Jack Archer by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
page 69 of 335 (20%)
page 69 of 335 (20%)
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couple of bottles of rum. They will be useful before morning, I can
tell you, for we are going to have a nasty night." Indeed the rain was already coming down steadily, and the wind was rising. Few of those who took part in it will ever forget their first night in the Crimea. The wind blew pitilessly, the rain poured down in torrents, and twenty-seven thousand Englishmen lay without shelter in the muddy fields, drenched to the skin. Jack had no trouble in finding his brother's regiment, which was in the advance, some two or three miles from the landing-place. Harry was delighted to see him, and the sight of the tarpaulin and bottles did not decrease the warmth of his welcome. Jack was already acquainted with most of the officers of the 33d. "Hallo, Archer," a young ensign said, "if I had been in your place, I should have remained snugly on board ship. A nice night we are in for!" So long as the daylight lasted, the officers stood in groups and chatted of the prospects of the campaign. There was nothing to do--no possibility of seeing to the comforts of their men. The place where the regiment was encamped was absolutely bare, and there were no means of procuring any shelter whatever. "How big is that tarpaulin, Jack?" "About twelve feet square," Jack said, "and pretty heavy I found it, I can tell you." "What had we better do with it?" asked Harry. "I can't lie down under |
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