'You should do,' said Daniel.

'Why? It makes no difference to me.'

'Yes, it does. Spain itself may be weak but it still has its colonies and dependencies. Think of Mexico, Cuba, the Canary Islands, Sicily, Sardinia, Naples, Milan, bits of the Americas — not to mention the Spanish Netherlands. Do you want France to control that empire? They'd go on to rule the world.'

'Let them — as long as they leave England alone.'

'But they wouldn't, Henry. If they conquer Europe, they'll look to overrun us next. Would you like to see French soldiers in London?'

'Yes — if they were hanging from a gallows.'

Daniel clapped him on the shoulder. 'We agree on something at last,' he said.

'I just want this war to be over,' said Welbeck sadly. 'I seem to have spent a lifetime running after French uniforms.'

'If we destroy their army — as we will one day — you'll be able to run after French women instead.'

Welbeck snorted. 'Women are more trouble than they're worth, Dan. That's why I keep well away from them. I've seen the damage they can create. One of the best things Corporal John ever did was to forbid whores to ply their trade among the army. The men didn't like it at all,' he recalled, 'but it made them better soldiers.'

'Our commander cares for his men,' said Daniel. 'That's how he got the nickname of Corporal John. He doesn't hold himself aloof. He knows how hard life in the ranks really is and he's done his best to improve the lot of the average soldier. Thanks to him, we always have plenty of surgeons travelling with us. Thanks to him, we always have provisions awaiting us when we camp.'

'I'd still rather be home in England.'

'Then why have you stayed in the army so long?'

Welbeck gave a rare smile. 'It needs me, Dan.'

Most officers did not consort freely with the ranks but Daniel was an exception to the rule. He was happy to spend time with people like Henry Welbeck and to learn what the men he commanded were thinking and feeling. Critics warned him that making himself so approachable would lead to a loss of discipline. It had not happened in Daniel's case. If anything, his men respected him even more.