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Post by Bog on Jul 13, 2011 13:20:22 GMT -5
The Light Bobs were bivouacked amidst a copse of trees, since twilight was drawing on. Picquets were out and the fires were beginning to gleam against the growing darkness. All in all, Captain Leighton reckoned it was a routine enough evening.
He was not with his men, however. Having made sure they were settled, he set off on horseback toward the nearest road, which was only a couple of miles distant. It was not likely he would encounter any travellers out at this hour, in this particular area, but anyone he did spot could safely be considered the enemy.
His horse picked over the ground with a practised steadiness, its head bobbing slightly in time to its regular walking stride. It almost seemed that the beast was half-asleep, but its ears were constantly in motion, pricking toward every sound other than its own. Leighton was confident in his mount's ability to alert to danger sooner than his own senses could.
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Post by Lady B on Aug 19, 2011 16:26:27 GMT -5
 The sound of hooves pounded the slightly primitive road almost as even as those roads well cared for in Europe. Almost. 6 horses rushed swiftly towards their destination carrying upon their backs, they riders, British Dragoons. A fearsome lot with fire in their bellies to say the least. Riding as helter skelter as the others, was a youth who had his very wish and claim come true but a few months ago. A young man of deep eyes that would not let a thing escape him. Well, so he thought. Alas, in this darkness, a rebel could very well be hiding in the trees and they wouldn't know it until the blighter fired upon them or foolishly lit a lantern. Silently he hoped would be the later so he could run down the rebel and give him a devil of a whipping. Onward they raced. Onward until they reached their destination. |
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Post by Bog on Aug 19, 2011 16:46:46 GMT -5
 His horse pricked up its ears, lifting its head toward a distant sound. It was a second or two before Leighton heard it himself. Horses, coming toward them. Many horses in fact. Riding fast. The captain cursed. He was too far removed from his company to rouse them up and have them form to meet whatever threat was approaching. He reined the suddenly-restless horse around, alternately trying to peer into the growing dark to see what was coming and to keep his mount steady. Neither were easy tasks. His only defence was a pistol, which he had in hand now, and his sword. And of course the swiftness of his horse, though he dared not trust that to see him through in a contest of numbers. The best thing for it was perhaps a foolish move, but he knew his lads well enough to be confident in their likely reactions. Leighton pointed his pistol at the sky and squeezed the trigger. There was his only shot spent but for the purposes of giving the alarm, he could think of nothing better. |
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Post by Lady B on Aug 19, 2011 17:09:17 GMT -5
Galloping along at a fairly fast steady pace... that is until a shot rang out through the darkness of night, echoing throughout the surrounding land and trees. A horse cried out in fear as it nearly came to a sudden halt, jerking to the side and became a little unruly. It was the only horse that reacted as the other mounted soldiers slowed their steeds swiftly, yanking out their pistols and circled about to come into a chaotic formation, or so it appeared. Shouting all the while trying to locate where the sound eminated from. The horse that was reacting was difficult to control and unfortunately or fortunately, this was Ban's wily gelding mount, a bay of barely 4 yrs and still as green as the grass of these Colonies. "DAMNATION!!" Ban yelled out. "I'll whip that bastard rebel from here to London and back!" Angered obviously as he struggled to control the horse, yanking the reins back to his right side, pulling the horse's head far to the side as possible in a desperate effort to gain control of the panicked bay gelding. Ban continued to curse under his breath as the gelding circled around and around and did not want to stop and whinnied. One of the Dragoon's chuckled as he glanced back at Ban. "Glad you had that one, Tarleton and not I." "I'd more than gladly trade you if you fancy it! You're very much amused. I am not!" He yelled back in his thick Liverpool accent. "Focus now, gentlemen!" The commanding Officer told them firmly. "Spread out." He motioned forward in order to find the origination of the gunshot. The horse still went around and Ban cursed again as he picked up his pistol from it's bucket ready for anything... hopefully. |
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Post by Bog on Sept 9, 2011 12:35:38 GMT -5
Whatever group of horsemen was approaching had pulled up, by the sound of it. There was much shouting from that direction but the noise of galloping hooves had ceased. This gave Leighton time to make good his retreat. To reload his pistol was out of the question, though he had loose powder and ball within immediate reach. He reined around and touched his heels back, the pistol thrust back through his sash. Getting back into the trees was his best course. His company would be getting under arms and moving toward the sound of the shot, but it would take them some time to arrive. Accordingly, Leighton and his horse plunged back into the woods, seeking to put some distance between them and their unseen enemy. Not, he knew, that they could not follow him, for stealth on horseback was impossible. All he could hope for was that whoever was behind him did not know the ground. If they did, he would very shortly find himself cut off. |
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Post by Lady B on Sept 16, 2011 0:35:01 GMT -5
It was, by all means, a challenge to give chase after someone with poor lighting. In this case, no good mid-day sunlight. But it was the challenge that these Dragoons fancied. The challenge got their blood stirred and giving them an adrenaline high. As the small band of Dragoons wheeled their horses into the trees to give chase to whomever fired that shot, they picked their way in carefully. No need to do damage to the horse as well as themselves. Would do no good if either of them felled to lame and some other form of stupidity. With care, they gave chase. Ban glanced up, pistol in hand as the other held the rein that were grounded to his thigh, the gelding's head turned almost to his thigh. Finally the devilish bastard of a horse stopped and relented. Releasing the reins, taking them up between the fingers, he steered the gelding to follow his comrades into the woods, all the while Ban cursed under his breath about giving whomever did such a stupid act, firing a gun in the darkness... he'd give them hell for it. Hearing his fellow Dragoons ahead of him, the horses picking through the trees as they tried to follow this elusive... whoever it was. Catching up with the others as they stopped to listen. "That way," one of them motioned with their pistol, still in hand. They spurred their horses on with caution, Ban riding with, trying to keep their eyes open and alert. Difficult with the limited lighting. Limited? hell, there really wasn't any! Were they mad for doing this? yes, but who gave a damn. For all the knew, could have been a Rebel General or the realization that it could have been someone hunting or some rebel taking aim at them and completely missed the shot. The sudden squeal of a horse echoed through the darkness, and the sound of something heavy hitting the ground hard, cracks and an Umph followed by scurrying and rustling with a groan and cursing. Two Dragoons wheeled about to go to their comrade's aid. Though some of the other Dragoons felt this was madness to continue on since they were off the beaten path with no proper lighting, Ban was not about to let this one get away. And so, he pushed on with his commanding Officer and one other Dragoon behind him. |
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Post by Bog on Sept 16, 2011 15:42:34 GMT -5
If he had not known the way, he would have slowed his mount. But even though he had never been through these woods before that evening, Leighton had an unerring sense of direction. His was also the advantage of not being the pursuer though of course being the pursued presented difficulties of a different sort. A great crash of noise away behind him offered slight relief. Somebody in the party hard on his heels had taken a fall. Leighton put his spurs back hard, aware that he would not be forgotten simply because of one of his pursuers having been unhorsed. The most important thing was to join up with his company and form them to meet the threat sweeping along after him. The light was going fast but in the distance, through the trees, he caught a glimpse of a red coat. Good lads! They were coming on quickly, advancing in skirmish order just as they were supposed to. His subalterns were to be commended for keeping their wits about them, clearly. The captain hunched a little lower over the saddle to avoid a low-hanging branch and for an instant pondered the wisdom of spurring his horse into an outright gallop. To do so would be fatal, however. At such a speed, his men were just as likely to consider him a danger and fire on him. Not much longer, at least. Best to keep his horse at a fast jog and hope none of the men following him got close enough to bring any firelocks to bear. |
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Post by Lady B on Oct 3, 2011 1:10:57 GMT -5
Ban continued to urge his mount forward, spurring it over the unknown terrain, weaving through the trees trying to avoid the lower branches and brush upon the ground. Among other hazards. Suicide he thought. But this was madness chasing someone they have yet to see, having only heard the sound of a pistol shot. "This is madness," Ban growled to himself as he held the pistol in one hand and the reins in the other, steering the mount about with his heels and hands. He caved in, despite no orders from his Commander, to at least identify themselves- IN THE NAME OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE! I ORDER YOU TO HALT!" His youthful baritone voice boomed out to whomever was out there. "Damnation, Tarleton!" his commanding Officer scolded as the horse squealed as it came to a sudden halt. Glaring at Banastre with the other fellow Dragoon looking between the two of them. Thinking maybe it was a smart idea to at least declare themselves. They'd know soon enough if it was friend or foe. No need to lose any more horses in a mad goose chase. Tarleton glared briefly at his commander as he wheeled his mount around in a complete circle. It was now.... a waiting game. The ball was in the court of their unknown person. |
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Post by Bog on Oct 3, 2011 6:35:25 GMT -5
It was not the sudden bellow from behind that made Leighton finally draw rein but his arrival before his company. His senior lieutenant was quick to approach and a hushed, hasty conference followed. Then, as the lieutenant moved swiftly off, Leighton reined his horse around. "Light Company!" He called in a low voice. "Fix bayonets! Port, arms! At the quick step, march!" He touched his heels back and moved back the way he'd come, with his men following close behind. They would already be primed and loaded, which meant a volley could be given just as soon as he cleared out of their field of fire. That shout had made him suspicious, however. Was it truly a troop of their own dragoons who'd seen fit to chase him? Or, equally likely, was it some roving band of those damned rebels attempting a ruse de guerre? They were about to find out. At least Leighton was confident he could triumph in any contest of fire, now he had his men present. It was difficult to beat trained light infantry, especially when the opposing side was cavalry and the contest was held in woods. |
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Post by Lady B on Oct 10, 2011 16:27:11 GMT -5
Tarleton urged his horse forward was his commanding officer started to pull his horse back, hearing voices in the not so far off distance. They were close, that was obvious. "Continue with caution, you two," he warned his two subordinates. And as the trio continued on with their horses picking through the wooded landscape carefully, Tarleton could see the dark figure of a mounted person and then behind was darker. Raising and aiming his pistol, once again he shouted. "Once again, I command you to halt in the name of His Majesty King George!" then began to mutter something about blithering rebel Colonials. The other two dragoons raised their pistols as well ready for any that may come their way. God be with them for sure. |
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Post by Bog on Oct 12, 2011 10:43:04 GMT -5
There came that challenge again. Was it issued by someone with the authority to back it? They were about to find out. Leighton drew rein and after a heartbeat's pause, backed his horse a little closer to the line of men behind him.
"Front rank," he said in that same low voice, "charge, bayonets!"
Then, deciding this ridiculous game had gone far enough, he raised his voice to call out, "You horsemen there!" One hand came to rest on the hilt of his sword. "Advance and be recognised, or I shall fire into you!"
If they were in fact rebels, he would fire into them anyway. But to do that, he would have to get clear first, which could cost precious seconds. Even with the light and terrain in their favour, cavalrymen were damnably difficult for infantrymen to counter effectively. Leighton could only hope a single volley would be enough to see any attack off, or they could very well be in trouble.
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Post by Lady B on Nov 1, 2011 21:43:10 GMT -5
The Officer halted his horse a moment as he looked at Banastre and the other Dragoon with a baffled look in the increasing darkness. But with a side shifting and together the trio of horsemen rode forward at a steady walk, pistol in hand just in case. "First Dragoons of His Majesty's Army," yelled the Officer his reply to the distant demand as they continued to ride forward slowly and cautiously. Lord knows if this was still a trick... or not. "Now identify yourselves!" ya bloody damned bastards, Banastre thought. They had yet to state who they were as they stated twice they were with His Majesty King George. They were becoming rather uneasy over the fact this was too tense a situation, the skies were darkening and the sight was very limited at the moment. "Could be a trap," the other dragoon said softly. |
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Post by Bog on Nov 3, 2011 17:43:09 GMT -5
Dragoons. Well. That explained the horses, Leighton thought wryly. And why they insisted that he identify himself. Some of his doubt was ebbing, but not enough to make him drop his guard. Especially not since the sound of hooves continued toward them.
"Make ready!" He called over his shoulder and was answered by the chorus of metallic clicks as flints were drawn back. "We are the Fifty-Fourth," he went on, directing the statement to the darkness. "Which ought be enough to satisfy your curiosity."
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Post by Lady B on Nov 7, 2011 0:57:07 GMT -5
Silence for a moment as the horses stopped upon sound of the clicks from the hammers being pulled back to full cock. A horse squealed in protest from being held back a moment. "Damnation man! Stand down!" Cried out the Dragoon Officer as he slowly moved forward and was putting his pistol away. "Was not aware the 54th had advanced to here." Definitely was an Officer of HM Dragoons as he looked at the line then at the Officer. "I doubt you wish to have an incident upon your hands," stated the Officer in a slightly wry tone. "Why, then, did you fire? Surely you knew that would arouse suspicion?" His horse shifted and he took up the reins again to steady his uneasy mount. Banastre and the other Dragoon rode up slowly beside the Officer as they looked at the line and the one whom they have been pursuing. Ban looked at him with amused annoyance. Since the capture of Charles Lee... it was dull now. He wanted more action and hoped it was a rebel who was foolish enough to alert them. "And who, pray tell, are you, sir?" Banastre asked with such pride and curiosity. Demanding who this damned idiot was that gave them a waste of their precious time. |
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Post by Bog on Nov 10, 2011 17:15:54 GMT -5
No, Leighton thought, that admission was no surprise. Dragoons were seldom interested in the doings of infantry. Unless of course it suited them.
"I am Captain Leighton," he replied, choosing to ignore the dragoon's first question. Rather pointedly, he did not order his men to order their muskets. Not yet. "Would you care to reform your men, sir? I should hate for any of them to come to harm in such unfamiliar surroundings."
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