Robert Heath

Robert Heath (also known as 'Little-man-talks-too-much') is a soldier of an English regiment who deserts shortly before the battle of Waterloo. His regiment was apparently quartered in Brussels when on the eve of the battle the city was magically transported to part of the American plains by Jonathan Strange, to prevent its falling into the hands of Buonaparte. Having little relish for warfare, Heath quickly took his opportunity to desert. On the return of Brussels to European soil later in the day however he, along with other deserters, was left behind.

He subsequently seems to have adjusted well to his new life as a Lakota Indian, for he is still alive some fifteen years later when he meets and talks to the trader Pearson Denby. He requests some information regarding the outcome of the battle which Denby is unfortunately not placed to answer. Heath however is of a philosophical turn, and minds it very little [40].