Victorian Days & Nights by: Elsbeth Magic & Mayhem in Victorian England

Chapter 11

Captain Jean Demount opened up his morning paper, one of the few luxuries from home. Sundays for the garrison was a day to rest; most of it spent reading through last week’s Le Figaro which had been sent to him by his wife Claudette all the way from Paris to his post on the Alsace-Lorraine border.

After the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870, the land had been given to the Prussians as part of punitive measures. Not a popular move, even among the Germans, it had earned eternal hatred from the French. Most believed that it was only a matter of time before it was returned to the people of France through force of arms.

“Sergeant, if you wish you may have the paper after I am finished.” He nodded to the much older man, who smoked a pipe with his back against the wall. The Captain knew that the newspapers would eventually get to his men to read.

A veteran of the 1870 wars, Sergeant Dumas had grown rather fond of the young Captain. “Merci beaucoup, mon Capitaine”

Half way through breakfast, the Captain was suddenly disturbed by what sounded like gun fire off in the distance.

“I don’t believe I ordered any firing drills today. Sergeant, please go to Lieutenant Roch with my compliments and have him investigate the noise. Perhaps he will know who is running around and disturbing everyone’s peaceful Sunday morning.”

“Sir, it’s most likely Private Reynard shooting rabbits again.” A small red headed Corporal, serving coffee commented. The private was considered the best shot in the regiment and often added some much appreciated meat to the men’s meals.

“Well then, you happen to speak to him see what he can do about the quality of the rabbits. The last two he pouched were a bit on the skinny side.” The Captain said with a smile which faded at the sound of gunfire that was entirely different.

Reaching for his blue cap, he placed it smartly on his head, before leaving the small building heading directly towards the armory. Except for a few guards, most of the company’s weapons would be locked away. Noticing that a number of men now looked towards the forest just over the ridge, he quickly began to give orders.

Although there had been no news of Prussian maneuvers in the area, the firing continued along with that sounded like machine gun fire. He had first heard its terrible sound in central Africa. Reaching into his jacket, the Captain of Voltigeurs pulled out a small pad and wrote a quick note.

“Take this to the telegraph office, if you please, Private.” The Captain handed the slip of paper to the closest man, who saluted and ran off as quickly as possible.

As he watched the man run off, he turned to the Corporal who still stood with a pot of coffee in his hands. “Call out the guard, if you please, Marcus.”

“Look at this, Michael.” Rebecca sat across from his Lordship, the two of them going through reports of the week’s events.

“A news article?”

“Remember when Jack mentioned the attack on the French outpost last week.”

“Yes, unknown attackers who came in numbers, however the officers were giving orders in German. Only the quick thinking of their garrison commander kept the loss of life on the French side to a minimum.”

The raid had caused a general uproar all over the continent. Many in Britain knew that Alsace-Lorraine would most likely be the cause of the next war between France and Germany.

“According to the paper, the French attacked a German garrison in retaliation. And of course, both sides were blaming one another while neither claimed responsibility.”

Lord Kinsley made a face, such things often happened on occasion, but both times the garrison was attacked by a force larger than a raid.

“German garrison didn’t fare as well. I would have expected their commanders to be on guard for such a thing.”

Rebecca looked at Michael for a moment. “You don’t look too surprised.”

“I half expect them to go to war yearly. At least the French government appears to be less excited about the entire incident.”

“Can you imagine what would be happening now if Boulanger had been successful?” Rebecca sat back, shaking her head.

Georges Ernest Jean-Marie Boulanger, a very anti-German politician, had attempted to overthrow the French government last year. “Still both sides are not happy with one another. Her Majesty apparently is sending mediators to see if there is a way to keep the peace.”

“Good morning, Sir Lee; if is not too much of an imposition, do you think I might have a few minutes of your time.”

Sir Henry Lee looked up from his breakfast, surprised to find one of the least liked members of the press standing in front of him. “Sam, I would like to say that I’m surprised to find you here, but I’m not.”

Samuel Johns grinned before taking a chair in front of the one of the members of the delegation sent to speak with both the British and the French. To most the friendly atmosphere between the two would be odd however they had face fire and death together.

As young journalist, Sam had been sent to South Africa to cover the war in Zululand. He had spent many nights playing cards in Sir Lee’s tent.

“I don’t imagine you can tell me anything the Ministry hasn’t already released.”

“Not bloody likely.” The once British Colonel of the Royal Lancers muttered under his breath. “I imagine you know as much as I do.”

The newspaperman shrugged. “At least people won’t be shooting at us this time.”

Sir Lee chuckled; for a newspaper man, his friend had been quite steady under fire. Hopefully he was correct, the Queen had been quite adamant about keeping Europe peaceful.

“That is our intention, although I, as you know, am just one member of the delegation. Lord Helmsley is actually in charge.”

“Yes but his Lordship won’t allow me in the same room as him, much less at the same breakfast able.” The newspaperman reached over and began buttering a small piece of toast.

“The marmalade is also quite excellent.” Sir Lee sat back on his chair trying to suppress a grin. Looking through one of the small portholes, the Knight wondered when the coast of France would be coming into view.

“Sir Lee as a military man, can you comment on the rumors of new inventions, both countries now possess.”

“For example?”

“War balloons or whatever they are called, for one.”

“Nothing new I assure you. The Americans used balloons during their last war, what forty years ago.”

“True, however what I hear, the German war balloons are much larger and sport quite a number of weapons.”

“As I said, Sam, nothing new, all countries have looked into lighter than air transport. Arming such vehicles seems quite prudent, especially if you run into another such vehicle similarly equipped.”

“And how far is our government in the production of such balloons?”

Sir Lee smiled. “That’s not my department Sam, I am merely a diplomat.”

The Knight of Bath knew better then to even hint of what he had seen recently. If the Ministry could actually get those ships into the air in numbers, the British people wouldn’t have to worry about German War Balloons.

“Right, and I’m the Queen of Sheba.” The newspaperman laughed.

Rising from the table, the two men went on deck. Putting aside their responsibilities, they spoke of family and of friends lost.

“Long way from Ulundi.” Sam leaned on the railing, taking a good look at the coast of France as it came into view.

The two men had been at the last battle for King Cetshway’s army, when Lord Chelmsford’s army had massacred the Impi’s outside the royal compound. With the loss of only about eighty men, the British had inflicted over two thousand casualties. Stationed near the Gatling guns, Sam couldn’t fathom what other terrors the future of warfare would bring.

“What’s that?” Sir Henry Lee finger pointed to two small, what appeared to be white wakes heading straight for the ship.

When the first torpedo slammed into the small ship, both men were knocked to the ground. With the second one, they were thrown into the sea. They were indeed fortunate, as the ship and the rest of its passengers disappeared under the waves only a few minutes later.

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. If you like the story please leave a Kudos, if you have the time I would love to hear from you. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth

 © Copyright - Elsbeth 2011/2013