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

ay German submarine would send us to a higher sphere, we had plenty of time to look about the ship. She was an India liner wh

ysterious tongue; and the deference with which these men obeyed helped us to realise Britain's greatness. To conquer a country, tame it, civilise it

a high stone quay. Close beside us was a Belgian hospital ship, its white and green paint and big red crosses contrasting strangely with

to a great basin filled with craft, both large and small, some of which were dismantled. Across the bay a splendid ocean liner reared her four smokeless funne

ning over the rail, some little children

cried; and then for the first time we r

, vivacious France, whose wit and laughter sparkled like champagne, whose joy wa

they responded in our own dull tongue: "Good-day, little girls. Hell

scovered that the Tommy understood two very useful French words. Not to be outdone in

It has become the children's formula, and as a gracious concessi

and had it all stowed away in the hangar. Then we formed up and

he men, contrary to military custom, carrying a Union Jack, f

the French mistook us for English soldiers on the march, the sight of whom, while an almost hourly occurrence, was still a matter of keen interest. But as the crowd, becoming larger and larger, and pushing

ntil the clamour was deafening. Men, women and children surrounded us in thousands, laughing, singing and

their irresistible beauty may be gathered from thi

girls to her nearest neighbour, "

, "he looked so lonely-h

questions at us in one unintelligible clatter of French. It was a welcome to stir the blood of the

nded daily. But the French, with their keen sense of appreciation, recognised at once that the advent of this little Canadian band had a broad significance; it meant that in her gre

ed in a moment into a mighty anthem which swept the city like a storm. Later, when we followed with "The Maple Leaf," a respectful silence fell upon the throng. With quick intuition they knew it was a song of home, with which they sympat

parative obscurity, rode opposite. Frequently, too, it was my privilege to return the greetings of the dainty

in the shadow, could contain h

bally luck again; you're alwa

r hearts, Reggy dear,"

ning alongside his horse, caught him by the hand and forthwith begged a kiss. I believe-or, rather, I hope-Reggy blushed. I should always like

ssing situation,"

o have a pretty girl de

not the trouble; but I'm not horse

Here was I worrying over his distress and presumed embarrassment, while he, hopeles

u dismount," I answered,

f military discipline and dignity saved him. He turned regretfully to the young lady

ois, mille fois. Anothe

z Fran?ais, monsieur?"

eased, "asking you, after that brilliant

appear

obeisance of the whole kingdom, and because I command the attention-and, I trus

. It turned our heads and made us dizzy, and this feeling of elation lasted long after we had left the crowd behind, and the faint cry of

He was a fine-looking specimen of British officer-tall, athletic,

s the senior major approached and sal

" the major replied, "but rec

delighted surprise. "I had no idea the

cting us, sir?" t

d good-humouredly. We

ke those three rows of tents, draw your rations and make yourse

after all. For a full hour we had looked upon ourselves as the whole war, and the rest of the British army as a mere background to our glory. And now we were told that "

ng in and regiments were marching out-the Highland "kilties" with their sporrans swaying to and fro in

s behind his back and his head in the air. He raised his feet high as he walked, and clicked his spurs with the firmness of his tread. Something was effervesc

at's one thing which no o

cried bre

ficer who ever led a Can

hood! We turned away without a word, in time to hear

good time to

hoed the sentiments

ied exultantly