The First Canadians in France / The Chronicle of a Military Hospital in the War Zone

and Huxford, with the heavy team and

to Southampton in the dark?" the col

my life-sober." The afterthought wa

ly in the town; and a glass of beer will be qui

h a last long look at the camp he said: "Good-night

ort, is merely another illustration of the perversity of human nature. Like Bill Sikes' dog, our love is stronger than our common

erns shining through the tents dotted the plain. Here and there brighter light

boxes of cheese, jam and bully-beef, together with bags of bread were carried out of the tents into the open. At one side stood large boxes of medic

! The pile of forty tons of goods which represented our home, and soon would be t

rain; it was but fitting that we shoul

d comfortable-he frets like a restless steed; but give him the rein, permit him to go, he cares not whither-he is happy. It may be from sunshine to s

th envious Tommies wh

ch'ner t' git ye away so soon," said one o

, true to his master and to all his friends. Like many another "original," he was permitted to take liberties which shocked all sense of military discipline, as well as every other sense; but he amused us and was forg

lf, ye means. D'ye s'pose my kernel hobnobs wit' anyt'ing lessen

jesty's command

turned to Lord Kitch'ner an' sez: "Kitch'ner, it ain't right t'

à-vis interjected sarcastically; "good

the remark,

e fer France, an' good luck t' ye!' Wit dat de kernel

the other grow

et? Ye muster bin eddicated in nigh

ge decision with reference to the French, none but himself

rgeant-major, and each man sc

yet, listen to the vibrant harmony of their chorus as they sit upon their bags and boxes! It rolls in melodious waves over the camp, and crowds

hich lined the road on either side raised their caps and gave three cheers in kindly token of farewell. As we looked back upon

at Southampton. How hungry we were! And the sight of the crowded buffe

f protest; but in the rough interior of a dockyard shed no palatial surroundings mar the simple pleasures of the soul. What delicious cheese our quartermaster produced out of a mud-covered box, and how sp

and we were surprised to see hundreds of great horses step quietly and solemnly out upon the platform. There was a marvellous dignity about those tall, magnificent animals, with their arched necks and glossy coats. They drew up upon the platform in long rows like soldiers. There

ady aboard; but what had be

if in answer to his question, little Huxford came running down the platform.

" cried the colonel,

ary police, and the team are in the detent

e?" the colonel

two, but not till after we got to

s. Here, Fraser," he called to Captain Fraser, "take a taxi and make the camp as quickly as possible. The boat sail

ok us. More than once in the days that were to follow he saved some reckless youth from being taken out at early dawn and shot; not because he di

n monotonous yet wonderful array. Sometimes a wagon was hoisted into the air; again a motor truck was lifted with apparent ease, swayed to and fro for a moment high

ficer addressed

more than ten minutes longer. If your men don't a

ers were to arrive. They were coming from London to join us, and

gious. It took a great deal to ruffle his genial good nature, and his blue-gr

ut to Capta

You and I will remain behind to chaperon the

m inquired, as he descended upon

aughed a trif

arnum's circus train look foolish. I ventured to remark that we were only going to the war, not touring Europe, but this precipitated such a shower of reproach upon my innocent head that I made no further protest. I was never able

ser, himself driving the team, with Barker and Huxford clinging to the seat for support, dashed upo

first to bring disgrace upon our unit, and I hope you will be the last. In future Huxford will

his eyes duri

ce you, sir!" With these words he saluted

again. The colonel's words burned with a dull glow

sort of end which one might wish. There was no honour or glory in such a death, and besides, the water looked dreary and cold. In spite of oneself the thought of being blown suddenly into the air recurred occasionally to mind. It was n

astern, and there in the darkness we could just discern a ghostly shape which followed in our wake

st, and there revealed to our astonished gaze, were two sturdy little torpedo boat dest

of our siren broke the silence and presently, close by, a sharp answering blast told us that our guardians were near. By and by the fog closed