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SHARPE’S banquet
Richard Sharpe and the
Waterloo Banquet
Novel by Paul Kaster
1822 June 15
Chapter 5
South Shoebury
Arthur Courtney woke to the sounds coming from outside the barn. He rubs his eyes as he tries to remember where he is.
“Pappa brought me here yesterday.”
He calls out “Pappa! Pappa!”
No one answers
Again, he calls out “Pappa! Pappa!”
This time, the door opens. A man comes in, but it is not his father.
“Awake are ya, boy. Will bring ya food and drink. Wait here.
The man closes the door. Arthur watches. He is hungry. And, he needs to find a chamber pot.
When the man returns he has a metal plate with bread and two sausages.
“chamber pot?” he asks the man.
“Use the stall over there. The horses do.”
Arthur looks and then back to the man.
The man puts the plate on a small crate inside the door then leaves.
Arthur goes to the stall then retrieves the plate. He sits on the crate while he eats.
While he eats, from the back of the barn, he hears sounds.
“Who’s there?”
When no one answers, he goes to see what is making the noises. In a pile of straw he finds a cat with five kittens.
“Ah, puss, they put you here too.” he reaches down to pet the cats.
The cats respond to him by purring and playing with his hand.
He goes to his plate to get the second sausage. He shares pieces of the sausage with each of the cats.
He sits and plays with them while he waits until his father comes.
Alex slept in the main house of the property. It belongs to a farmer who is a go between with those that smuggle goods to England and those that take them up river.
“We brung you theses chests as ya said. We h’expects t’ be paid.” The captain of the smuggler boat says.
“You will be paid tomorrow” he assures the smugglers.
“If’n we don’t, we’ll kill you and yer boy.”
Courtney doesn’t care what happens to the boy. “I expect hear today what time tomorrow my money will arrive. When I get paid, I pay you.”
“End of day tomorrow, ya pays us or ya die.”
He is confident that Lewrie will come with their money. Lewrie won’t risk anything to happen to his grandson.
London
Sharpe was awake and dressed before dawn. He knew that the Golden Lion served breakfast at the first light. He wanted to have tea and eat before they left. He would buy enough for the three of them
“Should have asked Sandman for water bottles or bottles.”
The cook at the Golden Lion was surprised that he ordered so much food and that the food be wrapped.
“Bread and sausages will do. Wrap them in newspaper if you have to. Have something to carry the tea?”
“Got last night’s wine bottles and corks.”
“That will have to do. Have three of them?”
“Do sir.”
The cook prepares the food and tea while Sharpe waits.
Just before half past 6, Sandman and Marlott ride up to the front of the Golden Lion.
Sandman leads a horse for Sharpe. “Good morning, Colonel.” he greets Sharpe.
“It’s Richard.” He gives each of them their food wrapped in newspaper and a corked bottle of tea.
“Ah, should have thought of water bottles.” Sandman says.
“Have saddlebags and guns. My Baker and the sword are on your horse, Colonel. Cartridges and flints, too.” Marlott says.
“Thank you.” He puts his food and drink in the saddle bag on his horse. “Fine looking horses.”
“Convinced our Bow Street people to let us use these. We keep horses, carts, guns or what we may need to enforce the law.” Sandman says.
“Remember how to leave London, Colonel?”
Sharpe decides to give up stopping them to call him colonel.
“Yes, but I’m happy to have you show me the way, John. You said that you’ve been there recently.”
“Then, let’s go.
Marlott led the way. It was early on a Saturday, but London was busy with people setting up the foods and wares that have brought from the countryside to the city’s markets. Riding single file, they made their way east along The Strand. When they pass Twinings tea shop, Sharpe smiles.
“There’s a reason to maybe stop when we return.”
Past St. Paul’s cathedral, they turn north towards Aldgate. This route will take them north of Wapping. Beyond Aldgate, the crowds on the road thin out so that they can ride abreast.
“Going to Ilford. Wanted to avoid route past Wapping. Sir Alan’s son Hugh and I have been to Wapping too many times in recent weeks. Smugglers there could see me going east and send alerts.”
Rider adds, “With the Bow Street Runners drawn there too. Since Easter, many murders trace back to Wapping.”
Sharpe remembers what it was like to live there as a boy. “People have you to bring order. Only the criminals, and sometimes the army, watched over Wapping when I was a boy there. Still have the dogpits?”
“Do.” Rider says.
“Always good for at least one fight from a cheated bettor.” Sharpe says.
“Happens all the time. Fights don’t draw us. Murders do.”
Sharpe nods.
They ride through Ilford and reach Hornchurch after about two hours.
“We should rest. Water and feed the horses.” Marlott says.
“Water and feed me too.” Sandman adds.
While the rest, Sharpe asks, “What will we find in Shoebury?”
“Not much. Road in from Southend. Road out to Wakering. Churches each side of road. Pier on river side of point of land. Half mile from pier to road. One manor house between Southend and churches. Smaller two or three hundred yards east of churches. Some farm land. Mostly marsh or bog.” Marlott tells them.
“Cover?”
“Not much. wheat or barley fields. Some marsh grass.”
Sharpe had taken some paper and a pencil from his hotel. While John talks, he draws a map. “Like this?” He shows John.
“Like this?”
“Yes.”
“Where are they most likely to hold the boy?”
John points to the house east of the churches. “Here. This house is closer to the pier. Has outbuildings that we have suspected they use to keep goods between coming in from overseas and going up the river.”
“How can we know?”
“Town people have seen me. Not Rider or you.”
Maybe one of you rides to Wakering. Return to Southend before dark. If you take your time, no one may suspect you.”
“Wakering?” Sharpe amused how so many places from his past are connected to this trip.
“Been there once. Seven years ago. Found my lost South Essex 2nd battalion across the bridge.”
John says, “Heard that story from one of your men.”
“Anyone there remember you?”
“Only Henry Simmerson, if he is there.”
“Oh, he is there. Came back from India. Still sometimes with East India Company shipments.”
“Opium?”
“Yes.”
Sharpe remembers how four years ago Simmerson seemed interested in the Company taking over Dragomirov’s opium trade after Harper and Sharpe had killed Dragomirov and stopped the illegal opium trade.”
“Simmerson needed money after his crimping scheme was stopped. Opium trade sounds like him.”
“Yes, but the Company’s trade is legal. Others’, not.”
Sharpe thinks about going to Wakering. “Better one or two go?”
Rider says, “Some of the smugglers may know me from London. May be best you go alone. Remember the way?”
“Yes. Why do people travel to Wakering now? Suspicious if I go?”
“Like gin?”
“Some.”
“Smuggled gin comes in through Foulness now. Then goes up the Crouch. Trades are negotiated in Wakering.” Rider says.
“We leave Wakering alone. Never catch anyone with the goods. Common for buyers to go and come same day.”
“So, if stopped, I am trying to buy gin?”
“Yes, alone not likely you will be stopped. But, leave the rifle with us. Take a pistol.”
Sharpe nods. He drains the last of his tea from the bottle then refills it from the stream nearby.
They collect their horses from the field that they had chosen to give them rest. The sun is climbing in the sky in front of them. It will be a clear June day for them to travel.
By noon, they reached Basildon.
“Time to rest again.” John says.
“Public house ahead. Eat and drink?” Rider asks.
“Know it?” Sharpe returns.
“Yes. Stopped once or twice on cricket travels.”
“Lead the way.”
Within a few minutes they arrive at the Jolly Friar. The pub has a fenced yard for the horses. They water and feed their horses before going to find a table.
Rider recommends the lamb and potatoes with an ale. The others agree with his recommendation. Lewrie had given Sharpe five pounds to cover their expenses. So, he paid for them.
As they ate, he asked, “Rider, you mentioned cricket.”
John says, “Rider here is well known for cricket. Teams hire him because he is very good with the bat.”
“Play sometimes. Too many team owners cheat. I won’t play for them. Nice to get extra money, though.”
“Rider is still paying off his father’s debts. Didn’t have to. Protecting his family name.”
Rider pauses from his next bite of food. “Almost finished paying. Happy when I finish.”
“Play at Lord’s?” Sharpe asks.
“Sometimes. Games this week, but I’m not in.”
“Before I go home, want to see Lord. Know him from years ago.”
“Oh?” Both John and Rider say.
“Dunnet once said something about you and cricket.” John says.
“Played some. Learned how to bowl at Marylebone.”
John looks to Sharpe and then to Rider. “A bowler and a batsman with me at the same table. Is this a match in the making?”
“Jobs first. We have a boy to rescue.” Sharpe says. He finishes his last potato and his ale. “Time to go?”
The others finish their meal and rise to leave.
London
Lewrie woke with the sun. Anne was gone from their bed, but that was her normal routine. He dressed to go to the bank. When he entered the kitchen, Charlotte and Anne were waiting for him.
Charlotte’s eyes were red from crying. “How could he do this, Father?”
“Your husband has been a cad since you married. Got worse after his wound.”
“He left me to raise Caroline since she is a girl. But, I thought he would be more of a father to Arthur.”
Lewrie suspected Courtney had pursued Charlotte solely to get to the money that Lewrie or the Chiswicks would give to her.
“Alex has left Arthur to me to be father to Arthur. He knows that I care for the boy. Sent his ransom note to me, not you, my dear.”
“Your father will do all in his power to bring Arthur home safely, Charlotte.” Anne says.
Charlotte and Caroline have accepted Anne into their family. Charlotte lost her mother when she was twelve and had been raised by her aunt. She had not become close to her father’s second wife, Jessica, and had been consumed with her marriage and the birth of her daughter when Jessica died giving birth. Shortly after Arthur was born, Anne had come into their lives. Anne and she taken to each other from the start.
“Alan, go, do what you need to.”
“ First to the bank. Then, to charter a steam boat. Need to trust that your friend Richard will be able to succeed before I arrive.”
“I have come to believe that there are few situations that Richard can not overcome. We shall trust that he can succeed here. He does things unconventionally.”
“Will he be able to keep Arthur from harm, Anne?” Charlotte asks.
“If any one can, yes, he can and will. He is that kind of man. Unlike your husband.”
Anne smirks at the thought of another man that society recognizes as a ‘gentleman’ who has proven not to be when Sharpe who is looked down on, demonstrates gentlemanly qualities time after time.
“We can be strong here for Caroline and the others. As you noted, Caroline is at the same age as you were when you lost your mother. She may need us to support her.”
Charlotte nods.
Shoebury
Arthur played with the cats throughout the morning. Pappa did not return for hours. The guard would sometimes look in to ask. “There ya are, boy.” Then he would close the door.
When he tires of playing with the cats, he explores the inside of the barn. He finds stalls, but no animals. Inside the door is a trough that he has been drinking water with the cup that came with his breakfast. The only windows are high on the walls. They provide light but are too high for him to reach to try to leave. The only way he can go is through the door.
“When will Pappa come for me?” he wonders and waits.
After what he thinks is a very long time, the guard brings him more food. The cats come to him while he eats.
After they eat, he finds a spot in the straw to rest. He and the cats sleep until they wake as someone opens the door. The cars hide when someone enters.
“Arthur, come here, boy.”
“Pappa?” Arthur says sleepily.
“Come here, boy.”
Arthur goes to his father. Alex takes Arthur’s hand to lead him outside. Alex has decided to let Arthur walk around the barn while the sun shines.
“Your grandfather sent word that he will come here tomorrow for you.”
“Grandpa? Tomorrow? Will you take me home with him?”
“No, I have work to do. You go alone with him.”
Arthur is confused. “Do I help you to work here?”
“In a way, yes. I need you here to do the work.”
Arthur still does not understand. “What will I do?”
“You let the men that I work with that our business will succeed.”
“How do I do that?”
“They need me and your grandfather. Your grandfather will not help without you.”
Arthur still does not understand. “Will grandpa be angry with me?”
“No, he may be angry with me, but he is always angry with me. He will come for you, then take you home. These men and I will finish our business.”
Arthur is not sure that he understands at all. Pappa needs me to do his work. But only needs me to bring grandpa to help.
“Will you be coming home after you work?” Arthur sees his father very little.
Alex does not answer. They continue to walk slowly around the barn.
Arthur notices as they walk that a road passes them to one side.
“Does that road go home?”
“No. It goes to the ocean and to the mountains.”
Arthur thinks about the ocean and mountains. He stops to look at the road. Pappa stops with him. Arthur watches a few people pass on the road. Some walk. A cart drawn by a horse. One man on a horse has stopped and appears to be watching the people going too.
“Pappa, where do those people go?”
“Today is Saturday. Many people bring food and goods to the market in town. Others come to buy.”
“Are there sweets at the market?”
“No. Fruits, vegetables, meats.”
They start to walk again. As they come around the building again, Arthur notes that they man on the horse is still there. The man seems to be watching them.
By the time that they come around again, the man has gone. On the next time that they pass the door of the barn, a man comes from the house.
“Courtney.” the man calls.
“I need to go, Arthur. We will send you supper. Stay in the barn.”
“Pappa, I want to go with you.”
“You need to stay here. Eat. Sleep. Grandfather comes tomorrow.”
Arthur starts to cry slowly. Alex takes his hand, leads him to the door and points him to go inside.
“I come back later.”
“Watch him.” Alex says to the guard.
The guard takes Arthur to lead him into the barn.
At the house, Alex convinces the smugglers that Lewrie will come.
“Lewrie loves that boy. He will bring our money. But, he does not like to lose.”
“He doesn’t like you.” One says.
“That is true. He will do all that he needs to to save the boy and NOT to give me the money. We need to be ready for tricks. Lewrie is a warrior, not often defeated.”
“Lewrie will come by the river. We will be ready.” The smuggler leader says.
Wakering
After Basildon, Sharpe, Marlott and Sandman rode quietly through Hadleigh arrived at Southend mid afternoon. They got rooms at Gray’s Inn.
Sharpe unloaded everything that he didn’t need until the following day.
“Seem to remember that if I follow the road from town to the east, that it will take me to Wakering.”
“Yes. Today is markets day along the way. Locals should not think that you are out of the ordinary to be traveling today.”
“Not much in Wakering. Church (St. Nicholas). Some houses. Big manor house north and east.” He recalls his time there finding his missing battalion.
He chose the White Hart to stop. He orders a black beer only.
While he slowly slips his beer, the door to the inn opens.
“Stubbs! Brandy!” The person calls.
Sharpe is drawn to the voice.
“Sir Henry Simmerson.”
Simmerson notices that another is sitting at the table that he likes to claim. Before he can complain, he realizes who it is.
“Sharpe? By God! You appear in the most unusual places.”
Without being invited, he sits at the table with Sharpe.
“Sir Henry.”
Simmerson sips his brandy. “What brings you to Wakering, Sharpe? Make more trouble for me?” He pauses. “Find your ‘wife’” He sneers.
Jane, Sharpe’s wife, is Simmerson’s niece.
Sharpe bristles as Simmerson speaks.
“Sold Jane to Rossendale. Twit got himself killed at Waterloo. Don’t know. Don’t care where she is. Told you so in India.”
“As you did, as you did.” He sips again. “Sold here did you? Never heard of such.”
“It’s done. Church doesn’t accept though.”
“So, not here for Jane. What does bring you here.”
“Helping friend save his grandson.”
“Kidnappers? Here?”
“Not here. Shoebury.”
“Ah, Shoebury. Nasty lot there. If Shoebury, why here?” he repeats.
“Rode past Shoebury. Survey where they might hold the boy. Don’t want to be obvious. Came here to wait before I return.”
Simmerson says, “God Sharpe. Always the soldier. Always the white night to someone.”
Sharpe waits. He’s not sure whether Simmerson intended his words to praise or to insult.
“In India as we departed, you told me you made mistake when you saved my life.” Before Sharpe can reply, he continues. “But, you did save my life. You have no need for me to save yours, but I could help to save the boy.”
Sharpe is reluctant to involve Simmerson.
“I am still with the East India Company. Brigadier, you know. Here, too, the militia cavalry of South Essex retains me. Honorary colonel. Smugglers at Shoebury. Nasty smugglers. Opium. Like Dragomirov in India.”
Simmerson and Sharpe had defeated a Russian opium smuggler, Dragomirov defeated in India. The Company is the only official supplier of opium for Britain worldwide.
What Simmerson is not telling Sharpe is that after India, Simmerson picked up pieces of Dragomirov’s operation, remained working for the Company and rebuilt his finances after the crimping was shut down.
Courtney’s smugglers are rival to Simmerson. Simmerson is willing to help Sharpe to eliminate competition.
“Know something about the smugglers at Shoebury.”
Sharpe waits to hear more.
“Main building are between the road and the river. I’m told that they keep goods in the house, but sometimes in the barn.”
Sharpe pulls his map from a pocket. He unfolds it on the table.
“Where?”
“Here and here. When they have goods, they post guards at these spots.” He points to locations on the map.
Sharpe marks the map with each location.
“How many guards?”
“Maybe a dozen. Sometimes more.”
“Don’t have enough help for a dozen and to get the boy alive.”
“Perhaps some militia could help?”
Sharpe thinks about Simmerson’s offer. If someone can get to the boy, they will need an escape route. Militia cavalry can be useful to occupy the smugglers on the east side of the buildings.
“Could use some here.” He points.
“When?”
“Tomorrow. After noon. Have your men act when the shooting starts.”
“I can arrange that.”
Sharpe nods. He has finished his beer. He won’t give Simmerson any more details. Simmerson has proven unreliable too many times.
“Tomorrow after noon, Sharpe.”
“Tomorrow, after noon, Sir Henry.”
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