第6章
"Giveupyourlove？"saidBarry。"NotI！Notonegood，honestaffectiondoImeantogiveup，norshallI。"
"Oh，nonsense！Don’tbereligious。Justbehonest，"saidPaula，inalow，intensevoice。"Letmespeaktoyou。SupposeI——Iloveamanwithallmysoulandbody——andbody，mindyou，andhegoesout，orgoesin，asyousay。Nomatter，hegoesoutofmylife。I
losehim，heisnothere。Icannotfeelandrespondtohislove。
Icannotfeelhisstrongarmsaboutme。MyGod！"Hervoicecamewithincreasingvehemence。"Iwanthisarms。Iwanthimasheis。
Iwanthisbody——Icannotloveaghost。No！no！"sheaddedinalow，hopelessvoice。"WhenhegoesoutIlosehim，andlosehimasmineforever。Oh，whatdoIcareforyourspiritlove！TheoldGreekswereright。Theyareshades——shades，mereshadesbeyondtheriver。Idon’twantashade。Iwantaman，astrong，warm—
hearted，braveman。Yes，agoodman，amanwithasoul。ButaMAN，notaSOUL。MyGod！"shemoaned，"howterribleitallis！
Anditcamesoneartousto—day。ButIshouldnotbesayingthistoyou，playedoutasyouare。Iamgoingtobed。Good—night。"
Sheputoutherhandandgrippedhisinwarm，strong，muscularfingers。"ThankGod，yesGod，ifyoulike，youarestill——stillinthisoutercircle，"——shebrokeintoalaugh，buttherewaslittlemirthinherlaughter——"thisgoodoldoutercircle，yetawhile。"
"Yes，"saidBarrysimplybutveryearnestly，"thankGod。Itisagoodworld。ButwithallmysoulIbelievethereisabetter，andallthatisbestinloveandlifeweshalltakewithus。Good—
night，"headded，"andthankyou，atleastforthewillandtheattempttosavemylife。"
"Sleepwell，"shesaid。
"Ihopeso，"hereplied，"butIdoubtit。"
Hisdoubts，itturnedout，werejustified，forsoonaftermidnightMr。HowlandwasarousedbyHarryHobbsinaterrorofexcitement。
"WillyoucometoMr。Dunbar，sir？"hecried。"Ithinkheisdying。"
"Dying？"Mr。HowlandwasoutofhiscotimmediatelyandatBarry’sside。Hefoundhimfightingforbreath，hiseyesstartingfromhishead，alookofinfinitedistressonhisface。
"Mydearboy，whatisit？Hobbssaysyouaredying。"
"Thatcon—con—founded——fool——shouldn’thave——calledyou。Iforbade——
him，"gaspedBarry。
"But，mydearboy，whatisthematter？Areyouinpain？"
"No，no，——it’s——nothing——onlyanold——friendcomeback——foracall，——abriefone——letus——hope。It’sonlyasthma。Looksbad——
feelsworse——butreally——notatalldangerous。"
"Whatcanbedone，myboy？"askedMr。Howland，greatlyrelieved，asaremostlaymen，whenthetroublecanbenamed。Itisupontheterrorinspiredbytheunknownthatthemedicalprofessionlives。
"TellHarry——tomake——ahotdrink，"saidBarry，butHarryhadalreadyforestalledtherequest，andappearedwithasteamingbowl。
"Thiswill——help。Now——goto——bed，Mr。Howland。Do，please。——Youdistress——mebyremaining——there。Harrywill——lookafterme。
Good—night。"
NextmorningBarryappearedatbreakfastalittlewashedoutinappearance，butquitebrightandannouncinghimselffitforanything。
Theincident，however，wasadeterminingfactorinchangingtheparty’splans。Alreadytheywerebehindtheirtimeschedule，toMr。CornwallBrand’sdisgust。Thepartywastoolargeandtooheavilyencumberedwithimpedimentaforswifttravel。Besides，asPaulasaid，"Whyrush？ArewenotdoingthePeaceRiverCountry？
Weareoutforagoodtimeandwearehavingit。"Paulawasnotinterestedinminesandoil。Shedidnotannouncejustwhatspecialinterestwashers。Shewas"havingagoodtime"andthatwasreasonenoughforleisurelytravel。Inconsequencetheirprovisionshadrunlow。
ItwasdecidedtosendforwardascoutingpartytotheHudson’sBayPostsomethirtymilesfurtherontorestocktheircommissariat。
AccordinglyKnightandFieldingweredespatchedonthismission，therestofthepartyremainingincamp。
"Alazydayortwoincampiswhatweallneed，"saidMr。Howland。
"IconfessIamquiteusedupmyself，andthereforeIknowyoumustallfeelmuchthesame。"
Onthefourthdaythescoutingpartyappeared。
"There’swar！"criedKnightashetouchedland。HeflungoutabundleofpapersforMr。Howland。
"War！"Thewordcamebackintonesasvariedasthosewhoutteredit。
"War！"saidMr。Howland。"Betweenwhom？"
"Everyone，prettymuch，"saidKnight。"Germany，France，Russia，Austria，Servia，Belgium，andBritain。"
"Britain！"saidBarryandDuffatthesamemoment。
"Britain，"answeredKnightsolemnly。
Themenstoodstockstill，lookingateachotherwithawedfaces。
"War！"againsaidBarry。"WithGermany！"Heturnedabruptlyawayfromthegroupandsaid，"Iamgoing。"
"Going！Goingwhere？"saidMr。Howland。
"Tothewar，"saidBarryquietly。
"Tothewar！You？Aclergyman？"saidMr。Howland。
"You？Yougoing？"criedPaula。AtthepaininhervoiceherfatherandBrandturnedandlookedather。Disturbedbywhathesaw，herfatherbegananexcitedappealtoBarry。
"Why，mydearsir，itwouldsurelybemostunusualforamanlikeyoutogotowar，"hebegan，andforquitetenminutesheproceededtosetforthinfluentandexcitedspeechanumberofreasonswhytheideaofBarry’sgoingtowarwasabsurdandpreposteroustohim。ItmustbeconfessedthatBarrywastheonlyoneofthemenwhoappearedtogivemuchheedtohim。Theyseemedtobedazedbythestupendousfactthathadbeenannouncedtothem，andtobeadjustingthemselvestothatfact。
WhenhehadfinishedhislengthyandexcitedspeechBrandtookupthediscourse。
"Ofcourseyoudon’tthinkofgoingimmediately，"hesaid。"Wehavethisexpeditioninhand。"
Themenmadenoreply。Indeed，theyhardlyseemedtohearhim。
"Youdon’tmeantosay，"continuedBrandwithatouchofindignationinhisvoice，addressingDuff，therecognisedleaderoftheparty，"thatyouwouldbreakyourengagementwiththisparty，Mr。Duff？"
Duffglancedathim，thenlookedawayinsilence，studyingthehorizon。Theworldwastohimandtothemallanewworldwithinthelastfewminutes。
HissilenceappearedtoenrageBrand。HeturnedtoBarry。
"Doyoumeantotellme，sir，thatyouapproveofthis？Doyouconsideritrightandfairthatthesemenshouldbreaktheirengagementwithus？Wehavegonetogreatexpense，wehaveextremelyimportantinterestsatstakeinthisexploration。"
Barrystoodlookingathiminsilence，asiftryingtotakeinexactlywhathemeant，theninalowandawedtonehesaid：
"Itiswar！WarwithGermany！"
"Wecannothelpthat，"criedBrand。"Whatdifferencecanthiswarmaketoyouhereahundredmilesfromcivilisation？Thesemenarepledgedtous。"
"Theirfirstpledgeistotheircountry，sir，"saidBarrygravely。
"Butwhyshouldyou，aCanadian，takepartinthiswar？"arguedMr。
Howland。"SurelythisisEngland’swar。"
ThenBarryappearedtoawakeasfromadream。
"Yes，itisEngland’swar，itisBritain’swar，andwhenBritainisatwarmycountryisatwar，andwhenmycountryisatwarIoughttobethere。"
"Godinheaven！"shoutedDuff，strikinghimontheback，"youhavesaidit！Mycountryisatwar，andImustbethere。AsGodhearsme，Iamoffto—day——now。"
"Me，too！"saidKnightwithashout。
"I’mgoingwithyou，sir，"saidlittleHarryHobbs，ranginghimselfbesideBarry。
"Countmein，"saidTomFieldingquietly。"Ihaveawifeandthreekids，but——"
"MyGod！"gaspedDuff。"Mywife。"Hisfacewentwhite。Hehadnotyetfullyadjustedhimselftothefactofwar。
"Why，ofcourse，"saidMr。Howland，"youmarriedmenwon’tbecalledupon。Youmustbereasonable。Forinstanceyou，Mr。Duff，cannotleaveyourwife。"
ButDuffhadrecoveredhimself。
"Mywife，sir？MywifewoulddespisemeifIstayeduphere。Sir，mywifewillbuckleonmybeltandspursandsendmeofftothewar，"criedDuffinavoicethatshookashespoke。
WithasinglestrideBarrywasathisside，offeringbothhishands。
"ThankGodformenlikeyou！AndinmysoulIbelievetheEmpirehasmillionsofthem。"
"DoesyourEmpiredemandthatyoudesertthoseyouhavepledgedyourselfto？"enquiredBrandinasneeringtone。
"Oh，Cornwall！"exclaimedPaula，"howcanyou？"
"Why，Brand，"saidMr。Howland，"thatisunworthyofyou。"
"Wewillseeyouintosafety，sir，"saidDuff，swingingrounduponBrand，"eithertotheHudson’sBayCompany’spost，whereyoucangetIndians，orbacktoEdmonton，butnotonestepfurtheronthisexpeditiondoIgo。"
"NorI，"saidKnight。
"NorI，"saidFielding。
"NorI，"saidBarry。
"NorI，"saidHarryHobbs。
"Youarequiteright，sir，"saidMr。Howland，turningtoBarry。"I
apologisetoyou，sir，toallofyouCanadians。IamashamedtoconfessthatIdidnotatfirstgetthefullmeaningofthisterrificthingthathasbefallenyourEmpire。WereittheU。S。A。
thatwasinawarofthiskind，hellitselfwouldnotkeepmefromgoingtoheraid。Noryoueither，Brand。Yes，youareright。Gotoyourwar。Godgowithyou。"
Heshookhandssolemnlywiththemonebyone。"IonlywishtoGodthatmycountrywerewithyou，too，inthisthing，"hesaidwhenhehadperformedthisfunction。
"Father，"criedPaula，"doyouthinkforoneminutethatUncleSamwon’tbeinthis？Youputitdown，"shesaid，swinging’rounduponBarry，"whereitwilljumpatyousomeday：Wewillbewithyouinthisscrapforallweareworth。"
"Andnowforthemarch，"saidBarry，whoseemedalmosttoassumecommand。Thenremovinghishatandliftinghighhishand，hesaidinavoicethrillingwithsolemnreverence，"Godgrantvictorytotheright！Godsavetheking！"
Instinctivelythementookofftheirhatsandstoodwithbaredandbentheads，asifsharinginasolemnritual。Theystoodwithmillionsuponmillionsoftheirkinintheoldmotherlands，andscatteredwideupontheseas，stoodwithmanymillionsmoreofpeoplesandnations，pledgingtothissamecauseofright，lifeandloveandalltheyhelddear，andwithheartsopentothatall—
searchingeye，prayingthatsameprayer，"Godgrantvictorytotheright。Amenandamen。Weasknoother。"
Thentheyfacedtotheirhundredmiles’trekenroutetothewar。
CHAPTERVI
THEMENOFTHENORTH
"Fiftymiles——nottoobad，boy，nottoobadforaoneday’sgo。
We’llcamprighthereattheportage。Howisit，Knight？"
"Goodplace，Duff，rightonthatpoint。Goodwood，goodlanding。
Besidesthere’sadeuceofaportagebeyond，whichwecandoaftersupperto—night。Howdoyoufeel，Barry？"askedKnight。"Hardday，eh？"
"Feelingfit，alittletired，ofcourse，butgoodforanothertenmiles，"answeredBarry。
"That’sthestuff，"repliedKnight，lookingathimkeenly，"but，seehere，youmusteaseuponthecarrying。Youhaven’tquitegotoverthatduckingofyours。"
"I’mfitenough，"answeredBarry，rathermorecurtlythanhiswont。
Theybroughtthecanoesuptothelanding，andwiththespeedoflongpracticeunloadedthem，anddrewthemupontheshore。
KnightapproachedDuff，and，pointingtowardBarry，saidquietly：
"Iguesswe’llhavetoeasehimupabit。Thatfight，youknow，tookitoutofhim，andhealwaysjumpsforthebiggestpack。We’dbetterholdhimbackto—morrowabit。"
"Can’tholdbackanyone，"saidDuff，withanoath。"We’vegottomakeitto—morrownight。There’sthedevilofatripbeforeus。
Thatbigmarshportageisaheartbreaker，andtheremustbeadozenorfifteenofthemawaitingus，andwe’regoingtogetthrough——atleast，Iam。"
"Allright，"saidKnight，withaquickflashoftemper。"I’llstaywithyou，onlyIthoughtwemighteasehimabit。"
"I’mtellingyou，we’regoingtogetthrough，"saidDuff，withanotheroath。
"Youneedn’ttellme，Duff，"saidKnight。"Keepyourshirton。"
"Onoroff，wetordry，sinkorswim，we’regoingtomakethattrainto—morrow，Knight。That’sallaboutit。"
ThenKnightlethimselfgo。
"Seehere，Duff。Doyouwanttogoonto—night？Ifyoudo，hellandblazes，saythewordandI’mwithyou。"
Hisfacewaswhiteashespoke。Heseizedatump—line，swungthepackuponhishead，andsetoffacrosstheportage。
"Comeon，boys，"heyelled。"We’regoingthroughto—night。"
"Oh，holdup，Knight！"saidDuff。"Whatthehell’seatingyou？
We’llgrubfirstanyway。"
"No，"saidKnight。"Thenextrapidisabadbitofwater，andifwe’regoingthroughto—night，Iwantthatbitbehindme，beforeitgetstoodark。Socomealong！"
"Oh，cutitout，Knight，"saidDuff，inagruffbutconciliatorytone。"We’llcamprighthere。"
"It’sallthesametome，"saidKnight，flinginghispackdown。
"Whenyouwanttogoon，saytheword。Youwon’thavetoaskmetwice。"
Dufflookedoverthesixfeetofboneandsinewandmuscleoftheyoungrancher，madeasiftoanswer，pausedamoment，changedhismind，andsaidmorequietly：
"Don’tbeanass，Knight。I’mnottryingtohangyourshirtonatree。"
"Youknowdamnedwellyoucan’t，"saidKnight，whowasstillwhitewithpassion。
"Oh，comeoff，"repliedDuff。"Anyway，Idon’tseewhatyoungDunbaristoyou。Wemustgetthroughto—morrownight。TheoverseascontingentiscampingatValcartier，accordingtothesepapersandwhateverhappensIamgoingwiththatcontingent。"
Knightmadenoreply。Hewasalittleashamedofhistemper。ButduringthepasttwodayshehadchafedundertheraspofDuff’stongueandhisoverbearingmanner。HeresentedtoohistotaldisregardofBarry’sweariness，forinspiteofhissheergrit，thepacewaswearingtheboydown。
"Weoughttoreachtherailroadbysixto—morrow，"saidDuff，renewingtheconversation，andanxioustoappeasehiscomrade。
"There’salatetrain，butifwecatchthesixweshallmakehomeingoodtime。Hello，what’sthiscoming？"
Athiswordstheyallturnedandlookedinthedirectioninwhichhepointed。
Downastream，whichatthispointcametumblingintotheirsinadangerouslookingrapid，cameacanoewithamaninthecentreguidingitasonlyanexpertcould。
"ByJove！Hecan’tmakethatdrop，"saidKnight，walkingdowntowardthelanding。
Theyallstoodwatchingthecanoewhich，atthemoment，hungpoiseduponthebrinkoftherapidlikeabirdforflight。EvenasKnightspokethecanoeenteredthefirstsmoothpitchatthetop。Twolong，swallow—likesweeps，thensheplungedintothefoam，toappearamomentlaterfightingherwaythroughthemassofcrowding，crestedwaves，which，likewhite—fangedwolvesuponadoe，seemedtobehurlingthemselvesuponher，intentuponbearingherdowntodestruction。
"Bytheliving，jumpingJemima！"saidFielding，inanawe—strickentone，"she’sgone！"
"She’sthrough！"criedKnight。
"GreatJehoshaphat！"saidFielding。"He’sabird！"
Withafliportwoofhispaddle，thestrangershothiscanoeacrossthestream，andfloatedquietlytothelanding。
Barryrandowntomeethim。
"Isay，thatwasbeautifullydone，"hecried，takingthenoseofthecanoewhilethemansteppedashoreandstoodamomentlookingbackatthewater。
"Aleetlemoretotheleftwouldhavebeenbetter，Ithink。Shetooksomewater，"heremarkedinaslowvoice，asiftohimself。
Hewasastrange—lookingcreature。HemighthavesteppedoutofoneofFenimoreCooper’snovels。Indeed，asBarry’seyestravelledupanddownhislong，bony，stooping，slouchingfigure，hismindleapedatoncetothePathfinder。
"Comefar？"askedDuff，approachingthestranger。
"Quiteabit，"heanswered，inaquiet，courteousvoice，pausingamomentinhiswork。
"Goingout？"enquiredDuff。
"Notyet，"hesaid。"GoingupthecountryfirsttoThePost。"
"Ah，wehavejustcomedownfromthere，"saidDuff。"Westartedyesterdaymorning，"headded，evidentlyhopingtosurprisetheman。
"Yes，"heansweredinaquiettoneofapproval。"Nicelittlerun！
Nicelittlerun！Bitofahurry，Iguess，"heventuredapologetically。
"Youbetyourlife，wejustare。Thisdamnedwarmakesamanfeellikeasifthedevilwasafterhim，"saidDuff。
"War！"Themanlookedblanklyathim。"Who’sfightin’？"
"Why，haven’tyouheard？It’sbeengoingonforamonth。Weheardonlythreedaysagoasweweregoingfurtherupthecountry。Itknockedourplansendways，andherewearechasingourselvestogetout。"
"War！"saidthemanagain。"Who’sfightin’？UncleSamafterthemMexicans？"
"No。Mexicans，hell！"exclaimedDuff。"GermanyandBritain。"
"Britain！"Theslouchingshoulderslosttheirdroop。"Britain！"
hesaid，straighteninghimselfup。"What’sshebeendoin’toGermany？"
"What’sGermanybeendoingtoher，andtoBelgium，andtoServia，andtoFrance？"answeredDuff，inawrathfulvoice。"She’sbeenraisinghellallaround。Youhaven’tseenthepapers，eh？Ihavethemallhere。"
Thestrangerseemeddazedbythenews。Hemadenoreply，butgettingouthisfrying—panandtea—pail，hisonlyutensils，hesetaboutpreparinghiseveningmeal。
"Isay，"saidDuff，"won’tyoueatwithus？We’rejustaboutready。We’llbegladtohaveyou。"
Themanhesitatedaperceptiblemoment。Inthewildsmendonotalwaysacceptinvitationstoeat。Foodissometimesworthmorethanitsweightingold。
"IguessIwill，ifyou’velotsofstuff，"hesaidatlength。
"We’velotsofgrub，andweexpecttobehomebytomorrownightanyway，ifthingsgoallright。Youareverywelcome。"
Themanlaiddownhisfrying—panandtea—pail，andwalkedwithDufftowardhiscamp。
"Areyougoin’？"heenquired。
"Going？"
"Tothewar。GuesssomeofourCanadianboyswillbegoin’likely，eh？"
"Going，"criedDuff。"YoubetyourlifeI’mgoing。But，comeon。
We’lltalkasweeat。Andwecan’tstaylong，either。"
Duffintroducedtheparty。
"Myname’sMcCuaig，"saidthestranger。
"Scotch，Iguess？"enquiredDuff。
"MyfathercameoutwithTheCompany。Iwasbornupnorth。Neverbeenmuchout，butIreadthepapers，"headdedquickly，asiftocorrectanymisapprehensionastohisknowledgeoftheworldanditsaffairs。"MyfatheralwaysgottheTimesandtheSpectator，andI’vecontinuedthehabit。"
"AnyonewhoreadstheTimesandtheSpectator，"saidBarry，"canclaimtobeafairlywell—readman。MyfathertakestheSpectator，too。"
Astheysatdowntosupper，henoticedthatMcCuaigtookoffhisoldgreyfeltandcrossedhimselfbeforebeginningtoast。
Asamatterofcourtesy，BarryhadalwaysbeenaskedtosaygracebeforemealswhilewiththeHowlandparty。Thiscustom，however，hadbeendiscontinueduponthistrip。Theyhadnotimeformeals。
Theyhad"justgrabbedtheirgrubandrun，"asHarryHobbssaid。
Whiletheyate，Duffkeptafulltideofconversationgoinginregardtothecausesofthewaranditsprogress，asreportedinthepapers。BarrynoticedthatMcCuaig’scomments，thoughfew，revealedauniqueknowledgeofEuropeanpoliticalaffairsduringthelastquarterofacentury。Henoticedtoothathismannersatthetablewerethoseofagentleman。
Aftersuppertheypackedtheirstuffoverthelongportage，leavingtheirtentandsleepinggear，withtheirfood，however，tobetakeninthemorning。Foralongtimetheysatoverthefire，Barryreading，forMcCuaig’sbenefit，thenewspaperaccountsoftheBelgianatrocities，thestoryofthesmashingdriveoftheGermanhosts，andtheretreatoftheBritisharmyfromMons。
"What，"exclaimedMcCuaig，"theBritishsoldiersgoin’back！
Runnin’awayfromthemGermans！"
"Well，theGermansareonlyabouttentoone，notonlyinmenbutinguns，andinthiswarit’sgunsthatcount。Gunscanwipeoutanarmyofheroesaseasilyasanarmyofcowards，"saidDuff。
"Andthemwomenandchildren，"saidMcCuaig。"Aretheykillingthemstill？"
"You’rejustright，theyare，"repliedDuff，"andwilltillwestopthem。"
McCuaig’seyeswereglowingwithadeepinnerlight。Theywerewonderfuleyes，quick，darting，straight—lookingandfearless，theeyesofamanwhooweshislifetohisvigilanceandhiscourage。
Beforeturninginforthenight，Barrywenttotheriver’sedge，andstoodlookingupatthestarsholdingtheirsteadfastwatchovertheturbulentandtossingwatersbelow。
"Quiet，ain’tthey？"saidavoiceathisshoulder。
"Why，youstartledme，Mr。McCuaig；Ineverheardyoustep。"
McCuaiglaughedhisquietlaugh。
"Gottomovequietlyinthiscountry，"hesaid，"ifyouaregoingtokeepalive。"
AmomentorsohestoodbyBarry’sside，lookingupwithhimatthestars。
"Nofuss，upthere，"hesaid，interpretingBarry’smoodandattitude。"Notlikethattherepitchin’，tossin’，threatenin’
water。"
"No，"saidBarry，"butthoughtheylookquiet，Isupposeifwecouldreallysee，thereisamostterrificwhirlingofmillionsofstarsupthere，goingattherateofthousandsofmilesaminute。"
"Millionsof’em，andallwhirlin’about，"saidMcCuaiginanawe—
strickenvoice。"It’sawondertheydon’thit。"
"Theydon’thitbecausetheyeachkeeptheirownorbit，"saidBarry，"andtheyobeythelawsoftheirexistence。"
"Orbut，"enquiredMcCuaig。"What’sthat？"
"Thetrailthateachstarfollows，"saidBarry。
"Isee，"saidMcCuaig，"eachonekeepsitsowntrail，itsownorbut，andsothere’speaceupthere。AndIguessthere’dbepeacedownhereiffolksdidthesamething。It’swhenamangetsoutofhisownorbutandintoanotherfellow’sthatthescrapbegins。I
guessthat’swhereGermany’sgotwrong。"
"Somethinglikethat，"repliedBarry。
"Andsometimes，"continuedMcCuaig，hiseyesuponthestars，"whenalittleonecomesupagainstabigone，hegetsbusted，eh？"
Barrynodded。
"Andabigone，whenhecomesupagainstabiggeronegetsprettybadlyjarred，eh？"
"Isupposeso，"saidBarry。
"That’swhat’sgoin’tohappentoGermany，"saidMcCuaig。
"Germany’saverypowerfulnation，"saidBarry。"Themostpowerfulmilitarynationintheworld。"
"What！"saidMcCuaig。"BiggerthanBritain？"
"Britainhastwoorthreehundredthousandmeninherarmy；Germanyhassevenmillionsormore，withseventymillionsofpeoplebehindthem，organisedforwar。Ofcourse，Britainhashernavy，butthenGermanyhasthenextbiggestintheworld。Oh，it’sgoingtobeaterrificwar。"
"Isay，"saidMcCuaig，puttinghishandonBarry’sshoulder。"Youdon’tthinkitwillbotherusanytolickher？"
"ItwillbethemostterribleofallBritain’swars，"repliedBarry。"ItwilltakeeveryounceofBritain’sstrength。"
"Youdon’ttellme！"exclaimedMcCuaig，asifstruckbyanentirelynewidea。"Say，areyoureallyanxious，youngman？"
"Iamterriblyanxious，"repliedBarry。"IknowGermanyalittle。
Ispentayearthere。Sheisamightynation，andsheisreadyforwar。"
"Sheis，eh！"repliedMcCuaigthoughtfully。Hewanderedofftothefirewithoutfurtherword，where，rollinghimselfinhisblanketandscorningtheplaceinthetentofferedhimbyDuff，hemadehimselfcomfortableforthenight。
AtthebreakofdayDuffwasawakenedbythesmellofsomethingfrying。OverthefirebentMcCuaig，busypreparingabreakfastoftea，baconandbannocks，togetherwiththickslicesoffatpork。
Breakfastwaseateninhaste。Theday’sworkwasbeforethem，andtherewasnotimefortalk。Inaveryfewminutestheystoodreadyfortheirtripacrosstheportage。