CHAPTER SEVEN.
GOOD-BYE TO OLD ENGLAND.
What excitement there was! What bustle and hard work! Though thebrigade of Guards had for long expected, and indeed anxiously awaited,orders to prepare for embarkation, when at last the time did actuallyarrive, they found still hosts of matters to be dealt with.
Men had to be examined as to their physical fitness for rough work inthe field; kits had to be looked to, new boots issued, and ahundred-and-one points attended to. Then there were good-byes to besaid, for many of those fine, brave lads, the last they would ever havean opportunity of saying, for the Crimea was to claim them, and thedeep-trodden mire and mud of the heights round Sebastopol was destinedto form a covering for thousands--thousands, alas! of England's bravestsoldiers. And the Queen--God bless her!--she too must take leave of herGuards, and wish them a safe return.
Ah! it was a grand time, and books on Russian were forgotten in thewhirl Phil had too many other things to think about. True, he had fewfriends to part with, and in that he was to be congratulated, forpartings are ever painful; but he had hosts of duties to carry out, andhis services in the office of the orderly-room were daily inrequisition.
"I never see such a time," grumbled Tony disgustedly. "I never get aword with yer now, young un. You're stuck in that office or on someother job all day and every day. I for one shall be jolly glad whenwe're off, and then I expect every one of us will be precious sorry fora time. The Guards makes a fine show on parade, but aboard a ship,about the size of one of these here barrack-rooms, they'll have to besqueezed like herrings, and then if it blows won't there be a scene! Iremember I went for a week in a fishing-boat once, and spent about asmiserable a time as I ever did. Lor', how jolly ill and wretched Iwas!"
"Yes, I expect it will take a little time to get our sea-legs, Tony,"Phil replied cheerily; "but once the Bay of Biscay is passed we ought tohave fine weather, I'm told, and then we shall enjoy it. As to neverseeing me, the job is now practically finished. To-morrow the Queenreviews us, and on the twenty-eighth we sail from Southampton. That'sonly a few days away. Then hurrah for Russia and a campaign!"
How loyal every one of those stalwart Guardsmen felt as he stood paradedbefore Queen Victoria on that eventful day. How he fixed his eyes onthat figure standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and sworesilently that he would fight and die if need be for her and for thecountry she ruled. Gone, in the excitement and fervour of the moment,was all thought of coming misery and privation. Gone all fear of deathor injury by cannon-shot or bullet. Before them was the Queen, andbeyond them, far across the sea, the Russian enemy. Ere they returnedthey would humble the Czar's pride, or perish in the attempt.
And the good and beloved Queen Victoria, as she scanned the long linesbefore her, did she forget what her soldiers might meet with? Did sheknow of the horrors ever associated with war that must inevitably fallupon some of the devoted fellows standing proudly erect before her?Yes, she knew, and she did not forget. She knew, too, the need forEngland to assert herself in support of the oppressed, and though itfilled her heart with grief to think that many of those she looked at,many of those stalwart officers from amongst the highest in the land,and lads from amongst the bravest, must fall in the fight, yet she sentthem forth with smiling face and words of God-speed and encouragement,for such is the duty of a queen.
But at length it was all over. With colours flying and bands clashingbefore them, the Grenadier Guards marched through a seething crowd whichfilled the streets of London, and entrained for Southampton. It was aday to be remembered. The masses were full of excitement, and cheeredtill they were hoarse. Those on foot pressed forward, and, defying allregulations, marched beside their heroes. Sweethearts struggled toclutch the arms of lovers, and wives, poor things! held up their babesand gazed fondly and with tearful eyes at departing husbands. Ay, andit was a time full of trials for the higher as well as the humbler inthe land. How many of those fair damsels, dressed in all the finerythat money could buy, waved a handkerchief to some devoted lover, andhow many women sent all they cared for away to war and duty with dryeyes and an encouraging smile, while surrounded by their sisters, onlyto retire later and weep in private as if their hearts would break? Godknows! Only such things are, and ever will be, when men go out tofight. But at last it was all done with. The train was off, and thedin and shouts, the cheers and strains of the National Anthem left farbehind.
"Thank goodness, we're off!" exclaimed one big fellow who happened to bein the same carriage with Phil and Tony, and who had just waved a lastadieu to quite a number of girls. "I wouldn't go through it again forthe wealth of the Queen. It makes yer almost wish there wasn't suchthings as sweethearts."
"Get along, George, old man!" another man replied, with a poor attemptat a laugh, as he hastily drew his sleeve across his eyes. "Yer knowyer wouldn't be without 'em, bless their little hearts! It's fine tothink as there'll be someone at home a-thinking of yer; and just yerwait till we're back again. My eye, what a time we'll have! What doyer say, Corporal Western?"
"I fancy I haven't an opinion to give, Billy," Phil said, with a smile."I haven't a sweetheart yet, you see."
"Then yer ought'er, Corporal. You're smart. Why, blow me if you aren'tone of the smartest in the regiment, and if yer liked yer could have tenof 'em, and all thinking they was the only one. You've been wastingopportunities." Billy looked quite reproachfully at Phil.
"Then I'll have to wait, Billy, I expect. Sweethearts are not to befound in Russia," was the laughing answer.
"No, I d'say not. You ought to know, Corporal, for I hear yer can speakthe Russian lingo; and knows lots about the country. What's all thisrow about? None of us chaps knows, and you'd be doing all of us a goodturn if you'd tell us."
Nothing loth, Phil promptly commenced, and a heated argument followingas to the real intentions of Russia, and as to the merits of the Frenchsoldiery compared, with the British, the time slipped by, andSouthampton was reached before anyone expected it.
The men at once tumbled out, and lined up on the platform, kit-bag andrifle in hand. Then in perfect order, and as if performing an every-daymovement, they filed up the gangway on to the decks of the _Orinoco_,which lay alongside the wharf, with the _Ripon_ and _Manilla_ astern ofher. Weapons were passed from hand to hand along the decks, down thegangways, and into the hold, where they were secured in racks. Thenbearskin helmets were collected and stored in an out-of-the-way room,and in less than half an hour every man had disappeared into the hold,and had taken possession of his hammock.
"It's a pretty close fit," remarked Tony, looking round; "but I expectwe shall be comfortable."
"We ought to be, Tony. I hear the Guards have been given extra roomowing to their size, and as far as I can see, we shall have justsufficient room to sling our hammocks and lie in them without touchingone another."
This was the case. From beams screwed to the deck, and supported bypillars, rows of big iron hooks depended in such a manner that, whenslung, the hammocks were only a few inches apart, while the foot end ofeach of the next row just protruded between them as far as the head ofthe occupant.
"Now, we'll stow our kits here," said Phil, "and go on deck. I heardthe captain telling the colonel that he should cast off at once, so wemay as well see as much of the old country as possible. Who knows whenwe shall set eyes on it again? Perhaps it will be a year or more beforethe war is over and we are at liberty to return."
"Then we'll say good-bye to it, though I tell yer, Phil, I'm fair tiredof this yelling. It makes yer feel curious just here," and he pointedto his throat. "I ain't got no friends to bother about, but I feels forthe poor chaps as has, and I hates to see the girls a-blubbering. Poorthings! They was just a-crying their pretty eyes out back there inLunnon."
"Yes, it's a trying time for sweethearts, husbands, and wives, Tony, butlet's hope all will meet again, though I suppose that isn't possible,unless we find that the troubles have been settle
d before we reach theBlack Sea. It would be a merciful thing, though bad luck for us."
"Bad luck! I should think it would be, Phil. Why, remember what we'reafter, you and me. Promotion--quick promotion. You've got to get thatcommission and become a toff of an orfficer, and I've got to win mestripes; and how's it all to be done unless we smell powder? No,there's going to be a jolly war, and we Guards are going to be in thethick of it;" and having settled the matter, as it were, Tony gave agrunt, expressive of the disgust he might feel if the troubles reallywere to disappear in smoke, and, turning on his heel, climbed up thegangway ladder to the deck.
There were numbers of soldiers already lining the rails, and a crowd ofpeople on the quay, all chattering, calling to one another, andattempting to look cheerful and gay under obviously depressingcircumstances.
Then a man with a grey beard, upright carriage, and a general appearancewhich did not need the row of medals displayed on his waistcoat toproclaim him an old soldier, stepped forward, and, producing a cornet,played "The British Grenadiers."
Already the hawsers had been cast off. Two panting little tugs wereslowly towing the paddle-ship into the open water, and hoarse voicessounded from the bridge. The tune changed to the National Anthem, andhats were doffed by the crowd, while every lad on board stood atattention. Then the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" came across the water,at first loud and distinct, but gradually getting fainter, cheers passedfrom deck to quay, handkerchiefs and sticks were waved, therailway-engine screeched a last farewell with its whistle, and the_Orinoco_ trembled from stem to stern at the beat of her paddles, likesome powerful animal making a terrific struggle to escape its bonds.
The parting was over. Men gazed at the rapidly receding shore, and thenturning, dived below decks and busied themselves in arranging theirhammocks. What was the good of being downcast? Who could look into thefuture? As well make the best of matters and take things cheerfully.Soon all were laughing and joking, perhaps a little more soberly thanbefore, but still far more happily than an hour ago.
"Now, my lads," cried the sergeant-major, "each man to his hammock, andwe'll serve out to-day's allowance of rum. It'll cheer you up and keepthe cold out."
One by one the men were served with the spirit, and soon after, havingbeen joined by the sailors off duty, Jack Tar and Thomas Atkins satthemselves down to a convivial evening. Pipes were produced, and somethoughtful fellow extracting a concertina from the depths of a kit-bag,an impromptu concert was commenced and kept up till "lights out."
"This kind of thing won't be allowed every night, I expect," said Phil,as he sat by Tony's side, for many of the sailors, liberally helped to aportion of the soldiers' rum, were reeling away to their quarters.
"Ah! well, it's only the first night out, mate, mind that. Theofficers, I expect, knows about it as well as we do, but they knows theboys want cheering. But I expects there'll be a change."
And as a matter of fact there was, for on the following day, when thehour for the serving out of grog came round, the men were drawn up intheir several messes. Then under the eye of the sergeant-major one messwas served, and at the order, "Men served one pace forward and swallow,"the spirit disappeared.
It was a strange feeling to lie for the first time in a hammock, but themen took to it like ducks to water.
"It's jolly comfortable, and ever so much softer than a barrack-bed,ain't it, Phil?" remarked Tony, as he lay full length close beside hisfriend, with only his face showing, and a pipe projecting from his lips.
"I've slept in a harder bed many a time," laughed Phil. "But I'm tired;so good-night, Tony!"
At 6:30 a.m. the next morning _reveille_ sounded through the ship, andthe men tumbled out, to find a fresh, cold breeze blowing and a nastysea on. Faces fell, for soldiers, like other mortals, fall victims to_mal de mer_. Breakfasts were looked at askance, and scarcely touched,and soon the rails were almost as thickly crowded as on the previousday.
"Lummy! How jolly bad I feel!" groaned Tony. "I'm off to me bunk asfast as me feet will take me."
Phil nodded curtly, and very soon followed his example, for he too wasnot exactly enjoying himself.
On the following day the ship was on an even keel once more, and brightfaces and merry jokes were everywhere. In seven days Gibraltar wasreached, but no one was allowed to land, and no sooner had the shipcoaled than she paddled on to Malta. Arrived there, the troopsdisembarked, to hear the welcome news that France and England haddeclared war on Russia on the day after their sailing.
"That's all right, then!" exclaimed Tony with a grunt of satisfaction."We shall soon have a taste of fighting, and the sooner it comes thebetter. See them coves over there, Phil? Ain't they smart, just.Wonder how they'll tackle the Russians!"
He alluded to a ship-load of French artillery which had arrived only afew hours before in the harbour. Smart, athletic men they looked, asthey crowded the decks and shouted back greetings to the British.
"They are said to be amongst the finest gunners trained by any nation,"answered Phil, "and I've no doubt they will do well. But look out,Tony; there goes the bugle. I expect we shall have to disembark."
The bugle notes rang out clear, waking the harbour of Valetta with theecho; and the hoarse voice of the sergeant-major penetrated to everyhole and corner of the _Orinoco_.
"Fall in, lads," he shouted. "Smartly now; by companies."
Phil and Tony soon found their places, and then for half an hour werebusily engaged in passing rifles and bearskin helmets and in securingtheir kit. When all were ready, the disembarkation proceeded apace, andin an hour the Grenadier Guards were ashore and comfortably housed incasemates of the forts.
"I wonder how long we shall stay here," remarked Phil about a weeklater, as he and Tony stood on the ramparts and gazed at the town. "Thesooner we leave the better. Our men are having a splendid time, andhave struck up a great friendship with the Frenchies, but at this rateit won't do. Look at those fellows over there."
"They are pretty bad; you're right, Phil," Tony grunted, as he watched atiny French artillerist staggering down towards him, with two burlyBritish linesmen on either side, with arms firmly linked in his, and allthree roaring a refrain to be heard in any _cafe_ in the town.
"Pretty bad! I should think so, Tony. But it won't last. Our officersknow what is going on, and we shall sail very shortly. The new life andexcitement here and the low price of spirit make it easy for our men toget intoxicated and behave in a riotous manner. After all, one cannotexactly blame them. They are going to a rough country probably, and aremaking the most of the present time. But much of this sort of thingwill play havoc with them in the end. Only yesterday I heard our doctorsay that disease was far more dangerous to armies than bullets, and thatmen who entered upon a campaign in indifferent health were certain to gounder if hardships had to be faced. I mean to take plenty of exercise,and beware of eating too much fruit."
"Then I'm with yer, mate. Yer know drink ain't nothing to me now, and Ican see as the feller what keeps himself fit, takes walks and plenty offresh air, and don't eat nor drink too much, finds himself better ableto enjoy his life. Why, ever since that ugly old bear gave me a maulingI've been a different man. I have, Phil. A different and a better man.But come along, mate, let's take a stroll about and see what'shappening. Some of those French blokes is going to do a gun drill, Ihear, and we may as well look at 'em."
It was a wise resolution on Phil's part to keep himself in good trim,for no one possessed of common sense can doubt that nothing is moreprejudicial to a young man than riotous living. For a time an excellentconstitution may stand the unusual strain, but sooner or later health isshattered, and with additional strain, when met by cold and exposure,and perhaps insufficient food, disease finds a ready victim, and anotherpatient falls into the hands of doctors already heavily pressed by work.
Fortunately for all, orders were not long in coming, and soon theGrenadiers were on the sea again. A short and most interesting voy
agefollowed till they reached the entrance to the Dardanelles and droppedanchor.
It was pitchy dark, and the outlines of the forts which guard the narrowentrance could not be made out; but excited shouts and an occasionalblue flare which lit up a limited area, showing gesticulating figuresclad in Turkish costume, proved that the coming of the _Orinoco_ had notpassed unnoticed.
On the following morning the ship weighed anchor, and, steaming into theBosphorus, drew up opposite Scutari, fated to prove the scene of awfulmisery to the British. That evening Phil and his comrades were ashore,and were safely housed under canvas. Two days later they obtainedpermission to visit Gallipoli, where the bulk of our army had landed,with numbers of the French, and, hiring a native craft, were rowedacross.
"Looks like a fairy place, don't it, Phil?" remarked Tony as, seated inthe boat, he gazed at the shore of Gallipoli. "Look at them things likewhite fingers a-sticking up into the sky, and those white houses amongstthe green trees."
And, indeed, seen from a distance, and, above all, from the sea,Gallipoli with its immediate surroundings is a paradise. It consists ofa collection of all sorts of houses scattered here and there hap-hazardon the foreground, other houses built on the hill behind, and the wholeswathed in green patches of luxuriant tree-growth, and backed by thedistant hills. It was an enchanting spot, and its charm was greatlyincreased by the fact that it was situated in a strange land, wherelarge domed mosques and white-washed minarets reared high in the air,and reflected the rays of a glorious sun from their glistening surfaces.
Phil and Tony were delighted with it, but as the boat drew nearer, anddirt and squalor became visible, their faces fell.
"Pah! It's worse than a farmyard," exclaimed Tony, with disgust, as hesniffed the air. "And look at that mud!"
"Wait a minute, and let us see what the streets are like. Perhaps theywill be interesting," answered Phil, with a laugh. "Certainly this partof Gallipoli is rather unsavoury, and the sooner we are away from it thebetter."
The boat touched the shore, and, having paid the small sum demanded, thetwo set off, and were soon in the centre of the town. Every moment somenew sight arrested their attention, and in the excitement of the momentthey quickly forgot the dirt and foul gutters to be seen everywhere.Grave Turks accosted them, politely stepping on one side to allow roomfor them to pass; Greeks weighed down with huge baskets of merchandisestaggered past; and ever and anon a swarthy, unclean-looking ArmenianJew flitted down some by-street as if fearing to be seen. Soldiers inevery variety of uniform, Highlanders, lithe, plucky-looking littleriflemen, and daintily-dressed Zouaves came by singly and sometimesarm-in-arm, a burly Englishman fraternising with some dapper littleFrenchman, and endeavouring vainly to carry on a conversation with him.
Phil and Tony were greatly interested, but to their astonishment, thoughthe sight of foreign soldiers must have been a rare one indeed to theTurks, not a single inhabitant of this oriental spot showed anycuriosity or looked up when they passed. In every little shop ordoorway a Turk was seated cross-legged on a low divan, puffing moodilyat his chibouk, each and every one, whether grey-bearded or otherwise,motionless, immovable, and absolutely uninterested.
"Well, I never!" exclaimed Phil. "Did you ever see such a sleepy lot,Tony? They look as though an earthquake would not move them; and thechildren, too, seem just as little upset by the arrival of the troops."
"They are about the sleepiest lot I ever see," growled Tony in reply."That old cove over there might be made of wax; and what's this a-comingdown the street? I suppose it's a woman, but she might just as well bea sack. Ugh! Give me England and English girls! Let's get on, oldman, and see what these here Frenchmen are up to."
Everywhere the streets were labelled with French names, and indeed theFrench seemed to be far more _en evidence_ than the British. They hadinaugurated a cafe, the best building in the town was utilised as theirhospital, and their general had his quarters in a prominent position.One might have thought that the British were not there at all, save thatHighlanders stepping briskly along the pavements, and an occasionalinfantry-man or a mounted orderly passing through the streets showedthat our forces too were represented.
"It is curious to see so much that is French and so little that isEnglish," remarked Phil in a disappointed voice. "Everywhere it's Ruethis or Rue that; never an English name, from the landing-stage to theedge of the town. What can our people be doing?"
"They're awake. You trust 'em for that," Tony answered with conviction,"Just because they haven't christened all the streets and painted theirnames everywhere, don't you think they're not every bit as good as thesehere Froggies."
It was almost nightfall when Phil and Tony reached Scutari again andrejoined their comrades, and there they remained until early in June,passing the greater part of their days in drills and musketry practice,and in exploring the surrounding country.
A Gallant Grenadier: A Tale of the Crimean War Page 7
