The expressions remained stoic, as befitted British soldiers.
"Right, let"s get started then." Jack ignored the sweat that was already trickling down his spine and dampening his forehead.
He marched his men up and down the deck with their heavy boots thumping and the sailors openly grinning.
"Go easy on my deck!" Marshall didn"t raise his voice. "If there are any scrapes, it is you soldiers that will sand it level."
Musket drill was next, with the men standing at the rail presenting and aiming at points on the banks of the river.
"Don"t fire those blasted muskets, Windrush. We don"t want to alert the Burmese or cause them to retaliate."
"Aim, but don"t fire." Jack amended his instructions and glanced at the quarterdeck, where Marshall was watching. "We"ll withdraw the charges later."
