After a pause , Ross said , " You must have had damn strong reasons for doing it .sx " .sx " Yes .sx But I didn't take into account that the mere mention of the Ashleigh name , especially in this part of the world , instils in everyone the belief that I'm a crack officer .sx It was first made apparent to me when I came upon a mammoth named Steadman , who met me off the ship at Cairo .sx Your Captain Ford has just made the same mistake in thinking the regiment fortunate in welcoming an Ashleigh to its ranks .sx " .sx Still looking thunderstruck , Ross said , " A crack officer would hardly be only a second lieutenant at your age .sx Have you really had no more than a short spell of training with the militia ?sx " .sx " That's all .sx A man with my background should have absorbed a great deal of military knowledge , but I confess to perpetually closing my ears to anything martial in the belief that it was acutely melodramatic .sx " He sighed .sx " In theory , the notion of donning uniform and sailing for the Sudan was splendid .sx In practice , I think .sx .. " .sx " Even in theory it was madness , " pronounced the man who had somehow become his friend in a matter of minutes .sx " You're short on stamina , ignorant of military leadership and lacking in sufficient guile to survive long in this exacting profession .sx " Taking Vere's glass to refill it , he then said , " There are two types of officer , you know .sx Excellent soldiers , and those who bluff everyone into thinking they are .sx You will have to join the latter category .sx Being called Ashleigh gives you a head start in your bluff .sx " He refilled his own glass .sx " What did you do before this ?sx " .sx " Do ?sx " The heat and the brandy were affecting his wits .sx " What was your profession ?sx " .sx " I ran the estate , and I suppose you could call me an amateur artist .sx I paint and sketch rather well .sx " .sx Ross burst into loud gusty laughter .sx " Oh , my lord , this gets more and more unbelievable .sx I now understand exactly why Winterton sent you to us .sx The old devil !sx A Pre-Raphaelite bearing a sword .sx How rich .sx How bloody rich !sx " .sx Having downed the second drink Vere caught himself laughing , too .sx He had never viewed what he was doing as humorous .sx Now it seemed to be exquisitely so .sx " You should have seen the range of expressions which crossed Ford's face .sx He began by calling me an insufferable pip-squeak and ended by saying how delighted he was to welcome me to the regiment .sx That word 'Ashleigh' worked like magic .sx " .sx Ross sobered as he sank back on the pillow of his canvas bed .sx " We have to keep that magic intact with concentrated bluff , until you've learned enough to maintain their belief in your excellence with true military efficiency .sx I'll teach you the ropes concerning command of a platoon , and keep an eye on your comings and goings .sx If they give you Carter's men , Sergeant Withers will really command them whilst treating you with fatherly respect .sx But Moynihan's platoon are a tough bunch led by a sergeant who loses no chance of putting officers in awkward positions .sx Lord help you if Forrester hands you over to them .sx " .sx " Why is a major commanding a regiment ?sx " Vere asked , not a whit worried about being given Moynihan's platoon due to blissful ignorance of the pitfalls of junior command .sx " It's only temporary .sx Colonel Meers is in Alexandria on an official mission .sx Reggie Forrester is a decent fellow normally , but he's trying to cope with too much here as well as riding back and forth to check the small advance force already at Berber .sx Only just back on his feet after a dose of fever , he's chasing his own tail in his attempts to make his mark in Meers' absence .sx Leaves him somewhat short-tempered .sx We're used to him , but I'll stick close to your side when you meet him in Mess tonight so that you won't ruin the bluff .sx " .sx Feeling very strongly that he would also like to stretch out on a bed right now , Vere studied his reclining neighbour for some moments .sx Then he asked , " Why are you prepared to do all this for a perfect stranger ?sx " .sx Ross turned his head to answer .sx " Fellow officer , and all that .sx Might want you to save my own life one day soon .sx " His grin then softened the seriousness of his words .sx " Besides , your arrival promises an element of relief from boredom .sx There's nothing else to do in Abu Hamed other than sleep or go down with fever .sx I've done the latter and recovered .sx Now , if you'll excuse me , I'll indulge in the first .sx Chin , chin , Ashleigh .sx " He closed his eyes , leaving his visitor to depart rather unsteadily .sx In his own tent Vere found a soldier of around his brother's age unpacking various items from the smart trunks .sx Although tall , the young lad did not possess the powerful physique Val had cultivated .sx Neither had he the air of assured determination characteristic of that distant schoolboy .sx Even so , Vere felt drawn to the batman who announced himself dolefully as Private Perkins .sx Smiling encouragement , Vere said , " My name is Ashleigh .sx " .sx " I knows that , sir , and I begs Captain Ford as to not give me this duty .sx " .sx " You didn't want to serve me ?sx " .sx The thin pale face twitched nervously while eyes the same colour as the Nile studied the tent rather than Vere .sx " No , sir .sx " .sx " I see .sx " Nonplussed , he said , " I'm sure I can persuade Captain Ford to give you some other duty .sx No man should be made to do something completely onerous to him .sx " .sx The eyes swung to confront him .sx " It's not owner- .sx .. what you said , sir .sx No , not that .sx " .sx " Then what ?sx " .sx The corners of the thin mouth turned down miserably .sx " A gentleman like yourself , sir , should 'ave the best .sx " .sx " And Private Perkins is not ?sx " .sx The lad shook his head .sx " Mr Moynihan give me what-for quite reg'ler .sx Says I'm no better than them blackies what come up from the town .sx " .sx " Two of them carried these heavy trunks of mine all the way from the steamer this afternoon and did the job to my complete satisfaction .sx I see no reason why you shouldn't do the same , Perkins , " Vere told him forming a swift opinion of the absent Moynihan .sx " Suppose we give it a try for a day or two .sx " Seeing the young soldier's doubt , he added , " Would you consider the proposal ?sx " .sx Frowning in perplexity , Perkins said , " I can't consider nothin' , Mr Ashleigh .sx I gets me orders .sx " .sx " Ah .sx In that case , I order you to forget all this nonsense and do my bidding .sx I have a notion we shall get on extremely well .sx " .sx Perkins did not appear to share that confidence but understood direct commands .sx He nodded in resignation .sx " I'd like you to take yourself off and leave me to have a nap .sx Come back in one hour to make tea .sx I like it strong with plenty of sugar .sx I also like two biscuits with it .sx You'll find a tin of them in that other trunk .sx After the tea I shall require water to wash myself .sx Do you know where to acquire it ?sx " .sx " Oh , yes , sir , corse I do .sx " .sx " Good .sx While I'm endeavouring to take some kind of bath , you can remove from my baggage those things I shall need here .sx I shall send the remainder back to Cairo on the next steamer .sx " He smiled at the serious face regarding him .sx " I rushed out here from England with no time to organise things properly .sx " .sx " 'Spect they'll send you into Khartoum first , as so they should .sx " .sx Vere let that pass .sx " How old are you , Perkins ?sx " .sx " Jest a bit past eighteen .sx " .sx " I have a brother of that age at school in England .sx He'd give anything to be out here as you are .sx " He sat on the side of the bed which Perkins had already set up .sx " Cut along now and let me rest .sx " .sx Before he drifted into sleep Vere had time to reflect that he had just come across two examples of military men who were vastly different from the old warriors who visited Knightshill .sx Ross Majors seemed eminently sensible about his chosen profession and the members of it .sx He also appeared to have become a potential friend , something Vere believed would never be possible between himself and an army officer .sx Perkins was so much the complete opposite of Val , it seemed providential that the unpleasant Moynihan should be too ill to need his batman .sx Here was a boy in uniform who seemed as unsuited to the life of a soldier as the officer he had been detailed to serve .sx One more thing he contemplated before surrendering to slumber .sx He had just downed two brandies , something strictly forbidden by Dr Alderton .sx He had enjoyed them - had enjoyed drinking companionably with Ross Majors .sx As he was unlikely to survive long in this hot , disease - ridden country , it no longer mattered if he flouted the restrictions he had suffered for years in order to live as long as possible .sx From now on he could do exactly as he pleased .sx A tremendous feeling of freedom washed over him as his eyelids closed in sleep .sx The Officers' Mess was a make-shift affair in a large tent .sx The moment Vere entered with Ross he was surrounded by men eager to shake his hand and discuss the campaign .sx A year had already passed since the punitive expedition was launched , and Khartoum was still more than two hundred river miles away .sx Vere was asked for his opinion on this sloth-like advance .sx As he had none he looked to his new friend for help .sx " It's the same as ours , only more so , " said Ross .sx " He can't wait to march into Khartoum and raise the flag .sx " He called for the steward .sx " What'll you have , Ashleigh ?sx " .sx " I think I should sign for this , " Vere said , wondering if he should offer drinks all round .sx " Rule of the regiment that no man pays for liquor on his first night in Mess , " Ross told him .sx Vere was bombarded with questions concerning his own regiment in Cairo .sx On hearing that he had been with them a mere week , he was then asked about the West Wilts .sx On firmer ground , he found he was able to recount word for word some of the anecdotes told around the dining table at Knightshill .sx His listeners found them hilarious , to his own mystification , so he was the centre of a ring of boisterous young men in thick scarlet mess jackets and strapped blue trousers when Captain Ford pushed through them to announce that their acting CO was on his way .sx A general stiffening of posture served as respectful acknowledgement from subordinates , who chorused a return greeting when Forrester said , " Good evening , gentlemen .sx " .sx Vere experienced surprise as he studied the new arrival .sx Tall , muscularly graceful , with hair as pale as the sands around them , Reginald Forrester was one of the most beautiful men Vere had ever seen .sx The bone structure of his face was Grecian .sx His eyes were an arresting , dreamy blue-green as they glanced round the tent until meeting Vere's across the space of several yards .sx " He's superb , " Vere murmured to his companion .sx " I wonder if anyone has ever done a nude study of him .sx " .sx " Thank your lucky stars I happened to be the one to overhear that , " said Ross quietly .sx " Anyone else would gain a very dangerous impression .sx " .sx Vere glanced round .sx " What ?sx " .sx " Subalterns should never voice a desire to see their commanding officer naked !sx " .sx " But he's the answer to an artist's prayer , " Vere explained .sx " He shouldn't be doing this .sx Any man can be a soldier .sx What a waste .sx " .sx Ross sighed heavily .sx " Your bluff won't last beyond an hour if you think along those lines .sx " .sx " I'm an artist .sx I can't prevent such thoughts .sx " .sx " Then don't put them into words , for God's sake , " came the plea as Forrester began crossing toward them .sx " Let me do the talking .sx " .sx Forrester's smile was worthy of him and increased Vere's sense of artistic admiration of the man .sx " Ashleigh , I speak for the entire regiment when I say we are aware of our good fortune in having you on attachment to us , " the god-like creature said warmly .sx