwasalreadyquiteresignedto,evencontentedinmynewlife.Dressednowinfieldservicemarchingorder,CaptainNichollsweighedheavyonmybackastheentireregimentmovedoutontoSalisburyPlain.Iremembermostlytheheatandthefliesthatdayfortherewerehoursofstandingaboutinthesunwaitingforthingstohappen.Thenwiththeeveningsunspreadinganddyingalongtheflathorizontheentireregimentlinedupinechelonforthecharge,theclimaxofourlastmanoeuvres.

Theorderwasgiventodrawswordsandwewalkedforward.Aswewaitedforthebuglecallstheairwaselectricwithanticipation.Itpassedbetweeneveryhorseandhisrider,betweenhorseandhorse,betweentrooperandtrooper.IfeltinsidemeasurgeofsuchexcitementthatIfounditdifficulttocontainmyself.CaptainNichollswasleadinghistroopandalongsidehimrodehisfriendCaptainJamieStewartonahorseIhadneverseenbefore.Hewasatall,shiningblackstallion.AswewalkedforwardIglancedupathimandcaughthiseye.Heseemedtoacknowledgeitbriefly.Thewalkmovedintoatrotandthenintoacanter.Iheardthebuglesblowandcaughtsightofhissabrepointingovermyrightear.CaptainNichollsleantforwardinthesaddleandurgedmeintoagallop.Thethunderandthedustandtheroarofmen’svoicesinmyearstookaholdtomeandheldmeatapitchofexhilarationIhadneverbeforeexperienced.Iflewoverthegroundwayoutaheadoftherestofthemexceptforone.Theonlyhorsetostaywithmewastheshiningblackstallion.AlthoughnothingwassaidbetweenCaptainNichollsandCaptainStewart,IfeltitwassuddenlyimportantthatIshouldnotallowthishorsetogetaheadofme.Onelooktoldmethathefeltthesame,fortherewasagrimdeterminationinhiseyesandhisbrowwasfurrowedwithconcentration.Whenweoverranthe‘enemy’positionitwasallourriderscoulddotobringustoahalt,andfinallywestoodnosetonose,blowingandpantingwithbothcaptainsbreathlesswithexertion.

‘Yousee,Jamie,Itoldyouso,’saidCaptainNicholls,andtherewassuch

prideinhisvoiceashespoke.‘ThisisthehorseIwastellingyouabout–foundindeepestDevon–andifwehadgoneonmuchlongeryourTopthornwouldhavebeenstrugglingtostaywithhim.Youcan’tdenyit.’

TopthornandIlookedwarilyateachotheratfirst.Hewashalfahandormorehigherthanme,ahugesleekhorsethatheldhisheadwithmajesticdignity.HewasthefirsthorseIhadevercomeacrossthatIfeltcouldchallengemeforstrength,buttherewasalsoakindnessinhiseyethatheldnothreatforme.

‘MyTopthornisthefinestmountinthisregiment,oranyother,’saidCaptainJamieStewart.‘Joeymightbefaster,andallrightI’llgranthelooksasgoodasanyhorseI’veeverseenpullingamilkfloat,butthere’snoonetomatchmyTopthornforstamina–whyhecouldhavegoneonforeverandever.He’saneighthorse-powerhorse,andthat’safact.’

Onthewaybacktothebarracksthateveningthetwoofficersdebatedthevirtuesoftheirrespectivehorses,whilstTopthornandIploddedalongshouldertoshoulder,headshanging–ourstrengthsappedbythesunandthelonggallop.Wewerestabledsidebysidethatnight,andagainontheboatthenextdaywefoundourselvestogetherinthebowelsoftheconvertedlinerthatwastocarryusofftoFranceandawaytothewar.

CHAPTER6THEREWASALLaboutusontheshipanairofgreatexuberanceandexpectancy.Thesoldierswerebuoyantwithoptimism,asiftheywereembarkingonsomegreatmilitarypicnic;itseemednoneofthemhadacareintheworld.AstheytendedusinourstallsthetroopersjokedandlaughedtogetherasIhadneverheardthembefore.Andweweretoneedtheirconfidencearoundus,foritwasastormycrossingandmanyofusbecameoverwroughtandapprehensiveastheshiptossedwildlyinthesea.Someofuskickedoutatourstallsinadesperateefforttobreakfreeandtofindgroundthatdidnotpitchandplungeunderourfeet,butthetrooperswerealwaystheretoholdussteadyandtocomfortus.

Mycomfort,however,camenotfromCorporalSamuelPerkins,whocametoholdmyheadthroughtheworstofit;forevenwhenhepattedmehediditinsuchaperemptoryfashionthatIdidnotfeelhemeantit.MycomfortcamefromTopthornwhoremainedcalmthroughout.HewouldleanhisgreatheadoverthestallandletmerestonhisneckwhileItriedtoobliteratefrommymindthesinkingsurgeoftheshipandthenoiseofuncontrolledterrorfromthehorsesallaroundme.

Butthemomentwedockedthemoodchanged.Thehorsesrecoveredtheircomposurewithsolidstilllandundertheirhoovesoncemore,butthetroopersfellsilentandsombreaswewalkedpastunendinglinesofwoundedwaitingtoboardtheshipbacktoEngland.AswedisembarkedandwereledawayalongthequaysideCaptainNichollswalkedbymyheadturninghiseyesouttoseasothatnooneshouldnoticethetearsinthem.Thewoundedwereeverywhere–onstretchers,oncrutches,inopenambulances,andetchedoneverymanwasthelookofwretchedmiseryandpain.Thetriedtoputabravefaceonit,buteventhejokesandquipstheyshoutedoutaswepassedwereheavywithgloomandsarcasm.Nosergeantmajor,noenemybarragecouldhavesilencedabodyofsoldiersaseffectivelyasthatterriblesight,forhereforthefirsttimethemensawforthemselvesthekindofwartheyweregoingintoandtherewasnotasinglemaninthesquadronwhoseemedpreparedforit.

Onceoutintotheflatopencountrythesquadronthrewoffitsunfamiliarshroudofdespondencyandregaineditsjocularspirits.Themensangagainintheirsaddlesandlaughedamongstthemselves.Itwastobealong,longmarch

throughthedust,allthatdayandthenext.Wewouldstoponceeveryhourforafewminutesandwouldrideonuntilduskbeforemakingcampnearavillageandalwaysbyastreamorariver.Theycaredforuswellonthatmarch,oftendismountingandwalkingbesideustogiveustherestweneeded.Butsweetestofallwerethefullbucketsofcooling,quenchingwatertheywouldbringuswheneverwestoppedbesideastream.Topthorn,Inoticed,alwaysshookhisheadinthewaterbeforehestartedtodrinksothatalongsidehimIwasshoweredallovermyfaceandneckwithcoolingwater.

ThemountsweretetheredinhorselinesoutintheopenaswehadbeenonmanoeuvresbackinEngland.Sowewerealreadyhardenedtolivingout.Butitwascoldernowasthedampmistsofautumnfelleacheveningandchilleduswherewestood.Wehadplentyoffoddermorningandevening,agenerousrationofcornfromournosebagsandwegrazedwheneverwecould.Likethemenwehadtolearntoliveoffthelandasmuchaspossible.

Everyhourofthemarchbroughtusnearerthedistantthunderoftheguns,andatnightnowthehorizonwouldbebrightwithorangeflashesfromoneendtotheother.Ihadheardthecrackofriflefirebeforebackatthebarracksandthishadnotupsetmeonebit,butthegrowlingcrescendoofthebiggunssenttremorsoffearalongmybackandbrokemysleepintoasuccessionofjaggednightmares.ButwheneverIwoke,draggedbacktoconsciousnessbytheguns,IfoundTopthornwasalwaysbymeandwouldbreathehiscourageintometosupportme.Itwasaslowbaptismoffireforme,butwithoutTopthornIthinkIshouldneverhavebecomeaccustomedtotheguns,forthefuryandtheviolenceofthethunderaswecameevernearertothefrontlineseemedtosapmystrengthaswellasmyspirits.

OnthemarchTopthornandIwalkedalwaystogether,sidebyside,forCaptainNichollsandCaptainStewartwererarelyapart.Theyseemedsomehowseparateinspiritfromtheirheartierfellowofficers.ThemoreIgottoknowCaptainNicholls,themoreIlikedhim.HerodemeasAlberthad,withagentlehandandafirmgripoftheknees,sothatdespitehissize–andhewasabigman–hewasalwayslightonme.Andtherewasalwayssomewarmwordofencouragementorgratitudeafteralongride.ThiswasawelcomecontrasttoCorporalSamuelPerkinswhohadriddenmesohardwhilstintraining.Icaughtsightofhimfromtimetotimeandpitiedthehorseherode.

CaptainNichollsdidnotsingorwhistleasAlberthad,buthetalkedtomefromtimetotimewhenwewerealonetogether.Nooneitappearedreallyknewwheretheenemywas.Thathewasadvancingandthatwewere

retreatingwasnotindoubt.Weweresupposedtotrytoensurethattheenemydidnotoutflankus–wedidnotwanttheenemytogetbetweenusandtheseaandturntheflankofthewholeBritishexpeditionaryforce.Butthesquadronhadfirsttofindtheenemyandtheywereneveranywheretobeseen.Wescouredthecountrysidefordaysbeforefinallyblunderingintothem–andthatwasadayIshallneverforget,thedayofourfirstbattle.

Rumourrippledbackalongthecolumnthattheenemyhadbeensighted,abattalionofinfantryonthemarch.Theywereoutintheopenamileorsoaway,hiddenfromusbyalongthickcopseofoaksthatranalongsidetheroad.Theordersrangout:‘Forward!Formsquadroncolumn!Drawswords!’Asone,themenreacheddownandgraspedtheirswordsfromtheirsheathsandtheairflickeredwithbrightsteelbeforethebladessettledonthetroopers’shoulders.‘Squadron,rightshoulder!’camethecommand,andwewalkedinlineabreastintothewood.IfeltCaptainNicholls’kneescloserightaroundmeandheloosenedthereins.Hisbodywastautandforthefirsttimehefeltheavyonmyback.‘EasyJoey,’hesaidsoftly.‘Easynow.Don’tgetexcited.We’llcomeoutofthisallright,don’tyouworry.’

IturnedtolookatTopthornwhowasalreadyuponhistoesreadyforthetrotthatweknewwastocome.Imovedinstinctivelyclosertohimandthenasthebuglesoundedwechargedoutoftheshadeofthewoodandintothesunlightofbattle.

Thegentlesqueakofleather,thejinglingharnessandthenoiseofhastilybarkedordersweredrownednowbythepoundingofhoovesandtheshoutofthetroopersaswegallopeddownontheenemyinthevalleybelowus.Outofthecornerofmyeye,IwasawareoftheglintofCaptainNicholls’heavysword.IfelthisspursinmysideandIheardhisbattlecry.Isawthegreysoldiersaheadofusraisetheirriflesandheardthedeathrattleofamachine-gun,andthenquitesuddenlyIfoundthatIhadnorider,thatIhadnoweightonmybackanymoreandthatIwasaloneoutinfrontofthesquadron.Topthornwasnolongerbesideme,butwithhorsesbehindmeIknewtherewasonlyonewaytogallopandthatwasforward.Blindterrordrovemeon,withmyflyingstirrupswhippingmeintoafrenzy.WithnoridertocarryIreachedthekneelingriflemenfirstandtheyscatteredasIcameuponthem.

IranonuntilIfoundmyselfaloneandawayfromthenoiseofthebattle,andIwouldneverhavestoppedatallhadInotfoundTopthornoncemorebesidemewithCaptainStewartleaningovertogatherupmyreinsbeforeleadingmebacktothebattlefield.

Wehadwon,Ihearditsaid;buthorseslaydeadanddyingeverywhere.

Morethanaquarterofthesquadronhadbeenlostinthatoneaction.Ithadallbeensoquickandsodeadly.Aclusterofgreyuniformedprisonershadbeentakenandtheyhuddledtogethernowunderthetreeswhilstthesquadronregroupedandexchangedextravagantreminiscensesofavictorythathadhappenedalmostbyaccidentratherthanbydesign.

IneversawCaptainNichollsagainandthatwasagreatandterriblesadnessformeforhehadbeenakindandgentlemanandhadcaredformewellashehadpromised.AsIwastolearn,therewerefewenoughsuchgoodmenintheworld.‘He’dhavebeenproudofyou,Joey,’saidCaptainStewartasheledmebacktothehorselineswithTopthorn.‘He’dhavebeenproudofyouthewayyoukeptgoingoutthere.Hediedleadingthatchargeandyoufinisheditforhim.He’dhavebeenproudofyou.’

Topthornstoodovermethatnightaswebivouackedontheedgeofthewoods.Welookedouttogetheroverthemoonlitvalley,andIlongedforhome.Onlytheoccasionalcoughingandstampingofthesentriesbrokethestillofthenight.Thegunsweresilentatlast.Topthornsankdownbesidemeandweslept.

CHAPTER7ITWASJUSTafterreveillethenextmorningandwewererummagingaroundinournosebagsforthelastofouroats,whenIsawCaptainJamieStewartstridingalongthehorselinestowardsus.Behindhim,swampedinavastgreatcoatandapeakedcap,trailedayoungtrooperIhadneverseenbefore.HewaspinkfacedandyoungunderhishatandremindedmeatonceofAlbert.Isensedthathewasnervousofme,forhisapproachwashesitantandreluctant.

CaptainStewartfeltTopthorn’searsandstrokedhissoftmuzzleashealwaysdidthefirstthinginthemorning,andthenreachingacrosshepattedmegentlyontheneck.‘WellTrooperWarren,hereheis,’saidCaptainStewart.‘ComecloserTrooper,hewon’tbite.ThisisJoey.ThishorsebelongedtothebestfriendIeverhad,soyoulookafterhim,d’youhear?’Histonewasfirmbutnotunsympathetic.‘AndTrooper,Ishallbeabletokeepmyeyeonyouallthetimebecausethesetwohorsesareinseparable.Theyarethetwobesthorsesinthesquadron,andtheyknowit.’Hesteppedclosertomeandliftedmyforelockclearofmyface.‘Joey,’hewhispered.‘Youtakecareofhim.He’sonlyalittleladandhe’shadaroughrideinthiswarsofar.’

SowhenthesquadronmovedoutofthewoodthatmorningIfoundIcouldnolongerwalkalongsideTopthornasIhadbeforewithCaptainNicholls,butwasnowjustoneofthetroopfollowingbehindtheofficersinalongcolumnoftroopers.ButwheneverwestoppedtofeedordrinkTrooperWarrenwascarefultowalkmeovertowhereTopthornstoodsothatwecouldbetogether.

TrooperWarrenwasnotagoodhorseman–Icouldtellthattheminutehemountedme.Hewasalwaystenseandrodemeheavyinthesaddlelikeasackofpotatoes.HehadneithertheexperienceandconfidenceofCorporalSamuelPerkinsnorthefinesseandsensitivityofCaptainNicholls.HerockedunevenlyinthesaddleandrodemealwaysontootightareinsothatIwasforcedtotossmyheadcontinuouslytoloosenit.Butonceoutofthesaddlehewasthegentlestofmen.Hewasmeticulousandkindinhisgroomingandattendedatoncetomyfrequentandpainfulsaddlesores,chafingsandwindgallstowhichIwasparticularlyprone.HecaredformeasnoonehadsinceIlefthome.Overthenextfewmonthsitwashislovingattentionthatwastokeepmealive.

Therewereafewminorskirmishesduringthatfirstautumnofthewar,butasCaptainNichollshadpredicted,wewereusedlessandlessascavalryandmoreastransportformountedinfantry.Wheneverwecameacrosstheenemythesquadronwoulddismount,drawingtheirriflesfromtheirbuckets,andthehorseswouldbeleftbehindoutofsightunderthecareofafewtroopers,sothatweneversawanyactionourselvesbutheardthedistantcrackleofrifle-fireandtherattleofmachine-guns.Whenthetroopreturnedandthesquadronmovedoffagain,therewerealwaysoneortwohorseswithoutriders.

Wewouldbeonthemarchforhoursanddaysonenditseemed.Thensuddenlyamotorcyclewouldroarpastusthroughthedustandtherewouldbethebarkedcommandsandtheshrillcallofthebuglesandthesquadronwouldswingofftheroadandintoactiononcemore.

Itwasduringtheselong,stiflingmarchesandduringthecoldnightsthatfollowed,thatTrooperWarrenbegantotalktome.HetoldmehowinthesameactioninwhichCaptainNichollshadbeenkilled,hehadhadhishorseshotdownfrombeneathhimandhowonlyafewweeksbeforehehadbeenanapprenticeblack-smithwithhisfather.Thenthewarhadbrokenout.Hedidnotwanttojoinup,hesaid;butthesquireofthevillagehadspokentohisfatherandhisfather,whorentedhishouseandhissmithyfromthesquire,hadnooptionbuttosendhimofftowar,andsincehehadgrownuparoundhorseshevolunteeredtojointhecavalry.‘Itellyou,Joey,’hesaidoneeveningashewaspickingoutmyhooves,‘ItellyouIneverthoughtIwouldgetonahorseagainafterthatfirstbattle.Strangethingis,Joey,thatitwasn’ttheshooting,somehowIdidn’tmindthat;itwasjusttheideaofridingahorseagainthatterrifiedthelifeoutofme.Wouldn’tthinkthatpossible,wouldyou?Notwithmebeingasmithyandall.Still,I’moveritnowandyou’vedonethatformeJoey.Givenmebackmyconfidence.FeelIcandoanythingnow.FeellikeoneofthoseknightsinarmourwhenI’muponyou.’

Then,withtheonsetofwinter,theraincamedowninsheets.Itwasrefreshingatfirstandawelcomebreakfromthedustandtheflies,butsoonthefieldsandpathsturnedtomudbeneathus.Thesquadroncouldnolongerbivouacinthedryfortherewaslittleenoughshelterandsobothmanandhorsewereconstantlysoakedtotheskin.Therewaslittleornoprotectionfromthedrivingrain,andatnightwestoodnowoverourfetlocksincold,oozingmud.ButTrooperWarrenlookedaftermewithgreatdevotion,findingshelterformewhereverandwheneverhecould,rubbingsomewarmthintomewithwhispsofdrystrawwheneverhecouldfinditandensuringthatIalwaysgotagoodrationofoatsinmynosebagtokeepmegoing.Asthe

weekspassedhisprideinmystrengthandstaminabecameobvioustoeveryone,asdidmyaffectionforhim.Ifonly,Ithought,ifonlyhecouldjustgroommeandcareformeandsomeoneelsecouldrideme.

MyTrooperWarrenwouldtalkagreatdealabouthowthewarwasgoing.Wewere,hesaid,tobewithdrawntoreservecampsbehindourownlines.Thearmiesitappearedhadpoundedeachothertoastand-stillinthemudandhaddugin.Thedugoutshadsoonbecometrenchesandthetrencheshadjoinedeachother,zigzaggingacrossthecountryfromtheseatoSwitzerland.Inthespring,hesaid,wewouldbeneededagaintobreakthedeadlock.Thecavalrycouldgowheretheinfantrycouldnotandwerefastenoughtooverrunthetrenches.We’dshowtheinfantryhowtodoit,hesaid.Buttherewasthewintertosurvivebeforethegroundbecamehardenoughagainforthecavalrytobeusedeffectively.

TopthornandIspentthatwintershelteringeachotherasbestwecouldfromthesnowandthesleet,whilstonlyafewmilesawaywecouldhearthegunspoundingeachotherdayandnightincessantly.Wesawthecheerysoldierssmilingundertheirtinhatsastheymarchedofftothefrontline,whistlingandsingingandjokingastheywent,andwewatchedtheremnantsstrugglingbackhaggardandsilentundertheirdrippingcapesintherain.

EveryonceinawhileTrooperWarrenwouldreceivealetterfromhomeandhewouldreaditouttomeinaguardedwhisperincaseanyoneelseshouldoverhear.Theletterswereallfromhismotherandtheyallsaidmuchthesamething.

‘MydearCharlie,’hewouldread.‘YourFatherhopesyouarewellandsodoI.WemissedhavingyouwithusatChristmas–thetableinthekitchenseemedemptywithoutyou.ButyourlittlebrotherhelpswhenhecanwiththeworkandFathersayshe’scomingonwelleventhoughhe’sstillabitlittleandnotstrongenoughyettoholdthefarmhorses.MinnieWhittle,thatoldwidowfromHannifordFarm,diedinhersleeplastweek.Shewaseightysoshecan’tgrumbleatthat,thoughIexpectshewouldifshecould.Shewasalwaystheworld’sworstgrumbler,doyouremember?Well,son,that’saboutallournews.YourSallyfromthevillagesendsherbestandsaystotellyouthatshe’llbewritingsoon.Keepsafe,dearestboy,andcomehomesoon.

‘YourlovingMother.

‘ButSallywon’twrite,Joey,becauseshecan’t,wellnotverywellanyway.Butjustassoonasthislot’soverandfinishedwithI’llgetbackhomeand

marryher.I’vegrownupwithher,Joey,knownherallmylife.S’poseIknowheralmostaswellasIknowmyself,andIlikeheralotbetter.’

TrooperWarrenbroketheterriblemonotonyofthatwinter.HeliftedmyspiritsandIcouldseethatTopthorntoowelcomedeveryvisithemadetothehorselines.Heneverknewhowmuchgoodhedidus.Duringthatawfulwintersomanyofthehorseswentofftotheveterinaryhospitalandnevercameback.Likeallarmyhorseswewereclippedoutlikehunterssothatallourlowerquarterswereexposedtothemudandrain.Theweakeronesamongstussufferedfirst,fortheyhadlittleresilienceandwentdownhillfast.ButTopthornandIcamethroughtothespring,Topthornsurvivingaseverecoughthatshookhiswholemassiveframeasifitwastryingtotearthelifeoutofhimfromtheinside.ItwasCaptainStewartwhosavedhim,feedinghimupwithahotmashandcoveringhimasbesthecouldinthebleakestweather.

Andthen,oneice-coldnightinearlyspring,withfrostlyingonourbacks,thetrooperscametothehorselinesunexpectedlyearly.Itwasbeforedawn.Therehadbeenanightofincessantheavybarrage.Therewasanewbustleandexcitementinthecamp.Thiswasnotoneoftheroutineexerciseswehadcometoexpect.Thetrooperscamealongthehorselinesinfullserviceorder,twobandoliers,respiratoryhaversack,rifleandsword.Weweresaddledupandmovedsilentlyoutofthecampandontotheroad.Thetrooperstalkedofthebattleaheadandallthefrustrationsandirritationsofimposedidlenessvanishedastheysanginthesaddle.AndmyTrooperWarrenwassingingalongwiththemaslustilyasanyofthem.Inthecoldgreyofthenightthesquadronjoinedtheregimentintheremnantsofalittleruinedvillagepeopledonlybycats,andwaitedthereforanhouruntilthepalelightofdawncreptoverthehorizon.Stillthegunsbellowedouttheirfuryandthegroundshookbeneathus.Wepassedthefieldhospitalsandthelightgunsbeforetrottingoverthesupporttrenchestocatchourfirstsightofthebattle-field.Desolationanddestructionwereeverywhere.Notabuildingwasleftintact.Notabladeofgrassgrewinthetornandravagedsoil.Thesingingaroundmestoppedandwemovedoninominoussilenceandoutoverthetrenchesthatwerecrammedwithmen,theirbayonetsfixedtotheirrifles.Theygaveusasporadiccheerasweclatteredovertheboardsandoutintothewildernessofnoman’sland,intoawildernessofwireandshellholesandtheterriblelitterofwar.Suddenlythegunsstoppedfiringoverhead.Wewerethroughthewire.Thesquadronfannedoutinawide,unevenechelonandthebuglesounded.IfeltthespursbitingintomysidesandmovedupalongsideTopthornaswebrokeintoatrot.‘Domeproud,Joey,’saidTrooperWarren,

drawinghissword.‘Domeproud.’

CHAPTER8FORJUSTAfewshortmomentswemovedforwardatthetrotaswehaddoneintraining.Intheeerysilenceofnoman’slandallthatcouldbeheardwasthejingleoftheharnessandthesnortingofthehorses.Wepickedourwayaroundthecraterskeepingourlineasbestwecould.Upaheadofusatthetopofagentleslopinghillwerethebatteredremnantsofawoodandjustbelowahideous,rustingrollofbarbedwirethatstretchedoutalongthehorizonasfarastheeyecouldsee.

‘Wire,’IheardTrooperWarrenwhisperthroughhisteeth.‘OhGod,Joey,theysaidthewirewouldbegone,theysaidthegunswoulddealwiththewire.OhmyGod!’

Wewereintoacanternowandstilltherewasnosoundnorsightofanyenemy.Thetrooperswereshoutingataninvisiblefoe,leaningovertheirhorses’necks,theirsabresstretchedoutinfrontofthem.IgalvanisedmyselfintoagalloptokeepwithTopthornandasIdid,sothefirstterribleshellsfellamongstusandthemachinegunsopenedup.Thebedlamofbattlehadbegun.Allaroundmemencriedandfelltotheground,andhorsesrearedandscreamedinanagonyoffearandpain.Thegrounderuptedoneithersideofme,throwinghorsesandridersclearintotheair.Theshellswhinedandroaredoverhead,andeveryexplosionseemedlikeanearthquaketous.Butthesquadrongallopedoninexorablythroughitalltowardsthewireatthetopofthehill,andIwentwiththem.

OnmybackTrooperWarrenheldmeinanirongripwithhisknees.Istumbledonceandfelthimloseastirrup,andslowedsothathecouldfinditagain.Topthornwasstillaheadofme,hisheadup,histailwhiskingfromsidetoside.Ifoundmorestrengthinmylegsandchargedafterhim.TrooperWarrenprayedaloudasherode,buthisprayersturnedsoontocursesashesawthecarnagearoundhim.OnlyafewhorsesreachedthewireandTopthornandIwereamongstthem.Therewereindeedafewholesblastedthroughthewirebyourbombardmentsothatsomeofuscouldfindawaythrough;andwecameatlastuponthefirstlineofenemytrenches,buttheywereempty.Thefiringcamenowfromhigherupinamongstthetrees;andsothesquadron,orwhatwasleftofit,regroupedandgallopedupintothewood,onlytobemetbyalineofhiddenwireinamongstthetrees.Someofthehorsesranintothewirebeforetheycouldbestopped,andstuckthere,their

riderstryingfeverishlytoextractthem.Isawonetrooperdismountdeliberatelyoncehesawhishorsewascaught.Hepulledouthisrifleandshothismountbeforefallingdeadhimselfonthewire.Icouldseeatoncethattherewasnowaythrough,thattheonlywaywastojumpthewireandwhenIsawTopthornandCaptainStewartleapoverwherethewirewaslowest,Ifollowedthemandwefoundourselvesatlastinamongsttheenemy.Frombehindeverytree,fromtrenchesallarounditseemed,theyranforwardintheirpikedhelmetstocounter-attack.Theyrushedpastus,ignoringusuntilwefoundourselvessurroundedbyanentirecompanyofsoldiers,theirriflespointingupatus.

Thecrumpoftheshellingandthespittingofrifle-firehadsuddenlystopped.Ilookedaroundmefortherestofthesquadron,todiscoverthatwewerealone.Behindustheriderlesshorses,allthatwasleftofaproudcavalrysquadron,gallopedbacktowardsourtrenches,andthehillsidebelowwasstrewnwiththedeadanddying.

‘Throwdownyoursword,Trooper,’saidCaptainStewart,bendinginhissaddleanddroppinghisswordtotheground.‘There’sbeenenoughuselessslaughtertoday.Nosenseinaddingtoit.’HewalkedTopthornclosertowardsusandreinedin.‘Trooper,Itoldyouoncewehadthebesthorsesinthesquadron,andtodaytheyshowedustheyarethebesthorsesintheentireregiment,inthewholeconfoundedarmy–andthere’snotascratchonthem.’HedismountedastheGermansoldiersclosedinandTrooperWarrenfollowedsuit.Theystoodsidebysideholdingourreinswhileweweresurrounded.Welookedbackdownthehillatthebattle-field.Afewhorseswerestillstrugglingonthewire,butonebyonetheywereputoutoftheirmiserybytheadvancingGermaninfantry,whohadalreadyregainedtheirlineoftrenches.Theywerethelastshotsinthebattle.

‘Whatawaste,’theCaptainsaid.‘Whataghastlywaste.Maybenowwhentheyseethisthey’llunderstandthatyoucan’tsendhorsesintowireandmachine-guns.Maybenowthey’llthinkagain.’

Thesoldiersaroundusseemedwaryofusandkepttheirdistance.Theyseemednottoknowquitewhattodowithus.‘Thehorses,sir?’TrooperWarrenasked.‘JoeyandTopthorn,whathappenstothemnow?’

‘Sameasus,Trooper,’saidCaptainStewart.‘They’reprisonersofwarjustasweare.’Flankedbythesoldierswhohardlyspoke,wewereescortedoverthebrowofahillanddownintothevalleybelow.Herethevalleywasstillgreenfortherehadbeennobattleoverthisgroundasyet.AllthewhileTrooperWarrenhadhisarmovermynecktoreassuremeandIfeltthenthat

hewasbeginningtosaygoodbye.

Hespokesoftlyintomyear.‘Don’tsupposethey’llletyoucomewithmewhereI’mgoing,Joey.Iwishtheycould,buttheycan’t.ButIshan’teverforgetyou.Ipromiseyouthat.’

‘Don’tyouworry,Trooper,’CaptainStewartsaid.‘TheGermanslovetheirhorseseverybitasmuchaswedo.They’llbeallright.Anyway,TopthornwilllookafteryourJoey–youcanbesureofthat.’

Aswecameoutofthewoodandontotheroadbelowwewerehaltedbyourescort.CaptainStewartandTrooperWarrenweremarchedawaydowntheroadtowardsaclusterofruinedbuildingsthatmustatonetimehavebeenavillage,whilstTopthornandIwereledawayacrossthefieldsandfurtherdownthevalley.Therewasnotimeforlongfarewells–justabrieflaststrokeofthemuzzleforeachofusandtheyweregone.Astheywalkedaway,CaptainStewarthadhisarmaroundTrooperWarren’sshoulder.

CHAPTER9WEWERELEDawaybytwonervoussoldiersdownfarmtracks,throughorchardsandacrossabridgebeforebeingtiedupbesideahospitaltentsomemilesfromwherewehadbeencaptured.Aknotofwoundedsoldiersgatheredaroundusatonce.TheypattedandstrokedusandIbegantowhiskmytailwithimpatience.IwashungryandthirstyandangrythatIhadbeenseparatedfrommyTrooperWarren.

Stillnooneseemedtoknowquitewhattodowithusuntilanofficerinalonggreycoatwithabandageroundhisheademergedfromthetent.Hewasanimmenselytallmanstandingafullheadhigherthananyonearoundhim.Themannerofhisgaitandthewayheheldhimselfindicatedamanclearlyaccustomedtowieldingauthority.Abandagecamedownoveroneeyesothathehadonlyhalfafacevisible.AshewalkedtowardsusIsawthathewaslimping,thatonefootwasheavilybandagedandthatheneededthesupportofastick.Thesoldierssprangbackathisapproachandstoodstifflytoattention.Helookedusbothoverinundisguisedadmiration,shakinghisheadandsighingashedidso.Thenheturnedtothemen.‘Therearehundredslikethesedeadoutonourwire.Itellyou,ifwehadhadonejotofthecourageoftheseanimalsweshouldbeinParisbynowandnotsluggingitouthereinthemud.Thesetwohorsescamethroughhell-firetogethere–theyweretheonlytwotomakeit.Itwasnottheirfaulttheyweresentonafool’serrand.Theyarenotcircusanimals,theyareheroes,doyouunderstand,heroes,andtheyshouldbetreatedassuch.Andyoustandaroundandgawpatthem.Youarenoneofyoubadlywoundedandthedoctorisfartoobusytoseeyouatpresent.So,Iwantthesehorsesunsaddled,rubbeddown,fedandwateredatonce.Theywillneedoatsandhay,andablanketforeachofthem,nowgetmoving.’

Thesoldiershurriedaway,scatteringinalldirections,andwithinafewminutesTopthornandIwerebeinglavishedwithallmannerofclumsykindness.Noneofthemhadhandledahorsebeforeitseemed,butthatdidnotmattertoussogratefulwereweforallthefoddertheybroughtusandthewater.Welackedfornothingthatmorning,andallthetimethetallofficersupervisedfromunderthetrees,leaningonhisstick.Fromtimetotimehewouldcomeuptousandrunhishandalongourbacksandoverourquarters,noddinghisapprovalandlecturinghismenonthefinerpointsofhorsebreedingasheexaminedus.Afteratimehewasjoinedbyamaninawhite

coatwhoemergedfromthetent,hishairdishevelled,hisfacepalewithexhaustion.Therewasbloodonhiscoat.

‘Headquartersphonedthroughaboutthehorses,HerrHauptmann,’saidthemaninwhite.‘AndtheysayIamtokeepthemforthestretchercases.IknowyourviewsonthematterHauptmann,butI’mafraidyoucannothavethem.Weneedthemheredesperately,andthewaythingsaregoingIfearwewillneedmore.Thatwasjustthefirstattack–therewillbemoretocome.Weexpectasustainedoffensive–itwillbealongbattle.Wearethesameonbothsides,oncewestartsomethingweseemtohavetoproveapointandthattakestimeandlives.We’llneedalltheambulancetransportwecanget,motorisedorhorse.’

Thetallofficerdrewhimselfuptohisfullheight,andbristledwithindignation.Hewasaformidablesightasheadvancedonthemaninwhite.‘Doctor,youcannotputfineBritishcavalryhorsestopullingcarts!Anyofourhorseregiments,myownRegimentofLancersindeed,wouldbeproud,indeedoverwhelmedtohavesuchsplendidcreaturesintheirranks.Youcannotdoit,Doctor,Iwillnotpermitit.’

‘HerrHauptmann,’saidthedoctorpatiently–hewasclearlynotatallintimidated.‘Doyoureallyimaginethatafterthismorning’smadnessthateithersidewillbeusingcavalryagaininthiswar?Canyounotunderstandthatweneedtransport,HerrHauptmann?Andweneeditnow.Therearemen,bravemen,GermanandEnglishlyingoutthereonstretchersinthetrenchesandatpresentthere’snotenoughtransporttobringthembacktothehospitalhere.Nowdoyouwantthemalltodie,HerrHauptmann?Tellmethat.Doyouwantthemtodie?Ifthesehorsescouldbehitcheduptoacarttheycouldbringthembackintheirdozens.Wejustdonothaveenoughambulancestocope,andwhatwedohavebreakdownorgetstuckinthemud.Please,HerrHauptmann.Weneedyourhelp.’

‘Theworld,’saidtheGermanofficer,shakinghishead,‘theworldhasgonequitemad.Whennoblecreaturessuchastheseareforcedtobecomebeastsofburden,theworldhasgonemad.ButIcanseethatyouareright.Iamalancer,HerrDoctor,butevenIknowthatmenaremoreimportantthanhorses.Butyoumustseetoitthatyouhavesomeoneinchargeofthesetwowhoknowshorses–Idon’twantanydirty-fingeredmechanicgettinghishandsonthesetwo.Andyoumusttellthemthattheyareridinghorses.Theywon’ttakekindlytopullingcarts,nomatterhownoblethecause.’

‘Thankyou,HerrHauptmann,’saidthedoctor.‘Youaremostkind,butIhaveaproblem,HerrHauptmann.AsIamsureyouwillagree,theywillneed

anexperttomanagethemtostartwith,particularlyiftheyhaveneverbeenputinacartbefore.TheproblemisthatIhaveonlymedicalorderlieshere.True,oneofthemhasworkedhorsesonafarmbeforethewar;buttotellyouthetruth,HerrHauptmann,Ihavenoonewhocouldmanagethesetwo–noonethatisexceptyou.YouareduetogotoBaseHospitalonthenextconvoyofambulances,buttheywon’tbeherebeforethisevening.Iknowit’salottoaskofawoundedman,butyoucanseehowdesperateIam.Thefarmerdownbelowhasseveralcarts,andIshouldimaginealltheharnessyouwouldneed.Whatdoyousay,HerrHauptmann?Canyouhelpme?’

Thebandagedofficerlimpedbacktowardsusandstrokedournosestenderly.Thenhesmiledandnodded.‘Verywell.It’sasacrilege,Doctor,asacrilege,’hesaid.‘Butifit’sgottobedone,thenI’dratherdoitmyselfandseeitisdoneproperly.’

Sothatsameafternoonafterourcapture,TopthornandIwerehitchedupsidebysidetoanoldhaycartandwiththeofficerdirectingtwoorderlies,weweredrivenupthroughthewoodsbacktowardsthethunderofthegunfireandthewoundedthatawaitedus.Topthornwasallthetimeinagreatstateofalarmforitwasclearhehadneverpulledbeforeinhislife;andatlastIwasableinmyturntohelphim,tolead,tocompensateandtoreassurehim.Theofficerledusatfirst,limpingalongbesidemewithhisstick,buthewassoonconfidentenoughtomountthecartwiththetwoorderliesandtakethereins.‘You’vedoneabitofthisbefore,myfriend,’hesaid.‘Icantellthat.IalwaysknewtheBritishweremad.NowIknowthattheyusehorsessuchasyouascart-horses,Iamquitesureofit.That’swhatthiswarisallabout,myfriend.It’saboutwhichofusisthemadder.AndclearlyyouBritishstartedwithanadvantage.Youweremadbeforehand.’

Allthatafternoonandeveningwhilethebattleragedwetrudgeduptothelines,loadedupwiththestretchercasesandbroughtthembacktotheFieldHospital.Itwasseveralmileseachwayoverroadsandtracksfilledwithshellholesandlitteredwiththecorpsesofmulesandmen.Theartillerybarragefrombothsideswascontinuous.Itroaredoverheadalldayasthearmieshurledtheirmenateachotheracrossnoman’sland,andthewoundedthatcouldwalkpouredbackalongtheroads.Ihadseenthesamegreyfaceslookingoutfromundertheirhelmetssomewherebefore.Allthatwasdifferentweretheuniforms–theyweregreynowwithredpiping,andthehelmetswerenolongerroundwithabroadbrim.

Itwasalmostnightbeforethetallofficerleftus,wavinggoodbyetousandtothedoctorfromthebackoftheambulanceasitbumpeditswayacross

thefieldandoutofsight.Thedoctorturnedtotheorderlieswhohadbeenwithusallday.‘Seetoitthattheyarewellcaredfor,thosetwo,’hesaid.‘Theysavedgoodlivestoday,thosetwo–goodGermanlivesandgoodEnglishlives.Theydeservethebestofcare.Seetoitthattheyhaveit.’

Forthefirsttimethatnightsincewecametothewar,TopthornandIhadtheluxuryofastable.Theshedinthefarmthatlayacrossthefieldsfromthehospitalwasemptiedofpigsandpoultryandwewereledintofindarackbrimmingfullwithsweethayandbucketsofsoothing,coldwater.

Thatnightafterwehadfinishedourhay,TopthornandIwerelyingdowntogetheratthebackoftheshed.Iwashalfawakeandcouldthinkonlyofmyachingmusclesandsorefeet.Suddenlythedoorcreakedopenandthestablefilledwithaflickeringorangelight.Behindthelighttherewerefootsteps.WelookedupandIwasseizedatthatmomentwithakindofpanic.ForafleetingmomentIimaginedmyselfbackathomeinthestablewitholdZoey.Thedancinglighttriggeredoffanalarminme,remindingmeatonceofAlbert’sfather.IwasonmyfeetinaninstantandbackingawayfromthelightwithTopthornbesideme,protectingme.However,whenthevoicespokeitwasnottherasping,drunkenvoiceofAlbert’sfather,butratherasoft,gentletoneofagirl’svoice,ayounggirl.Icouldseenowthatthereweretwopeoplebehindthelight,anoldman,abentoldmaninroughclothesandclogs,andbesidehimstoodayounggirl,herheadandshoulderswrappedinashawl.

‘Thereyouare,Grandpapa,’shesaid.‘Itoldyoutheyputtheminhere.Haveyoueverseenanythingsobeautiful?Ohcantheybemine,Grandpapa?Pleasecantheybemine?’

CHAPTER10IFITISpossibletobehappyinthemiddleofanightmare,thenTopthornandIwerehappythatsummer.Everydaywehadtomakethesamehazardousjourneysuptothefrontlinewhichinspiteofalmostcontinuousoffensivesandcounter-offensivesmovedonlyamatterofafewhundredyardsineitherdirection.Haulingourambulancecartofdyingandwoundedbackfromthetrencheswebecameafamiliarsightalongthepittedtrack.Morethanoncewewerecheeredbymarchingsoldiersastheypassedus.Once,afterwehadploddedon,tootiredtobefearful,throughadevastatingbarragethatstraddledtheroadinfrontofusandbehindus,oneofthesoldierswithhistuniccoveredinbloodandmud,cameandstoodbymyheadandthrewhisgoodarmaroundmyneckandkissedme.

‘Thankyou,myfriend,’hesaid.‘Ineverthoughttheywouldgetusoutofthathell-hole.Ifoundthisyesterday,andthoughtaboutkeepingitformyself,butIknowwhereitbelongs.’Andhereachedupandhungamuddiedribbonaroundmyneck.TherewasanIronCrossdanglingontheendofit.‘You’llhavetoshareitwithyourfriend,’hesaid.‘Theytellmeyou’rebothEnglish.IbetyouarethefirstEnglishinthiswartowinanIronCross,andthelastIshouldn’twonder.’Thewaitingwoundedoutsidethehospitaltentclappedandcheeredustotheecho,bringingdoctors,nursesandpatientsrunningoutofthetenttoseewhattherecouldbetoclapaboutinthemidstofallthismisery.

TheyhungourIronCrossonanailoutsideourstabledoorandontherarequietdays,whentheshellingstoppedandwewerenotneededtomakethejourneyuptothefront,afewofthewalkingwoundedwouldwanderdownfromthehospitaltothefarmyardtovisitus.Iwaspuzzledbythisadulationbutlovedit,thrustingmyheadoverthehighstabledoorwheneverIheardthemcomingintotheyard.SidebysideTopthornandIwouldstandatthedoortoreceiveourunlimitedrationofcomplimentsandadoration–andofcoursethiswassometimesaccompaniedbyawelcomegiftofperhapsalumpofsugaroranapple.

Butitwastheeveningsofthatsummerthatstaysostronginmymemory.Oftenitwouldnotbeuntilduskthatwewouldclatterintotheyard;andthere,alwayswaitingbythestabledoorwouldbethelittlegirlandhergrandfatherwhohadcometousthatfirstevening.Theorderliessimply

handedusoverintotheircharge–andthatwasjustaswell,forkindastheyweretheyhadnonotionabouthorses.ItwaslittleEmilieandhergrandfatherwhoinsistedthattheyshouldlookafterus.Theyrubbedusdownandsawtooursoresandbruises.Theyfedus,wateredusandgroomedusandsomehowalwaysfoundenoughstrawforadrywarmbed.Emiliemadeuseachafringetotieoveroureyestokeepthefliesfrombotheringus,andinthewarmsummereveningsshewouldleadusouttograzeinthemeadowbelowthefarmhouseandstayedwithuswatchingusgrazinguntilhergrandfathercalledusinagain.

Shewasatiny,frailcreature,butledusaboutthefarmwithcompleteconfidence,chattingallthewhileaboutwhatshehadbeendoingallthedayandabouthowbravewewereandhowproudshewasofus.

Aswintercameonagainandthegrasslostitsflavourandgoodness,shewouldclimbupintotheloftabovethestableandthrowdownourhayforus,andshewouldliedownontheloftfloorlookingatusthroughthetrapdoorwhilewepulledthehayfromtherackandateit.Thenwithhergrandfatherbusyinghimselfaboutusshewouldprattleonmerrilyabouthowwhenshewasolderandstrongerandwhenthesoldiershadallgonehomeandthewarwasovershewouldrideusherselfthroughthewoods–oneatatime,shesaid–andhowwewouldneverwantforanythingifonlywewouldstaywithherforever.

TopthornandIwerebynowseasonedcampaigners,anditmaywellhavebeenthatthatdroveusonoutthroughtheroaroftheshell-firebacktowardsthetrencheseachmorning,buttherewasmoretoitthanthat.ForusitwasthehopethatwewouldbebackthateveninginourstableandthatlittleEmiliewouldbetheretocomfortandtoloveus.Wehadthattolookforwardtoandtolongfor.Anyhorsehasaninstinctivefondnessforchildrenfortheyspeakmoresoftly,andtheirsizeprecludesanythreat;butEmiliewasaspecialchildforus,forshespenteveryminuteshecouldwithusandlavisheduswithheraffection.Shewouldbeuplateeveryeveningwithusrubbingusdownandseeingtoourfeet,andbeupagainatdawntoseeusfedproperlybeforetheorderliesledusawayandhitchedusuptotheambulancecart.Shewouldclimbthewallbythepondandstandtherewaving,andalthoughIcouldneverturnround,Iknewshewouldstaythereuntiltheroadtookusoutofsight.Andthenshewouldbetherewhenwecamebackintheevening,claspingherhandsinexcitementasshewatchedusbeingunhitched.

Butoneeveningattheonsetofwintershewasnottheretogreetusasusual.Wehadbeenworkedevenharderthatdaythanusual,forthefirst

snowsofwinterhadblockedtheroaduptothetrenchestoallbutthehorse-drawnvehiclesandwehadtomaketwicethenumberoftripstobringinthewounded.Exhausted,hungryandthirstywewereledintoourstablebyEmilie’sgrandfather,whosaidnotawordbutsawtousquicklybeforehurryingbackacrosstheyardtothehouse.TopthornandIspentthateveningbythestabledoorwatchingthegentlefallofsnowandtheflickeringlightinthefarmhouse.Weknewsomethingwaswrongbeforetheoldmancamebackandtoldus.

Hecamelateatnight,hisfeetcrumpingthesnow.Hehadmadeupthebucketsofhotmashwehadcometoexpectandhesatdownonthestrawbeneaththelanternandwatcheduseat.‘Shepraysforyou,’hesaid,noddingslowly.‘Doyouknow,everynightbeforeshegoestobedshepraysforyou?I’veheardher.Shepraysforherdeadfatherandmother–theywerekilledonlyaweekafterthewarbegan.Oneshell,that’sallittakes.Andshepraysforherbrotherthatshe’llneverseeagain–justseventeenandhedoesn’tevenhaveagrave.It’sasifheneverlivedexceptinourminds.Thenshepraysformeandforthewartopassbythefarmandtoleaveusalone,andlastofallshepraysforyoutwo.Shepraysfortwothings:firstthatyoubothsurvivethewarandliveonintoripeoldage,andsecondlythatifyoudoshedearlywantstobetheretobewithyou.She’sbarelythirteen,myEmilie,andnowshe’slyingupthereinherroomandIdon’tknowifshe’lllivetoseethemorning.TheGermandoctorfromthehospitaltellsmeit’spneumonia.He’sagoodenoughdoctorevenifheisGerman–he’sdonehisbest,it’suptoGodnow,andsofarGodhasn’tdonetoowellformyfamily.Ifshegoes,ifmyEmiliedies,thentheonlylightleftinmylifewillbeputout.’Helookedupatusthroughheavilywrinkledeyesandwipedthetearsfromhisface.‘IfyoucanunderstandanythingofwhatIsaid,thenprayforhertowhateverHorseGodyouprayto,prayforherlikeshedoesforyou.’

Therewasheavyshellingallthatnight,andbeforedawnthenextdaytheorderliescameforusandledusoutintothesnowtobehitchedup.TherewasnosignofEmilienorhergrandfather.Pullingthecartthroughthefresh,uncutsnowthatmorning,TopthornandIneededallourstrengthjusttohaultheemptycartuptothefrontline.Thesnowdisguisedperfectlytherutsandshellholes,sothatwefoundourselvesstrainingtoextricateourselvesfromthepiled-upsnowandthesinkingmudbeneathit.

Wemadeittothefrontline,butonlywiththehelpofthetwoorderlies,whojumpedoutwheneverwewereindifficultiesandturnedthewheelsoverbyhanduntilwewerefreeagainandthecartcouldgathermomentumthroughthesnowoncemore.

Thefielddressingstationbehindthefrontlinewascrowdedwithwoundedandwehadtobringbackaheavierloadthanweeverhadbefore,butfortunatelythewaybackwasmostlydownhill.SomeonesuddenlyremembereditwasChristmasmorning,andtheysangslowtunefulcarolsallthewayback.Forthemostparttheywerecasualtiesblindedbygasandintheirpainsomeofthemcried,astheysang,fortheirlostsight.Wemadesomanyjourneysthatdayandstoppedonlywhenthehospitalcouldtakenomore.

Itwasalreadyastarrynightbythetimewereachedthefarm.Theshellinghadstopped.Therewerenoflarestolightuptheskyandblotoutthestars.Allthewayalongthelanenotagunfired.Peacehadcomeforonenight,oneatleast.Thesnowintheyardwascrispedbythefrost.TherewasadancinglightinourstableandEmilie’sgrandfathercameoutintothesnowandtookourreinsfromtheorderly.

‘It’safinenight,’hesaidtousasheledusin.‘It’safinenightandall’swell.There’smashandhayandwaterinthereforyou–I’vegivenyouextratonight,notbecauseit’scoldbutbecauseyouprayed.YoumusthaveprayedtothatHorseGodofyoursbecausemyEmiliewokeupatlunchtime,satupshedid,anddoyouknowthefirstthingshesaid?I’lltellyou.Shesaid,“Imustgetup,gottogettheirmashreadyforthemwhentheycomeback.They’llbecoldandtired,”shesaid.TheonlywaythatGermandoctorcouldgethertostayinbedwastopromiseyouextrarationstonight,andshemadehimpromisetogoonwiththemaslongasthecoldweatherlasted.Sogoinsidemybeautiesandeatyourfill.We’veallhadaChristmaspresenttoday,haven’twe?All’swell,Itellyou.All’swell.’

CHAPTER11ANDALLWAStostaywellforatimeatleast.Forthewarsuddenlymovedawayfromusthatspring.Weknewitwasnotoverforwecouldstillheardistantthunderofthegunsandthetroopscamemarchingthroughthefarmyardfromtimetotimeuptowardstheline.Buttherewerefewerwoundednowtobringinandwewereneededlessandlesstopullourambulancecartbackandforthfromthetrenches.TopthornandIwereputouttograssinthemeadowbythepondmostdays,buttheeveningswerestillcoldwiththeoccasionalfrostandourEmiliewouldalwayscometogetusinbeforedark.Shedidnotneedtoleadus.Shehadbuttocallandwefollowed.

Emiliewasstillweakfromherillnessandcoughedagreatdealasshefussedaroundusinthestable.FromtimetotimenowshewouldheaveherselfupontomybackandIwouldwalksogentlyaroundtheyardandoutintothemeadowwithTopthornfollowingclosebehind.Sheusednoreinsonme,nosaddle,nobits,nospurs,andsatastridemenotasmymistressbutratherasafriend.Topthornwasjustthatmuchtallerandbroaderthanmeandshefounditverydifficulttomounthimandevenmoredifficulttogetdown.Sometimesshewouldusemeasastepping-stonetoTopthorn,butitwasadifficultmanoeuvreforherandmorethanonceshefelloffintheattempt.

ButbetweenTopthornandmetherewasneveranyjealousyandhewasquitecontenttoplodaroundbesideusandtakeheronboardwhenevershefeltlikeit.Oneeveningwewereoutinthemeadowshelteringunderthechestnuttreefromtheheatofthenewsummersunwhenweheardthesoundofanapproachingconvoyoflorriescomingbackfromthefront.Astheycamethroughthefarmgatetheycalledouttousandwerecognisedthemastheorderlies,nursesanddoctorsfromthefieldhospital.Astheconvoystoppedintheyardwegallopedovertothegatebythepondandlookedover.Emilieandhergrandfatheremergedfromthemilkingshedandweredeepinconversationwiththedoctor.Quitesuddenlywefoundourselvesbesiegedbyalltheorderlieswehadcometoknowsowell.Theyclimbedthefenceandpattedandsmootheduswithgreataffection.Theywereexuberantyetsome-howsadatthesametime.Emiliewasrunningovertowardsusshoutingandscreaming.

‘Iknewitwouldhappen,’shesaid.‘Iknewit.Iprayedforittohappenanditdidhappen.Theydon’tneedyouanymoretopulltheircarts.They’re

movingthehospitalfurtherupalongthevalley.There’sabig,bigbattlegoingonupthereandsothey’removingawayfromus.Buttheydon’twanttotakeyouwiththem.ThatkinddoctorhastoldGrandpapathatyoucanbothstay–it’sakindofpaymentforthecarttheyusedandthefoodtheytookandbecausewelookedafteryouthroughoutallthewinter.Hesaysyoucanstayandworkonthefarmuntilthearmyneedsyouagain–andtheyneverwill,andiftheyeverdidI’dhideyou.We’llneverletthemtakeyouaway,willwe,Grandpapa?Never,never.’

Andsoafterthelong,sadfarewellstheconvoymovedawayuptheroadinacloudofdustandwewereleftaloneandinpeacewithEmilieandhergrand-father.Thepeacewastoprovesweetbutshort-lived.

TomygreatdelightIfoundmyselfoncemoreafarmhorse.WithTopthornharnessedupbesidemewesettoworktheverynextdaycuttingandturningthehay.WhenEmilieprotested,afterthatfirstlongdayinthefields,thathergrandfatherwasworkingustoohard,heputhishandsonhershouldersandsaid,‘NonsenseEmilie.Theyliketowork.Theyneedtowork.Andbesidestheonlywayforustogoonliving,Emilie,istogoonlikewedidbefore.Thesoldiershavegonenowsoifwepretendhardenoughthenmaybethewarwillgoawayaltogether.Wemustliveaswehavealwayslived,cuttingourhay,pickingourapplesandtillingoursoil.Wecannotliveasiftherewillbenotomorrow.Wecanliveonlyifweeat,andourfoodcomesfromtheland.Wemustworkthelandifwewanttoliveandthesetwomustworkitwithus.Theydon’tmind,theylikethework.Lookatthem,Emilie,dotheylookunhappy?’

ForTopthornthetransitionfrompullinganambulancecarttopullingahayturnerwasnotadifficultoneandheadaptedeasily;andformeitwasadreamIhaddreamedmanytimessinceIhadleftthefarminDevon.Iwasworkingoncemorewithhappy,laughingpeoplearoundmewhocaredforme.Wepulledwithawillthatharvest,TopthornandI,haulingintheheavyhaywagonstothebarnswhereEmilieandhergrandfatherwouldunload.AndEmiliecontinuedtowatchoveruslovingly–everyscratchandbruisewastendedtoatonceandhergrandfatherwasneverallowedtoworkusfortoolonghowevermuchheargued.Butthereturntothepeacefullifeofafarmhorsecouldnotlastlong,notinthemiddleofthatwar.

Thehaywasalmostallgatheredinwhenthesoldierscamebackagainoneevening.Wewereinourstableswhenweheardthesoundofapproachinghoofbeatsandtherumblingofwheelsonthecobble-stonesasthecolumncametrottingintotheyard.Thehorses,sixatatime,wereyokedtogreat

heavyguns,andtheystoodintheirtracespuffingandblowingwithexertion.Eachpairwasriddenbymenwhosefacesweresevereandhardundertheirgreycaps.Inoticedatoncethatthesewerenotthegentleorderliesthathadleftusonlyafewshortweeksbefore.Theirfaceswerestrangeandharshandtherewasanewalarmandurgencyintheireyes.Fewofthemseemedtolaughorevensmile.Thesewereadifferentbreedofmenfromthosewehadseenbefore.OnlyoneoldsoldierwhodrovetheammunitioncartcameovertostrokeusandspokekindlytolittleEmilie.

AfterabriefconsultationwithEmilie’sgrandfathertheartillerytroopbivouackedinourmeadowthatnight,wateringthehorsesinourpond.TopthornandIwereexcitedbythearrivalofnewhorsesandspentalleveningwithourheadsoverthestabledoorneighingtothem,butmostofthemseemedtootiredtoreply.Emiliecametotellusaboutthesoldiersthateveningandwecouldseeshewasworriedforshewouldtalkonlyawhisper.

‘Grandpapadoesn’tlikethemhere,’shesaid.‘Hedoesn’ttrusttheofficer,sayshe’sgoteyeslikeawaspandyoucan’ttrustawasp.Butthey’llbegoneinthemorning,thenwe’llbeonourownagain.’

Earlythatnextmorning,asthedarkofnightleftthesky,avisitorcametoourstables.Itwasapale,thinmanindustyuniformwhopeeredoverthedoortoinspectus.Hehadeyesthatstoodoutofhisfaceinapermanentstareandheworeapairofwire-framedspectaclesthroughwhichhewatchedusintently,noddingashedidso.Hestoodafewminutesandthenleft.

Byfulllighttheartillerytroopwasdrawnupintheyardandreadytomove,therewasaloudandincessantknockingonthefarmhousedoorandwesawEmilieandhergrandfathercomeoutintotheyardstilldressedintheirnight-clothes.‘Yourhorses,Monsieur,’thebespectacledofficerannouncedbaldly,‘Ishallbetakingyourhorseswithus.IhaveoneteamwithonlyfourhorsesandIneedtwomore.Theylookfine,stronganimalsandtheywilllearnquickly.Wewillbetakingthemwithus.’

‘ButhowcanIworkmyfarmwithouthorses?’Emilie’sgrandfathersaid.‘Theyarejustfarmhorses,theywon’tbeabletopullguns.’

‘Sir,’saidtheofficer,‘thereisawaronandIhavetohavehorsesformyguns.Ihavetotakethem.Whatyoudoonyourfarmisyourownbusiness,butImusthavethehorses.Thearmyneedsthem.’

‘Butyoucan’t,’Emiliecried.‘They’remyhorses.Youcan’ttakethem.Don’tletthem,Grandpapa,don’tletthem,pleasedon’tletthem.’

Theoldmanshruggedhisshoulderssadly.‘Mychild,’hesaidquietly.

‘WhatcanIdo?HowcouldIstopthem?DoyousuggestIcutthemtopieceswithmyscythe,orlayaboutthemwithmyaxe?Nomychild,weknewitmighthappenoneday,didn’twe?Wetalkedaboutitoftenenough,didn’twe?Weknewtheywouldgooneday.NowIwantnotearsinfrontofthesepeople.You’retobeproudandstronglikeyourbrotherwasandI’llnothaveyouweakeninfrontofthem.Goandsayyourgood-byestothehorses,Emilie,andbebrave.’

LittleEmilieledustothebackofthestableandslippedourhalterson,carefullyarrangingourmanessothattheywerenotsnaggedbytherope.Thenshereachedupandputherarmsaboutus,leaningherheadintoeachofusinturnandcryingsoftly.‘Comeback,’shesaid.‘Pleasecomebacktome.Ishalldieifyoudon’tcomeback.’Shewipedhereyesandpushedbackherhairbeforeopeningthestabledoorandleadingusoutintotheyard.Shewalkedusdirectlytowardstheofficerandhandedoverthereins.‘Iwantthemback,’shesaid,hervoicestrongnow,almostfierce.‘I’mjustlendingthemtoyou.Theyaremyhorses.Theybelonghere.Feedthemwellandlookafterthemandmakesureyoubringthemback.’Andshewalkedpasthergrandfatherandintothehousewithouteventurninground.

Asweleftthefarm,hauledunwillinglyalongbehindtheammunitioncart,IturnedandsawEmilie’sgrandfatherstillstandingintheyard.Hewassmilingandwavingatusthroughhistears.Thentheropejerkedmyneckviolentlyaroundandjoltedmeintoatrot,andIrecalledthetimeoncebeforewhenIhadbeenropeduptoacartanddraggedawayagainstmywill.ButatleastthistimeIhadmyTopthornwithme.

CHAPTER12PERHAPSITWASthecontrastwiththefewidyllicmonthswehadspentwithEmilieandhergrandfatherthatmadewhatfollowedsoharshandsobitteranexperienceforTopthornandme;orperhapsitwasjustthatthewarwasallthetimebecomingmoreterrible.Inplacesnowthegunswerelineduponlyafewyardsapartformilesandmilesandwhentheysoundedouttheirfurytheveryearthshookbeneathus.Thelinesofwoundedseemedinterminablenowandthecountrysidewaslaidwasteformilesbehindthetrenches.

Theworkitselfwascertainlynoharderthanwhenwehadbeenpullingtheambulancecart,butnowwewerenolongerstabledeverynight,andofcoursewenolongerhadtheprotectionofourEmilietorelyon.Suddenlythewarwasnolongerdistant.Wewerebackamongstthefearfulnoiseandstenchofbattle,haulingourgunthroughthemud,urgedonandsometimeswhippedonbymenwhodisplayedlittlecareorinterestinourwelfarejustsolongaswegotthegunswheretheyhadtogo.Itwasnotthattheywerecruelmen,butjustthattheyseemedtobedrivennowbyafearfulcompulsionthatleftnoroomandnotimeforpleasantnessorconsiderationeitherforeachotherorforus.

Foodwasscarcernow.Wereceivedourcornrationonlyspasmodicallyaswintercameonagainandtherewasonlyameagrehayrationforeachofus.Onebyonewebegantoloseweightandcondition.Atthesametimethebattlesseemedtobecomemorefuriousandprolongedandweworkedlongerandharderhourspullinginfrontofthegun;wewerepermanentlysoreandpermanentlycold.Weendedeverydaycoveredinalayerofcold,drippingmudthatseemedtoseepthroughandchillustothebones.

Thegunteamwasamotleycollectionofsixhorses.Ofthefourwejoinedonlyonehadtheheightandthestrengthtopullasagunhorseshould,agreathulkofahorsetheycalledHeiniewhoseemedquiteunper-turbedbyallthatwasgoingonaroundhim.Therestoftheteamtriedtoliveuptohisexample,butonlyTopthornsucceeded.HeinieandTopthornweretheleadingpair,andIfoundmyselfinthetracesbehindTopthornnexttoathin,wirylittlehorsetheycalledCoco.Hehadadisplayofwhitepatch-marksoverhisfacethatoftencausedamusementamongstthesoldiersaswepassedby.ButtherewasnothingfunnyaboutCoco–hehadthenastiesttemperofanyhorse

Ihadevermet,eitherbeforeorsince.WhenCocowaseatingnoone,neitherhorsenorman,venturedwithinbitingorkickingdistance.Behinduswasaperfectlymatchedpairofsmallerdun-colouredponieswithflaxenmanesandtails.Noonecouldtellthemapart,eventhesoldiersreferredtothemnotbynamebutmerelyas‘thetwogoldenHaflingers’.Becausetheywereprettyandinvariablyfriendlytheyreceivedmuchattentionandevenalittleaffectionfromthegunners.Theymusthavebeenanincongruousbutcheeringsighttothetiredsoldiersaswetrottedthroughtheruinedvillagesuptothefront.Therewasnodoubtthattheyworkedashardastherestofusandthatinspiteoftheirdiminutivesizetheywereatleastourequalsinstamina;butinthecantertheyactedasabrake,slowedusdownandspoiledtherhythmoftheteam.

StrangelyenoughitwasthegiantHeiniewhoshowedthefirstsignsofweakness.Thecoldsinkingmudandthelackofproperfodderthroughthatappallingwinterbegantoshrinkhismassiveframeandreducedhimwithinmonthstoapoor,skinnylookingcreature.Sotomydelight–andImustconfessit–theymovedmeupintotheleadingpairwithTopthorn;andHeiniedroppedbacknowtopullalongsidelittleCocowhohadbeguntheordealwithlittlestrengthinreserve.Theybothwentrapidlydownhilluntilthetwoofthemwereonlyanyuseforpullingonflat,hardsurfaces,andsincewescarcelyevertravelledoversuchgroundtheyweresoonoflittleuseintheteam,andmadetheworkfortherestofusthatmuchmorearduous.

Eachnightwespentinthelinesuptoourhocksinfreezingmud,inconditionsfarworsethanthatfirstwinterofthewarwhenTopthornandIhadbeencavalryhorses.Theneachhorsehadhadatrooperwhodidallhecouldtocareforusandcomfortus,butnowtheefficiencyofthegunwasthefirstpriorityandwecameaverypoorsecond.Weweremereworkhorses,andtreatedassuch.Thegunnersthemselvesweregreyinthefacewithexhaustionandhunger.Survivalwasallthatmatteredtothemnow.OnlythekindoldgunnerIhadnoticedthatfirstdaywhenweweretakenfromthefarmseemedtohavethetimetostaywithus.Hefeduswithhardbitsofcrumblyblackbreadandspentmoretimewithusthanwithhisfellowsoldierswhomheseemedtoavoidallhecould.Hewasanuntidy,portlylittlemanwhochuckledincessantlyandwouldtalkmoretohimselfthantoanyoneelse.

Theeffectsofcontinualexposure,under-feedingandhardworkwerenowapparentinallofus.Fewofushadanyhairgrowingonourlowerlegsandtheskinbelowwasamassofcrackedsores.EventheruggedlittleHaflingersbegantolosecondition.LikealltheothersIfoundeverystepItooknowexcruciatinglypainfulparticularlyinmyforelegswhichwere

crackingbadlyfromthekneesdownwards,andtherewasnotahorseintheteamthatwasnotwalkinglame.Thevetstreatedusasbesttheycould,andeventhemosthard-heartedofthegunnersseemeddisturbedasourconditionworsened,buttherewasnothinganyonecoulddountilthemuddisappeared.

Thefieldvetsshooktheirheadsindespair,andpulledbackthosetheycouldforrestandrecuperation;butsomehaddeterioratedsomuchthattheywereledawayandshotthereandthenafterthevet’sinspection.Heiniewentthatwayonemorning,andwepassedhimlyinginthemud,acollapsedwreckofahorse;andsoeventuallydidCocowhowashitinhisneckbyflyingshrapnelandhadtobedestroyedwherehelaybythesideoftheroad.NomatterhowmuchIdislikedhim–andhewasaviciousbeast–itwasapiteousandterriblesighttoseeafellowcreaturewithwhomIhadpulledforsolong,discardedandforgotteninaditch.

ThelittleHaflingersstayedwithusallthroughthewinterstrainingtheirbroadbacksandpullingagainstthetraceswithallthestrengththeycouldmuster.Theywerebothgentleandkind,withnotashredofaggressionintheircourageoussouls,andTopthornandIcametolovethemdearly.Intheirturntheylookeduptousforsupportandfriendshipandwegavebothwillingly.

IfirstnoticedthatTopthornwasfailingwhenIfeltthegunpullingmoreheavilythanbefore.Wewerefordingasmallstreamwhenthewheelsofthegunbecamestuckinthemud.Iturnedquicklytolookathimandsawhimsuddenlylabouringandlowinhisstride.HiseyestoldmethepainhewassufferingandIpulledallthehardertoenablehimtoeaseup.

ThatnightwiththerainsheetingdownrelentlesslyonourbacksIstoodoverhimashelaydowninthemud.Helaynotonhisstomachashealwaysdid,butstretchedoutonhisside,liftinghisheadfromtimetotimeasspasmsofcoughingshookhim.Hecoughedintermittentlyallnightandsleptonlyfitfully.Iworriedoverhim,nuzzlinghimandlickinghimtotrytokeephimwarmandtoreassurehimthathewasnotaloneinhispain.IconsoledmyselfwiththethoughtthatnohorseIhadeverseenhadthepowerandstaminaofTopthornandthathemusthaveareservoirofgreatstrengthtofallbackoninhissickness.

Andsureenoughhewasuponhisfeetthenextmorningbeforethegunnerscametofeedusourrationofcorn,andalthoughhisheadhunglowerthanusualandhemovedonlyponderously,Icouldseethathehadthestrengthtosurviveifonlyhecouldrest.

Inoticedhoweverthatwhenthevetcamethatdaycheckingalongthelines,helookedlongandhardatTopthornandlistenedcarefullytohischest.‘He’sastrongone,’Iheardhimtellthespectacledofficer–amanwhomnooneliked,neitherhorsesnormen.‘There’sfinebreedinghere,toofineperhapsHerrMajor,couldwellbehisundoing.He’stoofinetopullagun.I’dpullhimout,butyouhavenohorsetotakehisplace,haveyou?He’llgoonIsuppose,butgoeasyonhim,HerrMajor.Taketheteamasslowasyoucan,elseyou’llhavenoteam,andwithoutyourteamyourgunwon’tbealotofuse,willit?’

‘Hewillhavetodowhattheothersdo,HerrDoctor,’saidthemajorinasteelyvoice.‘Nomoreandnoless.Icannotmakeexceptions.Ifyoupasshimfit,he’sfitandthat’sthat.’

‘He’sfittogoon,’saidthevetreluctantly.‘ButIamwarningyouHerrMajor.Youmusttakecare.’

‘Wedowhatwecan,’saidthemajordismissively.Andtobefairtheydid.Itwasthemudthatwaskillingusonebyone,themud,thelackofshelterandthelackoffood.

CHAPTER13SOTOPTHORNCAMEintothatspringweakenedseverelybyhisillnessandstillwithahuskycough,buthehadsurvived.Wehadbothsurvived.Therewashardgroundtogoonnow,andthegrassgrewoncemoreinthefieldssothatoutbodiesbegantofilloutagain,andourcoatslosttheirwinterraggednessandshoneinthesun.Thesunshonetooonthesoldiers,whoseuniformsofgreyandredstayedcleaner.Theyshavedmoreoftennow,andtheybeganastheyalwaysdideveryspringtotalkoftheendofthewarandabouthomeandabouthowthenextattackwouldfinishitandhowtheywouldseetheirfamiliesagainsoon.Theywerehappierandsotheytreatedusthatmuchbetter.Therationsimprovedtoowiththeweatherandourgun-teamsteppedoutwithanewenthusiasmandpurpose.Thesoresdisappearedfromourlegsandwehadfullbellieseachday,allthegrasswecouldeatandoatsinplenty.

ThetwolittleHaflingerspuffedandsnortedbehindus,andtheyshamedTopthornandmeintoagallop–somethingwehadnotbeenabletoachieveallwinternomatterhowhardourriderstriedtowhipuson.Ournew-foundhealthandtheoptimismofthesinging,whistlingsoldiersbroughtustoafreshsenseofexhilarationaswerolledourgunsalongthepittedroadsintoposition.

Butthereweretobenobattlesforusthatsummer.Therewasalwayssporadicfiringandshellingbutthearmiesseemedcontenttogrowlateachotherandthreatenwithoutevercomingtogrips.Furtherawayofcourseweheardtherenewedfuryofthespringoffensiveupanddowntheline,butwewerenotneededtomoveourgunsandspentthatsummerincomparativepeacesomewaybehindthelines.Idleness,evenboredomsetinaswegrazedthelushbuttercupmeadowsandweevenbecamefatforthefirsttimesincewecametowar.PerhapsitwasbecausewebecametoofatthatTopthornandIwerechosentopulltheammunitioncartfromtherailheadsomemilesawayuptotheartillerylines,andsowefoundourselvesunderthecommandofthekindoldsoldierwhohadbeensogoodtousallwinter.

EveryonecalledhimmadoldFriedrich.Hewasthoughttobemadbecausehetalkedcontinuouslytohimselfandevenwhenhewasnottalkinghewaslaughingandchortlingatsomeprivatejokethatheneversharedwithanyone.MadoldFriedrichwastheoldsoldiertheysettoworkontasksno

oneelsewantedtodobecausehewasalwaysobligingandeveryoneknewit.

Intheheatandthedustitwastediousandstrenuousworkthatquicklytookoffourexcessweightandbegantosapourstrengthoncemore.ThecartwasalwaystooheavyforustopullbecausetheyinsistedattherailheadonfillingitupwithasmanyshellsaspossibleinspiteofFriedrich’sprotestations.Theysimplylaughedathim,ignoredhimandpiledontheshells.OnthewaybacktotheartillerylinesFriedrichwouldalwayswalkupthehills,leadingusslowlyforheknewhowheavythewagonmusthavebeen.Westoppedoftenforrestsandforwaterandhemadequitesurethatwehadmorefoodthantheotherhorseswhowererestingallthatsummer.

WecametolookforwardnowtoeachmorningwhenFriedrichwouldcometofetchusinfromthefield,putonourharnessandwewouldleavethenoiseandthebustleofthecampbehindus.WesoondiscoveredthatFriedrichwasnotintheslightestbitmad,butsimplyakindandgentlemanwhosewholenaturecriedoutagainstfightingawar.Heconfessedtousasweploddedalongtheroadtotherailheadthathelongedonlytobebackinhisbutcher’sshopinSchleiden,andthathetalkedtohimselfbecausehefeltthathewastheonlyonewhounderstoodhimselforwouldevenlistentowhathewassaying.Helaughedtohimselfhesaidbecauseifhedidnotlaughhewouldcry.

‘Itellyou,myfriends,’hesaidoneday.‘ItellyouthatIamtheonlysanemanintheregiment.It’stheothersthataremad,buttheydon’tknowit.Theyfightawarandtheydon’tknowwhatfor.Isn’tthatcrazy?Howcanonemankillanotherandnotreallyknowthereasonwhyhedoesit,exceptthattheothermanwearsadifferentcolouruniformandspeaksadifferentlanguage?Andit’smetheycallmad!YoutwoaretheonlyrationalcreaturesI’vemetinthisbenightedwar,andlikemetheonlyreasonyou’rehereisbecauseyouwerebroughthere.IfIhadthecourage–andIhaven’t–we’dtakeoffdownthisroadandnevercomeback.Butthenthey’dshootmewhentheycaughtmeandmywifeandmychildrenandmymotherandmyfatherwouldhavetheshameofitonthemforever.Asitis,I’mgoingtoliveoutthiswaras“madoldFriedrich”,sothatIcanreturnagaintoSchleidenandbecomeButcherFriedrichthateveryoneknewandrespectedbeforeallthismessbegan.’

AstheweekspasseditbecameapparentthatFriedrichtookaparticularlikingtoTopthorn.Knowinghehadbeenillhetookmoretimeandcareoverhim,attendingtotheslightestsorebeforeitcoulddevelopandmakelifeuncomfortableforTopthorn.Hewaskindtomeaswell,butIthinkhenever

hadthesameaffectionforme.ItwasnoticeablethathewouldoftenstandbackandsimplygazeatTopthornwithloveandglowingadmirationinhiseyes.Thereseemedtobeanempathybetweenthem,thatofoneoldsoldiertoanother.

ThesummerpassedslowlyintoautumnanditbecameclearthatourtimewithFriedrichwascomingtoanend.SuchwasFriedrich’sattachmenttoTopthornbynowthathevolunteeredtoridehimoutonthegunteamexercisesthatweretoprecedetheautumncampaign.Ofcourseallthegunnerslaughedatthesuggestionbuttheywerealwaysshortofgoodhorsemen–andnoonedeniedhewasthat–andsowefoundourselvestheleadingpaironceagainwithmadoldFriedrichridinguponTopthorn.Wehadfoundatlastatruefriendandonewecouldtrustimplicitly.

‘IfIhavetodieouthereawayfrommyhome,’FriedrichconfidedinTopthornoneday,‘Iwouldratherdiealongsideyou.ButI’lldomybesttoseetoitthatweallgetthroughandgetbackhome–thatmuchIpromiseyou.’

CHAPTER14SOFRIEDRICHRODEwithusthatautumndaywhenwewenttowaragain.Theguntroopwasrestingatmiddayunderthewelcomeshadeofalargechestnutwoodthatcoveredbothbanksofasilverglintingriverthatwasfullofsplashing,laughingmen.Aswemovedinamongstthetreesandthegunswereunhitched,Isawthattheentirewoodwascrowdedwithrestingsoldiers,theirhelmets,packsandrifleslyingbesidethem.Theysatbackagainstthetreessmoking,orlayoutflatontheirbacksandslept.

Aswehadcometoexpect,acrowdofthemsooncameovertofondlethetwogoldenHaflingers,butoneyoungsoldierapproachedTopthornandstoodlookingupathim,hisfacefullofopenadmiration.‘Nowthere’sahorse,’hesaid,callinghisfriendover.‘Comeandlookatthisone,Karl.Haveyoueverseenafinerlookinganimal?HehastheheadofanArab.YoucanseethespeedofanEnglishthoroughbredinhislegsandthestrengthofaHanoverianinhisbackandinhisneck.Hehasthebestofeverything,’andhereachedupandgentlyrubbedhisfistagainstTopthorn’snose.

‘Don’tyoueverthinkaboutanythingelseexcepthorses,Rudi?’saidhiscompanion,keepinghisdistance.‘ThreeyearsI’veknownyouandnotadaygoesbywithoutyougoingonaboutthewretchedcreatures.Iknowyouwerebroughtupwiththemonyourfarm,butIstillcan’tunderstandwhatitisthatyouseeinthem.Theyarejustfourlegs,aheadandatail,allcontrolledbyaverylittlebrainthatcan’tthinkbeyondfoodanddrink.’

‘Howcanyousaythat?’saidRudi.‘Justlookathim,Karl.Canyounotseethathe’ssomethingspecial?Thisoneisn’tjustanyoldhorse.There’sanobilityinhiseye,aregalserenityabouthim.Doeshenotpersonifyallthatmentrytobeandnevercanbe?Itellyou,myfriend,there’sdivinityinahorse,andspeciallyinahorselikethis.Godgotitrightthedayhecreatedthem.Andtofindahorselikethisinthemiddleofthisfilthyabominationofawar,isformelikefindingabutterflyonadungheap.Wedon’tbelonginthesameuniverseasacreaturelikethis.’

Tomethesoldiershadappearedtobecomeyoungerasthewarwenton,andcertainlyRudiwasnoexceptiontothis.Underhisshortcroppedhairthatwasstilldampfromwearinghishelmet,helookedbarelythesameageasmyAlbertasIrememberedhim.Andlikesomanyofthemnowhelooked,withouthishelmet,likeachilddressedupasasoldier.

WhenFriedrichledusdowntotherivertodrink,Rudiandhisfriendcamewithus.Topthornloweredhisheadintothewaterbesidemeandshookitvigorouslyasheusuallydid,showeringmeallovermyfaceandneck,andbringingmesweetrelieffromtheheat.Hedranklonganddeepandafterwardswestoodtogetherforafewmomentsontheriverbankwatchingthesoldiersfrolickinginthewater.Thehillbackupintothewoodswassteepandrutty,soitwasnosurprisethatTopthornstumbledonceortwice–hehadneverbeenassurefootedasIwas–butheregainedhisbalanceeachtimeandploddedonbesidemeupthehill.HoweverIdidnoticethathewasmovingratherwearilyandsluggishly,thateachstepaswewentupwasbecomingmoreandmoreofaneffortforhim.Hisbreathingwassuddenlyshortandrasping.Then,aswenearedtheshadeofthetreesTopthornstumbledtohiskneesanddidnotgetupagain.Istoppedforamomenttogivehimtimetogetup,buthedidnot.Helaywherehewas,breathingheavilyandliftedhisheadoncetolookatme.Itwasanappealforhelp–Icouldseeitinhiseyes.Thenheslumpedforwardonhisface,rolledoverandwasquitestill.Histonguehungfromhismouthandhiseyeslookedupatmewithoutseeingme.Ibentdowntonuzzlehim,pushingathisneckinafranticefforttomakehimmove,tomakehimwakeup;butIknewinstinctivelythathewasalreadydead,thatIhadlostmybestanddearestfriend.Friedrichwasdownonhiskneesbesidehim,hisearpressedtoTopthorn’schest.Heshookhisheadashesatbackandlookedupatthegroupofmenthathadbynowgatheredaroundus.‘He’sdead,’Friedrichsaidquietly,andthenmoreangrily,‘ForGod’ssake,he’sdead.’Hisfacewasheavywithsadness.‘Why?’hesaid,‘Whydoesthiswarhavetodestroyanythingandeverythingthat’sfineandbeautiful?’HecoveredhiseyeswithhishandsandRudiliftedhimgentlytohisfeet.

‘Nothingyoucando,oldman,’hesaid.‘He’swelloutofit.Comeon.’ButoldFriedrichwouldnotbeledaway.IturnedoncemoretoTopthorn,stilllickingandnuzzlinghimwherehelay,althoughIknewandindeedunderstoodbynowthefinalityofdeath,butinmygriefIfeltonlythatIwantedtostaywithhimtocomforthim.

Theveterinaryofficerattachedtothetroopcamerunningdownthehillfollowedbyalltheofficersandmeninthetroopwhohadjustheardwhathadhappened.AfterabriefinspectionhetoopronouncedTopthorntobedead.‘Ithoughtso.Itoldyouso,’hesaidalmosttohimself.‘Theycan’tdoit.Iseeitallthetime.Toomuchworkonshortrationsandlivingoutallwinter.Iseeitallthetime.Ahorselikethiscanonlystandsomuch.Heartfailure,poorfellow.Itmakesmeangryeverytimeithappens.Weshouldnottreathorseslikethis–wetreatourmachinesbetter.’

‘Hewasafriend,’saidFriedrichsimply,kneelingdownagainoverTopthornandremovinghishead-collar.ThesoldiersstoodallaroundusincompletesilencelookingdownattheprostrateformofTopthorn,inamomentofspontaneousrespectandsadness.Perhapsitwasbecausetheyhadknownhimforalongtimeandhehadinsomewaybecomepartoftheirlives.

AswestoodsilentonthehillsideIheardthefirstwhistleofashellaboveusandsawthefirstexplosionastheshelllandedintheriver.Suddenlythewoodwasalivewithshouting,rushingsoldiersandtheshellswerefallingarounduseverywhere.Themenintheriver,half-nakedandscreaming,ranupintothetreesandtheshellingseemedtofollowthem.Treescrashedtothegroundandhorsesandmencamerunningoutofthewoodinthedirectionoftheridgeaboveus.

Myfirstinclinationwastorunwiththem,torunanywheretoescapetheshelling;butTopthornlaydeadatmyfeetandIwouldnotabandonhim.Friedrichwhowasholdingmenowtriedallhecouldtodragmeawayupbehindtheshoulderofthehill,shoutingandscreamingatmetocomeifIwantedtolive;butnomancanmoveahorsethatdoesnotwishtobemoved,andIdidnotwanttogo.Astheshellingintensifiedandhefoundhimselfmoreandmoreisolatedfromhisfriendsastheyswarmedawayupthehillandoutofsight,hethrewdownmyreinsandtriedtomakehisescape.Buthewastooslowandhehadleftittoolate.Heneverreachedthewoods.HewasstruckdownonlyafewpacesfromTopthorn,rolledbackdownthehillandlaystillbesidehim.ThelastIsawofmytroopwerethebobbingwhitemanesofthetwolittleHaflingersastheystruggledtopullthegunupthroughthetreeswiththegunnershaulingfranticallyontheirreinsandstrainingtopushthegunfrombehind.

CHAPTER15ISTOODBYTopthornandFriedrichallthatdayandintothenight,leavingthemonlyoncetodrinkbrieflyattheriver.Theshellingmovedbackandforthalongthevalley,showeringgrassandearthandtreesintotheairandleavingbehindgreatcratersthatsmokedasiftheearthitselfwasonfire.ButanyfearImighthavehadwasoverwhelmedbyapowerfulsenseofsadnessandlovethatcompelledmetostaywithTopthornforaslongasIcould.IknewthatonceIlefthimIwouldbealoneintheworldagain,thatIwouldnolongerhavehisstrengthandsupportbesideme.SoIstayedwithhimandwaited.

IrememberitwasnearfirstlightandIwascroppingthegrassclosetowheretheylaywhenIheardthroughthecrumpandwhistleoftheshellsthewhiningsoundofmotorsaccompaniedbyaterrifyingrattleofsteelthatsetmyearsbackagainstmyhead.Itcamefromovertheridgefromthedirectioninwhichthesoldiershaddisappeared,agrating,roaringsoundthatcameevernearerbytheminute;andlouderagainastheshellingdiedawaycompletely.

AlthoughatthetimeIdidnotknowitassuch,thefirsttankIeversawcameovertheriseofthehillwiththecoldlightofdawnbehindit,agreatgreylumberingmonsterthatbelchedoutsmokefrombehindasitrockeddownthehillsidetowardsme.IhesitatedonlyforafewmomentsbeforeblindterrortoremeatlastfromTopthorn’ssideandsentmeboltingdownthehilltowardstheriver.IcrashedintotheriverwithoutevenknowingwhetherIshouldfindmyfeetornotandwashalf-wayupthewoodedhillontheothersidebeforeIdaredstopandturntoseeifitwasstillchasingme.Ishouldneverhavelooked,fortheonemonsterhadbecomeseveralmonstersandtheywererollinginexorablydowntowardsme,alreadypasttheplacewhereTopthornlaywithFriedrichontheshatteredhillside.Iwaited,secure,Ithought,intheshelterofthetreesandwatchedthetanksfordtheriverbeforeturningoncemoretorun.

IranIknewnotwhere.IrantillIcouldnolongerhearthatdreadfulrattleanduntilthegunsseemedfaraway.Iremembercrossingariveragain,gallopingthroughemptyfarmyards,jumpingfencesandditchesandabandonedtrenches,andclatteringthroughdeserted,ruinedvillagesbeforeIfoundmyselfgrazingthateveninginalush,wetmeadowanddrinkingfromaclear,pebblybrook.Andthenexhaustionfinallyovertookme,sappedthe

strengthfrommylegsandforcedmetoliedownandsleep.

WhenIwokeitwasdarkandthegunswerefiringoncemoreallaroundme.NomatterwhereIlookeditseemed,theskywaslitwiththeyellowflashesofgun-fireandintermittentwhiteglowinglightsthatpainedmyeyesandshowereddaylightbrieflyontothecountrysidearoundme.WhicheverwayIwentitseemedithadtobetowardstheguns.BetterthereforeIthoughttostaywhereIwas.HereatleastIhadgrassinplentyandwatertodrink.

Ihadmadeupmymindtodojustthatwhentherewasanexplosionofwhitelightabovemyheadandtherattleofamachine-gunsplitthenightair,thebulletswhippingintothegroundbesideme.Iranagainandkeptrunningintothenight,stumblingfrequentlyintheditchesandhedgesuntilthefieldslosttheirgrassandthetreesweremerestumpsagainsttheflashingskyline.WhereverIwentnowthereweregreatcratersinthegroundfilledwithmurky,stagnantwater.

ItwasasIstaggeredoutofonesuchcraterthatIlumberedintoaninvisiblecoilofbarbedwirethatfirstsnaggedandthentrappedmyforeleg.AsIkickedoutwildlytofreemyself,IfeltthebarbstearingintomyforelegbeforeIbrokeclear.FromthenonIcouldmanageonlytolimponslowlyintothenight,feelingmywayforward.EvensoImusthavewalkedformiles,butwheretoandwherefromIshallneverknow.Allthewhilemylegpulsatedwithpainandoneverysideofmethegreatgunsweresoundingoutandrifle-firespatintothenight.Bleeding,bruisedandterrifiedbeyondbelief,IlongedonlytobewithTopthornagain.Hewouldknowwhichwaytogo,Itoldmyself.Hewouldknow.

IstumbledonintothenightguidedonlybythebeliefthatwherethenightwasatitsblackesttherealoneImightfindsomesafetyfromtheshelling.Behindmethethunderandlightningofthebombardmentwassoterribleinitsintensity,turningthedeepblackofnightintounnaturalday,thatIcouldnotcontemplategoingbackeventhoughIknewthatitwasinthedirectionthatTopthornlay.Therewassomegunfireaheadofmeandonbothsidesofme,butIcouldseeawayinthedistanceablackhorizonofundisturbednightandsomovedonsteadilytowardsit.

Mywoundedlegwasstiffeningupallthetimeinthecoldofthenightanditpainedmenoweventoliftit.VerysoonIfoundIcouldputnoweightonitatall.Thiswastobethelongestnightofmylife,anightmareofagony,terrorandloneliness.Isupposeitwasonlyastronginstincttosurvivethatcompelledmetowalkonandkeptmeonmyfeet.Isensedthatmyonlychancelayinputtingthenoiseofthebattleasfarbehindmeaspossible,soI

hadtokeepmoving.Fromtimetotimeriflefireandmachine-gunfirewouldcrackleallaroundme,andIwouldstandparalysedwithfear,terrifiedtomoveinanydirectionuntilthefiringstoppedandIfoundmymusclescouldmoveoncemore.

TobeginwithIfoundthemistshoveringonlyinthedepthsofthecratersIpassed,butaftersomehoursIfoundmyselfincreasinglysurroundedinathick,smoky,autumnalmistthroughwhichIcouldseeonlythevagueshadesandshapesofdarkandlightaroundme.AlmostblindednowIreliedtotallyontheevermoredistantroarandrumbleofthebombardment,keepingitallthetimebehindmeandmovingtowardsthedarkermoresilentworldaheadofme.

DawnwasalreadybrighteningthegloomofthemistwhenIheardthesoundofhushed,urgentvoicesaheadofme.Istoodquitestillandlistened,strainingmyeyestofindthepeopletowhomtheybelonged.‘Standto,getamoveon.Getamoveonlads.’Thevoicesweremuffledinthemist.Therewasasoundofrushingfeetandclatteringrifles.‘Pickitup,lad,pickitup.Whatdoyouthinkyou’reabout?Nowcleanthatrifleoffanddoitsharpish.’AlongsilencefollowedandImovedgingerlytowardsthevoices,bothtemptedandterrifiedatthesametime.

‘Thereitisagain,Sarge.Isawsomething,honestIdid.’

‘Whatwasitthen,son?ThewholeGermanruddyarmy,orjustoneortwoofthemoutforamorningstroll?’

‘Weren’taman,Sarge,norevenaGermanneither–lookedmorelikean’orseorcowtome.’

‘Acoworahorse?Outthereinnoman’sland?Andhowtheblazesd’youthinkitgotthere?Son,you’vebeenstayinguptoolate–youreyesisplayingtricksonyou.’

‘I’eardittoo,Sarge,anall.HonestSarge,crossme’eart.’

‘Well,Ican’tseenothing,Ican’tseenothing,son,andthat’s’costhere’snothingthere.You’reallofajitterson,andyourjitteringhasbroughtthewholeruddybattaliononstand-tohalfanhourearly,andwho’sgoingtobeapopularlittleladwhenItellsthelieutenantallaboutit?Spoiledhisbeautysleep,haven’tyou,son?Yougornandwokenupallthemlovelycaptainsandmajorsandbrigadiers,andallthemnicesergeantsanall,just’cosyouthoughtyouseenaflaminghorse.’Andtheninaloudervoicethatwasintendedtocarryfurther.‘Butseeingashowwe’reallstoodtoandthere’sapea-soupflamingLondonsmogoutthere,andseeingashowJerrylikestocomea-

knockingonourlittledugoutsjustwhenwecan’tseehima-coming,Iwantsyouladstokeepyoureyespeeledbackandwideopen–thenwe’llalllivetoeatourbreakfasts,ifit’sonthismorning.There’llbearumrationcomingroundinafewminutes–that’lllightyouup–butuntilthenIwanteveryoneofyoureyesskinned.’

AshespokeIlimpedaway.Icouldfeelmyselfshakingfromheadtotailindreadfulanticipationofthenextbulletorshell,andIwantedonlytobealone,awayfromanynoisewhatever,whetherornotitappearedtobethreatening.Inmyweakened,frightenedconditionanysenseofreasonhadleftmeandIwanderednowthroughthemistsuntilmygoodlegscoulddragmenofurther.Istoodatlast,restingmybleedingleg,onasoft,freshmoundofmudbesideafoul-smelling,water-filledcrater,andIsnuffledthegroundinvainforsomethingtoeat.ButtheearthwhereIstoodwasbareofgrassandIhadneithertheenergynorthewillatthatmomenttomoveanotherstepforward.IliftedmyheadagaintolookaboutmeincaseIshoulddiscoveranygrassnearbyandasIdidsoIfeltthefirstsunlightfilterinthroughthemistandtouchmybacksendinggentleshiversofwarmththroughmycold,crampedbody.

WithinminutesthemistbegantoclearawayandIsawforthefirsttimethatIstoodinawidecorridorofmud,awasted,shatteredlandscape,betweentwovastunendingrollsofbarbedwirethatstretchedawayintothedistancebehindmeandinfrontofme.IrememberedIhadbeeninsuchaplaceoncebefore,thatdaywhenIhadchargedacrossitwithTopthornbesideme.Thiswaswhatthesoldierscalled‘noman’sland’.

CHAPTER16FROMBOTHSIDESofmeIheardagradualcrescendoofexcitementandlaughterripplingalongthetrenches,interspersedwithbarkedordersthateveryonewastokeeptheirheadsdownandnoonewastoshoot.FrommyvantagepointonthemoundIcouldseeonlyanoccasionalglimpseofasteelhelmet,myonlyevidencethatthevoicesIwashearingdidindeedbelongtorealpeople.TherewasthesweetsmellofcookingfoodwaftingtowardsmeandIliftedmynosetosavourit.Itwassweeterthanthesweetestbran-mashIhadevertastedandithadatingeofsaltaboutit.Iwasdrawnfirstonewayandthentheotherbythispromiseofwarmfood,buteachtimeInearedthetrenchesoneithersideImetanimpenetrablebarrieroflooselycoiledbarbedwire.ThesoldierscheeredmeonasIcamecloser,showingtheirheadsfullynowoverthetrenchesandbeckoningmetowardsthem;andwhenIhadtoturnbackatthewireandcrossednoman’slandtotheotherside,Iwaswelcomedagaintherebyachorusofwhistlingandclapping,butagainIcouldfindnowaythroughthewire.Imusthavecriss-crossednoman’slandformuchofthatmorning,andfoundatlonglastinthemiddleofthisblastedwildernessasmallpatchofcoarse,dankgrassgrowingonthelipofanoldcrater.

IwasbusyingmyselfattearingthelastofthisawaywhenIsaw,outofthecornerofmyeye,amaninagreyuniformclamberupoutofthetrenches,wavingawhiteflagabovehishead.Ilookedupashebegantocliphiswaymethodicallythroughthewireandthenpullitaside.Allthistimetherewasmuchargumentandnoisyconsternationfromtheotherside;andsoonasmall,helmetedfigureinaflappingkhakigreatcoatclimbedupintonoman’sland.Hetooheldupawhitehandkerchiefinonehandandbeganalsotoworkhiswaythroughthewiretowardsme.

TheGermanwasthroughthewirefirst,leavinganarrowgapbehindhim.Heapproachedmeslowlyacrossnoman’sland,callingouttomeallthewhiletocometowardshim.HeremindedmeatonceofdearoldFriedrichforhewas,likeFriedrich,agrey-hairedmaninanuntidy,unbuttoneduniformandhespokegentlytome.Inonehandheheldarope;theotherhandhestretchedouttowardsme.Hewasstillfartoofarawayformetoseeclearly,butanofferedhandinmyexperiencewasoftencuppedandtherewasenoughpromiseinthatformetolimpcautiouslytowardshim.Onbothsidesthetrencheswerelinednowwithcheeringmen,standingontheparapetswaving

theirhelmetsabovetheirheads.

‘Oi,boyo!’Theshoutcamefrombehindmeandwasurgentenoughtostopme.Iturnedtoseethesmallmaninkhakiweavingandjinkinghiswayacrossnoman’sland,onehandheldhighabovehisheadcarryingthewhitehandkerchief.‘Oi,boyo!Whereyougoing?Hangonabit.You’regoingthewrongway,see.’

Thetwomenwhowerecomingtowardsmecouldnothavebeenmoredifferent.TheoneingreywasthetallerofthetwoandashecamenearerIcouldseehisfacewaslinedandcreasedwithyears.Everythingabouthimwasslowandgentleunderhisill-fittinguniform.Heworenohelmet,butinsteadthepeaklesscapwiththeredbandIknewsowellsittingcarelesslyonthebackofhishead.Thelittlemaninkhakireachedus,outofbreath,hisfaceredandstillsmoothwithyouth,hisroundhelmetwiththebroadrimfallenaskewoveroneear.Forafewstrained,silentmomentsthetwostoodyardsapartfromeachother,eyeingoneanotherwarilyandsayingnotaword.Itwastheyoungmaninkhakiwhobrokethesilenceandspokefirst.

‘Nowwhatdowedo?’hesaid,walkingtowardsusandlookingattheGermanwhostoodheadandshouldersabovehim.‘There’stwoofushereandonehorsetosplitbetweenus.’Course,KingSolomonhadtheanswer,didn’thenow?Butit’snotverypracticalinthiscaseisit?Andwhat’sworse,Ican’tspeakawordofGerman,andIcanseeyoucan’tunderstandwhatthehellI’mtalkingabout,canyou?Ohhell,Ishouldneverhavecomeouthere,IknewIshouldn’t.Can’tthinkwhatcameoverme,andallforamuddyoldhorsetoo.’

‘ButIcan,IcanspeakalittlebadEnglish,’saidtheolderman,stillholdingouthiscuppedhandundermynose.Itwasfullofblackbreadbrokenintopieces,atitbitIwasfamiliarenoughwithbutusuallyfoundtoobitterformytaste.HoweverIwasnowtoohungrytobechoosyandashewasspeakingIsoonemptiedhishand.‘IspeakonlyalittleEnglish–likeaschoolboy–butit’senoughIthinkforus.’AndevenashespokeIfeltaropeslipslowlyaroundmyneckandtighten.‘Asforourotherproblem,sinceIhavebeenherethefirst,thenthehorseismine.Fair,no?Likeyourcricket?’

‘Cricket!Cricket!’saidtheyoungman.‘Who’severheardofthatbarbarousgameinWales?That’sagamefortherottenEnglish.Rugby,that’smygame,andthat’snotagame.That’sareligionthatis–whereIcomefrom.Iplayedscrum-halfforMaestegbeforethewarstoppedme,andatMaestegwesaythatalooseballisourball.’

‘Sorry?’saidtheGerman,hiseyebrowsfurrowedwithconcern.‘Icannotunderstandwhatyoumeanbythis.’

‘Doesn’tmatter,Jerry.Notimportant,notanymore.Wecouldhavesettledallthispeacefullike,Jerry–thethewarImean–andI’dbebackinmyvalleyandyou’dbebackinyours.Still,notyourfaultIdon’tsuppose.Normine,neithercometothat.’

Bynowthecheeringfrombothsideshadsubsidedandbotharmieslookedonintotalsilenceasthetwomentalkedtogetherbesideme.TheWelshmanwasstrokingmynoseandfeelingmyears.‘Youknowhorsesthen?’saidthetallGerman.‘Howbadishiswoundedleg?Isitbrokendoyouthink?Heseemsnottowalkonit.’

TheWelshmanbentoverandliftedmyleggentlyandexpertly,wipingawaythemudfromaroundthewound.‘He’sinamessrightenough,butIdon’tthinkit’sbroken,Jerry.It’sabadwoundthough,adeepgash–wirebythelookofit.Gottogethimseentoquickelsethepoisonwillsetinandthentherewon’tbealotanyonecoulddoforhim.Cutlikethat,hemusthavelostalotofbloodalready.Questionisthough,whotakeshim?We’vegotaveterinaryhospitalsomewherebackbehindourlinesthatcouldtakecareofhim,butIexpectyou’vegotonetoo.’

‘Yes,Ithinkso.Somewhereitmustbe,butIdonotknowexactlywhere,’theGermansaidslowly.Andthenhedugdeepinhispocketandproducedacoin.‘Youchoosethesideyouwant,“headortail”,Ithinkyousay.Iwillshowthecointoeveryoneonbothsidesandeveryonewillknowthatwhicheversidewinsthehorseitisonlybychance.Thennoonelosesanypride,yes?Andeveryonewillbehappy.’

TheWelshmanlookedupadmiringlyandsmiled.‘Allrightthen,yougoahead,Jerry,youshowthemthecoinandthenyoutossandI’llcall.’

TheGermanheldthecoinupinthesunandthenturnedafullslowcirclebeforespinningithighandglintingintotheair.AsitfelltothegroundtheWelshmancalledoutinaloud,resonantvoicesothatalltheworldcouldhear,‘Heads!’

‘Well,’saidtheGermanstoopingtopickitup.‘That’sthefaceofmyKaiserlookingupatmeoutofthemud,andhedoesnotlookpleasedwithme.SoIamafraidyouhavewon.Thehorseisyours.Takegoodcareofhim,myfriend,’andhepickeduptheropeagainandhandedittotheWelshman.Ashedidsoheheldouthisotherhandinagestureoffriendshipandreconciliation,asmilelightinghiswornface.‘Inanhour,maybe,ortwo,’he

said.‘Wewillbetryingourbestagaineachothertokill.Godonlyknowswhywedoit,andIthinkhehasmaybeforgottenwhy.GoodbyeWelshman.Wehaveshownthem,haven’twe?Wehaveshownthemthatanyproblemcanbesolvedbetweenpeopleifonlytheycantrusteachother.Thatisallitneeds,no?’

ThelittleWelshmanshookhisheadindisbeliefashetooktherope.‘Jerry,boyo,Ithinkiftheywouldletyouandmehaveanhourortwooutheretogether,wecouldsortoutthiswholewretchedmess.Therewouldbenomoreweepingwidowsandcryingchildreninmyvalleyandnomoreinyours.Iftheworsecametotheworstwecoulddecideitallontheflipofacoin,couldn’twenow?’

‘Ifwedid,’saidtheGermanwithachuckle.‘Ifwediditthatway,thenitwouldbeourturntowin.AndmaybeyourLloydGeorgewouldnotlikethat.’AndheputhishandsontheWelshman’sshouldersforamoment.‘Takecare,myfriend,andgoodluck.AufWiedersehen.’Andheturnedawayandwalkedslowlybackacrossnoman’slandtothewire.

‘Sametoyou,boyo,’theWelshmanshoutedafterhim,andthenhetooturnedandledmeawaybacktowardsthelineofkhakisoldierswhobegannowtolaughandcheerwithdelightasIlimpedtowardsthemthroughthegapinthewire.

CHAPTER17ITWASONLYwiththegreatestdifficultythatIstayedstandingonmythreegoodlegsintheveterinarywagonthatcarriedmethatmorningawayfromtheheroiclittleWelshmanwhohadbroughtmein.Amillingcrowdofsoldierssurroundedmetocheermeonmyway.ButoutonthelongrattlingroadsIwasverysoonshakenoffmybalanceandfellinanungainly,uncomfortableheaponthefloorofthewagon.Myinjuredlegthrobbedterriblyasthewagonrockedfromsidetosideonitsslowjourneyawayfromthebattlefront.Thewagonwasdrawnbytwostockyblackhorses,bothwellgroomedoutandimmaculateinwell-oiledharness.WeakenedbylonghoursofpainandstarvationIhadnotthestrengtheventogettomyfeetwhenIfeltthewheelsbelowmerunningatlastonsmoothcobblestonesandthewagoncametoajerkingstandstillinthewarm,paleautumnsunshine.MyarrivalwasgreetedbyachorusofexcitedneighingandIraisedmyheadtolook.Icouldjustseeoverthesideboardsawide,cobbledcourtyardwithmagnificentstablesoneithersideandagreathousewithturretsbeyond.Overeverystable-doorweretheheadsofinquisitivehorses,earspricked.Thereweremeninkhakiwalkingeverywhere,andafewwererunningnowtowardsme,oneofthemcarryingaropehalter.

Unloadingwaspainful,forIhadlittlestrengthleftandmylegshadgonenumbafterthelongjourney.Buttheygotmetomyfeetandwalkedmebackwardsgentlydowntheramp.Ifoundmyselfthecentreofanxiousandadmiringattentioninthemiddleofthecourtyard,surroundedbyaclusterofsoldierswhoinspectedminutelyeverypartofme,feelingmeallover.

‘Whatinthunderdoyouthinkyou’reabout,youlot?’cameaboomingvoiceechoingacrossthecourt-yard.‘It’san’orse.It’san’orsejustliketheothers.’Ahugemanwasstridingtowardsus,hisbootscrisponthecobbles.Hisheavyredfacewashalfhiddenbytheshadeofhispeakedcapthatalmosttouchedhisnoseandbyagingermoustachethatspreadupwardsfromhislipstohisears.‘Itmaybeafamous’orse.Itmaybetheonlythundering’orseinthe’olethunderingwarbroughtinalivefromnoman’sland.Butitisonlyan’orseandadirty’orseatthat.I’vehadsomeroughlookingspecimensbroughtinhereinmytime,butthisisthescruffiest,dirtiest,muddiest’orseIhaveeverseen.He’sathunderingdisgraceandyou’reallstoodaboutlookingathim.’Heworethreebroadstripesonhisarmandthecreasesinhisimmaculatekhakiuniformwererazorsharp.‘Nowthere’sahundredormore

sick’orses’ereinthis’ospitalandthere’sjusttwelveofustolookafterthem.This’ereyounglayaboutwasdetailedtolookafterthisonewhenhearrived,sotherestofyoublighterscangetbacktoyourduties.Moveit,youidlemonkeys,moveit!’Andthemenscatteredinalldirections,leavingmewithayoungsoldierwhobegantoleadmeawaytowardsastable.‘Andyou,’camethatboomingvoiceagain.‘MajorMartinwillbedownfromthe’ouseintenminutestoexaminethat’orse.Makesurethat’orseissothunderingcleanandthunderingshinyso’syoucouldusehimasashavingmirror,right?’

‘Yes,Sergeant,’camethereply.Areplythatsentasuddenshiverofrecognitionthroughme.QuitewhereIhadheardthevoicebeforeIdidnowknow.Iknewonlythatthosetwowordssentatremorofjoyandhopeandexpectationthroughmybodyandwarmedmefromtheinsideout.Heledmeslowlyacrossthecobbles,andItriedallthewhiletoseehisfacebetter.ButhekeptjustthatmuchaheadofmesothatallIcouldseewasaneatlyshavenneckandapairofpinkears.

‘Howthedivildidyougetyourselfstuckoutthereinnoman’sland,youoldsilly?’hesaid.‘That’swhateveryonewantstoknoweversincethemessagecamebackthatthey’dbebringingyouinhere.Andhowthedivildidyougetyourselfinsuchastate?Iswearthere’snotaninchofyouthatisn’tcoveredinmudorblood.Jobtotellwhatyoulooklikeunderallthatmess.Still,we’llsoonsee.I’lltieyouuphereandgettheworstofitoffintheopenair.ThenI’llbrushyouupinthepropermanneraforetheofficergetshere.Comeon,yousillyyou.OnceI’vegotyoucleanedupthentheofficercanseeyouandhe’lltidyupthenastycutofyours.Can’tgiveyoufood,I’msorrytosay,noranywater,nottillhesaysso.That’swhatthesergeanttoldme.That’sjustincasetheyhavetooperateonyou.’AndthewayhewhistledashecleanedoutthebrusheswasthewhistlethatwentwiththevoiceIknew.ItconfirmedmyrisinghopesandIknewthenthatIcouldnotbemistaken.InmyoverwhelmingdelightIreareduponmybacklegsandcriedouttohimtorecogniseme.IwantedtomakehimseewhoIwas.‘Hey,carefulthere,yousilly.Nearlyhadmyhatoff,’hesaidgently,keepingafirmholdontheropeandsmoothingmynoseashealwayshaddonewheneverIwasunhappy.‘Noneedforthat.You’llbeallright.Lotoffussaboutnothing.Knewayounghorseoncejustlikeyou,properjumpyhewastillIgottoknowhimandhegottoknowme.’

‘Youtalkingtothemhorsesagain,Albert?’cameavoicefrominsidethenextstable.‘Gawd’sstrewth!Whatmakesyouthinktheyunderstandaperishingwordyousay?’

‘Someofthemmaynot,David,’saidAlbert.‘Butoneday,onedayoneofthemwill.He’llcomeinhereandhe’llrecognisemyvoice.He’sboundtocomeinhere.Andthenyou’llseeahorsethatunderstandseverywordthat’ssaidtohim.’

‘You’renotonaboutyourJoeyagain?’Theheadthatcamewiththevoiceleantoverthestable-door.‘Won’tyounevergiveitup,Berty?I’vetoldyoubeforeifI’vetoldyouathousandtimes.Theysaythere’snearhalfamillionruddyhorsesouthereandyoujoinedtheVeterinaryCorpsjustontheoff-chanceyoumightcomeacrosshim.’IpawedthegroundwithmybadleginanefforttomakeAlbertlookatmemoreclosely,buthejustpattedmyneckandsettoworkcleaningmeup.‘There’sjustonechanceinhalfamillionthatyourJoeywalksinhere.Yougottobemorerealistic.Hecouldbedead–alotofthemare.HecouldhavegornorftoruddyPalestinewiththeYeomanry.Hecouldbeanywherealonghundredsofmilesoftrenches.Ifyouweren’tsoruddygoodwithhorses,andifyouweren’tthebestfriendIhad,I’dthinkyou’dgornandgornabitscrewythewayyougoonaboutyourJoey.’

‘You’llunderstandwhywhenyouseehim,David,’Albertsaidcrouchingdowntoscrapethecakedmudoffmyunderside.‘You’llsee.There’snohorselikehimanywhereinthewholeworld.He’sabrightredbaywithablackmaneandtail.Hehasawhitecrossonhisforeheadandfourwhitesocksthatarealleventothelastinch.Hestandsoversixteenhandsandhe’sperfectfromheadtotail.Icantellyou,Icantellyouthatwhenyouseehimyou’llknowhim.Icouldpickhimoutofacrowdofathousandhorses.There’sjustsomethingabouthim.CaptainNicholls,youknow,himthat’sdeadnow,theoneItoldyouaboutthatboughtJoeyfrommyfather,himthatsentmeJoey’spicture;heknewit.Hesawitthefirsttimeheseteyesonhim.I’llfindhim,David.That’swhatIcameallthiswayforandI’mgoingtofindhim.EitherI’llfindhim,orhe’llfindme.Itoldyou,ImadehimapromiseandI’mgoingtokeepit.’

‘You’reroundtheruddytwist,Berty,’saidhisfriendopeningastable-doorandcomingovertoexaminemyleg.‘Roundtheruddytwist,that’sallIcansay.’Hepickedupmyhoofandlifteditgently.‘Thisone’sgotawhitesockonhisfrontlegsanyway–that’sasfarasIcantellunderallthisbloodandmud.I’lljustspongethewoundawayabit,cleanitupforyouwhilstI’mhere.You’llnevergetthisonecleanedupintimeelse.AndI’vefinishedmuckingoutmyruddystables.Notalotelsetodoanditlooksasifyoucoulddowithahand.OldSergeantThunderwon’tmind,notifI’vedoneallhetoldme,andIhave.’

Thetwomenworkedtirelesslyonme,scrapingandbrushingandwashing.IstoodquitestilltryingonlytonuzzleAlberttomakehimturnandlookatme.Buthewasbusyingatmytailandmyhindquartersnow.

‘Three,’saidhisfriend,washingoffanotherofmyhooves.‘That’sthreewhitesocks.’

‘Turnitup,David,’saidAlbert.‘Iknowwhatyouthink.IknoweveryonethinksI’llneverfindhim.There’sthousandsofarmyhorseswithfourwhitesocks–Iknowthat,butthere’sonlyonewithablazeintheshapeofacrossontheforehead.Andhowmanyhorsesshineredlikefireintheeveningsun?Itellyouthere’snotanotheronelikehim,notinthewholewideworld.’

‘Four,’saidDavid.‘That’sfourlegsandfourwhitesocks.Onlythecrossonthefore’eadnow,andasplashofredpaintonthismuddymessofahorseandyou’llhaveyourJoeystanding’ere.’

‘Don’ttease,’saidAlbertquietly.‘Don’ttease,David.YouknowhowseriousIamaboutJoey.It’llmeanalltheworldtometofindhimagain.OnlyfriendIeverhadaforeIcametothewar.Itoldyou.Igrewupwithhim,Idid.OnlycreatureonthisearthIfeltanykinshipfor.’

Davidwasstandingnowbymyhead.Heliftedmymaneandbrushedgentlyatfirstthenvigorouslyatmyforehead,blowingthedustawayfrommyeyes.HepeeredcloselyandthensettoagainbrushingdowntowardstheendofmynoseandupagainbetweenmyearstillItossedmyheadwithimpatience.

‘Berty,’hesaidquietly.‘I’mnotteasing,honestI’mnot.Notnow.YousaidyourJoeyhadfourwhitesocks,alleventotheinch?Right?’

‘Right,’saidAlbert,stillbrushingawayatmytail.

‘AndyousaidJoeyhadawhitecrossonhisforehead?’

‘Right,’Albertwasstillcompletelydisinterested.

‘NowIhavenevereverseenahorselikethat,Berty,’saidDavid,usinghishandtosmoothdownthehaironmyforehead.‘Wouldn’thavethoughtitpossible.’

‘Well,itis,Itellyou,’saidAlbertsharply.‘Andhewasred,flamingredinthesunlight,likeIsaid.’

‘Iwouldn’thavethoughtitpossible,’hisfriendwenton,keepinghisvoiceincheck.‘Notuntilnowthatis.’

‘Oh,packitin,David,’Albertsaid,andtherewasagenuineirritationinhisvoicenow.‘I’vetoldyou,haven’tI?ItoldyouI’mseriousaboutJoey.’

‘SoamI,Berty.Deadserious.Nomessing,I’mserious.Thishorsehasfourwhitesocks–allevenlymarkedlikeyousaid.Thishorsehasaclearwhitecrossonhishead.Thishorse,asyoucanseeforyourself,hasablackmaneandtail.Thishorsestandsoversixteenhandsandwhenhe’scleaneduphe’lllookprettyasapicture.Andthishorseisaredbayunderallthatmud,justlikeyousaid,Berty.’

AsDavidwasspeakingAlbertsuddenlydroppedmytailandmovedslowlyaroundmerunninghishandalongmyback.Thenatlastwestoodfacingoneanother.TherewasarougherhuetohisfaceIthought;hehadmorelinesaroundhiseyesandhewasabroader,biggermaninhisuniformthanIrememberedhim.ButhewasmyAlbert,andtherewasnodoubtaboutit,hewasmyAlbert.

‘Joey?’hesaidtentatively,lookingintomyeyes.‘Joey?’Itossedupmyheadandcalledouttohiminmyhappiness,sothatthesoundechoedaroundtheyardandbroughthorsesandmentothedooroftheirstables.‘Itcouldbe,’saidAlbertquietly.‘You’rerightDavid,itcouldbehim.Itsoundslikehimeven.Butthere’sonewayIknowtobesure,’andheuntiedmyropeandpulledthehalteroffmyhead.Thenheturnedandwalkedawaytothegatewaybeforefacingme,cuppinghishandstohislipsandwhistling.Itwashisowlwhistle,thesamelow,stutteringwhistlehehadusedtocallmewhenwewerewalkingouttogetherbackathomeonthefarmallthoselongyearsbefore.Suddenlytherewasnolongeranypaininmyleg,andItrottedeasilyovertowardshimandburiedmynoseinhisshoulder.‘It’shim,David,’Albertsaid,puttinghisarmsaroundmyneckandhangingontomymane.‘It’smyJoey.I’vefoundhim.He’scomebacktomejustlikeIsaidhewould.’

‘See?’saidDavidwryly.‘WhatdidItellyou?See?Notoftenwrong,amI?’

‘Notoften,’Albertsaid.‘Notoften,andnotthistime.’

CHAPTER18INTHEEUPHORICdaysthatfollowedourreunion,thenightmareIhadlivedthroughseemedtofadeintounreality,andthewaritselfwassuddenlyamillionmilesawayandofnoconsequence.Atlasttherewerenogunstobeheard,andtheonlyvividreminderthatsufferingandconflictwasstillgoingonweretheregulararrivalsoftheveterinarywagonsfromthefront.

MajorMartincleanedmywoundandstitcheditup;andthoughatfirstIcouldstillputlittleweightonit,Ifeltinmyselfstrongerwitheverydaythatpassed.Albertwaswithmeagain,andthatinitselfwasmedicineenough;butproperlyfedoncemorewithwarmmasheachmorningandaneverendingsupplyofsweet-scentedhay,myrecoveryseemedonlyamatteroftime.Albert,liketheotherveterinaryorderlies,hadmanyotherhorsestocarefor,buthewouldspendeveryspareminutehecouldfindfussingovermeinthestable.TotheothersoldiersIwassomethingofacelebrity,soIwasscarcelyeverleftaloneinmystable.Therealwaysseemedtobeoneortwofaceslookingadmiringlyovermydoor.EvenoldThunder,astheycalledthesergeant,wouldinspectmeoverzealously,andwhentheotherswerenotabouthewouldfondlemyearsandticklemeundermythroatsaying,‘Quiteaboy,aren’tyou?ThunderingfinehorseifeverIsawone.Yougetbetternow,d’youhear?’

ButtimepassedandIdidnotgetbetter.OnemorningIfoundmyselfquiteunabletofinishmymashandeverysharpsound,likethekickofabucketortherattleoftheboltonthestabledoor,seemedtosetmeonedgeandmademesuddenlytensefromheadtotail.Myforelegsinparticularwouldnotworkastheyshould.Theywerestiffandtired,andIfeltagreatweightofpainallalongmyspine,creepingintomyneckandevenmyface.

AlbertnoticedsomethingwaswrongwhenhesawthemashIhadleftinmybucket.‘What’sthematterwithyou,Joey?’hesaidanxiously,andhereachedouthishandtostrokemeinthewayheoftendidwhenhewasconcerned.Eventhesightofhishandcomingtowardsme,normallyawelcomesignofaffection,struckanalarminme,andIbackedawayfromhimintothecornerofthestable.AsIdidsoIfoundthatthestiffnessinmyfrontlegswouldhardlyallowmetomove.Istumbledbackwards,fallingagainstthebrickwallatthebackofthestable,andleaningthereheavily.‘Ithoughtsomethingwaswrongyesterday,’saidAlbert,standingstillnowin

themiddleofthestable.‘Thoughtyouwereabitoffcolourthen.Yourback’sasstiffasaboardandyou’recoveredinsweat.Whatthedivilhaveyoubeenupto,youoldsilly?’Hemovedslowlynowtowardsmeandalthoughhistouchstillsentanirrationaltremoroffearthroughme,Istoodmygroundandallowedhimtostrokeme.‘P’rapsitwassomethingyoupickeduponyourtravels.P’rapsyouatesomethingpoisonous,isthatit?Butthenthatwouldhaveshownitselfbeforenow,surely?You’llbefine,Joey,butI’llgoandfetchMajorMartinjustincase.He’lllookyouoverandifthere’sanythingwrongputyouright“quickasatwick”,asmyfatherusedtosay.Wonderwhathewouldthinknowifhecouldseeustogether?HeneverbelievedI’dfindyoueither,saidIwasafooltogo.Saiditwasafool’serrandandthatI’dlikelygetmyselfkilledintheprocess.Buthewasadifferentman,Joey,afteryouleft.Heknewhe’ddonewrong,andthatseemedtotakeallthenastinessoutofhim.Heseemedtoliveonlytomakeupforwhathe’ddone.HestoppedhisTuesdaydrinkingsessions,lookedafterMotherasheusedtodowhenIwaslittle,andheevenbegantotreatmeright–didn’ttreatmelikeaworkhorseanymore.’

Iknewfromthesofttoneofhisvoicethathewastryingtocalmme,ashehaddoneallthoselongyearsagowhenIwasawildandfrightenedcolt.Thenhiswordshadsoothedme,butnowIcouldnotstopmyselffromtrembling.EverynerveinmybodyseemedtobetautandIwasbreathingheavily.Everyfibreofmewasconsumedbyatotallyinexplicablesenseoffearanddread.‘I’llbebackinaminute,Joey,’hesaid.‘Don’tyouworry.You’llbeallright.MajorMartinwillfixyou–he’samiraclewithhorsesisthatman.’Andhebackedawayfrommeandwentout.

Itwasnotlongbeforehewasbackagainwithhisfriend,David,withMajorMartinandSergeantThunder;butonlyMajorMartincameinsidethestabletoexamineme.Theothersleanedoverthestable-doorandwatched.Heapproachedmecautiously,crouchingdownbymyforelegtoexaminemywound.Thenheranhishandsallovermefrommyears,downmybacktomytail,beforestandingbacktosurveymefromtheothersideofthestable.Hewasshakinghisheadruefullyasheturnedtospeaktotheothers.

‘Whatdoyouthink,Sergeant?’heasked.

‘Sameasyou,fromthelookof’im,sir,’saidSergeantThunder.“E’sstandingtherelikeablockofwood;tailstuckout,can’t’ardlymovehishead.Notmuchdoubtaboutit,istheresir?’

‘None,’saidMajorMartin.‘Nonewhatsoever.We’vehadalotofitouthere.Ifitisn’tconfoundedrustybarbedwire,thenit’sshrapnelwounds.One

littlefragmentleftinside,onecut–that’sallittakes.I’veseenittimeandagain.I’msorrymylad,’themajorsaid,puttinghishandonAlbert’sshouldertoconsolehim.‘Iknowhowmuchthishorsemeanstoyou.Butthere’spreciouslittlewecandoforhim,notinhiscondition.’

‘Whatdoyoumean,sir?’Albertasked,atremorinhisvoice.‘Howdoyoumean,sir?What’sthematterwithhim,sir?Can’tbealotwrong,canthere?Hewasrightasrainyesterday,’cepthewasn’tfinishinghisfeed.Littlestiffp’rapsbutotherwiserightasrainhewas.’

‘It’stetanus,son,’saidSergeantThunder.‘Lock-jawtheycallsit.It’swrittenallover’im.Thatwoundof’ismusthavefesteredaforewegot’im’ere.Andoncean’orse’astetanusthere’sverylittlechance,verylittleindeed.’

‘Besttoenditquickly,’MajorMartinsaid.‘Nopointinananimalsuffering.Betterforhim,andbetterforyou.’

‘No,sir,’Albertprotested,stillincredulous.‘Noyoucan’t,sir.NotwithJoey.Wemusttrysomething.Theremustbesomethingyoucando.Youcan’tjustgiveup,sir.Youcan’t.NotwithJoey.’

Davidspokeupnowinsupport.‘Beggingyourpardon,sir,’hesaid.‘ButIremembersyoutellinguswhenwefirstcomeherethatahorse’slifeisp’rapsevenmoreimportantthanaman’s,’cosanhorsehasn’tgotnoevilinhim’ceptinganythat’sputtherebymen.Iremembersyousayingthatourjobintheveterinarycorpswastoworknightandday,twenty-sixhoursadayifneedbetosaveandhelpeveryhorsethatwecould,thateveryhorsewasvaluableinhisselfandvaluabletothewareffort.Nohorse,noguns.Nohorse,noammunition.Nohorse,nocavalry.Nohorse,noambulances.Nohorse,nowaterforthetroopsatthefront.Lifelineofthewholearmy,yousaid,sir.Wemustnevergiveup,yousaid,’coswherethere’slifethere’sstillhope.That’sallwhatyousaid,sir,beggingyourpardon,sir.’

‘Youwatchyourlip,son,’saidSergeantThundersharply.‘That’snowaytospeaktoanofficer.Ifthemajor’erethoughttherewasachanceinamillionofsavin’thispooranimal,’e’dhaveacrackatit,wouldn’tyousir?Isn’tthatright,sir?’

MajorMartinlookedhardatSergeantThunder,takinghismeaning,andthennoddedslowly.‘Allright,Sergeant.Youmadeyourpoint.Ofcoursethere’sachance,’hesaidcarefully.‘Butifoncewestartwithacaseoftetanus,thenit’safull-timejobforonemanforamonthormore,andeventhenthehorsehashardlymorethanonechanceinathousand,ifthat.’

‘Pleasesir,’Albertpleaded.‘Pleasesir.I’lldoitall,sir,andI’llfitinmyotherhorsestoo,sir.HonestIwould,sir.’

‘AndI’llhelphim,sir,’Davidsaid.‘Alltheladswill.Iknowtheywill.Youseesir,thatJoey’sabitspecialforeveryonehere,whatwithhisbeingBerty’sownhorsebackhomeanall.’

‘That’sthespirit,son,’saidSergeantThunder.‘Andit’strue,sir,thereissomethingabitspecialaboutthisone,youknow,afterallhe’sbeenthrough.Withyourpermissionsir,Ithinkweoughttogive’imthatchance.You’avemypersonalguaranteesirthatnoother’orsewillbeneglected.StableswillberunshipshapeandBristolfashion,likealways.’

MajorMartinputhishandsonthestabledoor.‘Right,Sergeant,’hesaid.‘You’reon.Ilikeachallengeaswellasthenextman.Iwantaslingriggedupinhere.Thishorsemustnotbeallowedtogetoffhislegs.Oncehe’sdownhe’llnevergetupagain.Iwantanoteaddedtostandingorders,Sergeant,thatnoone’stotalkinanythingbutawhisperinthisyard.Hewon’tlikeanynoise,notwithtetanus.Iwantabedofshort,cleanstraw–andfresheveryday.Iwantthewindowscoveredoversothathe’skeptalwaysinthedark.He’snottobefedanyhay–hecouldchokeonit–justmilkandoatmealgruel.Andit’sgoingtogetworsebeforeitgetsbetter–ifitdoes.You’llfindhismouthwilllocktighterasthedaysgoby,buthemustgoonfeedingandhemustdrink.Ifhedoesn’tthenhe’lldie.Iwantatwenty-four-hourwatchonthishorse–thatmeansamanpostedinherealldayandeveryday.Clear?’

‘Yes,sir,’saidSergeantThunder,smilingbroadlyunderhismoustache.‘AndifImaysayso,sir,Ithinkyou’vemadeaverywisedecision.I’llseetoit,sir.Now,looklivelyyoutwolayabouts.Youheardwhattheofficersaid.’

Thatsamedayaslingwasstrunguparoundmeandmyweightsupportedfromthebeamsabove.MajorMartinopenedupmywoundagain,cleanedandcauterizedit.Hereturnedeveryfewhoursafterthattoexamineme.ItwasAlbertofcoursewhostayedwithmemostofthetime,holdingupthebuckettomymouthsothatIcouldsuckinthewarmmilkorgruel.AtnightsDavidandhesleptsidebysideinthecornerofthestable,takingturnstowatchme.

AsIhadcometoexpect,andasIneeded,Alberttalkedtomeallhecouldtocomfortme,untilsheerfatiguedrovehimbackintohiscornertosleep.Hetalkedmuchofhisfatherandmotherandaboutthefarm.HetalkedofagirlhehadbeenseeingupinthevillageforthefewmonthsbeforeheleftforFrance.Shedidn’tknowanythingabouthorses,hesaid,butthatwasher

onlyfault.

Thedayspassedslowlyandpainfullyforme.Thestiffnessinmyfrontlegsspreadtomybackandintensified;myappetitewasbecomingmorelimitedeachdayandIcouldscarcelysummontheenergyorenthusiasmtosuckinthefoodIknewIneededtostayalive.Inthedarkestdaysofmyillness,whenIfeltsureeachdaymightbemylast,onlyAlbertsconstantpresencekeptaliveinmethewilltolive.Hisdevotion,hisunwaveringfaiththatIwouldindeedrecover,gavemethehearttogoon.AllaroundmeIhadfriends,Davidandalltheveterinaryorderlies,SergeantThunderandMajorMartin–theywereallasourceofgreatencouragementtome.Iknewhowdesperatelytheywerewillingmetolive;althoughIoftenwonderedwhethertheywanteditformeorforAlbertforIknewtheyheldhiminsuchhighesteem.ButonreflectionIthinkperhapstheycaredforbothofusasifweweretheirbrothers.

Thenonewinter’snightafterlongpainfulweeksinthesling,Ifeltasuddenloosenessinmythroatandneck,somuchsothatIcouldcallout,albeitsoftlyforthefirsttime.Albertwassittinginthecornerofthestableasusualwithhisbackagainstthewall,hiskneesdrawnupandhiselbowsrestingonhisknees.Hiseyeswereclosed,soInickeredagainsoftly,butitwasloudenoughtowakehim.‘Wasthatyou,Joey?’heasked,pullinghimselftohisfeet.‘Wasthatyou,youoldsilly?Doitagain,Joey.Imighthavebeendreaming.Doitagain.’SoIdidandinsodoingIliftedmyheadforthefirsttimeinweeksandshookit.Davidheardittooandwasonhisfeetandshoutingoverthestabledoorforeveryonetocome.Withinminutesthestablewasfullofexcitedsoldiers.SergeantThunderpushedhiswaythroughandstoodbeforeme.‘Standingorderssayswhisper,’hesaid.‘AndthatwasnothunderingwhisperIheard.What’sup?What’sallthe’ullabaloo?’

‘Hemoved,Sarge,’Albertsaid.‘Hisheadmovedeasilyandheneighed.’

‘’Course’edid,son,’saidSergeantThunder.‘’Course’edid.’E’sgoingtomakeit.LikeIsaidhewould.Ialwaystoldyou’ewould,didn’tI?And’aveanyofyoulayaboutseverknownmetobewrong?Well,’aveyou?’

‘Never,Sarge,’saidAlbert,grinningfromeartoear.‘Heisgettingbetter,isn’theSarge?I’mnotjustimaginingit,amI?’

‘No,son,’saidSergeantThunder.‘YourJoeyisgoingtobeallrightbythelooksof’im,longaswekeeps’imquietandsolongaswedon’trush’im.Ijust’opesthatifI’meverpoorlyI’avenursesaroundmethatlooksaftermelikeyoulot’avethis’orse.Onething,though,lookingatyou,I’dlikethemto

bean’olelotprettier!’

ShortlyafterIfoundmylegsagainandthenthestiffnessleftmybackforever.Theytookmeoutoftheslingandwalkedmeonespringmorningoutintothesunshineofthecobbledyard.Itwasatriumphantparade,withAlbertleadingmecarefullywalkingbackwardsandtalkingtomeallthewhile.‘You’vedoneit,Joey.You’vedoneit.Everyonesaysthewar’sgoingtobeoverquitesoon–Iknowwe’vebeensayingthatforalongtime,butIfeelitinmybonesthistime.It’llbefinishedbeforelongandthenwe’llbothbegoinghome,backtothefarm.Ican’twaittoseethelookonFather’sfacewhenIbringyoubackupthelane.Ijustcan’twait.’

CHAPTER19BUTTHEWARdidnotend.Insteaditseemedtomoveeverclosertous,andweheardonceagaintheominousrumbleofgunfire.Myconvalescencewasalmostovernow,andalthoughstillweakfrommyillness,Iwasalreadybeingusedforlightworkaroundtheveterinaryhospital.Iworkedinateamoftwo,haulinghayandfeedfromtheneareststationorpullingthedungcartaroundtheyard.Ifeltfreshandeagerforworkoncemore.MylegsandshouldersfilledoutandastheweekspassedIfoundIwasabletoworklongerhoursinharness.SergeantThunderhaddetailedAlberttobewithmewheneverIwasworkingsothatwewerescarcelyeverapart.ButfromtimetotimethoughAlbert,likealltheveterinaryorderlieswouldbedespatchedtothefrontwiththeveterinarywagontobringbackthelatesthorsecasualties,andthenIwouldpineandfret,myheadoverthestable-door,untilIheardtheechoingrumbleofthewheelsonthecobblesandsawhischeerywaveashecameinunderthearchwayandintotheyard.

IntimeItoowentbacktothewar,backtothefrontline,backtothewhineandroaroftheshellsthatIhadhopedIhadleftbehindmeforever.FullyrecoverednowandtheprideofMajorMartinandhisveterinaryunit,Iwasoftenusedastheleadhorseinthetandemteamthathauledtheveterinarywagonbackandforthtothefront.ButAlbertwasalwayswithmeandsoIwasneverafraidofthegunsanymore.LikeTopthornbeforehim,heseemedtosensethatIneededacontinualreminderthathewaswithmeandprotectingme.Hissoftgentlevoice,hissongsandhiswhistlingtunesheldmesteadyastheshellscamedown.

Allthewaythereandbackhewouldbetalkingtometoreassureme.Sometimesitwouldbeofthewar.‘DavidsaysJerryisaboutfinished,shothisbolt,’hesaidonehummingsummer’sdayaswepassedlineuponlineofinfantryandcavalrygoinguptothefrontline.Wewerecarryinganexhaustedgreymare,awatercarrierthathadbeenrescuedfromthemudatthefront.‘Fairknockedusforsix,hedid,furtherupthelinetheysay.ButDavidsaysthatthatwastheirlastgasp,thatoncethoseYankeesfindtheirfightinglegsandifwestandfirm,thenitcouldallbeoverbyChristmas.Ihopehe’sright,Joey.Heusuallyis–gotalotofrespectforwhatDavidsays–everyonehas.’

Andsometimeshewouldtalkofhomeandofhisgirlupinthevillage.‘MaisieCobbledickshe’scalled,Joey.Worksinthemilkingparlourup

Anstey’sfarm.Andshebakesbread.OhJoey,shebakesbreadlikeyou’venevertastedbeforeandevenMothersaysherpastiesarethetastiestintheparish.Fathersaysshe’stoogoodforme,buthedoesn’tmeanit.Hesaysittopleaseme.Andshe’sgoteyes,eyesasblueascornflowers,hairasgoldasripecorn,andherskinsmellslikehoneysuckle–’ceptwhenshefirstcomesoutofthedairy.Ikeepwellawayfromherthen.I’vetoldherallaboutyou,Joey.Andshewastheonlyone,theonlyonemind,thatsaidIwasrighttocomeoverhereandfindyou.Shedidn’twantmetogo.Don’tthinkthat.CriedherheartoutatthestationwhenIleft,soshemustlovemealittle,mustn’tshe?Comeon,yousillyyou,saysomething.That’stheonlythingI’vegotagainstyou,Joey,you’rethebestlistenerI’veeverknown,butIneverknowwhatthedivilyou’rethinking.Youjustblinkyoureyesandwagglethoseearsofyoursfromeasttowestandsouthtonorth.Iwishyoucouldtalk,Joey,Ireallydo.’

Thenoneeveningtherewasterriblenewsfromthefront,newsthatAlbert’sfriend,David,hadbeenkilled,alongwiththetwohorsesthatwerehaulingtheveterinarywagonthatday.‘Astrayshell,’Alberttoldmeashebroughtinthestrawformystable.‘That’swhattheysaiditwas–onestrayshelloutofnowhereandhe’sgone.Ishallmisshim,Joey.Weshallbothmisshimwon’twe?’Andhesatdowninthestrawinthecornerofthestable.‘Youknowwhathewas,Joey,beforethewar?HehadafruitcartinLondon,outsideCoventGarden.Thoughttheworldofyou,Joey.Toldmesooftenenough.Andhelookedafterme,Joey.Likeabrotherhewastome.Twentyyearsold.He’dhiswholelifeaheadofhim.Allwastednow’cosofonestrayshell.Healwaystoldme,Joey.He’dsay,“AtleastifIgoesthere’llbenoonethat’llmissme.Onlymecart–andIcan’ttakethatwithme,more’sthepity.”Hewasproudofhiscart,showedmeaphotoofhimselfoncestoodbyit.Allpainteditwasandpiledhighwithfruitandhimstandingtherewithasmilelikeabananaspreadallacrosshisface.’Helookedupatmeandbrushedthetearsfromhischeeks.Hespokenowthroughgrittedteeth.‘There’sjustyouandmeleftnow,Joey,andItellyouwe’regoingtogethome,bothofus.I’mgoingtoringthattenorbellagainintheChurch,I’mgoingtoeatmyMaisie’sbreadandpastiesandI’mgoingtorideyoudownbytheriveragain.DavidalwayssaidhewassomehowsurethatI’dgethome,andhewasright.I’mgoingtomakehimright.’

Whentheendofthewardidcome,itcameswiftly,almostunexpectedlyitseemedtothemenaroundme.Therewaslittlejoy,littlecelebrationofvictory,onlyasenseofprofoundreliefthatatlastitwasfinishedanddonewith.Albertleftthehappyclusterofmengatheredtogetherintheyardthat

coldNovembermorningandstrolledovertotalktome.‘Fiveminutestimeandit’llbefinished,Joey,allover.Jerry’shadaboutenoughofit,andsohavewe.Noonereallywantstogoonanymore.Ateleveno’clockthegunswillstopandthenthatwillbethat.OnlywishthatDavidcouldhavebeenheretoseeit.’

SinceDavid’sdeathAlberthadnotbeenhimself.Ihadnotonceseenhimsmileorjoke,andheoftenfellintoprolongedbroodingsilenceswhenhewaswithme.Therewasnomoresinging,nomorewhistling.ItriedallthatIcouldtocomforthim,restingmyheadonhisshoulderandnickeringgentlytohim,butheseemedquiteinconsolable.Eventhenewsthatthewarwasfinallyendingbroughtnolightbacktohiseyes.Thebellintheclocktoweroverthegatewayrangouteleventimes,andthemenshookeachothersolemnlybythehandorclappedeachotheronthebackbeforereturningtothestables.

Thefruitsofvictoryweretoprovebitterindeedforme,buttobeginwiththeendofthewarchangedlittle.Theveterinaryhospitaloperatedasitalwayshaddone,andtheflowofsickandinjuredhorsesseemedrathertoincreasethantodiminish.Fromtheyardgatewesawtheunendingcolumnsoffightingmenmarchingjauntilybacktotherailwaystations,andwelookedonasthetanksandgunsandwagonsrolledbyontheirwayhome.Butwewereleftwherewewere.Liketheothermen,Albertwasbecomingimpatient.Likethemhewantedonlytogetbackhomeasquicklyaspossible.

Morningparadetookplaceasusualeverymorninginthecentreofthecobbledyard,followedbyMajorMartin’sinspectionofthehorsesandstables.Butonedreary,drizzlingmorning,withthewetcobblesshininggreyintheearlymorninglight,MajorMartindidnotinspectthestablesasusual.SergeantThunderstoodthemenateaseandMajorMartinannouncedthere-embarkationplansfortheunit.Hewasfinishinghisshortspeech;‘SoweshallbeatVictoriastationbysixo’clockonSaturdayevening–withanyluck.Chancesareyou’llallbehomebyChristmas.’

‘Permissiontospeak,sir?’SergeantThunderventured.

‘Carryon,Sergeant.’

‘It’saboutthe’orses,sir,’SergeantThundersaid.‘Ithinkthemenwouldliketoknowwhat’sgoingto’appenwiththe’orses.Willtheybewithusonthesameship,sir?Orwilltheybecomingalonglater?’

MajorMartinshiftedhisfeetandlookeddownathisboots.Hespokesoftlyasifhedidnotwanttobeheard.‘No,Sergeant,’hesaid.‘I’mafraidthehorseswon’tbecomingwithusatall.’Therewasanaudiblemutteringof

protestfromtheparadingsoldiers.

‘Youmean,sir,’saidtheSergeant.‘Youmeanthatthey’llbecomingononalatership?’

‘No,Sergeant,’saidtheMajor,slappinghissidewithhisswaggerstick,‘Idon’tmeanthat.ImeanexactlywhatIsaid.Imeantheywillnotbecomingwithusatall.ThehorseswillbestayinginFrance.’

‘’Ere,sir?’saidthesergeant.‘But’owcantheysir?Who’llbelookingafterthem?We’vegotcases’erethatneedattentionalldayandeveryday.’

Themajornodded,hiseyesstilllookingattheground.‘You’llnotlikewhatIhavetotellyou,’hesaid.‘I’mafraidadecisionhasbeentakentoselloffmanyofthearmy’shorseshereinFrance.Allthehorseswehavehereareeithersickorhavebeensick.It’snotconsideredworthwhiletotransportthembackhome.Myordersaretoholdahorsesalehereinthiscourt-yardtomorrowmorning.Anoticehasbeenpostedinneighbouringtownstothateffect.Theyaretobesoldbyauction.’

‘Auctionedoff,sir?Our’orsestobeputunderthe’ammer,afterallthey’vebeenthrough?’Thesergeantspokepolitely,butonlyjust.‘Butyouknowwhatthatmeans,sir?Youknowwhatwill’appen?’

‘Yes,Sergeant,’saidMajorMartin.‘Iknowwhatwillhappentothem.Butthere’snothinganyonecando.We’reinthearmy,Sergeant,andIdon’thavetoremindyouthatordersareorders.’

‘Butyouknowwhatthey’llgofor,’saidSergeantThunder,barelydisguisingthedisgustinhisvoice.‘There’sthousandsofour’orsesout’ereinFrance,sir.Warveteranstheyare.D’youmeantosaythatafterallthey’vebeenthrough,afterallwe’vedonelookin’after’em,afterallyou’vedone,sir–thatthey’retoenduplikethat?Ican’tbelievetheymeanit,sir.’

‘Well,I’mafraidtheydo,’saidthemajorstiffly.‘Someofthemmayendupasyousuggest–Ican’tdenyit,Sergeant.You’veeveryrighttobeindignant,everyright.I’mnottoohappyaboutitmyself,asyoucanimagine.Butbytomorrowmostofthesehorseswillhavebeensoldoff,andweshallbemovingoutourselvesthedayafter.Andyouknow,Sergeant,andIknow,there’snotablindthingIcandoaboutit.’

Albert’svoicerangoutacrosstheyard.‘What,allofthem,sir?Everyoneofthem?EvenJoeythatwebroughtbackfromthedead?Evenhim?’

MajorMartinsaidnothing,butturnedonhisheelandwalkedaway.

CHAPTER20THEREWASANairofdeterminedconspiracyabroadintheyardthatday.Whisperinggroupsofmenindrippinggreatcoats,theircollarsturneduptokeeptherainfromtheirnecks,huddledtogether,theirvoiceslowandearnest.Albertseemedscarcelytonoticemeallday.Hewouldneithertalktomenorevenlookatmebuthurriedthroughthedailyroutineofmuckingout,hayingupandgrooming,inadeepandgloomysilence.Iknew,aseveryhorseintheyardknew,thatwewerethreatened.Iwastornwithanxiety.

Anominousshadowhadfallenontheyardthatmorningandnotoneofuscouldsettleinourstables.Whenwewereledoutforexercise,wewerejumpyandskittishandAlbert,liketheothersoldiers,respondedwithimpatience,jerkingsharplyatmyhalter,somethingIhadneverknownhimdobefore.

ThateveningthemenwerestilltalkingbutnowSergeantThunderwaswiththemandtheyallstoodtogetherinthedarkeningyard.Icouldjustseeinthelastoftheeveninglighttheglintofmoneyintheirhands.SergeantThundercarriedasmalltinboxwhichwasbeingpassedaroundfromonetotheotherandIheardtheclinkofcoinsastheyweredroppedin.TherainhadstoppednowanditwasastilleveningsothatIcouldjustmakeoutSergeantThunder’slow,growlingvoice.‘That’sthebestwecando,lads,’hewassaying.‘It’snotalot,butthenwe’aven’tgotalot,’avewe?Nooneevergetsrichinthisman’sarmy.I’lldothebiddinglikeIsaid–it’sagainstorders,butI’lldoit.Mindyou,I’mnotpromisinganything.’Hepausedandlookedoverhisshoulderbeforegoingon.‘I’mnotsupposedtotellyouthis–theMajorsaidnotto–andmakenomistake,I’mnotinthe’abitofdisobeyingofficers’orders.Butwearen’tatwaranymore,andanywaythisorderwasmorelikeadvice,sotospeak.SoI’mtellingyouthis’cosIwouldn’tlikeyoutothinkbadlyofthemajor.’Eknowswhat’sgoingonrightenough.Matteroffactthe’olethingwas’isownidea.Itwas’imthattoldmetosuggestittoyouinthefirstplace.What’smore,lads,’e’sgivenuseverypennyof’ispaythat’e’adsavedup–everypenny.It’snotmuchbutit’ll’elp.’CourseIdon’t’avetotellyouthatnoonesaysawordaboutthis,notadickybird.Ifthiswastogetabout,then’egoesforthe’ighjump,likeallofuswould.Somum’stheword,clear?’

‘Haveyougotenough,Sarge?’IcouldhearthatitwasAlbert’svoice

speaking.

‘I’m’opingso,son,’SergeantThundersaid,shakingthetin.‘I’m’opingso.Nowlet’sallofusgetsomeshut-eye.Iwantyoulayaboutsupbrightandearlyinthemorningandthem’orseslookingtheirthunderingbest.It’sthelastthingwe’llbedoingfor’em,leastwecandofor’emseemstome.’

Andsothegroupdispersed,themenwalkingawayintwosandthrees,shouldershunchedagainstthecold,theirhandsdeepintheirgreatcoatpockets.Onemanonlywasleftstandingbyhimselfintheyard.Hestoodforamomentlookingupattheskybeforewalkingovertowardsmystable.IcouldtellitwasAlbertfromthewayhewalked–itwasthatrollingfarmer’sgaitwiththekneesneverquitestraighteningupaftereachstride.Hepushedbackhispeakedcapasheleantoverthestabledoor.‘I’vedoneallIcan,Joey,’hesaid.‘Weallhave.Ican’ttellyouanymore’cosIknowyou’dunderstandeverywordIsaid,andthenyou’donlyworryyourselfsickwithit.Thistime,Joey,Ican’tevenmakeyouapromiselikeIdidwhenFathersoldyouofftothearmy.Ican’tmakeyouapromise’cosIdon’tknowwhetherIcankeepit.IaskedoldThundertohelpandhehelped.Iaskedthemajortohelpandhehelped.AndnowI’vejustaskedGod,’coswhenall’ssaidanddone,it’salluptoHim.We’vedoneallwecan,that’sforcertainsure.IrememberoldMissWirtletellingmeinSundaySchoolbackhomeonce:“Godhelpsthosethathelpsthemselves”.Meanolddivilshewas,butsheknewherscripturesrightenough.Godblessyou,Joey.Sleeptight.’Andheputouthisclenchedfistandrubbedmymuzzle,andthenstrokedeachofmyearsinturnbeforeleavingmealoneinthedarkofthestables.ItwasthefirsttimehehadtalkedtomelikethatsincethedayDavidhadbeenreportedkilled,anditwarmedmyheartjusttolistentohim.

Thedaydawnedbrightovertheclocktower,throwingthelong,leanshadowsofthepoplarsbeyondacrossthecobblesthatglistenedwithfrost.Albertwasupwiththeothersbeforereveillewasblown,sothatbythetimethefirstbuyersarrivedintheyardintheircartsandcars,IwasfedandwateredandgroomedsohardthatmywintercoatgleamedredasIwasledoutintothemorningsun.

Thebuyersweregatheredinthemiddleoftheyard,andwewereled,allthosethatcouldwalk,aroundtheperimeteroftheyardinagrandparade,beforebeingbroughtoutonebyonetofacetheauctioneerandthebuyers.Ifoundmyselfwaitinginmystablewatchingeveryhorseintheyardbeingsoldaheadofme.Iwas,itseemed,tobethelasttobebroughtout.Distantechoesofanearlierauctionsentmesuddenlyintoafeverishsweat,butI

forcedmyselftorememberAlbert’sreassuringwordsofthenightbefore,andintimemyheartstoppedracing.SowhenAlbertledmeoutintotheyardIwascalmandeasyinmystride.Ihadunswervingfaithinhimashepattedmyneckgentlyandwhisperedsecretlyinmyear.Therewereaudibleandvisiblesignsofapprovalfromthebuyersashewalkedmeroundinatightcircle,bringingmeatlasttoastandstillfacingalineofred,craggyfacesandgrasping,greedyeyes.ThenInoticedinamongsttheshabbycoatsandhatsofthebuyers,thestill,tallfigureofSergeantThundertoweringabovethem,andtoonesidetheentireveterinaryunitlinedupalongthewallandwatchingtheproceedingsanxiously.Thebiddingbegan.

Iwasclearlymuchindemandforthebiddingwasswifttostartwith,butasthepriceroseIcouldseemoreheadsshakingandverysoonthereseemedtobeonlytwobiddersleft.OnewasoldThunderhimself,whowouldtouchthecornerofhiscapwithhisstick,almostlikeasalute,tomakehisbid;andtheotherwasathin,wirylittlemanwithweaseleyeswhoworeonhisfaceasmilesofullofconsummategreedandevilthatIcouldhardlybeartolookathim.Stillthepricemovedup.‘Attwenty-five,twenty-six.Attwenty-seven.Twenty-sevenI’mbid.Onmyright.Twenty-sevenI’mbid.Anymoreplease?It’sagainstthesergeantthere,attwenty-seven.Anymoreplease?He’safineyounganimal,asyousee.Gottobeworthalotmorethanthis.Anymoreplease?’Butthesergeantwasshakinghisheadnow,hiseyeslookeddownandacknowledgeddefeat.

‘OhGod,no,’IheardAlbertwhisperbesideme.‘DearGod,nothim.He’soneofthem,Joey.He’sbeenbuyingallmorning.OldThundersayshe’sthebutcherfromCambrai.PleaseGod,no.’

‘Wellthen,iftherearenomorebids,I’msellingtoMonsieurCiracofCambraiattwenty-sevenEnglishpounds.Isthatall?Sellingthenfortwenty-seven.Going,going…’

‘Twenty-eight,’cameavoicefromamongstthebuyers,andIsawawhitehairedoldmanleaningheavilyonhisstick,shuffleslowlyforwardthroughthebuyersuntilhestoodinfrontofthem.‘I’mbiddingyoutwenty-eightofyourEnglishpounds,’saidtheoldman,speakinginhesitantEnglish.‘AndI’llbidforsolongandsohighasIneedto,Iadviseyou,sir,’hesaid,turningtothebutcherfromCambrai.‘Iadviseyounottotrytobidmeout.ForthishorseIwillpayonehundredEnglishpoundsifImustdo.Noonewillhavethishorseexceptme.ThisismyEmilie’shorse.Itishersbyright.’BeforehespokehernameIhadnotbeenquitesurethatmyeyesandearswerenotdeceivingme,fortheoldmanhadagedmanyyearssinceIhadlastseteyes

onhim,andhisvoicewasthinnerandweakerthanIremembered.ButnowIwassure.ThiswasindeedEmilie’sgrandfatherstandingbeforeme,hismouthsetwithgrimdetermination,hiseyesglaringaroundhim,challenginganyonetotrytooutbidhim.Noonesaidaword.ThebutcherfromCambraishookhisheadandturnedaway.Eventheauctioneerhadbeenstunnedintosilence,andtherewassomedelaybeforehebroughthishammerdownonthetableandIwassold.

CHAPTER21THEREWASAlookofresigneddejectiononSergeantThunder’sfaceasheandMajorMartinspoketogetherwithEmilie’sgrandfatherafterthesale.Theyardwasemptynowofhorsesandthebuyerswerealldrivingaway.Albertandhisfriendsstoodaroundmecommiseratingwitheachother,allofthemtryingtocomfortAlbert.‘Noneedtoworry,Albert,’oneofthemwassaying.‘Afterall,couldhavebeenworse,couldn’tit?Imean,alotmore’nhalfofourhorseshavegonetothebutchersandthat’sfordefinite.AtleastweknowJoey’ssafeenoughwiththatoldfarmerman.’

‘Howdoyouknowthat?’Albertasked.‘Howdoyouknowhe’safarmer?’

‘IheardhimtellingoldThunder,didn’tI?Heardhimsayinghe’sgotafarmdowninthevalley.ToldoldThunderthatJoeywouldneverhavetoworkagainsolongashelived.KeptrabbitingonaboutagirlcalledEmilieorsomething.Couldn’tunderstandhalfofwhathewassaying.’

‘Dunnowhattomakeofhim,’saidAlbert.‘Soundsmadasahatter,thewayhegoeson.“Emilie’shorsebyright”–whoevershemaybe–isn’tthatwhattheoldmansaid?Whatthedivildidhemeanbythat?IfJoeybelongstoanyonebyright,thenhebelongstothearmy,andifhedoesn’tbelongtothearmy,hebelongstome.’

‘Betteraskhimyourself,Albert,’saidsomeoneelse.‘Here’syourchance.He’scomingoverthiswaywiththemajorandoldThunder.’

Albertstoodwithhisarmundermychin,hishandreachinguptoscratchmebehindmyear,justwhereheknewIlikeditbest.AstheMajorcamecloserthough,hetookhishandaway,cametoattentionandsalutedsmartly.‘Beggingyourpardon,sir.’hesaid.‘I’dliketothankyouforwhatyoudid,sir.Iknowwhatyoudid,sir,andI’mgreatful.Notyourfaultwedidn’tquitemakeit,butthanksallthesame,sir.’

‘Idon’tknowwhathe’stalkingabout,’saidMajorMartin.‘Doyou,Sergeant?’

‘Can’timagine,sir,’saidSergeantThunder.‘Theygetlikethatyouknowsir,thesefarminglads.It’s’costhey’rebrunguponciderinsteadofmilk.It’strue,sir,goestotheir’eads,sir.Mustdo,mustn’tit?’

‘Beggingyourpardon,sir,’Albertwenton,puzzledbytheirlevity.‘I’dliketoasktheFrenchman,sir,sincehe’sgoneandboughtmyJoey.I’dliketoaskhimaboutwhathesaid,sir,aboutthisEmilie,orwhatevershewascalled.’

‘It’salongstory,’saidMajorMartin,andheturnedtotheoldman.‘Perhapsyouwouldliketotellhimyourself,Monsieur?Thisistheyoungmanwewerespeakingof,Monsieur,theonewhogrewupwiththehorseandwhocameallthewaytoFrancejusttolookforhim.’

Emilie’sgrandfatherstoodlookingsternlyupatmyAlbertfromunderhisbushywhiteeyebrows,andthenhisfacecrackedsuddenlyandheheldouthishandandsmiled.Althoughsurprised,Albertreachedandshookhishand.‘So,youngman.WehavemuchincommonyouandI.IamFrenchandyouareTommy.True,Iamoldandyouareyoung.Butwesharealoveforthishorse,dowenot?AndIamtoldbytheofficerherethatathomeinEnglandyouareafarmer,likeIam.Itisthebestthingtobe,andIsaythatwiththewisdomofyearsbehindme.Whatdoyoukeeponyourfarm?’

‘Sheep,sir,mostly.Afewbeefcattleandsomepigs,’saidAlbert.‘Ploughafewfieldsofbarleyaswell.’

‘So,itwasyouthattrainedthehorsetobeafarmhorse?’saidtheoldman.‘Youdidwellmyson,verywell.Icanseethequestioninyoureyesbeforeyouaskit,soI’lltellyouhowIknow.YouseeyourhorseandIareoldfriends.Hecametolivewithus–ohitwasalongtimeagonow,notlongafterthewarbegan.HewascapturedbytheGermansandtheyusedhimforpullingtheirambulancecartfromthehospitaltothefrontlineandbackagain.Therewaswithhimanotherwonderfulhorse,agreatshiningblackhorse,andthetwoofthemcametoliveinourfarmthatwasneartheGermanfieldhospital.Mylittlegranddaughter,Emilie,caredforthemandcametolovethemlikeherownfamily.Iwasallthefamilyshehadleft–thewarhadtakentherest.Thehorseslivedwithusformaybeayear,maybeless,maybemore–itdoesnotmatter.TheGermanswerekindandgaveusthehorseswhentheyleft,andsotheybecameours,Emilie’sandmine.Thenonedaytheycameback,differentGermans,notkindliketheothers;theyneededhorsesfortheirgunsandsotheytookourhorsesawaywiththemwhentheyleft.TherewasnothingIcoulddo.AfterthatmyEmilielostthewilltolive.Shewasasickchildanyway,butnowwithherfamilydeadandhernewfamilytakenfromher,shenolongerhadanythingtolivefor.Shejustfadedawayanddiedlastyear.Shewasonlyfifteenyearsold.ButbeforeshediedshemademepromiseherthatIwouldfindthehorsessomehowandlookafterthem.Ihave

beentomanyhorsesales,butIhaveneverfoundtheotherone,theblackone.ButnowatlastIhavefoundoneofthemtotakehomeandcareforasIpromisedmyEmilie.’

Heleantmoreheavilyonhissticknowwithbothhands.Hespokeslowly,choosinghiswordscarefully.‘Tommy,’hewenton.‘Youareafarmer,aBritishfarmerandyouwillunderstandthatafarmer,whetherheisBritishorFrench–evenaBelgianfarmer–nevergivesthingsaway.Hecanneveraffordto.Wehavetolive,dowenot?YourMajorandyourSergeanthavetoldmehowmuchyoulovethishorse.Theytoldmehoweveryoneofthesementriedsohardtobuythishorse.Ithinkthatisanoblething.IthinkmyEmiliewouldhavelikedthat.Ithinkshewouldunderstand,thatshewouldwantmetodowhatIwilldonow.Iamanoldman.WhatwouldIdowithmyEmilie’shorse?Hecannotgrowfatinafieldallhislife,andsoonIwillbetoooldtolookafterhimanyway.AndifIrememberhimwell,andIdo,helovestowork,doeshenot?Ihave–howyousay?–apropositiontomaketoyou.IwillsellmyEmilie’shorsetoyou.’

‘Sell?’saidAlbert.‘ButIcannotpayyouenoughtobuyhim.Youmustknowthat.Wecollectedonlytwenty-sixpoundsbetweenusandyoupaidtwenty-eightpounds.HowcanIaffordtobuyhimfromyou?’

‘Youdonotunderstand,myfriend,’theoldmansaid,suppressingachuckle.‘Youdonotunderstandatall.IwillsellyouthishorseforoneEnglishpenny,andforasolemnpromise–thatyouwillalwayslovethishorseasmuchasmyEmiliedidandthatyouwillcareforhimuntiltheendofhisdays;andmorethanthis,IwantyoutotelleveryoneaboutmyEmilieandabouthowshelookedafteryourJoeyandthegreatblackhorsewhentheycametolivewithus.Yousee,myfriend,IwantmyEmilietoliveoninpeople’shearts.Ishalldiesoon,inafewyears,nomore;andthennoonewillremembermyEmilieasshewas.Ihavenootherfamilyleftalivetorememberher.Shewillbejustanameonagravestonethatnoonewillread.SoIwantyoutotellyourfriendsathomeaboutmyEmilie.Otherwiseitwillbeasifshehadneverevenlived.Willyoudothisforme?ThatwayshewillliveforeverandthatiswhatIwant.Isitabargainbetweenus?’

Albertsaidnothingforhewastoomovedtospeak.Hesimplyheldouthishandinacceptance;buttheoldmanignoredit,puthishandsonAlbert’sshouldersandkissedhimonbothcheeks.‘Thankyou,’hesaid.Andthenheturnedandshookhandswitheverysoldierintheunitandatlasthobbledbackandstoodinfrontofme.‘Goodbye,myfriend,’hesaid,andhetouchedmelightlyonmynosewithhislips.‘FromEmilie,’hesaid,andthenwalked

away.Hehadgoneonlyafewpacesbeforehestoppedandturnedaround.Wagginghisknobblystickandwithamocking,accusinggrinacrosshisface,hesaid.‘Thenitistruewhatwesay,thatthereisonlyonethingatwhichtheEnglisharebetterthantheFrench.Theyaremeaner.YouhavenotpaidmemyEnglishpenny,myfriend.’SergeantThunderproducedapennyfromthetinandgaveittoAlbert,whoranovertoEmilie’sgrandfather.

‘Ishalltreasureit,’saidtheoldman.‘Ishalltreasureitalways.’

AndsoIcamehomefromthewarthatChristmas-timewithmyAlbertridingmeupintothevillage,andtheretogreetuswasthesilverbandfromHatherleighandtherapturouspeelingofthechurchbells.Bothofuswerereceivedlikeconqueringheroes,butwebothknewthattherealheroeshadnotcomehome,thattheywerelyingoutinFrancealongsideCaptainNicholls,Topthorn,Friedrich,DavidandlittleEmilie.

MyAlbertmarriedhisMaisieCobbledickashesaidhewould.ButIthinkshenevertooktome,norItoherforthatmatter.Perhapsitwasafeelingofmutualjealousy.IwentbacktomyworkonthelandwithdearoldZoeywhoseemedagelessandtireless;andAlberttookoverthefarmagainandwentbacktoringinghistenorbell.Hetalkedtomeofmanythingsafterthat,ofhisageingfatherwhodotedonmenowalmostasmuchasonhisowngrandchildren,andofthevagariesoftheweatherandthemarkets,andofcourseaboutMaisie,whosecrustybreadwaseverybitasgoodashehadsaid.ButtryasImight,Inevergottoeatanyofherpastiesanddoyouknow,sheneverevenofferedmeone.

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