THE

IN

RALPH

SKY

NO

PILOT

MAN'S

LAND

CONNOR

Copyright

1919,
f

By

Printed

George

in

H,

the

Doran

United

Company

States

of

Americd

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

PAGE

I.

Only

Missionary
.

II.

On

the

III.

IV.

Rejected

V.

Red

Pine

Question

26

37
53

Calls

Drum

VII.
VIII.

85,

.....

95
116

Bullpups

Things

Other

AND

X.
XI.

France
New^

The

XIII.

XV.

XVII.

Man

Touch

The

of

XIX.

Leave

Wedding

The
"Carry

War
........

219

........

242

McCuaig

of

268
.....

and

Phyllis
.

Journey

Pilot's

169

207

Last

.~

'.

Port

On"

^
....

287
305

XX.

188

XVIII.

Ranks

Passing

London

135
154

Training

Thinning
1.

....

God

of

Intensive

XrV.

XV

Message
.

XII.

69

.....

Nerve

of

Submarines,

Bayonets

and

Question

North

the

of

Barricades
A

IX.

Men

The

...

Trail

VI.

Conscience

of

War

The

."^
...

316
344

THE

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

HIGH

Upon
naked, his

MISSIONARY

rock, poised like

MAN'S

CHAPTER

ONLY

NO

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

bird

for

flight,stark

shining like gold and silver in

stood
the rising sun,
a
youth, tall, slim of body, not fully
promising, in their faultless,
developed but with muscles
suppleness to an
gently swelling outline, strength and
into the pool formed
unusual
by
Gazing down
degree.
he
stood
as
him,
an
eddy of the river twenty feet below
the
toward
if calculating the distance, his profile turned
and
the
bushes
had
from
who
was
man
just emerged
standing on the sandy strand of the river, paddle in hand,
and
light
delooking up at him wath an expression of wonder
in his
"Ye

satin

eyes.

gods, what

Noiselessly, as
flight,he laid his
his pockets, and
could

find

"What

skin

no

sketch

pose!

himself.
to
picture!" said the man
send
off in
the
if fearing to
youth
the
sand, hurriedly felt in
paddle on
he
himself
to
swore
vigorously when
a

book
What

there.

Apollo!"

an

he

muttered.

The

sunlight glistening on the beautiful

like pools of gold in the curving hollows
modelled
silver
like
body, and
ran
over

swellings
something

of

the

limbs.

in his pose

Instinct

suggesting
9

with

that

he

skin

white
of

the
the

life
had

lay

perfectly
rounded

he

either

seemed,

alight-

THE

10

himself

it. The

to

if he

NO

IN

PILOT

MAN'S

golden,ambient air,or

the

ed from

as

SKY

man

beholdinga

were

"Oh, Lord!

creature

of another

world.

lines!'' he breathed.

What

Slowly the youth began

horizontal,then

about to commit
continued to gaze

was

the sand

on

LAND

to

his

move

arms

to

up

the

the

most
reachingto the utperpendicular,
his toe tips,
of his height upon
breathingdeep the
while.
Smoothly, slowly,the muscles in legsand thighs,
in back, in abdomen, in chest,respondingto the exercise

the lustrous skin

under

moved

things. Over
the muscles
some

to

and

and

over

he

thingI

body

Flesh

himself

at

swore

book

see

if themselves

again the action

ing
liv-

were

repeated,
rhythmic harm.onylike
running in a bath of oil.
v/as

m.ovingin

perfectmechanism
"Ye
gods of Greece!"

this

as

or

for

breathed

the

is

"What

man.

? Man
or
god ?" Again
spirit
neglectingto bring his sketch

and

pencil.
"Hello, father! Where
out, high,clear,and near
"Good

Lord

!" said the

are

at

voice
girl's

you?'*

rang

hand.

man

to

himself,glancingup

at

the

poisedfigure."I must stop her."

One
startled glance the 3^outhflung down

another

in the direction of the

gleaming arrow
dark pool below.

he

voice,then, like

shot down, and

him,

upon

white,

disappearedin

V/ith his eyes upon

the water
the man
A half minute, a full minute

awaited

his

the

appearing.
re-

he waited, but
edge of the pool.

in vain.

Swiftly he ran toward the

There was
no
sign anyv/hereof the youth.
as
Ghastlypale and panting,the man
ran,

far round

the base of the rock

ing
him, seek-

everywhere

the water
would
signs of the swimmer.
as

allow

i'

are!"
"Hello, father!
Oh, there you
Breaking
through the bushes, a girlran to him.
"What
is it,pater ? You are ill. What
is the matter?"

"Good
to

to

the

the

heavens

! he

high rock.

pool.

"He

was

"He

hasn't

there !"

gasped the
plunged in there."

come

up.

He

man,

He

pointing
pointed

is drowned."

ONLY

What

"Who?

Who

boy !

"A

"Did

he

he

Wake

father.

up,

did he

Poor

hear

"

me

dressed?"

quired
in-

?"
calling

"Did

he fall in,or

"He

seemed

im,ag-

gone."

did he dive?"
he has not

dive,but

to

startled him, I

what

I fear he is

boy!

he"

was

"

"

That's

he did.

course

he

there."

disappeareddown

No."

No.

"

! He

Was

young
the girl.

"Of

saying?

you

man

young
man?

"Dressed?

ine.

are

11

there ?'*

was

"A

MISSIONARY

come

I fear

up.

is

gone."
"Oh, nonsense,

has

father,"said

round

swum

the bend.

the

girl. "I

Just go

bet you he
the rock and

over

see.

"God
He

grant it!" said her father.

dropped his paddle,ran

into the little dell

on

the water's

There

edge.
of

breakfast

"Well, Til

he

on

he

side that
a

saw

"The

be combusticated

The

on

down

ran

to

and

man

companimen
ac-

ing
cook-

small fire.

said the

boy

down

tent, vv^ithall the

camp,

!" he said to

holdingto a littlepoplar tree,

"I say!"he cried,"where
is he?
all right?"
"Who?"

the rock and

over

other

the

well ordered

a
a

up

man

at the

Has

ly
himself,weak-

he

come

in?

Is

fire.

the rock."

gazed at him astonished,then as if suddenly

grasping his meaning, replied,
in. He's dressingin the tent."
"Yes, he came
!" said the man.
"Well, I'llbe condumbusticated
"Say !
what
the devil does he mean
by scaringpeople out of
in that way!"
their senses
The man
at the fire stood gazing at him in an utterly
man

bev/ildered way.
"If you vv^ill
tell me
be able to

helpyou."

exactlywhat

you

are

after,I

may

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

1"

NO

MAN'S

LAND

still
the fire. He was
slowly near
pale,and breathingquickly.
came
a cheeryvoice
"Hello, dad, is brealcfast ready?'*
The

drew

other

the tent.

from

God,

'Thank

sinkingdown

on

is alive

log beside

sir,"he said.

me,

said
apparently,"

he

the fire. "You

see, I

"You

him

saw

the man,
must

take

don
parheader

into the

yonder, and

never

drowned."

pool from^ that high rock over

came
up again. I thought he was

The

the fire smiled.

at

man

One
did he?
fright,
less
or
father,and more
humble
the most
apology.

villain gave you

young
of his usual tricks. Well, as his
"The

I offer

for him,
responsible
Have

you

breakfast?"

had

But why did he do such a thing?"

"Yes.
Here he comes."
"Ask him.
the youth in shorts,the
Out from the tent came

glow

of his

man,

he

warm

body showing through the filmymaterial.

"Hello!"
he cried, backing toward
the tent door.
"You
the man
with the paddle. Is there by any
are
chance a lady with you, or did I hear a lady's
voice over
there? I assure
you I got a deuce of a fright"
the supreme
"You
frightof my life,young
gave me
tell you

can

"But

"You

did.

who

that."

surelyheard
It

was

suggested that

And

she sent

"Oh,

your

me

over

few

my
you

lady'svoice,"said the youth.

voice,and it was she
daughter's
had

here to

around

swum

the bend.

investigate."

daughter. Excuse

shall be out in a few

and did not reappear.
The
remained
man
for

minutes."

me," said the youth. "I

He

chattingwith

slid into the tent,

the

youth's father

minutes, then risingsaid,

"Well, I feel better. I confess this thing gave me

round and see us before
somethingof a shock. But come
shall be leavingin an hour."
We
we
go.
The man
and
the visit,
at the fire promised to make
the other took his departure.

ONLY

few

later the

minutes

ready?"

"Is breakfast

MISSIONARY

13

youth reappeared.
cried. *'My, but I'm

is he, dad ?"

"Sit down," said his father,"and
while it is hot."
! But

gry
hun-

he

who

get your

breakfast

the youth.
persisted
"Who
is he?" said his father,dishingup the bacon.
Am.erican from
"An oil explorer,
an
an
artist,
a capitalist,
Pittsburgh,the father of one child,a girl. Her mother
"But

is he, dad ?"

who

is dead.

Nineteen

bred, 'boss

years

modern
old, athletic,

of the show*

of the facts volunteered

few

lege
type, col-

(quotation).These

are

within the limited space of

his visit."
he like,dad?"
Like an American."

"What's
"Like?

"Now, dad,
run

away

with

don't allow your

the contrary, I am
of those Americans
who
with

to
prejudices

judgment."
charmed.
perfectly

your

"On

frank,

old British

capture

you

He

at once,

is one

educated,

that

peculiarcharm that Britishers

will not be able to develop for many
generations.An
American, but not of the unspeakabletype. Not at all.
You
"I

open,

will like him."

am

voice and
nice

sure

shall,"repliedthe youth.

"I liked his

his face.

chaps

I like the Americans.

at college. So clever^
and with

"Vocabulary? Well, I'm

not

too

sure

as

to

such

I met

such

cabulary."
vo-

the vocabulary

part of it."

"Yes,

such

bright,pat, expressiveslang,so fresh and

in such variety. So different from
heavy British
your
slang,in which everythingapproaching the superlative
be one
of three things,
must
with very distinct
'ripping,'
articulation on the double p, or *tophole,'or ^awfully
I believe,
lowed
jolly.'More recently,
a fourth variation is alin 'priceless.'
uttered a most
"Ah, my boy, you have unconsciously
friends. Don't
searchingcriticism on your American
"

THE

14

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

that a vocabulary rich in slang is poverty

you know
stricken in forceful and well chosen English? The wealth
is the poverty of the other."
of the one

going?" enquired the boy.

"Out by way of Edmonton, Calgary,Moose
Jaw, Min"
to Pittsburgh, Partner with him, young
on
so
neapolis,
He is coming back
lawyer, expert in mines, unmarried.
for a big hunt.
Wants
to
in a coupleof months
or
so
us
when you comiC
to think
joinhim. Reallyextraordinary,
is he

"Where

information
much
of it,how
such a short space of time.

"What

It's a way
"Is

"

"Let

was

say, dad?"

did you

"Say? Oh, as
boy.
my

able to convey
in
Marvellous giftof expression!''
he

to

his invitation!

It seemed

as

Why,

I believe I

if I could do

cepted,
ac-

nothingelse.

he has."

the

me

see.

daughter to be along?"
did he say ? Really,
I don't know.
What
she
as
judge that it would be entirely

But I should
She is
wished.

"

"Boss

of the show, eh?"

"Exactly. Most vivid phrase,eh?"

"Very.

And

In half

an

.elderman

no

hour

doubt

of the fact."
aptlydescriptive

the breakfast

was

finished,and

the

got his pipea-going.

"Now, dad, you had better go along and make your

call,while I get thingstogetherhere."
"What
! You not going! No, no, that won't do, my
concerned.
You were
boy. It was about you they were
the occasion of the acquaintanceship.
Besides, meeting
in the wilderness this way we can't do that sort of thing,
you

know."

"Well, dad, frankly,I am quiteterrifiedof the young

lady. Suppose she should start bossingus. We should
both be quitehelpless."
"Oh, nonsense,
boy! Come along. Get your hat."
"All right,I'll come.
head be the conseOn
quences,
your
dad.
No, I don't need a hat. Fortunately I

put

on

MISSIONAHY

ONLY

You
I do, dad?
Hobbs
would
say/'

Will

clean shirt.

'scairt stiff,'
as
Harry
His father looked him

but

over,

Pride

there

I'm

know

nothing

was

love filledhis eyes as

der
figure.And small won-

and

criticalin his

glance.

they ran

his son's face and

over

15

youth was good to look upon. A shade under

and slim,strengthand supple
f six feet he stood, straight
of his body. His face was
ful
beautigrace in every move
v/ith the beauty of features,clean cut and strong,
but more
with the beauty of a clear,candid soul. He
seemed
to radiate an
atmosphere of cheerygood nature
and unspoiledsimplicity.He
two
was
years past his
majority,yet he carried the air of a youth of eighteen,
in which
shyness and fearlessness looked out from his
hat to hide
no
deep blue eyes. It was well that he wore
! The

the

of rich brown

mass

hair

that waved

back

from

his

forehead.
"You'll

do, boy,"

rigidevenness
conceal.

"You'll

father,in

revealed

of tone

the emotion

take all the shine from

beggar,"he added
was

said his

in

tone

of

me,

voice whose
it sought to
you

young

gruffbanter,"but there

-"

time

'Was
a
timxC,dad?
Is, and don't tell me you don't
know
it. I always feel like a school kid in any company
when you'reabout.
'When

the

sun

All the littlestars

ihe

sang from
here and

out

comes

"

run

in,'

late music hall effusion. "Why, just

come
look at yourself,"
and the boy'seyes dwelt
with affectionate pride
upon his father.
It

Not
a

was
so

kind

easy to see where the boy got his perfectform.

tall as his son, he was
more
firmlyknit,and with
of daintyneatness
which sugin his appearance
gested
the beau

of

weakness

in earlier

about

glancediscovered

the

days.

But

there

was

nothing

second
erect, trim figure. A
depth of chest,a thickness of shoul-

PILOT

SKY

THE

16

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

thigh,and a generaldevelopment of muscle

such as a ringchampion might show ; and, indeed, it was
in the ring rather than in the class lists
his achievements
in his collegedays his highfor Dick Dunbar
that won
est
And
fame.
what
though his fiftyyears had slowed somethe speed of foot and hand, the eye was
as
sure
as
der and

of

ever,

and but littleof the natural

once

had

made

which

youth, and
in

him

the

glory of

force
the

yet could

even

abated

was

which

Cambridge sporting

test

his son's mettle

fast bout.

On

the

sandy shore of

the

eddy,they

and

the American

found

the river below

his party gathered,with

ready for the canoes.

stuff ranged about them

their

here you are, sir,"said the American, advancing

"And
this is your
in hand.
rascal
son, the young
came
ing.
mighty near givingme heart failure this morn-

"Ah,
hat
who

By
your

the

I haven't

way,

the

pleasureof knowing

name."

is Richard Dunbar, and this is my

son
"My name
Barry."
is Osborne
and
Rowland, of Pittsburgh,
"My name
this is my daughter Paula.
In bloomers, as you see, but
nevertheless my
daughter. Meet also my friend and

partner, Mr. Cornwall Brand."

The
and
party exchanged greetings,

spent

some

ments
mo-

which are so
givingutterance to those platitudes
useful in such circumstances,
sort of mental
a
marking
time preparatory to further mutual
acquaintance.
The girlpossessedthat striking,
nette
dashing kind of bruand
beautythat goes with good health,good living,
abundance

of outdoor

that air of assured

of

somewhat

exercise.

She

self-confidence
wide

carried herself with

that

comes

as

the

sult
re-

and
experienceof men, women
things. She quite evidentlyscorned the conventions, as
her garb, being quitemasculine, her speech being outspoken
and decorated with the newest
and most
ous
ingenislang,her whole manner
being franklyimpulsive,
loudlyproclaimed.
a

SKY

THE

18

"I guess you

you?" said the

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

weren't
pretty well startled yourself,

were

girl,pursuing the subjectwith

''Rather,"said the

cool persistence.

more
blushing
violently,
and wishing she would
change the subject. "You are
going out?" he enquired.

young

man,

"Yes."

"To-day?"
"Now
rightaway."
"Too
evident in his
bad," he said,his disappointment
"

tone.

going out? But who are

?" asked the girl. "You
have to tell me
"My life story, so to speak?"
"When

She

are

you

you,

way
any-

that."

nodded.

"It's very
short and simple,like the annals of the
poor," he replied. "From
England in infancy,on a
in northern

ranch

I was,
hesitated

wretch

boy
to

Alberta

for ten

bothered with
terribly
a moment
"my mother
"

little
puny
the
asthma, then"
died,father moved

years,

"

lived there for five years, thence to Wapiti,

northwest
of Edmonton, our
present home, prepared

Edmonton,

away

for

collegeby

my

in Winnipeg,

father,university
course

the missionary
graduated in theologya year ago, now
in charge of Wapiti and the surroundingdistrict."
"A

preacher!"said the girl,her face and her tone

showing her disappointmentonly too plainly.
"Not much
of a preacher,
I fear,"said the young man
with a smile. "A missionary,
rather. That's my story."
She noticed with some
chagrin that he did not ask
for hers.
"What
are
you
He hesitated a
"Dad
summer."
"But

of

and

"Business?

moment

always

Then
course

doing here
or

take

he added
we

have

?" she

enquired.

two.
i.

tripinto

after

few

other business

Up here?"

the wilds
moments'

on

hand

every
pause,

up here."

Dad

"Yes.

He

some."

has

but changed his mind

19

MISSIONARY

ONLY

and

made

lengthhe ventured, "Must

there's any

"I don't suppose

"Why
"Why

not

if to continue,

fell into silence,leavingher

by his apparent indifference

and
piqued by his reserve
She
to the things concerningherself.
he was
eagerlyhoping that she would
At

as

did not

that

know

mation.
supplythis infor-

to-day?"
go away
'must' about it."
you

stay?"

should I?"

jolly,"he cried.

be

it would

"Oh,

"You

see,

we

rather
explore about here" and," ^he ended
lamely, "it's a lovelycountry."
she said,her
"We've
lot of it. It is lovely,"
seen
a
"I should like
him.
eyes upon his face as if appraising
and
know
to
better," she added, with sudden
you
could"

"

"

characteristic frankness, "so I think

we

will stay. But

awfullygood to me."
fectly
"Why, of course,"he cried. "That's splendid!Perjolly!"
will have

you

"Then

to be

had

we

better find father and

man

young
him

"What's
upon

and

der
flungover her shoulshe strode along through the bushes.
as
with you?" she cried,facinground
the matter
fess,
Con"You
were
thinkingabout me, I know.

heed
givingslight
at

Come

led the way back to the camp.

followed her, wondering at her, and

along,"she ordered,
The

tell him.

him.

to the chatter she

now."

acknowledged,smilingat her.
you thinking? Tell me," she insisted.
-"
He paused.
thinking

"I was,'*he
"What
were
"I

was

"Go
"I

on!"
was

"My

she cried.

thinkingof
father?

your father said about you."

What
did he say? To
me?

what

About

you?"
"No.

"What

To
was

dad."
it?

Tell

me.

I must

know."

She

was

THE

20

SKY

PILOT

imperiousin

very
her.

she said

on!"

"Go

her

IN

he said you
"Oh, that's what

MAN'S

The

manner.

father

youth only smiled

at

he

he replied,
right/'

was

*boss the show.'

"when

LAND

impatiently.

possiblyyour

"I think

NO

said,eh?

"

Well, I

guess he's about

right."
"But

"Don't

really?"
*Boss

what?

show,

own

don't

you

at any

show'?

the
Don't

rate.

I boss

Well,

my

you?"

"Don't

I what, exactly? Boss the show?

Well, I
have any ^show,' and I don't believe we
don't think we
have

'boss.'

any

Dad

and

just talk thingsover,

you

see."
"some
"But," she insisted,

in the last

must
analysis
how
decide.
Your
matter
no
simple,must have
menage,
It is a law of the universe itself,
head.
and it is the
a
done some
You
law of mankind.
political
see, I have
economy."
"And
yet," said the young man, "you say you run
one

show?"

own

your

"Exactly. Every social organism must have a head,

but every individual in the organism must
live its own
free life. That is true democracy. But of course
you
Canadians."
don't understand
democracy,you
"Aha

There

are

you

Americans

You

are

the most

insular of all the great peoplesof the world.

You know
tory
hisnothing of other people. You know only your own
and
and

not

form
"In

Canada?"

no

of the U.
she

Canadians

many

"Yes,
world

know

geography,
nothing of

You

the bounds

"but

You

own

don't know, for instance,

that the purest
continent lies outof democracy on this American
side

Canada.

how

correctly,
your

science.
political

own

your

that

even

I know.
.

more

than

We
real

S. A."

asked

scornfull}^"By

the

way,

there?"

are

people,"he said quietly,

dem^ocracy exists anywhere in the
are

in this country

small
of

mine.

W^e

are

small

ONLY

MISSIONARY

people,but," he said,with

SI

sweep of his hand toward

the north, "the future is with us.
The day

the west and

is coming when

be, with factories

in my
His eyes

be the home

of millions of men,

lifetime,too."

and
and

along this waterway great cities shall

and humming industries. These plains,

flowing hills will

these

began to glow, his face

fascinatingbeauty.

shine with

to

rare

the statisticsof your country? Do you

that during the last twenty years the rate of ada's
Can-

*''Do you

know

know

tory
in the histhree times greater than ever
You
of the United
States?
are
a
cial
great commerdo
that
the
but
know
nation,
per capitarate of
you

growth

trade

Canada's
States?

You

that

know

was

to-dayis

are

many

times

that of the United

people,but do you
great agriculttiral

of
three-quarters

the wheat

land

on

this continent

is Canadian, and that before m.any years you will be

for your
wheat, yes, and for your
coming to Canada
flour?
And

Do

you

see

that river?

Do

you

know

ada
that Can-

is the richest country in the world in water

power?
than that,in the thingsessential to national
more

terial
thingsthat you can see, these mathings,"he said, sweeping his hand contemptuously
the horizon, "but in such thingsas educatoward
tional
in the cusstandards, in administration of justice,
toms
of a liberty
in
privileges,
lovingpeople,in religious
ada
everythingthat goes to make character and morale, Canhas alreadylaid the foundations
of a great nation."
He
stopped short,abashed, the glow fading from his
face,the lightfrom his eyes.
"Forgive m.e," he said,with a littlelaugh. "I am a
first class ass.
I fear I was
blowing like a fog horn. But
when
you touch Canada
you release something in me."
he was
While
left his face.
speakingher eyes never
"Go on !" she said,in a voice of suppressedemotion, "go
I love to hear you."
on.
Her wonted
stirred
poisewas gone ; she was obviously
with deep emotion.

greatness,
"

not

these

"Go
arm.

PILOT

SKY

THE

22

NO

IN

she commanded,
''Don't stop. Tell me

MAN'S

LAND

layingher hand

on!"

more

about

"

about

upon

his

Canada,

anything,"she added impatiently.

A warm,
lightfilled her eyes. She was biting
eager
her lipsto stilltheir tremor.
"There's
plenty to tell about Canada," he said,"but
What
started me?
not
now.
Oh, democracy. Yes, it
After
that began it. Democracy?
all, it is
was
you
while that the people who
worth
are
one
day to fillthis
w^ide land should be truly democratic, truly free, and
truly great."
the lightbegan to burn in his eyes and in
Once more
about

his face.

"Ah,

to have

"And

you,"

hand

she

said

in that!"
in

low

voice, "you with all

that in you, are

only a preacher."
"A missionary,"he corrected.

missionary.Only a missiona^}^"
Disappointmentand scorn were all too evident in
"Well,

her

voice.
A
''Onlya missionary. Ah, if I could only be one.
to my
missionary! With a mission and a message
ple!
peoing,
burnIf only I had the giftof tongues, of flaming,
speech! To
speech,of heart-compelling
illuminating
tell my
peoplehow to make this country trulygreat and
truly free, how to keep it free from the sordid things,
the cruel things,the unjust,the unclean, the loathsome
things that have debased and degraded the older nations,
that are debasingand degradingeven
great
your young,
nation. Ah, to be a missionary with a tongue of fire,
! A missionaryto my
of light
with a message
peopleto
help them to high and worthy living,to help them to
would
God!
Only a missionary! What
you have me?
A money-maker?"
He
turned swiftlyupon
her, a magnetic,compelling
in his voice and in
personality.From the furious scorn
his flaming face she visibly
shrank, almost as if he had
struck

her.

she breathed.

"No!"

Silent she

devouringhis

her eyes
"How

mother

your

"Nothing

else.

the

if stillunder

stood,as

23

MISSIONARY

ONLY

Only

spellof

sionary."
mis-

his words,

face.

loved you, would

have

would

have

"Is
is there
proud of you,"she said in a low tone.
in you?" she asked shyly,but
else to
to rejoice
no
one
eagerly.
"There's dad, dear old dad."
He laughed aloud.
else?"
Still with sh}^,
"And
no
one
eager eyes she
been

"

"

held

him.

"Oh, heaps,"he cried,stilllaughing.

uncertain smile,and
She smiled upon
him, a slightly
satisfied her.
somehow
yet as if his answer

"Good-bye,"
"But
he

not

are

you

her hand.
impulsively,
offering
going! You're stayinga few days !"

she said

gasped.
"No, we're

going.

she said.

"I don't want

friend is

eyes

bye,"
Good-

those others to

bye.
Good-

see.

his in

held

hand

Her

going rightaway.

wonderful morning ! And,

wonderful discovery."

Oh, it'sbeen
a

We're

searched his face

as

if

strong,

warm

grasp,

and

"

but

"

her

seekingsomething she greatly

desired.
ply.
sorry you are going,"he said,simto know
you better."
in her
she cried,with a sudden eagerness

"Good-bye.
"I want
"Do

you?"

voice and

am

Then, "No.

manner.

am

not

You

of your world.
as if takinga

But

would
you

be

shall

pointed.
disapsee

me

resolve. "We
are
new
again,"she added,
coming back on a big hunt, and you and your father
Won't
to joinus.
are
you?"
said we
"Dad
should," said the youth, smilingat the
remembrance.

"And
"If
mean,
^

you?" she said,with

things can so arrange
and

"But, do

touch

of

themselves

"

impatience.
my

work, I

dad's."
you

want

to

Do

you

reallywant

to

?" she

SKY

THE

24

You

IVIAN'S

LAND

I hate not to understand ple.

peoI don't know
But you
hard to know.
you.

"I wish

asked.

NO

IN

PILOT

are

I knew.

will come?"
"Of course
"I think so/^ said the young
man.
low*s work
first,
comes
you know."
work?
she cried. "Your
"Work?"
Oh, your

Oh, yes,
Come, let us go."
work.

it.

I should

yes.

like to

see

fel-

sionary
misat

you

tience.
they found in a fever of impahe
and
scheduled
He had the trip
to a time table,
hated to be forced to change his plans. His impatience
itself in snappy
showed
and inquiries
commands
to his
Indian
guides,who, however, merely grunted replies.
or
They knew their job and did it without command
advice, and with complete indifference to anything the
vx^hiteman
might have to say. To Paula the only change
of politeness.
in his manner
was
an
excess
Cornwall

Mr.

Brand

Her

father,however, met her with remonstrances.

"Why, Paula, my dear, you have kept us waiting."
"What's the rush, pater?"she enquired,coolly.

"Why,
and

dear, we

my

Cornwall

know

you

alreadybehind

are

hates

our

schedule,

that," he said in

low

voice.
(C

Cornwall!"

said Paula^ in

illtemper.

"Does

Cornwall

able
loud voice of unmistakrun

this outfit?"

dear Paula !"

again remonstrated her father.

She turned to him impatiently,
with an
word
angry
at her lips,
caught upon Barry'sface a look of surprise,
then moved
paused midway in her passion,
slowlytoward
"My

him.
And

do
cold voice,"what
anyway," she dropped her voice

but

himself, "why should

"Well," she asked, in

think about it?

you

that

so

me?

heard

none

an

even,

you

halt

give me pause this way?"

"Only a missionary,"he answered, in an equallylow
almost wistful on his face.
tone, but with a smile gentle,
As

Who

with

are

you,

to

flash the wrathful

cloud vanished.

CHAPTER

ON

Red

the

Pine

driver

rancher,

once

three

two

by

years

half-broken

Stewart
but

had

learned

Duff

since

in

pinto
affair,

ramshackle

man,"

he

ago

of

outfit.

"remittance

driving

were

rather

his

men

pair

was

like

was

TRAIL

PINE

trail

outfit

The

the

and

RED

drawn

buckboard
bronchos.

THE

II

was

his

self-reliance

riage
mar-

and

big, lean
his thick shoulders
he was,
and
man
lar
large, hairy muscuhands
suggesting great physical strength,his swarthy
black
dark
face, heavy features, coarse
hair, keen
eyes,
of
under
force
acter
charbrows,
deepset
shaggy
suggesting
with
of
a possibility
brutalityin passion. Yet when
he
smiled
his heavy
the
face was
not
unkindly, indeed
it a kind
of rugged
He
smile
attractiveness.
was
gave
of
the marks
his face were
on
past his first youth, and
the stormy
he had
come.
by which
way
He
his jibing bronchos
No
drove
with
steady hands.
his
the
the bronchos'
reins, and
was
light touch
upon
wild
with
from
muscular
check
those
a
plunging met
hands
of such
iron rigidityas to flingthem
back
helpless

disciplininghimself

was

and

amazed

His

their

upon

companion
the

reveal

inclined

figure

indeed
indicated

resilience.

his

and
to

fat,

to

had

kindly, twinkling blue eye

with
soul.
a
genial, sunny
and

in the

open

lines

face, for

his

in

that

within.

character

strength
He

opposite
and

features

nature

self-restraint.

hocks.

was

in those

and

in

great

physical appearance,
so
unmistakably
Short

and

stout,

distress, his thick-set

out
agility,solidity withface, vv^ith a
pleasant, open

without
a

that
But
all the
26

goes
there

with
v/as

twinkles

heart,
merry
in the blue
eye
a

and

the

smiles,

ON

proclaimedthe keen man

cut lipslay the suggestion

that

certain alert shrewdness

of business,and in the clean

of resolute strength. A likable
infinite

capacityfor humour,
in him

determination

with

man

he

but

with

that

those
always surprised

was,

of

bedrock

lightly.
The men
friends,and had been comrades
were
less during those pioneer days that followed

who

or

27

TRAIL

PINE

RED

THE

an
yielding
un-

him

judged

more

their

dozen
Scotland some
arrival in the country from
years
Often
they had fallen out with each other, for
ago.
Duff was
stormy of temper and had a habit of letting

himself

swing

reckless of
its gusts of passion,
upon
he was
the one
to offer amends
ever

out

but

consequences;
and to seek

renewal

friends, and

so

had.

he
times

such

At

tempered

good relations. He had few

closelyto those he
clung the more
the other would wait in cool,goodof

friend's

his

for

aloofness

determined

but

return.

"You

chew

can

would

their differences
remained

would

the outbreak

when

say

till youVe cool

cud

your

arise.

composed

were

again,"he

and

But

riably
inva-

ship
their friend-

unbroken.

leaningforward with
hunched
shoulders,swaying easilyto the pitchingof the
where
vehicle as it rattled along the trail which, especially
strewn
it passed over
was
the round topped ridges,
thickly
The

with

sat

men

in the buckboard,

Before

stones.

them,

on

now

ran
ranging wide over the prairie,
white
English setter.
*'Great dog that, Sandy/' said

had

dozen

trail and

now

beautiful black and

*T could have

Duff.

wonderful

birds this afternoon.

steady as a rock."
"A
good dog, Stewart,"
slightinterest.

the

nose,

and

ain't another

*There

said the

"Oh,

I don't know

good dogs

around

like him

of the

owner

assented

about

dog

but

in this western

with

that.

Sandy,

with
try,"
coun-

emphasis.

There

are

some

very

here, Stewart," repliedSandy lightly.

THE

28

And

I know.

"But

IN

NO

that's

why

PILOT

SKY

MAN'S

saying there ain't

I'm

country, and

his like in this western

LAND

that's

true

as

as

Sandy Bayne."
is Sandy Bayne, all right,
but how
"Well, my name
did he come
at the Calgary trials?"
out
"Aw, those damned
gawks! They don't know a good
what a dog is
dog from a he-goat! They don't know
is

name

your

how

for, or
"Oh,
knows

to

Willocks

Stewart," said Sandy, "I guess

now,

when

dog

him."

use

"Willocks!"

he

said

one."

sees

friend

his

with

"There's

scorn.

he cut Slipper
he wouldn't
Because
of the Blue Ribbon?
a
out
range
mile away.
old fool ! What's
the good of a point
Darned
where

you're wrong.

mile

away!

makes

dog;

and

Keeps
lose

you

than

m.ore

Give
lose your bird.
he goes, keeps your
as

Do

you

know

why

the whole
tion,
crearunning over
time, tires yourselfand tires your
out
of ten you
that, in nine cases
you

me

game

cleans up
hand, and gets
He

close ranger.

rightat

your

all the sport there is."

beat you, Stewart, in the trials?"
"Who

you

bitch of

"That

Stewart, that's

"Man!

well.

Snider's."

She's

beautiful

beautiful

bitch!"

her

bitch! I know

Sandy began

to

show

enthusiasm.

justwhat those fool judges

said. 'Beautiful dog! Beautiful dog!' Suppose she is!
Looks
ain't everything.They're something,but the question
Now, Slipperthere got
is,does she get the birds?
"Oh, there

you

three birds to her

go ! That's

one.

Got

'em within

too."

range,

"Ah, but Stewart, yon's a good bitch,"said Sandy.

bred more
"Look
here!" cried his friend, "I have
in the old country than

dogs

those

men

ever

saw

in their

lives."

"That

may

be, Stewart, but yon'sa good bitch,"persisted

Sandy.
For

and

of

they discussed
his rivals,Sandy with his
mile

more

the merits

of

semi-humorous

Slipper
chaff

ON

THE

PINE

RED

29

TRAIL

from
his friend's wrath, and
extracting
quietamusement
the latter,though suspectingthat he was
being drawn,
his
unable
to restrain
passionatechampionship of his
dog.
At length Sandy, wearying of the discussion,caught
sightof a figurefar before them on the trail.
''Who
is that walking along there?" he enquired.
in this
the names
of all who
Together they ran over
unfortunate
to
horse country were
enough to be doomed
a
pedestrianform of locomiotion.
it's the preacher,"said Duff
whose
"Guess
finally,
eyes

like

were

''He's been

hawk's.

out

at

my

*'but I haven't

Sandy,

place Sunday afternoon," said

him
is
sort
met
myself. What

he?"
"Don't

ask

me.

sometimes

church, but generallyI

to

fall

go

with

asleep.

madame

the

He's

alarm

no

clock."
"Then

can't tell what

you

said

Sandy

with

much

when

you

"I

hear

preacher. I

hear

"You

can't hear

asleep."

are

enough

preacher he is,"

in his eye.

twinkle

of

sort

to

that

know

they'regoing to

he's

good

no

as

fire him."

"I tell you v/hat it is,Stewart," said

believe you
would
know
a
good sermon

Sandy,

"I don't

if you

heard

one."
"What's

that you say? I've heard the best preachers

in the country wliere
in the country that breeds preachers,
I
preachersgrow like the berries on the bramble bushes.
know

preaching,and

"Oh,

I like

off,Stewart

come

dogs,but I'm bio wed if I am

of preachers."
"The
same
qualitiesin
preachers,"insisted Duff.
"How

do

"Well,

take

preacher is

you

make
horse.

good preaching,too."
You may
be a good judge of
going to take you as a judge
all of

them, dogs, horses,

that out?"
He

must

be

good-looker,all right,but

good-looker.This
looks ain't every-

SKY

THE

30

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

tion,
thing. Must be quick at the start, must have good acgood style,staying power, and good at the finish.
know
when
to finish,
and that's
Most
preachersnever

this man."

with

the way
*^Are

going

you

they were

for

him

take

to

close upon

now

up?" inquired Sandy,

man
walking before

the

them.

*'0h, I

Duff.
not," replied

guess

"I haven't

much

use

for him."

''Say,what's

the

him?

with

matter

He

looks

rather

puffed out," said Sandy. "Better take him up."

''All right," repliedDuff, pullingup
his bronchos.
"Good
day. Vv^illyou have a ride ? Mr. Barry Dunbar,
friend Mr. Bayne."
my
"Glad to meet
you, Mr. Bayne," said Barry, vv^ho was
for the lift. The
truth
pale and panting hard. "Thanks
"

I'm

is
"

rather

done

"

up.

touch

of

asthma

An
old trouble of mine."
in five years.
"Get up here," said Sandy. "There's room

the

"

first
"

for three

in the seat."
"No
behind
when
"

so

thank you,

"

1 should

here.

Beastly
pollen from

the

"

"

I
say.
drove on,

they

They
gettingback

business

crowd

"

you,

all

"

this asthma.

"

right

Worse

plants is floating about

I fancy."
don't know
nobody does
bumping over the stones, Barry gradually
the

"

"

his wind.

"

"

The

talk of the

men

in the

again on dogs, Stewart maintaining

with ever
his expert knowledge of
increasingvehemence
of setter hunting
dogs, of huntingdogs, and very especially
dogs; his friend, while granting his knowledge of
dogs in general,questioningthe unprejudiced nature of
his judgment as far as Slipperwas
concerned.
in violence they became
As Duff's declarations grew
with profanity.In
decorated
and more
more
elaborately
front

seat

had

fallen

the full tide of their conversation

"Too

"What!"
"I

'damns.'

many

beg

exclaimed
your

quietvoice

"

Duff.

pardon!"

said

Sandy.

broke

in:

ON

"Too

THE

''

'damns/

many

PINE

RED

said

TRAIL

SI

Barry, lookingquietlyat

Duff.
"Dams?

Where?"

"Beaver
don't
need

'damns/

many

them.

You

besides,they
and

"

reiterated

reallydon't

them,

don't

know, and
right. Profanityis quiteuseless,

not

are

need

Barry. "You
you

it's wicked."

"Well,

I'll be

his friend.

to

"I

any."

see

"Too

dams, do

said Duff, lookingabout.

mean?''
enquired Sandy.
you

dammed!"

"He

said Stewart

in

voice

low

us."

means

"And

quite right,too," said Sandy solemnly. "You

know
English is rotten bad. Yes, sir,"he continued,
your
round
"I
to
turning
Barry,
quiteagree with you.
My friend is quite unnecessarilyfree in his speech."
"Yes, but you are just the same,
know," said
you
Barry. "Not quite so many, but then you are not quite
excited."

so

"Got

there, old

you

amused

at

Sandy's
it's

"I guess

our

sport," grunted Duff, highly

discomfiture.

But

business

how

own

"Yes, it is,but, pardon

are

others

and

quite useless

me,

not

to
we

Barry

he said,

entirelyso.

in the world, you know, and you must

others.
The
habit is a bad habit,a rotten

Duff

friend

turned

"

selves."
our-

express

There
sider
con-

habit,

indeed."
^silly,

his back

him.
Sandy,
upon
into a loud laugh.

giving his

nudge, burst
"You are right,sir,"he said,turning to Barry. "You
are
quiteright."
At this point Slippercreated a diversion.
a

"Hello!"

pointedto
A

said

Duff.
"Say! Look at him!"
the dog. "Ain't he a picture!"

hundred

muscle, every

yards

away

hair taut,

stood

He

Slipper,rigid,every

foot arrested in air.

"I'll just get those," said Duff, slippingout of the
buckboard
and drawing the gun
from
beneath the seat.
one

"Steady,old boy, steady!

Hold

the lines,Sandy."

SKY

THE

3^

IN

quickly toward
mysterious instinct
the point with taut

NO

that

still held

MAN'S

the

moved

He
with

PILOT

found

LAND

dog who, quivering

in the hunting dog,

muscles,

nose

tail in

and

line.

"Hello!"

''It isn't the

called out.

Barry

yet

season

I say, Mr. Duff," he shouted, "it isn't the

for chicken.
knov/."
chicken
season,
you
"Better leave him alone," said Sandy.

yet! It is againstthe law!'*

protestedBarry indignantly.
Stewart Duff was
behind
Meantime
closingup cautiously
Slipper.
The
"Forward, old boy! Ste-e-e-ady! Forward!"
"Forward, Slipper!"
dog refused to move.
Still the dog remained
rigid,as if nailed to the ground.
"On, Slipper!"
Slowly the dog turned his head with infinite caution
"But

it isn't the

half round

toward

season

his master,

"Hello, there !" shouted

as

if in

Barry, "you

protest.
know

"

Just as he called there v^as on all sides a great whir-ring of wings. A dozen chicken flew up from under
his gun.
Duff's feet. Bang! Bang! went
"Missed, as I'm a sinner!" exclaimed
Sandy. "I
better shot than that."
a
thought he was
wide toward
the buckboard.
Duff striding
Back came
he shouted:
Fifty yards away
callinglike that at
"Say ! what the devil do you mean
the point of shooting!" His face
he's on
when
a
n:an
He looked ready to strike. Barry
black with anger.
v/as
looked at him steadily.
the
not
"But, I was
just reminding you that it was
of a man
for chicken yet," he said in the tone
season
the matter.
prepared to reason
that got to do with it! And
business is it what I do but my own?"
"But it's against the law !"
"What's

"Oh, blank
"Besides

the law !

it isn't
"

Besides

anyway,

whose

"

well, you know, it isn't quitesport-

S4

SKY

THE

No

in the whole

man

IN

PILOT

AlAN'S

NO

country

was

harder

the game
upon
in his action and to

but to be held up
with the law by this young

poachersthan he,
be threatened

LAND

preacher,whom
tal
paralysehis men-

seemed
to
despisedanyway,
activities. It did not help his self-control that he was
that his friend was
aware
having his fun of him.
At this moment,
fortunatelyfor the harmony of the
o?
arrested by the appearance
party, their attention was
and
motor
driven at a furious rate along the trail,
a
car
almost
before
which
aware
came
honking
they were
he rather

hurled
them.
With
wild lurch the bronchos
a
upon
and
from
themselves
the trail,upsettingthe buckboard
its load.
spilling

Duflf,cumbered
allowed

with

of

one

his gun, which he had reloaded,

reins to drop from
his hands and

the

the team
went
plungingabout in a circle,but Barry, the
first to get to his feet, rushed
snatched
to the rescue,
the reins and held on tillhe had dragged the plunging
bronchos
The

to

which

rage

with

halt.

had

had
difficulty

burst all bonds

held

been

of control.

within

With

with

bounds, suddenly

"

fierce oath

he

picked
struggle

which
he had thrown
aside in his
gun
the horses,and levelled it at the speedingmotor

"For

his hand

grippinghim by
doing? You are
"I'd

and

owe

fooli"

his

shot

went

off,

the gun.
you clean crazy !" said Bayne,
"Do 3^ou know
what you are

carry a gun!"
tires for him,
blanked
fit to

his

face

and

anyway!"

voice showed

that

shock.

might have been a murderer

by this
here.
heading for the pen, but for Dunbar

"Yes, and
You

not

The

up

arm.

Duff, though
received

had

quicker.

! Are

the

bust

have

blustered

time,

and

God, Stewart

"My

he

friend.

knocked

had

car.

feayne,

sake, Stewart, stop!" shouted

God's

springingtoward his
nearer
Barry was
but

which

and

the

up

"

boilingin Duff,

been

him

you

more

than

you

can

ever

pay,

you

blanked

ON

Duff made
Nor

did he

THE

PINE

RED

TRAIL

35

but busied himself with his horses.

reply,
in readiness
speak again tilleverythingwas
no

for the road.

until

word

"Thank

had

they

the store

At

that

and
in/' he then said gruffly,

"Get

drove

he drew

into the

was

his last

village.

up.

for the lift,"

said Barry. "I should have
job to get back in time.*'

you

tough
grunted at him, and passedon into the store.
"I am
ing
you," said Bayne, shakvery glad to have met
hands warmly with him.
have done us both
"You
He is my
a great service.
friend,you know."
"I am
afraid I have offended him, all the same.
But
you see I couldn't help it,could I ?"
Bayne looked at his young, earnest face for a moment
if studying him, then said with
curious
or
two
a
as
smile, "No, I don't believe you could have helped it.''
And
with that he passed into the store.
"What
sort of a chap is that preacher of yours?"
he asked of the storekeeper.
"I don't know; he ain't my church.
Ask Innes there.
He's a pillar."
ing
leanBayne turned to a long, lean, hard-faced man
against the counter.
I
is Bayne, from
Red
Pine, Mr. Innes.
"My name
interested in knowing what
of a chap your
am
sort
out
to our
preacheris. He comes
section,but I never
him
till to-day."
met
"Oh, he's no that bad," said Innes cautiously.
"Not
worth
a
red headed
cent," said a little,
man,
"He can't preach for sour
standingnear.
apples."
"I wadna
Mr.
said
Innes.
just say that,
Hayes,"
"How
do you know, Innes?"
retorted Hayes.
"You
know
fall asleepbefore he gets rightlystarted."
you
a

Duff

"I aye

listen better with

"Yes, and
I don't blame

That's

snore

you.

the kind of

ma

eyes

shut."

better,too, Mac," said Hayes.

Most

of

them

preacher he

is."

go

to

"But

sleepanyway.

THE

S6

PILOT

SKY

"What

of

sort

IN

is

chap

NO

he?

MAN'S

LAND

what

mean

of

sort

man?"
for

*'Well,

'

square-built

stick

he'd

"If

he's

always
"But

in,

buttin'
the

him

besides,

the

i
sure

his

guess

"Oh,
that

nose

into

ay!

not

not

bad

sign,

in,

he

butts

in,"

that's

no

part

all

but

"and

the

Mr.

the

past

Innes,"

don't

gospel,

for

this

as

like

for

doubt

buttin'

in
And

year.

said
him

Sandy
myself.

right."

agreed
of

near.

bad,

so

again,

better

that

sure

teered
volun-

everything."

done
him."

butts

be

Innes

like

he

wouldn't

the

have

in,"

standing

man

preachin'

deal

all

I'm

said
and

likes

bairns

"and
I

it

bad,"

good

that's

Bayne,
But

is

looking

gospel

McFettridge,

and

"Well,

his

that

no

country

'that

his

to

buttin'

always

military

pokin'

he's

he's

thing,

one

his

Innes,

job,

too."

"but

I'm

no

so

CHAPTER

the

OF

QUESTION

THEwhichDunbars
had

lived
the

III

in

CONSCIENCE

cottage

distinction

of

on

back

being

the

street,
home

only

which

of a
possessed the adornment
A
too.
Indeed, with
unique garden it was,
single exception of Judge Hepburn's garden, which
which
said to
affair, and
was
quite an elaborate
the Judge a "pile of money,'* there
cost
none
was
on

street

with

den.
gar-

the
was

have
to

it in the

villageof Wapiti.
that bare, wind-swept prairie meant
Any garden on
toil and infinite pains, but a garden like that of the Dunbars
represented in addition
something of genius. In
in
execution
the
Dunbars'
conception, in design, and
taken
'round
garden was
something apart. Visitors were
to the back
to get a glimpse of the Dunbars'
street
tage
cotand
garden.
The
in two
sections.
That
the back
at
garden was
of the
fence
cottage, sheltered
by a high, close board
with
covered
to
was
Virginia creeper,
given over
tables,
vegeand
it was
marvellous
Richard
how, under
quite
Dunbar's
of ground could grow
a
quarter of an acre
care,
such
enormous
quantities of vegetables of all kinds.
Next
the vegetable garden came
to
the plot for small
fruits
of
strawberries,
rare
raspberries, currants,
compare

"

varieties.
The
to

be

front
found

the

and
native

garden

to

old

devoted

fashioned

to

English

and

row

Then

of

flowers.

flowers

particularlythe

more

gardens a thick
a
stately hedge.

was

Scottish

dear

old

soil.

Here
to

our

were

mothers,
grand-

fashioned
Between

tall, splendid sunflowers

ers
flowthe

two

made

larkspur, peonies, stocks,

came

37

THE

88

and

SKY

PILOT

IN

verbenas
sweet-williams,
of

sweet

But

lobelia and

peas,

for

NO

MAN'S

LAND

mignonette,with
heliotrope.Along the fence

which

and

Alberta

ders
borwere

is famous.

the part of the garden close about the front

where the particular
ard
porch and verandah
genius of RichDunbar
showed
itself. Here
the flowers native to
it was

the

prairie,the coulee, the canyon, were

gathered;the
and the buffalo bean,
early wind flower, the crowfoot
wild snowdrops and violets. Over trellises ran
the tiny

morning-glory,with

vetch

arbutus.
A bed
trailing
of wild roses
to
wonderful
perfection. Later
grew
in the year would
be seen
the yellow and crimson
lilies,
daisies white and golden, and when
other flowers had
The
contrast.
faded, golden rod and asters in gorgeous
approach to the door of the house was by a gravelwalk
bordered
by these prairieflowers.
The house inside fulfilled the promise of the garden.
The livingroom,
ing,
simplein its plan,plain in its furnishrevealed everywhere that touch in decorative adornment
that spoke of the cultivated mind and refined taste.
A group
of rare etchingshad their placeover
the mantel
On the walls were
above a large,open fireplace.
to be
famous
seen
reallyfine copies of the world's most
tures,
picthe
and on
panels which ran 'round the walls were
bits of pottery and china, relics of other days and of
other

homes.

But what
on

and

entering the

kinds

of musical

stood

small

to strike the eye

likely
the array
was
livingroom

most

was

instruments.

upright piano, a

At

one

end

'cello held

of

stranger

of different
of the
one

room

corner,

guitar another; upon a table a cornet was

deposited,
could be seen, while a
and
the piano a violin case
on
banjo hung from a nail on the wall.
Near
the fireplace
a
curiouslycarved pipe-rackhung,
with some
half dozen pipes of weird design,evidently
the collection of years, while just under it a small table
a

held

the utensils

sacred

to

the

smoker.

QUESTION

When

Barry
in

"Awfully
I have

for

the table set and

thing
every-

late to

long walk,

39

tea.

I'm too

sorry

had

he found

entered

readiness

CONSCIENCE

OF

help you with tea, dad.

quitea deuce of a time

and

getting home."
"All

right,boy. Glad you are here. The toast ia

ready, tea waiting to be infused. But what happened?
till you
me
No, don't begin telling
get yourself ready.
But hurry,your meeting hour will be on in no time."
Shame
to make
a
"Right-o,dad!
slaveyof you in
I'll be out in a jiffy."
this way.
He
a

threw

pail of

off his coat

water

to

and

vest, shirt and

big block

back, soused

his head

snorting and

puffing,and

and

in the little shed

shoulders

emerged

in
in

few
"I'm

you

of reverent

words

are

few

the
loud

minutes

his handsome
the

son

said

grace.

What!

dad.

ravenous,

at

it with

looking refreshed, clean and wholesome,

face shining with vigorous health.
Together they stood at the table while
a

collar,took

Fried

potatoes! Oh,

brick."

"Tired, boy?"
"No.
shall
You

That

reminds

begin after
can

occupy

my

of my
tale,which I
thrilling
third slice of toast, and not before.

the

preciousminutes, dad,

me

in

me
telling

of your excitements
in the office this afternoon."
"Don't
sniff at me.
I had a few, though apparently
you

think

it

impossiblein my humdrum
said Barry, his mouth
full

"Good!"

grey

of

life."

toast.

"Go

on."

"Young Neil
S.Q.R. ranch.
"Neil

Fraser?

S.Q.R.? Where

Fraser
Filed

is
the

He's

buying,or has justbought,the

transfer to-day."
in my
tale, too.
Bought the

did he get the stuff ?"

"Stuff?"

"Dough,
rency,

dad."

the dirt,the wherewithal, in short the

cur"

THE

40

SKY

''Barry,you

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

ruining your

are

LAND

English," said

his

father.
I'm
"Yum-yum.
Bully! Did you notice that,dad?
One
coming on, eh?
thing I almost pray about, that
I might become
jaw hash.
expert in slingingthe modern
in my
I'm
of speech. But
forms
correct
appallingly
I'm throwing too much
vocalisation mygo on, dad.
self.
You
about
Neil
Eraser.
Give
were
m
e
us
telling
the chorus

now."

'*Idon't like it,hoy," said his father,shakinghis head,

in a clergyman,"
"and especially
that's where

"But
I

when

you

within

come

off,dad.

are

range

of

any

The

trouble

is,

flock all my
my
I find myself
and

of

flipvocabularyabsolutelyvanishes,
talking like a professorof English or a maiden
lady
of very certain age."
school ma'am
"I don't like it, boy. Correct
English is the only
English for a gentleman."
''I wonder," said the lad.

for

me,

thinkingof

you

"Oh,

as

"I know
a

I don't want

to

worry

dad."

you,

am

"But

littlemore
"He

has

that matters
and of your

that,dad.
about
come

nothing at all,but I
ing."
profession,
your stand-

I sometimes

yourself. But
into

some

money.

wish

you

would

think

of Neil Eraser?"

what

He

has

bought

the

ranch."

Barry's tone expressed doubtful approval. "Neil is

a
good sort, dad, awfully reckless,but I like him," said
Barry. "He is up and up with it all."
said his father.
"Now, what about your afternoon?"
"Well, to begin with, I had a dose of my old friend,
the enemy."
ther
Your
asthma!"
His fa"Barry, you don't tell me!
from
the table gazing at him in dismay.
sat back
I thought that was
"And
all done
with."
"So did I, dad.
But it reallydidn't amount
to much.
stomach
likelysome
Probably some
derangement, more

SKY

PILOT

42

THE

know

nothing makes
chaps who pot

about
"I

know,

more

you

chicken

know,

NO

IN

quitedistressed.

"You

are

I won't

have

it!

"Now,

dad,

that I had

business

to

is the law, and

the law
"I

no

quite agree,

Yet

all the same,

and

to

shout

at

a
a

LAND

furious

than

The

father

You

sport is

not

are

ently
appar"

tell me

to

if I could.

Besides,

sport."

Believe

me,

hate to have

fellow with

was

quiteright,but

stop him

Barry.
chap does

hearing

of season/'

out

boy."

my

MAN'S

quite agree.
spoiled,

his shot

his gun on a bird, well,

it is hardly the sporting
"

Barry, but
you'llexcuse
me,
thing."
"Sporting! Sporting!"said Barry. "I
hated to do it,but it was
right. Besides talk
vs^hat about shooting out of season?"

know

that I

about

ing'
'sport-

"

Well, we won't
yes.
I don't like it,dad.

"Yes,
"But

of what

don't approve

you

thing to do,

duty." The
my
at his father.

like to

I do.

It
make

to

sat

man

young

think

said his father, "I may

always called upon
you are

continued
of

every

law

breaker?

I mean
hurriedly. "What
for
assume
responsibilitv

us

think

that

No, listen
is,must

every

Barry."

on,

beastlyhard
myself do it. It
looking anxiously

was

boy,"

my

but do you
with

it. Go

I don't

I had

anyway.

was

"Well,

discuss

be

wrong,

to

strate
remon-

me," he

to

you

criminal

or

any

in the

land?"

Barry
"I

wish

silent

consideringthis

moment,

knew, dad.

You

know,

I have

sition.
propo-

often

said

myself after I have funked a thing,and

something go by without speakingup againstit."

that to
let

sat

excuse

"Funked

"Yes.

it!"
Funked

for the

standingup

rightthing,you

know."
"Funked
do

it!" said his father

that,Barry?"
"Oh, wouldn't I,though ?

am

again.

"You

afraid you

wouldn't
don't know

me

OF

CONSCIENCE

43

well,dad. However, I rather think I had started

before that, you
know.
You
won't like this

very

him

QUESTION

up

either.

I may

But

know, he

v/ell go through with it. You

swearing and cursingmost awfully,just

was

as

in his

ordinary talk
stand, so I up and

know, and that is a thingI can't

you

told him

he

was

using

too

many

"

'damns.'
"You
did, eh?"

spiteof

In

out
keep the surprise

not
some

at

nerve,

"There

you

himself

of his voice.

any

rate."

are

again, dad!

You

the father could

"Well, that took

think

I had

no

I can't help feeling

I was
rightto speak. But somehow
right. For don't you see, it would have seemed a bit like
loweringthe flagto have kept silent."
"Then
for God's sake speak out, lad!
I do not feel
as
quite the same
way
you, but it is what
you think
yourselfthat must guide you. But go on, go on."

"Well,

assure

it hadn't been for

to a

me

"He

you

"

Bayne

like to

should

I, dad, if

feint with

the

bang ! bung ! All over

be sweet!
But," he
thing a fellow cannot
"Cannot
fellow is in

him

see

in

proper rage, and if

I believe he would have trimmed

peak, administered
would, eh?" said

"I should
"So

he

you

was

I mean."
fitting
castigation,
the father with a grim smile.
try."

you

were

around.

I think I

see

right,then left,right,left! bing!

but the shiver,eh, dad ? It would
added
"that's the very
regretfully,

do?

And

duty

bound

do."

why

not,
to do to

pray? It
of
a bully

is what

every
that sort."

"Yes, but to be
Duff a bully. At

quite fair,dad, you could hardly call

As a
least,he wasn't bullyingme.
of fact,I was
matter
bullyinghim. Oh, I think he had
to be angry.
When
reason
a
chap undertakes to pull
another chap up for law breaking,perhaps he should
be prepared to take the consequences.
But to go on.
Bayne stepped in awfully decent of him, too, when
suddenness
justat that moment, as novelists say, with startling
occurred
that averted the impending
event
an
"

"

PILOT

SKY

THE

44

calamity. Along
of his, in a
car
like

bronchos.

thciC
a

in

NO

MAN'S

LAND

Neil Fraser, no less,in that new

whirlwind
of noise and dust, honking
came

flock of wild

IN

Well,
lurch,and we

geese.

One

should

you
were

upset, and the bronchos in an

fortunatelychecked by your humble

and

new

real rage

this time, up
barrels after the motor

seen

the

ground,
away,
incipientrunservant.
Duff,

on

beautiful

have

with

his gun and

car, by this time

banged off both

honking down the trail."
''ByJove! he deserved it,"said the father. "Those
fellows make
motor
me
long to do murder at times."
"That's because you have no car, Dad, of course."
"Did he hit him, do you think?"
"No.
My arm
happened to flyup, the gun banged
the zenith.
toward
Nothing doing!"
foul of Mr.
to have
run
"Well, Barry, you do seem
Duff."
"Three

breaking
Would

But

the law

doing himself

you

"No,
our

times,dad.

care.

no,

have

and

let him

You

did

fool he must

preventedhim
and

others

from

injury.

off this last time, dad?"

Human

boy.

each time

life has

the first claim

upon

ernable
quite right,quite right. Ungovbe !

Shouldn't

be allowed

to carry

gun."
"So Bayne declared,"said Barry.
"Well, you have had quite an
excitingafternoon.
But finish your
tea and
get ready for the m.eeting.I
will wash up."
You
saw-horse
take your
"Not
if I know
it, dad.
Schubert.
and do me
entreated
or
a littleHandel
Do, please,"
than
"I want
that before meeting more
his son.
I confess I
anything else. I want a change of mood.
is all prepared,but I
rattled. My address
am
slightly
have atmosphere before I go into the meeting."
must
and after a few moments
His father took the 'cello,
mortal
spent in carefullytuning up, began with Handel's iminto the Adagio Movement
Largo, then he wandered
in Haydn's third Sonata, from thence to Schubert's
a

Impromptu

OF

QUESTION

in C

CONSCIENCE

Minor, after which

he

45

began

the Serenade,

by his son.
*'No, not that,dad, that's sickening. I consider that
It
the most
morally relaxingbit of music that I know.
of Chopin's
frays the whole moral fibre. Give us one
Ballades, or better still a bit of that posthumous FanAh!
fine! fine!'*
tasie Impromptu, the largo movemient.
He
flung his dish-cloth aside, ran to the piano and
began an accompaniment to his father's playing.
close."
before we
more
"Now, dad, the Largo once
and again,then springingfrom
They did the Largo once
of grace
the piano Barry cried : "That Largo is a means
There could be no better preparationfor a religious
to me.
in
meeting than that. If you would only come
much
do them
and play for them, it would
more
good
than all my
preaching."
"If you would only take your music seriously,
Barry,"
sadly,"you would become
repliedhis father, somewhat
a
a
good player,perhapseven
great player."
"And
then what, dad?"
him aside,puttingup his 'cello.
His father waved
"No use going into that again,boy."
"Well, I couldn't have been a great player,at any rate,
he

when

was

checked

dad."

"Perhaps not, boy, perhaps not," said his father.

"Great players are
But it is time for your
very rare.
meeting."
"So it is,dad.
Awfully sorry I didn't finish up those
dishes.

Let

dad, and
note

them

along

come

till I return.
with me."
His

I wish

would,

you

voice had

wistful

in it.

"Not
after.
"All
comie."

to-night,
boy, I think. We will have
You
will only be an hour, you know."
time
right,dad," said Barry. "Some
He

could not

"Perhaps
It

go

was

the

talk

some

you

may

hide the wistful regret of his tone.

shall,boy," repliedhis father.

one

perfect harmony

point upon
between

which
father

there
and

son.

was

lack of

When

the

46

PILOT

SKY

THE

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND
.

with the intention of entering

collegeit was
of
for
which
the profession
his father had
law,
manhood
the lure of
when
been reading in his young
her broad, free acres
and
Canada
caught him, and he
the law and with his wife and baby
abandoned
had
in the great
boy had emigratedto become a land owner

boy

went

to

Canadian

wxst.

Alas ! death, that rude

of so many
spoiler
plans,broke
the sanctityand
in upon
perfectpeace of that happy
and ravished it of its treasure, leaving a
ranch home
and a littleboy, orphaned and sickly,
broken hearted man
cared

to be

for.

ranch

The

was

sold,the rancher moved

city of Edmonton, thence in a

miles nearer
littlevillage
some
twenty-five
where he became
the Registrarand
to

the

few

years
to

to

the Foothills,

Homestead

spector
In-

for the district.

he

Here

lived

had

his heart

of

about

again,though never
Every May Day the
many

spot, where
grave.

hills.

miles
a

drils
since,trainingthe torn tenback
the lad, till peace
came

ever

the
two

into

perfectjoy
were

the

wont

of the earlier

to go

Foothills,to

upon
a

strong, palisadedenclosure

an

days.
tion
expedi-

little,
sunny
held

little

littleit looked, and so lonelyamid the great

of grief,but in
There, not in an abandonment
So

of her whose
dust the
loving and gratefulremembrance
little grave
now
held, of what she had been to them,
and had done for them, they spent the day, returningto
take up again with hearts solemn, tender and chastened,
the daily routine of life.
should grow
to take up the profession
That his son
versity
of law had been the father's dream, but during his uniunder the compelling
the boy had come
course
influence of a spiritual
awakening that swept him into
world filled with new
a
impressionsand other desires.
Obeying what he felt to be an imperativecall,the boy
and after completing
chose the church as his profession,
in the cityof Winnipeg, and spendhis theological
course
ing
in study in Germany, while stilla mere
youth
a year

OF

QUESTION

CONSCIENCE

47

appointedas missionaryto the district of

the centre.
which his own
villagewas
each other in the
But though widely separate from
of religion,
there were
matter
points of contact
many
both men
of the great out-ofbetween them.. They were
and direction
doors, and under his father's inspiration
the boy had come
to love athletic exercises of all kinds.
both music-mad, the father having had in
They were
earlyyouth a thorough musical education, the boy possessing
musical talent of a high order.
Such training
as
he

had

been

received from

his he had

was

to

his

father,but it was

singleinstrument,the violin.

one

which

upon

his father had

received

To

fined
con-

this instrument,

the tuition of

reallyexcellent master, the son devoted long hours of

study and practiceduring his boyhood years, and his
such as to give promise of something
attainments
were

than

more

amateur's

an

mastery of his instrument.

collegework, however, interfered with his music, and

his

His
to

father's

great disappointmentand regret he was

lay aside his study of the violin. On the piano,

forced to

of
however, the boy developed an extraordinarypower
nique
improvisationand of sight reading,and while his techhis power
of interpretation
was
faultyhis insight,

far in

were

in musical
the

bonds

the father and

son

the western
the
winter, and among
that held them
in close comradeship, none

stronger than their

Long
father

after his
sat

son

dreaming

the familiar bits from

nor

power

his

superiors
of execution.
Many
spent togetherthrough
were

long eveningsof

many
was

artists who

knowledge and

the hours

were

of many

excess

was

"Hello!

he

aware

of

common

had
over

devotion

music.

departed to his meeting the

his 'cello,
wandering among

the old masters

the

to

as

fancy led him,

lapse of time tillhis

son

turned.
re-

Nine-thirty?"he exclaimed, looking at his

watch.
"You
have given them
dose to-night."
extra
an
"Business
off
meeting afterwards, which didn't come
after all," said his son.
"Postponed till next Sunday."

SKY

PILOT

NO

IN

48

THE

With

and
this curt announcement,
he sat down
at his desk.

But
us

after

do

real

some

he

fe\, moments

MAN'S

LAND

without

further

ment
com-

quickly,
saying,"Let

rose

dad,"
Vv^ork,

His father,who was

took up his vioHn.
used to his
moods, without questionor remark proceededto tune up.
He

hour's

An

hard

either except as
"I feel better

practicefollowed, without
regardedthe work in hand.
''And

they had finished.

asthma

of yours
am

it was

now

w^hat about

"But
"I

dad," said the young

now,

the

for

your wind,
this afternoon."

boy?

I don't

quite all right. It's quitegone.

pollenfrom the beaver meadow."

of the room,
strippedto their shirts,put
Their
and went
at each other with vim.
that the fathers

you."
like that

I feel

They cleared back the table and chairs from

for the father had

when

man

with

round

from

word

on

sure

the centre
the

gloves
ilar,
sim-

stylewas

all he knew, except

and the son's the
the fighting

taught the

was

son

versed,
sparringstyle. To-night the roles appeared to be rethe son
the father
pressinghard at the in-fighting,
trustingto his foot work and counteringwith the
lighttouch of a man
making points.
"You
are
boring in,aren't you?" said the father,stopping
a fierce rally.
"I don't
"You
not playingup, dad," said his son.
are
1"
feel like soft work
to me
to-night. Come
"As you say," replied
the father,and for the next five
minutes
to complain of soft work,
Barry had no reason
for his father went
after him with all the fightthat was
in him, so that in spiteof a vigorousdefence the son was

forced
"Now
counter

to

take

refuge

room.

was

runaway
game.
you'regoing!" shouted the son,

with

his

rightto

side-stepped.It was a
snake the right hand
a
he

in

hurled

hard

driven

making

fierce

left,which

he

fatal exposure.
Like the dart of
hook
got him below the jaw, and

breathless

on

the couch

at the

side of the

IN

bad

our

preacheris

the

So

of

that most

ber

PILOT

SKY

THE

50

NO

hours

MAN'S

from

come

our

livers,

said so?'*

Who

failure?

LAND

Hayes/'
principally
'Thank
God, and go to sleep,"said his father. "If
pleasedwith my preachingI should greatly
Hayes were
suspect my call to the ministry."
I am
not
"But
a
seriously,
certainly
great preacher,
and perhaps not a preacher at all. They say I have no
tive
of them appears to be the distincwhich with some
'pep,'
characteristic of a popular
and altogether
necessary
preacher."
said Innes ?" enquiredhis father.
"What
"Oh,

"Did

say much

Innes

From

his silence

judge that he must possess the accumulated

of the ages."
he does talk,however, he generallysays something.

wisdom
"When

What
"

hear

ever

you
would

one

of them,

number

his contribution?"

was

*Ah, weel,' said the silent

one,

*Ah

doot

he's

no

hardly be exSpurgeon,not yet a BillySunday, but ye'll

pectin'thae fowk at Wapiti for nine hundred dollars a
year.' Then, bless his old heart, he added, 'But the bairns
tak to him
like ducks to water, so you'd better bide a
bit.' So they decided to 'bide a bit' till next
Sunday.
their job in their faces,
to throw
Dad, at first I wanted
in me
that
that it is the old Adam
only I always know
feels like that,so I decided to 'bide a bit' too."
"It is a poor job,after all,my
boy," said his father.
it is carried on in this
"It's no gentleman'sjob the way
To

country.
creature

He

think

of your

like Hayes!"
could have said

no

being at

better word.

the

bidding of

The

boy's face

shining of the sun after rain.

He
lifted his head and said,
"Thank
'One is your
God, not at his bidding,dad.
thing
Master,' he quoted. "But after all,Hayes has someDo
know, I rather like him.
good in him.
you

cleared

like the

sudden

"

He's

"Oh,

"

come

now,

we'll

drop

it

rightthere," said

his

father,in

QUESTION

"When

disgustedtone.

CONSCIENCE

OF

you

51

like in that rat, I surrender."

said the boy, as if to himself.
knows?''

something
''Who

to

Hayes. He may be quitea wonderful

man,
all things,his heredityand his environment.
I have

been, dad, but for

His
knows

grunted,pulledhard
in
looked his son
straight

what

silence.

any of us
mind
was

His

to

owe

littlegrave
her

there in which

that had

things,and
that had

been

the

considering
What

his

hounded

would

pipe,coughed a

the face, saying,"God

past." He fell into

followinghis

heart to

the Foothills and

among

he had

from

covered

to his best
inspiration
againstthe thingslow
his soul,howling hard

his defence

once

our

at

far away,

palisadedplotof ground

"Poor

?"

you

father

bit,then

the

finding

to

come

his

the

sight
finest

and
and

upon

base
his

trail.
The
then

knowing his mood, sat

risingsuddenly he sat himself

in silence with

son,

father's chair,threw his arm

old
"Dear old dad ! Good
What

would

I have

been

are, too.

you

but for

the

of his

arm

his shoulder

around

boy

on

him,

you?

and said,
Good
stuff !

puling,
spit

puny,

wretched
littlecrock, afraid of anything that could
the old gander? I was
Do you remember
at me.
eternal

my

"But

you

damnation
won

that

out, my

day."
boy," said

his father in

voice,puttinghis arm round his son.

stick it,justas you
"Yes, because you made me
made

often

me

forget what

ever

near

stick it since.
you

done

have

May
for

God

forgetme
Shall

me.

we

ing
croak-

have
if I

read

?"

now

He
and
the

took

the

turning the
world's

big Bible

placeupon the table^

aloud from the teachingsof
It was
the parableof the

from

leaves read

greatest Master.

its

talents.
"Rather

hard

on

the failure,"he said

as

he closed the

book.

"No,

not

the failure,"said his father,"the slacker,the

SKY

THE

52

quitter.

It

universe

for

"You

nature's

Their

clergyman

son,

to

had

lead

to

kneeled

is
in

said

could
of

his

in

private,

the
self
him-

bring

him

life,

his

since

never

little

whose

at

boy,

as

knee
his

for

keep

me

shall

He's

from

his

and

no

be

into

head

quitter,"

him.

shaming

do

by
what

is

part
of

shame

the

not

quitter

ours."
his

with

bedroom

his

erect.

said

"When
him

know

not

That

suffering.
the

him

holding

"We

so.

but

stepped

man

followed

eyes

loss,

never

squared
Jove!

or

father,

his

said

altogether,
and

need,

shoulders

God

of

done

ever

were

was,

night

defeat,

hands

our

his

God's

"Good-night."

had

devotions

moment

us,

The

as

the

boy,"

for

before

"By

in

place

no

prayer.

hand

never

he

as

he

every

"Good-night,
the

LAND

is

Barry.

prayers

though

offer

evening

said

father,

his

infancy.

earliest

MAN'S

There

law.

dad,"

right,

kissed

NO

quitter."

are

He

he

is

IN

PILOT

he

!"

his

quits

son

to

he'll

himself,
be

dead.

IV

CHAPTER

REJECTED

for

hour

THE

but

The

had

not

of wagons,

number

driven

door.

the church

service

church

already

buggies had

and

the

quite

rived,
ar-

buckboards

and

deposited their loads at

had passed into the church,
was
already in session ; the
by the heat of the July sun

up

women

Sunday School
waited
men
outside, driven
into the shade
the hotter July wind
and
of the church
building.
windows
the droning of
came
Through the church
and then a staccato
voices, with now
mands
rapping out of comheard
above
the droning.
^'That's Hayes,'' said a sturdy young
as
chap, brown
likes to be bossthe grass.
"He
ing
an
Indian, lollingupon
something."
"That's
with a fishlike
repHed a smaller man,
so, Ewen,"
and nose
ture.
face, his mouth
running into a single feawhere

the

"I

guess

another

he's doin'

flanking around
two
prominent

blue

face,

to

have

word

no

"In
for

his

"But
all

the

west

is, Mr.

country

agin

fact, I

beneficent
he

does

same,"

of

out

which

stared

eyes.

he

I have

Boggs.
Pilley,a

Hayes," replied Nathan

who, abandoning a rocky farm
this far

answered
Pilley,'*
bushy side whiskers

stocky, with

rubicund

I reckon

"Oh,

and

stout

man,

his best, Nathan

in

Ontario

in Muskoka,

search

Mr.

North

word

no

Hayes,
think he ought

of
Mr.

to

be

better

had

agin
man,

strayed

fortune.

"I

ated.
Boggs," he reiterhighly commended

work."
like to

hear

persisted the

Ewen.
5?

himself
young

giving
man

out

orders,

addressed

as

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

54

to
"Yes, he seems
agreed Nathan, who

NO

MAN'S

enjoy that, too, Ewen,"

sorter

known

never

was

LAND

to

any

oppose

opinion.

man's

his

doin'

"He's

best," insisted

Mr.

rather

Boggs,

sullenly.
Boggs, he is that," said Nathan.
the big toad in the puddle,"said

"Yes, he is that,Mr.
he likes to

"But

be

Ewen.
seems
"Well, he certainly

Clear

the

over

sound,
sort

o'

School

Sunday

Sunday School,
"What's

childish

other
point an-

laughter.
Boggs.

the kids carry

where

"Quare

like that."

on

peculiar,"agreed Nathan, "peculiarin

rather

"Seems

of

this

at

arose

preacher'sclass," said

the

"That's

there

droning

chorus

indeed, Ewen."

to, he does

it does."

with

the matter

Pickles?"

young

enquired

Ewen.
The

of

eyes

ger,
followingthe pointingfin-

the company,
Pickles
young

of
fell upon
standingat the window
the littlevestry to the church, and lookingin. He was
apparently convulsed with laughter,with his hand hard

his mouth

upon

"Do

you

and

nose

what's

know

as

the

kind

of silencer.
with him, Pat?"

matter

tinued
con-

Ewen.
Pat McCann,
Pickles, after

friend, gave
"It's the
He's
his

the faithful friend and

studyingthe attitude

preacher,I

he

and

side.
He's kiddin' the kids in-

guess.

kidder, too," he said, moving

some

Gradually
Pickles

and

of young
motions
of his

answer:

place beside

"What's
to see."

shadow

to

take

his friend.

doing anyway?"

little company
The
Pat McCann.
a

view

of the room,
yet in such
unobserved
by the speaker.

"Say, you ought to seen

ago," whispered Pickles.

him

said Ewen.

"I'm

gathered behind
window
way

do

going
young

commanded

that the group

the camel

a
were

minute

55

REJECTED
In the little
were
packed some
vestry room
of all ages and sizes,with a number
who

had

dren
twenty chilof

class in

charge of some
for instance,Mrs.

joined the

grownups
of its

There was,
members.
Innes,
younger
with the two
lowed
pilyoungest of her numerous
progeny
againsther yieldingand billowyperson ; and Mrs.

only a few weeks upon her

for the palenessof her sweet
knee accountingsufficiently
with their small
face, and two or three other women
the bench that ran
children filling
along the wall.
to his
"Say ! look at Harry Hobbs," said Pat McCann
Stewart

Duff,

an

infant

of

friend.

from

in summer
was
stove, which
relegatedto
of any
of the room,
sat Harry Hobbs, a man
ing
his appearance,
thin and wiry, with keen, dart-

eyes,

which

Upon the
the
age

corner

preacher. All

other

eyes

of the children seated

with

mouths

wide

were

fastened

were,

too.

Even

the

front

bench

however,

now,

on

open,

as

preacher who, moving up and

them a story.
telling
steps,was

if

the

the smallest
were

gazing

fascinated, upon

the

with

quick, lithe

wonderful

story, too,

down
A

upon

it seemed, the wonder

of it apparent in the riveted eyes
the immortal
and fixed faces. It was
story, matchless in
the language,of Joseph,the Hebrew
shepherd boy, who,

ter
slaveryby his brethren, became prime minisof the mighty empire of Egypt. The voice tone of
brating
the minister,now
low and soft, viclear and high,now
made
like the deeper notes
of the 'cello,
was
for story telling.Changing with every changing emotion,
it formed
an
exquisitem.edium to the hearts of the
listeners for the exquisitemusic of the tale.
The story was
approaching its climactic denouement
;
brother's revealing
the rapturous moment
of the younger
now
at hand ; Judah, the older brother,was
was
holding
of
that
the centre
the stage and making
thrilling
appeal,
than which
moving is to be found
nothing miore
bing
throbvoice was
in our
English speech. The preacher's
with all the pathosof the tale. Motionless,the little
sold into

hung hard
opened quickly,a
group

broke

upon
red

NO

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

56

the
head

MAN'S

LAND

when
the door
story-teller,
appeared,a rasping voice

in:

ing
waitclass report, Mr. Dunbar, please. We're
for it."
A sigh of disappointmentand regret swept the room.
from the
''Oh, darn the littlewoodpecker !" said Ewen
''Your

in
toutside,

He

thinks

disgustedtone.

he's the whole

"That's

the way

works, and

with

that he

Hayes.

never

can

get in wrong."
The

story hurried
its proper
"He's
to

broken,

spellwas

never

to

be

renewed.

its close,but the great climax

to

The

failed of

effcQt.
a

hummer,

ain't he?"

exclaimed

young

Pickles

friend,Pat McCann.
"Somx
hummer, and then some!" repliedPat.
"I'm goin' in," said Pickles.
"Aw, what for? He ain't no good preachin'to them
his

folks.

By

gum

I think

he's scared

of 'em."

and
and followed with the men
persisted,
boys who lounged lazilyinto the church, from which
been dismissed.
the Sunday School had now
It appeared that the judgment of Pat McCann
upon
the
jority
maof the preacherwould be echoed by
the merits
the service
of the congregationpresent. While
and
in reverent
form
conducted in proper
spirit,
was
marked
the sermon
was
by that most unpardonable sin
SoHd
dull.
be guilty:it was
of which
can
sermons
enough in matter, thoughtfulbeyond the average, it was
delivered in a styleappallingly
wooden, with an utter
that the
of that arresting,dramatic
absence
power
preacher had shown in his children's class.
of the congregationwas,
The
as
ever, a
appearance
The heat of the day, the reaction
reflection of the sermon.
in the open
from
the long week
air, the quiet
voice risingand falling
monotony of the well modulated
is supposed by so
in what
in regular cadence
many
preachers to be the tone suitable for any sacred ofP.ce,
But

Pickles

PILOT

SKY

THE

58

MAN'S

mind

And

that,will you!

"Take

NO

IN

LAND

business!

own

your

sleepingyourself,anyway !'*
and
the astonished
Before
enraged Mr. McFettridge
for action,there rang
could gather his wits sufficiently
the astonished congregationa peal of boyishlaughover
ter.
from
A
the minister.
It was
few
irrepressible
youngsters joined in the laugh; the rest of the congregation,
in
of
the
shocked
held rigid
a
however, were
grip
You

were

amazement.

McFettridge!"cried
"It was
the young
at the desk.
man
quiteinvoluntary,
I assure
you." Then, quickly recoveringhimself, he
shall conclude the service by singnow
we
added, "And
ing
the seventy-ninthhymn."
Mr.

^'Oh, I say! do forgiveme,

Before

the last

of the

brought to
A

he reminded

sung

further

comment

of the

be wanted

nothing

At the back

was

church

of the church

to

Neil

Fraser.

that
Neil, protesting
business, sat down.
gatheredHarry Hobbs,.

And

I doot."

about

Innes

Barry's

were

ants
Pickles,and others of the less importantattendof the church, who
had been induced to remain by

young

the

service
them

congregation,
among

father, departed.
"Sit down,
Neil," said Mrs.
he knew

the

close.

number

"You'll

ence
the audi-

ing,
congregationalmeeting immediately follow-

without

and

was

verse

of

rumour

By
elected
notion

"scrap."

mischance, the pliantNathan

Pilleywas
obsessed by the
This
chairman.
gentleman was
that he possessedin a high degree the two
ties
qualifatal

which

essential to the harmonious

he considered

conduct
expeditious
determination

of

to

and

vincibl
publicmeeting,namely, an inagree with every speaker,and

equallyinvincible determination to get motions passed.

In a rambling and aimless speech,Mr. Pilleyset forth
in a somewhat
general way the steps leadingup to this
meeting, and then called upon Mr. Innes, the chairman

an

REJECTED

of the Board
the

object for

Management,

whether
Doric

to

state

incurablyaverse
and
private,arose

was

public or

specifically

more

called.

it was

which

Innes, who

Mr.

to

voluble

said, in

speech,
rolling

"Weel, Mr.
We're

behind

will go

about

soon

of

59

be

Chair-r-man, there's no much to be done.

few hundred
one
dollars,but if some
a
wi'

bit paper,

made

up, and
''Exactly,"said Mr,

offer

one

some

nae

doot

the

ar-rear-rs.wad

everythingwad be ar-richt."
Pilleypleasantly."Now

will

motion?''

instantlyupon his feet,

and in a voice thin and rasping exclaimed:
"Mr.
Chairman, there's business to be done, and we
here
we're not
do it, and
to
are
going to be rushed
through in this way."
"Exactly, Mr. Hayes, exactly,"said Mr. Pilley."We
the fullest consideration."
must
give these matters
Hayes

Thereupon Mr.

Then

followed

was

silence.
"

continued the chairman,

"Perhaps Mr. Hayes
looking appealinglyat that gentleman.
"Well, Mr. Chairman," said Mr. Hayes, with an appeased
but slightly
injured air, "it is not my place to
the

forth

set

the chairman

this

of the board

the unconscious

glared at
it the
and

of

cause

thingsthat

have

If

meeting being called.

do his duty"
would
here

he

"he

fore
be-

"

Mr.

Innes

made

"

this

would

set

meeting necessary,

that call for drastic action."

"Hear!

Hear!"

cried

Mr.

Boggs.

"Please continue,
"Exactly so," acquiescedthe chairman.
Mr. Hayes."
Mr. Hayes continued
"The
situation brieflyis this :
:
We
almost hopelessly
in debt, and
are
"How
much ?" enquiredNeil Eraser, brisklyinterrupting.
"

"Seven
further
"Five

hundred

dollars," repliedMr.

"

hundred

dollars,"said Mr.

Innes.

Hayes, "and

THE

60
"I

MAN'S

Hayes in the calmly triumphanttone

I find the amount
"and
to
position,

into space.
hundred
"Seven
"Five

hundred

further
"I

hundred

seven

Innes, gazing

dollars,I say," snapped Mr. Hayes.

dollars,"reiterated Mr. Innes, v^ithout
the books.

examined

I have

dollars,"said Mr.

hundred

The

youngsters

"Go

to

at the

it!" said

back

Harry Hobbs,

the minister, who

was
Harry, could not restrain

calmly.

under

his breath.

hind
sittingimmediatelybea

smile.

of this chewin'

the

said Neil

"What's

Fraser.

rag?"

said

Exactly so,"
"Mr.
Boggs

peal
ap-

"

interruption.I assert

the treasurer?"

"Where's
"Ah!

Innes

"I
Chairman," cried Mr. Hayes, indignantly,

againstthis
use

are

arrears

snickered.

Even
"Mr.

The

dollars."

hundred

"Five

the

be

of his

sure

comment.

say

seven

one

dollars,"repeatedMr.

hundred

"Five

of

Mr.

"

therefore

dollars, and

LAND

treasurer's books/' said

the

examined

have

NO

IN

PILOT

SKY

the

lieved.
chairman, greatlyre-

Perhaps

Mr.

Boggs

will

lighten
en-

us."
Mr.

Boggs

"Mr.

Chairman," he

right when

states

the

arrears

to

be

hundred

seven

hundred

tellin'ye/' said Mr.

dollars A'm

ignoringthe

feelinghe had shown.

Innes is also right,"continued
he makes
"when
interruption,

five hundred

dollars,the

with

is

"

dollars
"Five

he

ponderous deliberation.
Mr. Hayes
said,"in one sense

with

arose

Innes

the first sign of

"And

Mr.

being the quarterlyrevenue

week," said Mr.

"Next

hundred

two
now

Mr.
the

Boggs,
arrears

dollars difference

due."

Innes, revertingto his wonted

calm.

"Exactly so," said the chairman, rubbing his

hundred
dollars we
amiably; "so that the seven
"

owe

hands
now

REJECTED
This

much

too

was

61
for

even

the

Mr.
imperturbable

out

into the aisle,advanced

Innes.
He

in his

arose

toward

mak'

to

At

platform,and

in wrathful

exclaimed

"Mon,

the

place,moved

point Mr.

his wife

outstretched,

arm

tones:

did ye no hear
le-ear."
me
a

this

with

tellin' ye ?

me

Stewart

Duff, who

had

home, and

I want
had

mon

nae

to

come

vey
con-

got tired waiting for

her

outside,entered the church.

''Oh, get on with the business,"said Neil Fraser, who,

although enjoying the

his dinner.

''The

five hundred

scene,

becoming

was

questionwhaf

dollars'

arrears.

anxious

for

with

the

be done

to

let's make

I say,

it up

"

righthere. I am willingto give

"No, Mr. Chairman," shouted Mr. Hayes,
to partingwith his money,
notoriouslyaverse
fearful of a public subscription.
especially
"There
is something more
than mere
arrears

who
and

"

was
was

much

"

more

declared Mr. McFettridge,

"Ay, there is,"emphatically
risingstraightand stiff. "I'm for plain speakin'. The
finances is not the worst
about this congregation. The
congregationhas fallen off. Other churches in this village
The
shouldn't
has
we?
good congregations. Why
truth is,Mr. Chairman,"
Mr. McFettridge'svoice rolled
the audience
-"we want
a popuover
deep and sonorous
lar
"

"

preacher
pep."
"

some

"Hear!
That's

hear!"

it
"

echoed

"More

than

with

mixer!"

the chairman.

preacher with
we

want.

"Exactly so, pep."

McFettridge, "we
"

"Hear!

"

Boggs. "Pep'swhat

that," continued Mr.

minister that's a good mixer

the

"A

cried Mr.

draws

pep."

"Pep,"
want

preacher that

one

that stands in

boys."
Hear!"

mixer!

cried Mr. Boggs

Exactly!" agreed

at
nodding pleasantly

Mr.

again.
the

chairman.

Boggs.

*'A

"And

PILOT

SKY

THE

62

thing I

another

that I

"now
tridge,
that

will stick to

and

not

and

such

"Or
the

to

am

his

meddlin'

go

IN

LAND

job

that

with

other

shook

his head

answered
"Yes, prohibition,"

preacher
will preach the gospel
with politics
matters

ior

"

the

of the church

rear

from
his

the rear,

vicinity.

him.

at

Mr.

McFettridge,facing
defiantly."Let him stick

preachingthe gospel;I believe the

a
change and I'm prepared to make
minister to resign,and that
ask our

his

to

McFet-

like."

minister

toward

Mr.

want

shouted Harry Hobbs

prohibition/'
undiluted joy of the youngsters in

The

we

We

feet.

my
"

MAN'S

say,"continued

will

on

NO

time
a

has

come

motion

motion

that
I

now

make."
the motion," cried Mr. Boggs promptly.
"You
have heard the motion,'^said the chairman, with
business-like promptitude. "Are you ready for the question?"
"Second

lence,
"Question,"said Mr. Hayes, after a few moments' siin their
broken
of some
members
by the shuffling
dently
seats, and by the audible whispering of Mrs. Innes, eviexhorting her husband to action.
"Then

all

please
Then
"Does

those

in

behind

the organ

of

favour

the

motion

will

"

from

this mean,

Mr.

littlevoice

Chairman, that

we

lose

piped up,
our

ister?"
min-

Quigg, a lady whose years no gallantry

indicated that
could set below
forty,for her appearance
of her youth. She was
she was
long past the bloom
cately
thin, almost to the point of frailness,with sharp, delicut
firm, and a
features;but the little chin was
flash of the brown
soul within. Miss
eyes revealed a fiery
of the village,
the milliner and
dressmaker
Quigg was
and was
of her own
herself a walking model
exquisite
health
It was
taste in clothes and hats.
only her failing
that had driven her to abandon
much
a
larger sphere
here her
than her present positionoffered, but even
It

was

Miss

REJECTED

fame

such

was

the

from

to

as

draw

shop

customers

miles.

Dunbar

will leave us?"

that is. Miss, I suppose,

^yes, madam
it would
practically
"

"

httle

for many

sir,that Mr.

"Well,
"

her

to

about

villagesround

''Does this mean,

she repeated.
way

63

tO'

amount

in

that."

please,"Miss Quigg'sneat
littlefigurewas
all a-quivertO' the tipsof her hat plumes.
pleasant
"Well," said the chairman, squirming under the unexperienceof being forced to a definite answer,
"I suppose,
yes."
Miss
Quigg turned from the squirming and smiling
Mr. Pilleyin contempt.
"Will

tell me

you

or

yes

no,

"

"Then,"
here

many

wealth

she

said, "I

who

would

no

say

I believe there

And

no.

say

"

and

men,

too."

are

The

infused
indignationand contemptuous scorn
into the word
man
by which the difference in sex of the huthose unhappy individuals
indicated,made
specieswas
glance shamefacedly at each other
"only they are
of

"

timid, the creatures!

too

Again there
smiles

and

an

was

an

uneasy

too

or

indifferent."

exchange of furtive glancesand

shiftingof positionon the part

"the creatures."

of

"But

if you give them time, Mr. Chairman, I believe

they will perhaps get up courage enough to speak."
in her place behind
Miss Quigg sat down
the organ,

disappearingquitefrom view except for the tipsof her

eloplumes, whose rapid and rhythmic vibrations were
^quent of the beatingof her gallantlittleheart.
but
"Exactly so," said the chairman, in confused
will say something."
one
heartyacquiescence."Perhaps some
Then

Mr.

Innes, forced

physicaldiscomfort
and

said,

"I dinna
a

caused

change of positionby the

by his wife's prodding,rose

to

see

the need

o' any

great preacher,but Ah

the bairns

all like him."

change.

doot

he

Mr.

does

Dunbar
his best.

is no
And

THE

64

'Tm
*'and I

no

for

use

thrill. In the back

preachers,and

You

seat

high nasal
tension,

nervous

before.

in meetin'

and

me.

of extreme

state

spoke

never

for churches

use

LAND

old," he cried,in

forty years

near

that indicated

tone

MAN'S

Hobbs.

Harry

rose

NO

congregationhad

the

Then

IN

PILOT

SKY

I ain't had

I guess

folks all knov^

they hadn't
I've been

me.

no

in

a
drinkin',
eight years, and I was
burg for near
into the barn
This preacher came
cuss.
swearin',fightin'
freezin' to death after a big spree.
one
day when I was
home
with him and kep' me
He tuk me
there for two
Let me
be," he
weeks, settin' up nightswith me, too.
said impatiently
to Barry, who
was
tryingto pull him
down
"I'm agoin' to speak this time if it
to his seat.
kills me.
then, but
Many a time I done him dirt sence
he stuck to me,
turned
and
never
quit till he got me
'round.
I was
to hell ; he says I'm goin'to
goin'straight
he laughed with a touch of scorn.
heaven
Here
now."
"I dunno.
But, by gum! if you fire him and do him

this

dirt,I don't know

what'll become

of me,

but I guess

I'll

to hell again."
straight
You'll keep right on,
"No, Harry, no you won't.
It was
the preacher's
voice,
Harry, straightto heaven."
full of cheery confidence.
Mrs.
Stewart
Duff
Mrs. Innes was
audibly sniffling;
wiping her eyes. It was doubtless this sightthat brought

go

her husband
"I don't

there

the minister's

are

preaching. I

myself, but I want

in
'v^iherthings wanted
has

got

if he

some

who

men

one

to
a

say

will

cover

my

can't say I care much

righthere that there

minister,and this

young

for
are

fellow

If he stays, he gets my
money;
I'll make
else does.
men
you gentle-

kickingabout
willingto double

are

I'm
ten

of them.

doesn't,no

the trouble is here," he said.

I heard some
criticism
arrears.

what

quiteknow

"I understand
"^

his feet.

to

tion.
sportingproposiif any other
subscription,

finances

my
ante."

SKY

THE

66

Those

think about.
fault

at

"

PILOT

least,not

treasurer's books

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

for instance,are hardly

my
altogether. I was
lookingover the
arrears,

the other

day, and I was

surprisedto
find how
had apparently quite forgotten to pay
many
It is no
their church subscription.
doubt just an oversight.
For instance,"he added, in the confidential tone
of one
and valuable information,
impartinginteresting
"you will be surprisedto learn,Mr. Duff, that you are
twenty-fivedollars behind in your payments."
At

this Neil

laugh.

Fraser

'"Touchel"

he

threw

back

said, in

his head

with

loud

joyous undertone.
The
minister looked
in surprise,and
at him
went
both paid
on, '"And while Mr. Innes and Miss Quigg are
up in full,Mr. Hayes has apparentlyneglectedto pay
his last quarter."
"Hit him again,"murm.ured
Harry Hobbs, while Mr.
Hayes rose in virtuous indignation.
"I protest, Mr. Chairman!"
he cried, "againstthese
personalities."
Mr.
''Oh, you quite mistake me,
Hayes," said the
"these are not personalities.
I am
ing
simply showpreacher,
a

that it may
to arise,and
easy it is for arrears
fault at all. Of course, it may be rightfor me
not be my
to resign. I don't know
about that yet, but I want
to be
how

very
to

be
"I

It.would

sure.

be easier to

quitter."
move
we
adjourn," said

but
resign,

I don't want

Neil Fraser.

"I second
was

At

The
the motion," said Stewart Duff.
carried,and the meeting adjourned.

the door

the minister

stood

shakinghands

with

tion
mo-

all

ness
they passed out, making no distinction in the heartiwith which he greetedall his parishioners.To Miss
Quigg, however, he said,"Thank you. You were
didly
splenplucky."
"Nonsense
!" cried the littlelady,the colour flamingin
her faded cheeks.
"But," she added hastily,"you did
and he desci^ved it.the littlebeast!"
that beautifully,

as

REJECTED

plexus!"said Neil Fraser, who was immediately

behind Miss
Quigg.
minister
The
glanced from one to the other in perplexity,
as
they passed out of the door.
"But, you know, I was
only
"Oh, yes, we know," cried Miss Quigg. "But if those
!" She turned
would only take hold ! Oh, those men
men
Neil Fraser and shook her head at him violently.
upon
"I know. Miss Quigg. We
are
a hopelessand
less
helplot. But we're going to reform."
"You
need to, badly," she said. "But you need some
Look
at Mr. Duff there,how
to reform
vastly
one
you.
improved he is," and she waved her hand to that gentleman,
with
his
wife
in
their
who
was
drivingaway
*'SoIar

"

buckboard.
"He
to

is

she bowed

perfectdear," sighedMrs. Duff, as

the minister.

giving his
thing when

arm

"And

too, Stewart," she added,

you,

"you said just the right

going to turn him
peoplewere

littlesqueeze,

horrid

those

out"

"Say!
husband.
"He

preacherisn't so

Your

"Wasn't
rather

that

neat

it. But

for freshness

I must

one

though,

got you,

"Yes, he did, by Jove ! Not

done

bad

after all,"said her

for old Hayes?"

Stewart."

the first time, either,he's

look after that.

though.

Say, he's

is it freshness?

Or

the limit

I'm not

quite

sure."
"Will

he stay with us?"

will."

he

hope

he'll stay all

"Guess
said her
But

week

next

won't

giveup

reallydo
his

job."'

come

to

therefore
was

lution in

handed
a

shock

spiteof

poor prophet,for
his people that
service informed

proved

after the

get better results

It

right.He

"I

husband.

the minister
he had

said his wife.

Duff

Mr.

the conclusion
as

to

them

that another

might

man

congregation; he had.
resignationto the Presbytery.

minister

in his

of the

all,but he adhered

tearful lamentations

from

to

his

resq^-

the womeri',.

SKY

THE

68

wide-eyed

said

"Well,"
tears,

she

as

"Oh,
will

Miss

yes.

stick

But

church
hat
who

Hayes

saying
quivering
had

so

to

run

lady,

nothing,
defiance
little
them."

spunk

of

church

and

you,

Miss

kind.

"you

won't

either."

be

he

that

me

there

every
I

Quigg.

head

her

faded

plumes

to

passed

out

jaunty

her

on

against
allow

erect

very

cheek,

wrath
as

from

indignant

me,

will

the

know

right."

with

and

nor

he

that

dear

the

with

promised

has

of

their

church,

again,

Harry

is

of

others

the

bairns

expressed,

struggling

out

each

in

burning

spot

what

do

little

that

will

so

will

You

red

church,

And

Sunday.
you.

Quigg,

the

by

this

in

the

from

and

Duff,

passing

was

LAND

loudly

Quigg,

Miss

Hobbs

Harry

see

Stewart

and

MAN'S

dismay

indignation,

and

Eraser

NO

IN

and

amazement

congregation,
Neil

PILOT

"those
little

beast

and
of

the
little
men,

like

CHAPTER
THE

'ELL, dad," said Barry

the

in
sitting
hke

Mohammed's

yet ascended

CALLS

DRUM

WAl^

next

after

garden

coffin,detached

into heaven.

evening as they were

tea, "I feel something
from

earth

but

not

unpleasant to be out of
gent
intellia
job. I confess I shall always cherish a more
for the great unemployed.
sympathy henceforth
But cheer up, dad ! You
are
taking this thingmuch too
seriously. The world is wide, and there is something
waiting me that I can do better than any one else,"
the father

But

humiliation

Barry

to

had

littleto

v/hich his

refused

to

It's

son

He
say.
had been

the
bitterly
subjected.
felt

the humiliation.

see

it is my duty so
And
to do?
why, on the other hand, should not they
with them
have the rightto terminate
engagement
my

"Why

should

I not

resignif

I decide

That's democratic
they so desire?
government."
''But good Lord, Barry!" burst out his father, with

when

"to think that a gendisplayof feeling;

tleman
should hold his positionat the whim
of such
whippersnappersas Hayes, Boggs et hoc genus omne.

quitean

And

unusual

than

more

minister

man

that,that

I should

would

who

have

to

be the choice

accept
of

as

my

cattle like

that."
"After

all,dad,

we

in this country.
danger of democratic

and

way

discovered

as

in this
by majorities
the glory and
at once

ruled

are

That

is

were

the

There
is no
better
government.
besides, I couldn't go on
yet. And

here, dad, preachingSunday after Sunday

I felt

age

all the time

saying,'He's
6q

no

to

people who

good';

to

peo-

PILOT

SKY

THE

70

pie,in short, who

''Because

could

it had

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

profitby

not

preaching."

my

pep, eh ?" said his father with

no

ter
bit-

scorn.

"Do
with

it hasn't got pep.

What
pep is,only
But the long and the short of this

preaching:

my

initiated know.

the

thingis,it is
who

have

is wrong

dad, I believe that's what

know,

you

peoplethat must be satisfied.

stand 3^our preaching,they who

It is they

the

to

the

pay

cheer up, dad, I have no fear for the future."

I hope you
have I, my
boy, not the slightest.

piper.But
"Nor
did

think

not

for

"that
dignity,

some

"No,

no,

dad.

moment,

We

in doubt

was

feel

both

about

future."

your

littlesore

was

with

added

he

son,"

my

but
naturally,

the future is all

"True,
As

you

in

my

say,

"Hello

! here

of the

out

funny,
!

wants

But

comes

in

Seems

hurry

Mr.

bit of

before

full hour

As

he

in amazed

Dufif

Mr.

garden he
and delight,

entered

the

wonder
with

spent in company

was

he

what

hurry."
a

was

him

Wonder

in church.

been

his business.

that hour

McFettridge
bones.
Awfully

was

not, it

or

gazing about

stood

Duff," said Barry

friend,Mr.

my

ready to throw
body and
meeting yesterday,
"He

if it hadn't

introduced

forgetting
myself.
ing."
placeis waityour

and

is wide

the world

low voice.

and

right."
dear boy, true.

Mr.

Dunbar,

exploring the garden, Barry followingbehind lost in

at the new
amazement
phase of character displayedby
their visitor.
bar,
delightful
evening,Mr. Dunfor years,"
said Duff, when they had finished making
round of the garden. "I have heard about your garden,

"I have
the

not

but I had

such

had

no

idea that it held such

I had

of treasures.

something of

in the old country, but here

for anythingbut cattle and
you

vv^ould allow

me

there
horses

I should

is

no

and

a
a

wealth

and

riety
va-

garden myself
time apparently

money.
like
to
greatly

But
have

if

the

Duff

pleasureof bringingMrs.
garden."
Duff

Mr.

church.'*
"Music!

Why,

music

she

when

get

must

knows

an

you,

dropped

to

whom

you

Rowland

know,
of

her

tim.e,"
Well, I

nc

'

American

Osborne

be

sometimes

I wonder

singia

bringsme..
at

least,he

Pittsburgh,"

nodded.

Dunbar

Mr.

she

little

her

It is this letter that

Mr.

But

have

have

can

business.

at my

It is from

would

Duff.

here; there seemed

came

time.

time, no

no

it.

loves

she

beautiful

your

I hear

is musical, I know.

She

too.

see

receivingMrs.
Barry, "and we

the greatest pleasurein

"Do
bring her/* said

music,

to

that the Dunbars

assured

was

71

CALLS

DPtUM

WAR

THE

planninga big tripup the Peace River country

for oil and mines, and later hunting. He
prospecting
him, and
engaged to accompany
says you and your son
he asks me
to completearrangements with you.
I am
gettingJim Knight to look after the outfit. You know
Jim, perhaps. He runs the Lone Pine ranch. Fine chap
he is. Know^s
all about the hunting business. Takes
a
"He

is

party into the mountains

Fieldingwith
does.

Far

rather

am

him.

Howland

Mr.

party.

He'll take Tom

every
year.
I don't know
but Knight
Fielding,

too

many,

anxious

this will be

to

good

there

says

and

"It would

son

look

after

What

chance.

many

are

When

looked

be fine,if

Dunbar, "but

my

work

at

each
could

we

is

coming in, and

does

three

but that's his business.

Father

will be

do

am

myself
oil deposits,
and
you say?"

other.
manage

it,"said Mr.

justnow.
pressing

so

some

of their

alone in the office at ent.

presto start?'*

he propose
Mr.
"In six weeks' time. I hope you can come,
I couldn't have said so yesterday,
but I can
with

garden like this,the product of

planningand working, is worth knowing. So I
both come.
By the way. Knight wants
you can
Any

man

great

bar.
Dunnow.

his

own

dO' hope
a

camp

72

THE

IN

NO

have

**Not

MAN'S

Hasn't

now.

cook

can

handy man,

"

for six months.

He's

new

man.

guarantee him."

can

"You

can,

always

eh?

Well, my

experienceis

of

church, you

our

"No,
much

is different. He

But

I don't know

ber
mem-

that that makes

with

said Duff

anyway,"

be offensive,"he added.
"It does to Hobbs, he's a Christian

real Christian,Mr.
I suppose

"Well,
take

is

one

two,

or

man

now.

mean

Duff."
there

but

"

is such
if
-well,

thing.

In

fact,I've

guarantee him

you

I'll

him."

"I will guarantee him," said Barry.

have your answer
"Let me
to-morrow," said Duff
he bade

them

The

Dunbars

It

"I

laugh.

to

mean

known

boozer

know."

I didn't know.

difference

don't

once

boozer."

"Oh," said Barry, "Hobbs

LAND

him," said Barry. ''HarryHobbs."

Boozes
a bit,doesn't he?"

"Hobbs?
I

PILOT

kind of roustabout,who
know."

hand,
you
"I

SKY

as

good-night.
discussed the

matter

far into the

night.

to leave his
clearlyimpossiblefor Mr. Dunbar
whether
not
work, and the only questionwas
or
Barry
of the party. Barry greatlydisliked the
should make
one
idea of leavinghis father during the hot summer
months,
"to
his
slave
he
and
to slop away
at
desk,
as
said,
away
in his bachelor
raised mxany
diggings." He
tions,
objecwas

but

consideration

seemed

things for
To
them a promise was
the Dunbars.
a
promise.
"If I remember
aright,Barry, we promised that we
should join their party on this expedition."
"Yes," added Barry quickly,"if our work permitted
one

to

settle

it."

"Exactly,"said
your

work

Hence
himself

does
it came

in the

his father.

"My

work

prevents

me,

not."
that

by

the end

far northern

of

wilds

August Barry

found

of

River

the

Peace

SKY

THE

74

with

to

canoe

water

and

under

this

rough

and

of

its

PILOT

handle

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

it with considerable

ordinary conditions,but
the

swift water
out

course

of

her

ease

in smooth

in the swirl of

took

the ment
managehands, and she had all

canoe

do to keep afloat.
God's sake, men,
get her!"

she could
"For

will be drowned

before

cried Brand.

"She

eyes."
Jim Knight,swinging another
on, Tom,"
into the water.
A glance he gave at the girl,another
canoe
for by this time Barry could
at the strugglingmen,
be seen
strugglingwith the drowning Hobbs.
"We
"Get in,Tom," ordered Knight, taking the stern.
"Come

cried

will get the

men

first. The

girlis

girl!"commanded
for the girl,"he entreated
"No," said Knight, "the men
"Get

go

our

the

men

are

Brand.
in

rightin

the

"For

God's

time."
mean-

sake

frenzy of distress.

first

She's all

right."

ing
Brand, pushing out the remain"get into the bow, and stop howling. Those
in danger of being drowned, but Knight will

"Here," said Duff

canoe,

all

get them.

We'll

the

shot

to

go for the
minutes
few

girl."
for Knight and Fielding,
It took but a
knew
their craft thoroughly and how
who
to get the
best out of her in just such an
to draw
emergency,
up
Harr)^ and his rescuer.
upon
"Say, they are fightinghard," said Fielding. "That
bloody littlefool is choking the life out of Dunbar.
My
God!
they are out of sight!"
"Go
on," roared Knight. "Keep your eyes on the
sake, paddle !"
spot, and for Heaven's
"They are up again! One of them is. It's Barry.
Hold
The other is gone.
No, by Jove! he's got him!
"Stick to it,old
on, Barry, we're coming," yelledTom.
boy!"
Swiftly the canoe
sped toward the drowning men.
"They are gone this time for sure," cried Tom, as
been

canoe

seen.

over

the

spot where

the

men

had

last

WAR

THE

CALLS

DRUM

75

said

Knight, as reaching out of the

''Hold hard, Barry,"
stern he grippedBarry by the hair.
he said quietly."No monkey work now
or
you'lldrown
all." Immediately Barry ceased struggling.
us
"Don't try to get in, Barry. We'll have to tow
you
much!'*

"Not

ashore."

right,Jim," he said between his sobbingbreaths.

I've got him
here."
"Only ^hurryup
lifted Barry till his
carefully,
Knight reached down
hand touched the gunwale of the canoe.
"Not too hard, Barry," he said. "I'll ease
you round
to the stem.
Steady,boy, steady. Don't dump us."
"All right ^Jim ^but he's under the water
here."
him.
We'll get him all right. Can
mind
"Oh, never
said Knight.
you hold on now?"
"All

"

"

"

"

"

"

"Yes"

I think

"Now,

for God's

"

so."

sake, Tom,

edge her into

Swing into that!

that littleeddy there?

See

the shore.
You'll

do

it all right. Goodman!"

By this time
above
In

able to

was

get Harry's head

water.

few

minutes

working hard
Barry lying on
long fightwas

Harry, by
to

Knight

they had reached the shore, and were

Harry's unconscious
body, leaving

over

the

sand

to
to

necessary

which

time

Barry

his

recover

strength. A

bring the life back

was

into

recovered
sufficiently

sit up.

"Stay where you are, Barry, until we

back to camp," ordered
Knight. "We'll
a fire for you.'*
"I'm

warm

"Warm
with
Don't

move

"There's

enough," said Barry.

enough? You may be, but
fire,and

you

lie beside

lighta

man

bit of

will be better

you

it till we

get you.

now."
the

other

canoes

coming,"

"They'llmake shore a little lower

right. Say, she's handlingthat canoe
"Who?"

get this

said Barry.

said

Fielding.
They're all

down.
like

man!"

Hke

after you

Barry
edged

his feet in

of

progress

the

the

across

an

canoes,

river

NO

MAN'S

LAND

Fielding. "She was out

!"
a plucky one
instant,vv^atching
anxiously
which
were
being slowly
incline
toward
the
a
long

said

She's

shot.

a
on

was

IN

Howland,"

Miss

"Why,

the

PILOT

SKY

THE

76

in

shore.

serving
it, all right,"said Knight, after ob-

"They'llmake
for

them
dovm
In

time.

by

the fire. We'll

an

hour

they

"Don't

be back
all

were

you

in

Just lie

worry.

jiffy."

in camp,
and
the humorous
pointsin

safelyback

recovered to discover
sufficiently
all familiar enough with the
the episode. But they were
of rough and
to
treacherous
rapid water
possibilities
and his deliverer at least,there had
knov/ that for Hobbs
serious moments
been some
during their fierce struggle
in the river.
minute

"Another
to

would

his friend,as they sat

"A half a minute would

Knight.

the fire after supper.

over

been

have

justas good,"

got Barry by the hair under

"I

bet !

his last kick, you

at

was

done," said Fielding

have

And

smiling good naturedlyat Harry,

said
He

water.

that rat," he added,

"was
dragging him

for the last time."

down

it," said poor Harry,

who
was
lying stretched out by the fire,stillvery weak
nothin' about it,or you
"I didn't know
and miserable.
"I

nothin'

didn't know

bet I woudn't

ha' done

he got me."
"After you

got him, you

"I

guess
ha' got him

that's

it.

about

I didn't know

nothin'

mean," said Fielding.

right,"said Harry,

"but

I wouldn't

first."
ha' got me
all joinedin the discussion of the event
if he hadn't

They
Paula, vv^ho sat
and Barry, who
far

not

"You
in

low

"I'm

from

after

except

silent,gazing into the fire,

lay,drowsy and relaxed, on a blanket

distrait and

her side.

length
need a good night'ssleep."
"You
voice to him.
said Barry. "I feel rather
tired to sleep,"
too
ought

to

go

to

bed," said Paula

at

THE

WAR

rotten, in fact.

just feel

DRUM

ought to

CALLS

feel very

77

but
grateful,

rotten."

gratefuland feel rotten

time?" said Paula, making talk.
"Behold
me," rephed Barry. "I knov/
"Can

for

life for

riskingyour

the

at

I have

same

grateful,

am

thanked

even

me," he added, turning

her.

toward

life?

"Risking
the

I don't think

feel rotten.

but I do
you

be

one

how
some-

my
for a

canoe

would

in, and

who

boys,

Nonsense!

paddled 'round

bit,tilltwo strong men

came
have, if I had allowed them.
in time."

got you

She

to

tow

Thank

shuddered

in
me

the

as

she

spoke.
"I

said

thank

do

them, and
"It

Barry.

I do

rather

was

feel

gratefulto them,"

thing.

near

You

see,

I choked
him off my arms,
but he slid
grip me.
down
to my
thigh,and I could not kick him off. Had to
drown
him.
Even
then he hung on."
practically
"Oh, don't speak about it,"she said with a shudder,
"It was
too awful,
coveringher face with her hands.
voice
and it might have been the end of you." Her

let him

broke

little.

"No,

end," answered

Barry, in a quietvoice.
"Not the end by a long way, not by a very long way."
do you mean?
"What
tality,
Oh, you are thinkingof immorand all that," said Paula.
"It's a chilly,
ghostly
shiver.
I get little comfort
out
subject. It makes me
not

an

of it."
said
a
"Ghostly it is, if you mean
thing of spirits,"
Barry, "but chilly! Why chilly?" Then he added to
himself

in

undertone

an

I knew

sometimes

"Sometimes?"

from

the touch

faces!
hate

Ah,

it!"

"I wonder

I wonder

I wish

more."
cried Paula.

"It's
snatched

dreadful

out

of

of

warm

I dread

business

the

it I

"Always!"
to

lightand
fingersand

I loathe

the

me.

she added
To

passionatel
be suddenly

the warmth, away

the sight of dear

thought of it.

THE

78

'*And

SKY

PILOT

IN

that out there somewhere

like my dad.
How
true,

"Oh, God,

you

dad,

LAND

I cannot

forget
One, kindly,genial,

is

there

he has been

good

"

and

MAN'S

Barry, "somehow

yet,"mused

I mean,
I think

NO

that Other, too, has been

them
together. Yes, I am

of

to

me

^my

"

how
Some-

good.
gratefulto

Him."

"Yes,

mean," said Paula,

God.

to

He

saved

for

here

littleimpatiently.

I say.
to-day. 'vSaved,'
I really
all. What
ought

me

It is a queer way to
to say is that God
'round

speak,after
thought it best that I
bit longer before moving

should

camp

in nearer."

"Nearer?"

*'Yes,into the
in outer

circle. Life

nearer

inner circles.

and

This

in there, it is kindlier,with
clearer vision. 'We shall know
as
even
mused

"But

when

touch

if

communing

better
we

the earnestness

of

tre,
cen-

circle.

light and
"

known.*

are

with himself.

in," said Paula,

move

you

mistaking

no

as

on,

is the outer

Nearer

Barry

Vound

moves

her

those you love here."

"I don't know
about that,"answered

there

and

tone,

"you

was

break

with

Barry quickly.

You

of all this, all this,"

out
"Oh, yes you do.
are
she swept her hand at the world around
her, "this good
"

old world, all your joy and

that^s the worst
of it; you
it!" she concluded
she shook

with

all you love. On,

happiness,
give up your love. I hate

vehemence

her fisttowards

sudden

and

as
fierce,

the stars.

Barry. "Not I! Not one

shall I."
to give up, nor
good, honest afi:ectiondo I mean
Don't be religious.Just be honest,"
"Oh, nonsense!
said Paula, in a low, intense voice.
"Let me
speak to
soul and
with all my
Suppose I I love a man
you.
body and body, mind you, and he goes out, or goes in,
"Give

up

love?"

your

said

"

"

as

you

him, he is
love.

God!"
want

No

say.
I

not

cannot

Her

his

arms.

life. I lose
matter, he goes out of my
I cannot
here.
feel and respond to his
feel his

voice

came

I want

strong
with
him

arms

about

me.

My

increasingvehemence.

"I

his

body

as

he is.

I want

THE

I cannot

"

WAR

love

him

old

shade.

brave

man.

I want

Yes,

not

soul.

it all is ! And
not

be

are

still

it came

79

she added

in

low,

to

I don't

strong, warm-hearted,

with

man

soul.

!" she moaned,

near

so

beyond the river.

man,

God

My

saying this

no!"

man,

good

No!

shades

shades, mere

"

want

man,

The

CALLS

he goes out I lose him, and lose

for your
Oh, what do I care
Greeks
were
right. They are

forever.

spiritlove!
shades

"When

mine

as

ghost.

hopelessvoice.

DRUM

"how

terrible

to-day. But

us

But

I should

I am
played out as you are.
going to bed. Good-night."
She put out her hand and grippedhis in warm,
strong,
muscular
"Thank
if
God, yes God,
fingers.
you like,you
to

you,

still in this outer

"

circle," she broke

littlemirth
laugh,but there was
good old outer circle,yet awhile."
"Yes," said Barry simply but
It is a good world.
God.
But
there is
life

shall take with

we

thank

with

Good-night,"he added,

us.

"Sleep well," she said.

"I hope so," he replied,
"but
His

doubts, it turned

"and

the attempt to

save

of

terror

excitement.
Mr.

to
come
you
think he is dying."

"Dying?"

distress

"My

dear

"That
you.

Mr.

Howland

of his cot immediately

found
him fightingfor

pain?"

his head,

look

of infinite

his face.

on

boy, what

is it?

con-con-founded

my

"I

out

was

Barry's side. He
eyes startingfrom

I forbade

"But,

Dunbar, sir?" he cried.

at

breath, his

it."

were

was

"Will

and

I doubt

for soon
after
justified,
aroused by Harry Hobbs
in

out,

midnight Mr. Howland

in

"

Hfe."

my

laughter "this

"thank
earnestly,

very

least for the will and

at

you,

in her

all my
soul I believe
all that is best in love and

better,and

into

"

"

dear

"

Hobbs
fool

"

shouldn't

dying."

are

says you

have

"

called

him," gasped Barry.

boy, what

is the

matter?

Are

you

SKY

THE

80

"No,
back

no,

for

"

"

call,
"

NO

MAN'S

nothing only
"

brief

bad

Looks

asthma.
all

it's^

"

IN

PILOT

one

feels

"

let

"

old

an

worse

us

"

LAND

friend

"

come

hope. It's only

but really not at
"

"

dangerous."

*'What

be done, my

boy?" asked Mr. Rowland,

greatlyrelieved,as are most laymen, when the trouble
be named.
It is upon
the terror
can
inspiredby the
unknown
that the medical professionlives.
"Tell Harry
to make
a hot drink," said Barry, but
Harry had already forestalled the request, and appeared
"This will
with a steaming bowl.
help. Now
go to
distress
^me
bed, Mr. Howland.
Do, please. You
night."
Goodby remaining there. Harry will look after me.
can

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

morning Barry appeared at breakfast a little

in appearance,
washed
but quite bright and
out
nouncing
anhimself fit for anything.
The
a
incident,however, was
determining factor in
behind
changing the party'splans. Already they were
Brand's
their time
schedule, to Mr. Cornwall
disgust.
and
encumbered
The
too
too
heavily
large
party was
with im.pedimenta for swift travel.
Besides, as Paula
Are we
rush?
not
said, "Why
doing the Peace River
ing
Country? We are out for a good time and we are havNext

it."

Paula

not

was

interested in mines

and

oil. She

hers.
just what specialinterest was
reason
She was
"having a good time" and that was
their proenough for leisurelytravel. In consequence
visions

did

not

announce

run

lov/.

decided

to

had

It

was

the Hudson's
restock

their

Bay

send

Post

forward

and
same."

Howland.
therefore

"I confess

I know

further

on

Accordingly Knight
this mission,the rest of

despatched on
Fieldingwere
party remaining in camp.
"A
lazy day or two in camp
said Mr.

scouting party

thirtymiles

some

commissariat.

you

is what
I

am

must

to
to

and
the

all need,"
quiteused up myself,
we

all feel maicli the

THE

82

The

PILOT

SKY

made

men

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

reply. Indeed, they hardly seemed

no

him.

to hear

don't

"You

with a
say," continued Brand
his voice, addressing Duff, the

to

mean

of

indignationin
recognisedleader of the party,
touch

would
"that you
this party, Mr. Duff?"

with
your engagement
Duff
glanced at him,

studying the
them

all

world

to

in

away

him

to

was

the last few

within

appeared

mean

you

this?

Do

silence,
and

to

minutes.

Brand.

enrage

He

turned

tell me,
sir,that you approve
consider it right and fair that these

of

to

you
break their engagement

should

to

The

looked

Barry.
"Do

to

world

new

silence

His
to

horizon.

then

break

with

We

us?

have

men

gone

ests
extremely important interat stake in this exploration."
Barry stood looking at him in silence,as if trying
take in exactly what
he meant, then in a low and

great expense,

awed

tone

he said:

"It is war!
"We
cannot
can

from

this

with

Germany!"
help that," cried Brand.
War

war

civilisation?

"Their

have

we

make

to

These

men

here

you

first pledge is to their

"What

ence
differ-

hundred

miles

pledged to us."
country, sir,"said Barry

are

gravely.
"But why should you, a Canadian, take part in this
war?" argued Mr. Howland.
"Surely this is England's
war."
Then

Barry appeared to awake

"Yes, it is England's war, it

when

Britain is at

war

my

as

from

is Britain's

country is

at

war,

dream.
war,

and

and
when

ought to be there."
in heaven!"
the
shouted Duff, strikinghim on
"God
back, "you have said it! My country is at war, and I
be there. As God hears me, I am
off to-day now."
must
"Me, too!" said Knight v/ith a shout.
"I'm going with you, sir," said little Harry Hobbs,
ranging himself beside Barry.

my

country is at

war

"

THE

wife

!"

God

white.

had

He

fact of

gasped
not

CALLS

Duff.

"My wife." His face went

yet fullyadjustedhimself to the

war,

of course," said Mr.

You
won't be called upon.

Howland,

"My wife, sir?

here.

shook

off to the

me

he

as

With

wife

wife

Sir, my

send

and

My

would

married

on

if I

stayed

belt and

my

war," cried Duff

in

his

at

was

For

wife."

despiseme

will buckle

spoke.
single stride Barry

"you

be reasonable.

must

instance you, Mr. Duff, cannot

leave your
But Duff had recovered
himself.

up

have

"

"Why,
men

8^

Fieldingquietly. "I

me

and

"My

DRUM

in," said Tom

three kids,but

"Count
a

Y^AR

spurs

voice that
ing
side, offer-

both his hands.

God

"Thank

for

like

men

you!

And

in my

soul

Empire has millions of them."

that you
desert
Empire demand
your
pledged yourselfto?" enquired Brand

believe the
"Does
have

you

those
in

sneeringtone.
exclaimed
"Oh, Cornwall!"
Paula, "how can
you?"
sai^^
Mr.
is
"that
Howland,
"Why, Brand,"
unworthy
of

you."
"We

will

round

safety,sir,"said Duff, ing

swing"either
the
Hudson's
to
Brand,
Bay

see

you

upon

into

Company's post, where

Edmonton,
do

but not

one

can

you

step further

this

on

to

expedition

go."

"Nor
"Nor
"Nor
"Nor
"You
to

I," said Knight.

I," said Fielding.
I," said Barry.
I," said Harry Hobbs.
are
quite right,sir,"said Mr.
"I

Barry.
I

Canadians.

am

first get the full

apologiseto
ashamed

meaning

to

of

you,

confess

your

in

of this kind, hell itself would

war

Empire.

Were

Howland,

ing
turn-

sir, to all of you

that

I did not

at

this terrific thing that has

befallen
a

back

get Indians, or

it the

U.S.A.
not

that

keep me

was

from

84

THE

going

to

SKY

Go

right.

that

thing,"

this

God

with

LAND

Brand.

Yes,

when

by

one

had

''I

one.

with

were

he

are

you

you."

them

country

my

said

he

MAN'S

with

go

solemnly

God

to

either,

you

war.

your

hands

wish

only
in

to

shook

He

Nor

aid.

her

NO

IN

PILOT

too,

you,

performed

this

function.
cried

'Tather,"
Uncle

that
she

said,

jump

at

scrap

for

Sam

for

to

the

kin
the

and

the

nations,

said

he

"where
you

voice

victory

grant

who

Barry,

it

will

in

this

seemed

his

removing

in

heads,
with

with

and

hat

vv^ith

thrilling
the

to

they

God

right!

all-searching

eye,

the

and

that
Amen

with
same

and

and
in

stood
solemn

of

millions

upon

cause

and

dear,

praying

right.

same

hats

sharing

millions

this

held

their

if

as

lands,
many

to

off

millions

mother

old

all

to

took

bent

pledging

and

victory

it dov/n,"

with

be

Then

men

stood

stood

seas,

love

the

They

in

put

ute
min-

king!"

bared

ritual.

said

'/God

Instinctively
with

march,"

hand,

reverence,

save

will

one

You

Barry,

We

comm.and.
his

lifting high
solemn

the

assume

this

for

worth."

are

now

think

you

upon

day:

we

in

be

'round

some

all

''And

almost

won't

swinging
you

''do

Paula,

scattered
of

more

of
hearts
prayer,
amen.

their

wide

upon

and

peoples

right,

life

open

to

"God

and
that

grant

We

ask

no

other."
Then
to

the

they
war.

faced

to

their

hundred

miles'

trek

en

route

CHAPTER

THE

miles
FIFTY day's
one

How

MEN

OF

We'll

go.

NORTH

THE

bad, boy,

too

^not

"

VI

right

camp

bad

not

too

here

at the

for

portage.

is it, Knight?"
"Good

that

place, Duff, right on

there's
landing. Besides

good

which

after

v/ood,
yond,
be-

portage

do
to-night. How
feel, Barry?" asked
Knight. "Hard
day, eh?"
you
but good for an"Feeling fit,a little tired, of course,
other
ten
miles," answered
Barry.
"That's
the
stuff," replied Knight, looking at him
the carrying.
keenly, "but, see here, you must
ease
up on
You
haven't
that ducking of yours."
quite got over
"I'm
fit enough," answered
Barry, rather more
curtly
than

his

we

do

of

deuce

Good

point.

can

supper

wont.

the landing, and

to
They brought the canoes
up
the
them, and
speed of long practice unloaded
them

the

upon

Duff, and, pointing toward

have

took

know,

you
the
a

we'll

guess

drew

shore.

Knight approached
said quietly:
"I

vnth

it

biggest pack.

to

of

out

We'd

him

ease

bit.

That

back

to-morrow

fight,
he ahvays jum.ps for
a

up

him, and
better

Barry,

hold

him

bit."
"Can't

"We've
devil

hold

got
of

to

back

any

make

it to-morrow

trip before us.

there
heartbreaker, and
them

us,

and

be

must

we're

going

dozen
to

an

oath.

There's

night.
big marsh

That

awaiting

Duff, with

one," said

the
is

portage
or

fifteen

get through

"

of
at

least, I am."
"All

right," said Knight,

with
85

quick flash

of temper.

THE

86

SKY

*'V\l stay with

PILOT

NO

IN

IMAN'S

only I thought we

you,

LAND

might

him

ease

bit/'
"I'm

we're

teUing you,

Duff, with

another

get through," said

to

oath.

needn't tell me.

"You

going

Duff," said Knight. "Keep your

shirt on."
"On
make

that train

Then

dry, sink or swim, we're going to

to-morrow. Knight. That's all about it."

off,wet

or

Knight

or

let himself

go.

"See
you

Do you want
to go
here, Duff.
do, hell and blazes, say the word

on

to-night?
I'm

and

If

with'

you."
His

face

white

was

line,swung

the

pack

he

as

He

spoke.

seized

his head, and

upon

set off

tump-

across

the

portage.
"Come

boys," he yelled. "We're

on,

going through

to-night."
the hell's
"Oh, hold up, Knight!" said Duff. "What
eatingyou? We'll grub first anyway."
"No," said Knight. "The next rapid is a bad bit of

water, and
bit behind

"Oh,

if we're
before

me,

have

won't

looked

muscle

"Don't

"Oh,
what

to-morrow

come

along!"

ass.

on

tree."

come

want

to

go

on,

say

the word.

twice."
and

sinew

and

if to answer,
as
rancher, made
changed his mind, and said more

an

Knight.
well you

damned

know

young

young

be

stillwhite

v/as

So

the six feet of bone

moment,

shirt

"You

you
to ask me

over

the

of

paused a
:
quietly
your

"When

down.

Duff

dark.

that

ciliatory
Knight," said Duff, in a gruffbut con"We'll camp
righthere."
his
to me," said Knight, flinging
same

"It's all the

You

it gets too

want

cut it out.
tone.

pack

going through to-night,I

I'm

not

trying to hang

can't,"said Knight,who

with

passion.
off," repliedDuff.

Dunbar

night.

is to
The

you.

overseas

"Anyway,
We

must

I don't

see

get through

contingentis camping

MEN

THE

at

Valcartier,according

NORTH

THE

OF

these

to

papers

8T

and

whatever

going with that contingent/'

made
littleashamed
of
no
a
reply. He was
his temper. But duringthe past two days he had chafed
the rasp of Duff's tongue and
his overbearing
under
He resented too his total disregardof Barry's
manner.
weariness, for in spiteof his sheer grit,the pace was
wearing the boy dovv^n.
*'We ought to reach the railroad by six to-morrow,'*
said Duff, renewing the conversation,and anxious
to appease
happens I
Knight

am

his comrade.
the six

^'There's

shall make

we

this coming?"
At his words
in which

home

late train,but if we
catch
in good time.
Hello, what's
a

they all turned

he pointed.

and

looked

in the direction

pointcam.e tumblinginto
theirs in a dangerous lookingrapid,came
with a
a canoe
in the centre guidingit as only an expert could.
man
*'By Jove! He can't make that drop," said Knight,
walking down toward the landing.
ment,
which, at the moThey all stood watching the canoe
hung poised upon the brink of the rapid like a
bird for flight.Even as Knight spoke the canoe
entered
the first smooth
like
long, swallowpitch at the top. Two
then she plunged into the foam, to appear
sweeps,
her way
of
later fighting
moment
a
through the mass
crowding, crested waves, which, like white- fanged wolves
a
doe, seemed to be hurlingthemselves upon her,
upon
intent upon bearingher down
to destruction.
"By the living,jumping Jemima!" said Fielding,in
Down

an

stream, which

at

this

awe-stricken

tone, "she's gone !"

through!"cried Knight.

"She's
"Great
With
canoe

across

Barry

Fielding."He's a bird !"

his paddle,the stranger shot his
ing.
to the landstream, and floated quietly

Jehoshaphat!"
flipor two of

ran

the

down

"I say, that

was

to

said

meet

him.

done,"
beautifully

he cried,takingthe

of the

nose
a

SKY

THE

88

IN

while the

canoe

leetle

took

She

think.

to

more

man

NO

MAN'S

LAND

steppedashore

and stood

at the water.

lookingback

moment

"A

PILOT

left would

the

have

been

water," he remarked

some

better,I
in

slow

if to himself.

voice, as

He
creature.
might have
strange-looking
deed,
Cooper's novels. Insteppedout of one of Fenimore
his long,
as
Barry's eyes travelled up and down
his mind leapedat once
bony, stooping,slouchingfigure,
to the Pathfinder.
"Come
far?" asked Duff, approachingthe stranger.
courteous
voice,
''Quitea bit,"he answered, in a quiet,
in his work.
pausing a moment
"Going out?" enquiredDuff.
"Not
yet,"he said. "Going up the country first to

He

was

the Post."
down
from there,"said Duff.
justcome
"We
started yesterday morning," he added, evidently
the man.
hoping to surprise
"Yes," he answered in a quiettone of approval. "Nice
littlerun ! Nice littlerun ! Bit of a hurry,I guess,"he
ventured
apologetically.
This damned
"You
bet your
war
life,we
just are.

"Ah,

makes

have

we

feel like

man

as

if the

devil

after him,"

was

said Duff.,
The

"War!"

?"
fightin'
"Why,
month.

man

haven't

We

you

heard

looked

blanklyat

heard?

It's been

only three days ago

as

"Who's

him.

going on

for

going
plans endways,
we

were

further up the country. It knocked

our
and here we
are
chasing ourselves to get out."
? Uncle
!" said the ma"
"War
again. "Who's fightin'
Sam

after them

"No.
and

Mexicans?"

Mexicans, hell!" exclaimed

Duff.

"Germany

Britain."

"Britain!"
"Britain!"
she been

he

doin'

slouchingshoulders lost their droop.

"What's
himself up.
said, straightening
to Germany?"

The

As

they

down

sat

old

off his

took

PILOT

SKY

THE

90

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

supper, he noticed that McCuaig

feh and crossed himself before

to

grey

beginning toast.
As
to

say

grace

This

party.

this

upon

of courtesy, Barry had always been asked

before
meals
with
the Howland
while

matter

however, had

custom,

trip. They had

discontinued

for meals.

time

no

been

They

had
,

*'just
grabbed their grub and run," as Harry Hobbs said.
While
they ate, Duff kept a full tide of conversation
of the war
and its proggoing in regard to the causes
ress,

'

reportedin the papers. Barry noticed that Mcedge

Cuaig's comments,
though few, revealed a unique knowlaffairs during the last quarter
of European political
as

of

"tablewere

noticed

He

century.

those

of

that his

too

at

manners

the

gentleman.

the long
they packed their stuff over
portage, leaving their tent and sleepinggear, with their
food, however, to be taken in the morning. For a long
the fire,
time they sat over
Barry reading,for McCuaig's
of the Belgianatrocities,
accounts
benefit,the newspaper
drive of the German
the story of the sm^ashing
hosts, and
After

supper

of the British

the retreat

exclaimed

"What,"

goin' back!

Runnin'

"Well, the

only in

men

count.

Guns

as

an

army

"And

away.
are

but in guns,

wipe

out

from

Mons.
"the

McCuaig,

Germ.ans

can

from

army

them

Germans!"

only about
and

in this

an

army

soldiers

British
ten

war

to

one,

it's guns

of heroes

cowards," said Duff.

and
them
children," said
women

as

not
that

easily

of

McCualg.|

they killingthem still?"

"You're
justright,they are," repliedDuff, "and

"Are

tillwe

stop them."

McCuaig's

They

will

were

and

eyes

were

wonderful

light.
glowing with a deep inner
ing
eyes, quick,darting,straight-look-

fearless,the eyes

of

man

who

owes

his life

vigilanceand his courage.

Before
turning in for the night, Barry went to the
river's edge, and stood lookingup at the stars holding

to

his

OF

MEN

THE

their steadfast watch

NORTH

THE

the turbulent

over

91
and

ters
tossingwa-

below.
ain't they?" said
^'Quiet,

voice at his shoulder.

heard
Mr. McCuaig; I never
a

"Why, you startled me,

you step."
McCuaig laughed his quietlaugh.
"Got to move
quietlyin this country,"he said, "if
you are going to keep alive."
he stood by Barry'sside,lookingup
A moment
or
so
with

him

at

the stars.

fuss,up there,"he said,interpreting

Barry'smood
threatand attitude. "Not like that there pitchin',
tossin',
"No

enin' water."

"No," said Barry, "but though they look quiet,I pose

supif

could

we

of millions

of

of miles

thousands
"Millions
in

of

an

there is

reallysee,
stars

there, going

up

at

the rate

of

minute."

'em,

terrificwhirling

most

and

all whirlin'

awe-stricken

voice.

Cuaig
about," said Mc-

"It's

wonder

they

don't hit."

they each keep their own

they obey the laws of their

don't hit because

"They

Barry, "and

said

that?"
"Orbut," enquiredMcCuaig. "What's
"The trailthat each star follows,"said Barry.
"I see," said McCuaig, "each one
keeps its own
its own
orbut,and so there's peace up there. And
there'd be peace
It's when
a man

down

gets

if folks

here
out

of his

fellow's that the scrap

did the
orbut

own

begins. I

guess

same

and

bit,"
oristence."
ex-

trail,
I guess

thing.
into

other
an-

that's where

Germany's got wrong."

"Something like that," repliedBarry.
"And

McCuaig, his eyes upon

comes
up againsta big one,

sometimes," continued

the stars, "when

littleone
a
he gets busted, eh?"
Barry nodded.
"And
one

big

one,

when

he

comes

gets pretty badly jarred,eh?"

up

againsta bigger

SKY

THE

92

NO

IN

PILOT

MAN'S

"I suppose
so/' said Barry.
"That's
what's goin'to happen to

LAND

said Mc-

Gennany,"

Cuaig.
"Germany's a very powerful nation/'said Barry. "The
most
powerful militarynation in the world/'
"What!"
said McCuaig.
"Bigger than Britain?"
has

"Britain
her

two

of

seventy millions
Of

war.

has

Germany

army;

millions

seven

people behind

Britain

course,

thousand

hundred

three

or

has

her

or

men

in

with

more,

them, organised for

but

navy,

many
Ger-

then

has the next biggestin the world.

Oh, it's going
to be a terrific war."
"I say," said McCuaig, putting his hand
on
Barry's
don't think

"You

shoulder.

it will bother

us

to

any

lick

her?"
terrible of all Britain's wars," replied
will take every ounce
of Britain's

"It will be the most

"It

Barry.
strength."
by

young
"I

idea.

entirelynew

an

McCuaig, as if struck
"Say, are you reallyanxious,

!'^exclaimed

don't tell me

"You

man?"

anxious," replied
terribly
Barry.

am

little. I spent a year there.

nation, and she is ready for war."
a

man}^

"She

is

Ger-

mighty

dered
is,eh !" replied
McCuaig thoughtfully.He wanoff to the fire without further word, where, rolling

himself

in his blanket

and

offered

him

he made

the

She

"I know

by Duff,

scorningthe placein
himself

the tent

comfortable

for

night.

by the smell
day Duff was awakened
of something frying. Over the fire bent McCuaig, busy
gether
preparinga breakfast of tea, bacon and bannocks, towith thick shces of fat pork.
in haste.
The
Breakfast was
eaten
day's work was
At

the break

before
few

them,

minutes

and

of

there

they

stood

was

no

ready

time

for talk.

for their

In

tripacross

very

the

portage.
With

them

stood

McCuaig.

His

blanket

roll contain-

THE

OF

MEN

THE

ing his grub, with frying pan

at

his

NORTH

and

93

pail attached,lay

tea

feet; his rifle beside it.

For

moment

he

two

or

stood

lookingback

the

up

Then
he
by which, last night,he had come.
thwarts in prepabegan tying his paddles to the canoe
ration
for packing it across
the portage.
As he was
tying on the second paddle,Duff's eye fell
stream

him.

on

^'What's

said.

"Aren't

you

going

the Post?"

to

up

he

McCuaig?"

up,

I ain't

I guess

"No,

goin'up

more," repliedMc-

no

Cuaig slowly.
"What

do you

mean

You

aren't

going back

home

?"

"No.

for a while,
My old shack v/illdo without me
I guess.
Say," he continued, facingaround upon Duif
and looking him squarelyin the face, "this young
chap
his hand upon Barry's shoulder
"Britain
says" -putting
is going to have a hell of a time lickingGermany back
Them
into her own
orbut.
said last night that
papers
Canada
was
going in strong. Do you think she could
"

"

fellow like me?"

use

"

silence fell upon

*'\Vhat!

Do

the group

men.

it,McCuaig?"

said Duff

thin, eagle face

toward

mxcan

you

of

at

length.
-

The

speaker,a lightin
"Why, ain't you
If

can?
was

He

fellow

out
womicn

work, "am

of

the

his eyes.

goin'?
stood

where
lightin',

read

shootin'

his

turned

man

the
and

Ain't

on

would
papers

children.

every

side while

one

he live when
that
So

goin' that

one

"

his

it's all over?

them

Germans

""

face

his

try
coun-

were

began

to

else
one
goin' to stand by and ask some
'em quit? No, by God!"
to make
The
stood watching his face, curiouslytwisted
men
and quivering. Then
without
Duff seized his
word
a
pack,and swung into the trail,every man
followinghim
in his order.
Without
pausing,except for a brief half
hour at noon,
and another
later in the day or eating.

pressed

and

portaging

they

saw,

the

far

"Hurrah!"

yelled

Fielding.

evening

skyline.
ing
wait-

firebus,

old

off

he

for

the

with
a

packed
of

said

too,"
set

have
wilds

Barry,"

started

and

away.

"You're

Knight.

cried

Duff.

said

not

in."

right,

which,

the

could

they

early

her,"

hold

down

pack

here,
all

You're
"That's

in

his

back

"Come

woods"

the

on

*'Good

and

ahead

run

flung

Barry

with

the

in

blur

dirty

rapids

what
until

others,

LAND

MAN'S

running

away,

"Somebody

And

NO

us."

for

fit

trail,

the

they

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

94.

hundred
their

northwestern

"I

McCuaig.

shuffling,

long,

the

years,

loads

and

Canada.

I'll

guess

tireless

trot

the

of

"runners

tracked

go."

their

game

CHAPTER

VII

BARRICADES

BAYONETS

AND

*HE

from

was
city of Edmonton
excited
thronged with
men,
the ranches, lumberjacks

men

from

weird

garb,

The
a

the

the

north.

from

the

front

of

waste.

her

with

the

The

French

Her

blood

of

old

the

foothill

lean, hard

ominous.

skies

her

from

was

her

faces, in

with

the

her

homesteads,

men,

camps,

Belgium

black

were

villagesand

towns,

its streets
uproar,
ranchers
and
cowboys
an

with

trappers

from

news

smoking

mines,

in

ing
burn-

soil red

and

womicn

was

children.

back
in rout
from
the Belgian
armies, driven
frontier, were
being pounded to death by the Ger-

hordes.

n^an

b':

Fortresses

tumbling

v/ere

of Austrian

warriors

his

was

ominous

Most

four
the

of

all, the

little sacrificial

holding
mighty army,
men,

Kluck

on

hi^dred
gates

of

scant

bulldog

left flank

ing
smash-

guns.

Already

the

to

by

von

Black

days

Was

the

world

to

overcome

and
At

home,

roads
these
to

of

flank

something
of

men

threatened

the

the
new
race

and

in

of

but
of

war

itself

was

ern
north-

the

France.

Eastern

of

men

on

by von
the right,

British
?

Nelson,

Were
and

blood.
mans
Gerlington
Wel-

Campbell?

hundreds

recruitingoffices.

for

Billow's

von

Housen

Northern

were

see

Colin

of

gallant,

seventy-five thousand

the German
slowing down
advance,
being slowly ground into the bloody dust
eastern

ing
conquer-

that

army,

was

and

of

Paris.

strong,

as

and

thousand

British

fifty times

the

of

impregna-

the terrible

sixteen-inch

at

army,
Hke
a

considered

ninepins before

German

and

with

Kluck

von

like

hitherto

of
In

thousands

the Dominions
95

were

of

battering at the
the Empire over-

seas

it

men

were

the

was

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

96

MAN'S

Canada

In

same.

NO

of

Ottawa

hundred

demanding a place in the

thousand, now
thirty-five

LAND

thousand

first Canadian
almost

tingent
con-

ready

to

under
being snowed
insistent,
threateningtelegram.s.
cajoling,
by entreating,
thousand
Alberta had sent two
men.
Already northern
in Edmonton
that there were
The
ran
rumour
only a
few placesleft to be filled in the north Alberta quota.
of men
For these few placeshundreds
were
fightingin
General

sail.

Sam

at

was

the streets.

Alightingfrom their train,Duff

the
amazed, aghast, gazing upon
and

wheel
wagon
packing the street in front of
Duff

climbed

"No

use,

this way,

boys.

and

his

scene

stood

men

before

them.

the

crov/d

surveyed

the bulletin boards.

We'll

have

to

go

around.

on."

Come

on.
Up side streets and lanes, through
They went
until at length they
back yards and shops they went
offiCQ.
em.ergedwithin a hundred yards of the recruiting

called his

Duff

men

him.

about

"You're
bluff them," he said.
a party of recruits that Col. Kavanagh
expects. You've
Look
been sent for. I'm bringingyou in under orders.

"Boys,

as

we'll have

like soldiers

much

to

as

can,

you

and

bore

in like hell.

on!"

Come

They began

to

punctuatedwith
Duff

proved

At

bore.

vociferous
himself

an

once

and

there
varied

was

an

uproar,

profanity.

effective leader.

pass,"he shouted into the backs of men's

heads. "I'm on duty here. I must
get through to Colonel
Kavanagh. Keep up there,mxCn ; keep your line ! Stand
way!"
back, please! Make
thoritativ
His huge bulk, distorted face and his loud and au"Here, let me

voice

startled

men

into

temporary

sion,
submis-

he and
themselves
they could recover
of hard-boringmen
his littlecompany
were
through.
office a side rush
Twenty-fiveyards from the recruiting
of the crowd
caught them.
and

before

SKY

THE

98
it to

hundred

them

It's

holding up his hand.

from

LAND

Ottawa

no

"Look

contingent. Neil Fraser

backing
to

me

the

use," continued

here, I'll giveyou

to-day that

got word

have

We

MAN'S

actuallyordering
applicants,

No!

on.

NO

IN

I've wires

if I could.

you

up

PILOT

there's to

colonel,

pointer.

be

put

second

in your
district,
and
hundred
fifty

there

is out

of two
Wapiti, raisinga company
have strippedthat country bare already,so
We
men.
he's up againstit. He wants
Wapiti men, he says. They
better than any other,but he thinks they are.
You
are
no
Duff, and get in on that thing.
get out there to-night.

hike!
Hikel
Now
commission, too.
Go ! Honest
to God, Duff, I want
battalion^
you with my
it afterwards, I'll get you exchanged,
work
and if I can
is Wapiti. Go, for God's sake,
but your only chance now
will get

You

quick!"

go

"What

his

do you

boys?"

say,

asked

Duff, wheelingupoii

m.en.

"I say, go!" said Knight.

In this decision they all agreed.
it is,"said Duff.

"Go

Kavanagh, damn

"Right about
I

you.

see

have

you

Good

turn.

got

good

luck,
geant
ser-

there."
"Who

McDowell

None

better.

couldn't beat

You

him, eh ?" said the colonel with a grin.

The sergeant stood at attention,with a wooden
the kind

"He's

"The

said Duff.
where

he

of

man

they

devil himself

want

face.

front lines,"
break through

in the

couldn't

is."

why I have him. Good luck. Good-bye !"

and then
Throughout the night they marched, now
in the grey
and
receivinga lift from a ranch wagon,
of the morning, weary,
hungry, but resolute for a place
in the Wapiti company,
they made the village.
Early as it was, Barry found his father astir,with
"That's

breakfast

in

readiness.

"Hello, boy!" cried his father running to him

outstretched

hands.

with

AND

BARPaCADES

answered

"Hello, dad!"

BAYONETS

get r^ady for

face

No,

minute.

not

these

only word

the

word.

one

father

days.

Not

eat.

his

word.

Go
in

you

March.

That

is
the

I'll give you

eat

you

threw

shook

it for

Quick.
As

he

as

I'll have

bath.

your

His

Barry.

his son's
searching glance over
hand
warmly.
''Not a word, Barry, until you

99

news."
refused

Resolutelyhe
The

news.

for the

oats

Canada, from

over

district

en-

war

thousand

horses
sand
thou-

two

All

more.

many

Halifax, it

to

stream

bushels

recruited
as

gin
be-

son

million

and

Vancouver

forth

aflam.e with
half

imperial army,

his

saw

poured

was

offered

the Edmonton

men,

he

Calgary district had

The

more.

or

country

had

Alberta

thusiam.
of

whole

talk until he

Then

his breakfast.

upon

of

to

the

was

same.

ing
Wapiti district twenty-sixranchers, furnishEwen
Innes
own
horses, had alreadygone.

the

From

their

Edmonton.

in

was

his young

too, and
Neil Eraser

was

And

the stream

so

face but
"And

time

brother

Malcolm

Jim

his

of

rest

having

each

in their life

to

enlist.

of

Wapiti men.
McCann
had jomed up as buglers.
with grave
flowed, Barry listening

meal

was

I'm

boy.

father,clappinghim
the

form,
in uni-

was

keen

was

company

making no response.
I'm glad you're back, my

back," said
The

brother

busy raisinga

Pickles and

Young

were

His

the shoulder.

on

eaten

glad you're

in

silence.

They

thoughts,and for the first

together,they kept their thoughts to
his

own

themselves.
"You're

they had

Dad," said Barry, when

your office.
cleared away, and set the house in order.

going to

"No, the office is closed,and

I

imagine.

I'm

busy

with

Neil

will be
Eraser.

for
I'm

some

actingpaymaster,

quartermaster, recruitingsergeant, and

dozen

other

things."

time,
half

PILOT

SKY

THE

100

with

down

"I'll go

NO

IN

you,"

MAN'S

said

LAND

his

Barry, as

fathet

to go.

rose

father

His

said

shoulders,and

*'Barry,I

back

came

want

him, put his hands

go to bed."
all right. I'm

to

I'm

''Barry,"said
us,

his father,"we have

be fit. I ask you
must

and

you
sleepthere this forenoon.

You're

half

going downtown
hard
to

times

His

before

bed

to

go

and
This

asleepnow.

shall face up to our

job.
father's voice was
quietlyauthoritative

afternoon

his

on

you

*'Nonsense, dad.
witliyou."

to

we

yielded.
"All right,dad.

I'll do

as

you

and

and

say,

Barry

this afternoon

well, we'll see."

"

the

At

meal

noonday

restraint.

conscious

the firsttime in their lives

For

opening to

they were

each

other

their innermost

of

mutual

they were

souls.

The

not
perience
ex-

it was
unusual. The father,
as
distressing
if in dread of silence,
as
was
obviouslyexertinghimself
of talk flowing. Barry was
to keep a stream
listening
with a face very grave and very unlike the bright and
buoyant face he usually carried. They avoided each
other's eyes, and paid little'heed tO' their food.
At length Barry pushed back his chair.
"Will you excuse
dad," he said. "I think I shall
me,
into the garden."
step out a moment
"Do, Barry,"said his father,in obvious relief. "You
are
fagged out, my boy."
out."
"Thanks, dad. I am a bit pla3^ed
"And
take it easy this afternoon, Barry. To-night
and
about your trip,and
we'll have a
you will tell me
was

as

"

"

talk."
"Good

old dad!"

said

Barry. "You
later,then," he called

chap. See you

through the door.
His

with

father

deep

sat

shadow

gazing before
on

his face.

him

do understand
back
for

as

some

he

passed

moments

"There

is

He

weight

sudden

of years

to

it is," he mused,
thought that hovered

horrible

the street.

slowly down

his way
what
*T wonder
took

and

said to

order, moving heavilyas if a

his shoulders,
had fallen upon

in

his house

set

boy," he

that

it was."

what

I knew

"I wish

himself.

with

somethingwrong

101

BAYONETS

AND

BAHRICADES

refusingto give form

like

spectre about?

of his soul.

the windows

firstglanceat his son's face at the time of the

his heart sing within him.
meal made

The

''He's all rightagain!

He's

ning
eve-

self
!" he said to himall right

jubilantly.
his father

"Hello, dad," cried Barry, as

entered

the

do you
feel,eh?"
"Supper'sjustready. How
I'm
"Better, my
boy first rate, I mean.
properly
hungry. You're rested,I can see."
I'm all right!"cried Barry, in
"I'm all right,dad!
to apologiseto you.
his old cheeryway.
"Dad, I want
I'm all rightagain. Dad,
I wasn't myself to-day,but nov/
I'm a soldier now," he said with a smile
I've joinedup.
room.

"

on

his face,but with anxious eyes turned on his father.

"Joined up!" echoed his father. "Barry, you have
Thank

enlisted!

God,

my

I feared

boy.

"

thought
"

he added, with such an unusual

burst of passionthat Barry could only gaze at him with
if I did!"

No, damned

astonishment.

boy," he
my
"For
outstretched hand.

"Forgive
with

thought

me,

"

Again

he

said, coming forward

a

moment

confess

paused,apparentlyunable

to

continue.
"You
dad

"

thought,dad," cried Barry, "and

thought too. I ought to have known

"And

I, you,

They

shook

my

hands

forgiveme,

"

you

better."

son."

with

each

other

in

ecstasy of

an

jubilation.
"My God, I'm glad that's through,"said the older man.
that horror
"We
both fools,Barry, but thank God
were
is past. Now
tell me
all about everything your trip.
"

SKY

THE

102

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

always do."
your plans. Let's have a good talk as we
''Come on then, dad," cried Barry. "Let's have an eat
I go
first. By Jove, I feel a thousand
years younger.
the M.O.

to

for

to-morrow

examination."

an

in his interpretation
of
quiteunusually severe
I understand," said his father.
''He is
the regulations,
down
turning men
rightand left. Lie l^nows, of course,
that there are plentyto choose from.
But there is no fear
of your fitness,
Barry."
"Not much," said Barry, with a gay laugh.
Never
had
they spent a happier evening together.

'Tie is

True, the spectre of

but

they

solemn

faced

them.

without

intolerable burden

The
each

shadows

sacrifice

might

with

toward

lay between

that

with

mination
quiet deter-

be demanded

had

them

other

always
restored.

v/as

uncertaintyin regard to

the

reallymattered.
The day following,
Barry
M.O., after

each

of mutual

attitude

other's

fear,and

perfect understandingthat

their intercourse

marked

thrust itself upon

them,
full appreciation
of its
a

with

"

whatever

make
The

men

as

but
reality,
to

of

it

would

war

war

were

gone.

received

All

lifted.

was

Nothing else

rude

shock.

The
may,
dis-

his amazement
and
physicallyunfit for service.

examination,

an

to

pronounced him
"And
when
why, pray?" cried his father indignantly,
the astounding report. "Is the man
a
Barry announced
I understood

fool?

that he
Unfit!

It is preposterous.
"Heart murmur,"

said

strict. But

was

Barry.

"Sets it down

I told you I had a rotten

experiencelast week in the river. He

apply for
a

me

going

in
position

letter to Colonel

I have

some

my

applicationto
He

to

to-morrow

call upon

an

found

ambulance

to

business

superintendent.You
him

for

Colonel

another

to

asthma.

attack after my

suggested that I
ing
corps, and he is giv-

Sidleighat

Edmonton

church

unfit!

how?"

remember

You

you!

Edm.onton.

Sidleigh,and

see

to

attend to.

remember

mission

am

sides
be-

I must

I made

an

field."

Sidleighcourteouslywillingto

ac-

BARRICADES

AND

the
cept his application,

BAYONETS

which, he

to

answer

103

formed,
in-

was

w^ith
might expect in a fortnight
; and so went
a
comparatively lightheart to his interview with his
superintendent.
he
The interview,however, turned out not entirely
as
with an idea of surrenderinghis
had expected. He went
made
him an offer of
appointment. His superintendent

he

another
*'So

"Well,

and

greater.

they

turned

I consider

down," said the superintendent.

you

it most

You
providential.

have

applied

the ambulance
As fine as is that
on
position
corps.
I offer you
service,and as splendidas are its possibilities,
more
something much finer,and I will even
say much
in need
We
are
importantto our army and to our cause.
for the Chaplain Service,and for this service we
of men
the pickedmen
The appointments
demand
of our church.
of them
that have been made
most
suitable,
unalready are some
for

you,

It

was

of

sir,of
my

tell
Let me
say, scandalous.
experiencein Winnipeg only last week.

I regret to

some,
an

fortune

Saskatchewan

the church

and

unit.

the

that he

mess

in

rage

chaplainhad
quiteunable

was

officer

commanding

him

I found

all its officials. His

hilarious at the

so

fall in with

to

against
become
to

carry

on.

"Hilarious?"

inquiredBarry.
"Hilarious,sir. Yes, plaindrunk.
of the crime!

the shame

of it!

of it. Think

Think

charged with
going to war

man

the

of the souls of these men

responsibility
to their death
drunk, in their presence ! A man
possibly
tated
standing for God and the great eternal verities,incapaci"

"

before

them!

I took

the matter

up

with

Ottawa,

this satisfaction at least,that I believe that

be m.ade
such appointment will ever
no
again. That
I have
dismissed.
chaplain,I may
say too, has been
and

I have

here, sir,a
the

mission

field suitable to your

I shall not offer it to you,
I

positionof chaplainin one of

Barry stood before him, dumb

our

perience.
abilityand exam^
offeringyou

Alberta

v^ith

battalions."

dismay.

PILOT

SKY

THE

104

IN

MAN'S

NO

LAND

to go to the war," he said at length,

*'Of course, I want
for the position
''but I am
not the man
sure, sir,I am
you

offer me."
said the
''Sir,"
of

sending in

"I have
superintendent,

Time

name.

your

hberty
element.
pointme
Apwas
extremely

an

was

being rapidlymade,

were

taken the

and

that you should go with this battalion. I confess

selfish interest. My own
boy, Duncan, has enlisted

anxious
to

in that

finest young
with him.
men
the responsibility
of asking for your appointment.

unit,and

I assumed

I must

before

of

many

urge

you

our

solemnlyto

consider

the matter

decline."

you

his
EloquentlyBarry pleaded his unfitness,instancing
failure as a preacherin his last field.
"I am
not
a
not
a
preacher,"he protested. "I am
I shall be impossibleas a
'mixer.'
They all say so.
chaplain."
of sternness
a note
"Young man," said the superintendent,
in
transformations
in his voice,"you know
not what
this

character

will work.

war

Would

were

twenty

"twenty years
passionately,
Think
of the opportunityto stand for God
sounder.
the way
of duty, and fit
to point them
your men,
among
fort
them for it,to bring them comfort, when
they need comsorely,to bring them peace, when they most need
peace."
disturbed
from the interview more
Barry came
away
years

younger," he

than he had

added

been

ever

in his life. After

he had

returned

recalled
from his superintendent
his hotel,a message
him.
I
"I have a bit of work
to do," he said, "in which
in a visitation of
need your help. I wish you to join me
to

of the

some

in this district. We

militarycamps

start

this

evening."
There

nothing for

was

orders.
gave

Barry
work.

The
a

weeks'

viev/ and

new

As

two

he

came

ent's
obey his superintendhis chief
with
experience
estimate of the chapnew
lain's

it but to

into closer touch

with

camp

life

THE

1C6
"I

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

Pretty natty sergeant

am.

"Let's go out there,and

As
they crossed the

MAN'S
he

LAND

makes, too.''

Til introduce

him.."

parade ground, the sergeant

and proceeded to explainin his

dropped his militarytone

details in connection with the drill.
ordinary voice some
Barry, catchingthe sound of his voice,stopped short.
don't mean
"You
it,Captain Neil! Not dad, is it?"
"Nobody else,"said Captain Neil. "Wait a minute.
Wait

and

For

let's v/atch him

time

some

of the

they stood observing the work

Barry

sergeant.

new

his work."

at

filled with

was

and

amazement

delight.
do

"What

Barry made

But

"My

father

to

sergeant major
German."
a
"But

his

take

no

it. He

there

age,

He's

he

"I

he

have

weeks

don't want

the authorities that lie

wonder, and

don't wonder

sam^e

feet.

our

sergeant

regimental

passed,or

of astonishment.

maze

them

I'm

too

young.

of proper military
time, that I must have him.
was

just adore him."

that," said Barry.

the
at

off

company
will be the

age,"inquiredBarry,stillin

the

us

stands, my

tell you,
before many

at

I asked

take the drill.

nearly swept

m^e

them,
telling
a

to

one

"Oh, that's all right. You

I assured

inquiredCaptain Neil.

reply.
sergeant major got drunk," continued

"I had

In consequence,
major, and let

of him?"

no

company

Captain Neil.
your

think

you

men

to the squad. The

geant,
serover
Together they moved
smartly to
observing his ofiicer,called his men
attention,and greetedthe captainwith a very snappy

salute.

"Sergeant major, let me introduce you to my friend,

Mr. Barry Dunbar," said Captain Neil with a grin.
"I say, dad," said Barry, still unable
to associate his
father with this N.C.O.
"I

say,

dad, where

in uniform

did you

who

stood before him.

get all that militarystuff?'*

AND

BAimiCADES

"Fm

boy, very rusty !

rusty, my

very

BAYONETS

lOT
I

hope

to

brush

are
improving,I think,sir."
up, though. The men
'T'm sure
of it,"said Captain Neil. *'How is that wild

from

man

"He

Athabasca

is

doing?"

findingit hard

it difficultto connect
of

He

war.

wants

But he is making
"And

loose.

know

your

you

to

The

this drill business

the business

to go

rightoff

with

and

finds

kill Germans.

him, eh, sergeant major?

have

They
wants

son

He

effort to put up with m^e."

an

with

you,

them

up

work, sir,I'm afraid.

explainhow

to

you

explanationcame

done

enough

for

But

turn

to-day,and

take you oft* with him, and

go into the army."

they were

as

walking home

get
gether.
to-

in being
boy, I felt keenlyyour disappointment
rejectedfrom the fightingforces of the country. I
felt too that our
family ought to be representedin the
"You

see,

when

fightingline,so

Captain Fraser found himself in

need of a drill sergeant, I could hardly refuse.
I would
^"
have liked to have consulted you, my
boy, but
"Not at all,dad; you did perfectly
right. It was just
I'm as proud as Punch.
fine of you.
I only wish I could
I'd like to be in your squad. But never
go with you.
mind, I've two jobs open to me now, and I sorelyneed
your

advice."

the superintendent's
offer
Together they talked over
of the positionof chaplain.
"I can't see myself a chaplain,
dad.
The position
calls
for an older man,
of wider experience. Many of
a man
these

would

men

be almost

himself

ought

to

see

him

can't think I'm

In this
"An

his work

opinion his

older
One

be the

would

my
man

with

the suNow
perintendent
age.
for the job. You

the soldiers.

really

fit."

man

experiencewould
know.

at

twice

father rather

would
be of

thing I

am

be

concurred.

better,Barry

more
sure

"

man

of

more

service,and, yet I don't

of, if you accept the posi-

SKY

THE

108

tion,I believe

to

influence

all,in

every

be

But

so.

not

must

we

allow

altogether

that,however,

decision,"repliedhis father.

our

hurriedlyagreed Barry. "I trust

tions."
be unduly influenced by personalconsidera-

I know!"

''I know,
I would

LAND

unit,dad, and that would

be in your

glorious."
*'I do hope

MAN'S

man's job."
young
said Barry. ''If I went
as
chaplain,it
is

war

course,"

would

NO

will fillit worthily. After

you

department,this
"Of

IN

PILOT

not

rudely dashed

pected
by an unexcall for a draft of recruits from
Captain Neil's
that came
through from Colonel Kavanagh to
company
to
replace a draft suddenly dispatchedto make
up
regiment. Attached to the call
strengthanother western

hope, however,

This

was

to a demand
specific
request, which amounted
for the sergeant major, for whose
specialqualifications
as
apparently
physicaland militaryinstructor there was
serious need in Colonel Kavanagh's regiment.
With
great reluctance, and with the expenditure of
considerable profanity.Captain Neil Fraser dispatched
of his sergeant
his draft and agreed to the surrender
major.
shock to both Barry and his
The
as
a
change came
father. For some
days they had indulgedthe hope that
militaryunit,
they would both be attached to the same
and unconsciouslythis had been weighing with Barry in
his consideration of his probableappointment as chaplain.
bitter
the more
of their hope was
The disappointment
that Colonel Kavanagh's battalion
when it vv^as announced

there

was

ther
and the furservice overseas,
talion,
batthe new
that in all probability

for immediate

warned

was

announcement
to

might

not

''But

his
"No

which

catch

may

father, when
one

Wapiti

company

dispatcheduntil

be

you

the

knows

however, that

us

Barry
what

your

our

was

movements

positionwere

be

attached,

spring.
in England, Barry," said
deploring their ill luck.

some

up

would

time in the

will be.

I do

wish,

settled."
definitely

AND

BARRICADES

his will

without

quickly,and was,
desire,materiallyhastened by Barry

in this matter

decision

The

or

came

himself.

Kavanagh's battalion

Colonel
within
which

at

109

BAYONETS

ten

only

final Church

days, a

soldiers and

part
orders to de-

being under
Parade

their kin

ordered,

was

permitted to

were

be present. The preacherfor the day

work, and Barry
overweight of war

ill from an
falling
being in the city
preaching at this Parade

nothing to do, the duty of

Service was
suddenly thrust upon

with

his

To

and

amazement

own

Barry accepted without

any
circumstances

in other

which

him.
to

fear

or

that

hesitation

have

would

Barry the occasion

surpassingmagnitude and im.portancethat

him

But

with dismay.

considerations
The

its
sacrifice,

to

father,

this

duty

overwhelmed
of such

was

all

personal

obliterated.

were

its horrors, its losses,its overwhelming

the singlefact
and eternal issues,was

with

war,

his

of

vast

It

that filled his mind.

was

this that delivered him

from

the preacher's
self-consciousness,
curse, that
chills the passions,and
paralysesthe mental activities,

that

nervous

becomes
a
cloggs the imagination,so that his sermon
lifeless repetitionof words, previouslyprepared, correct,
in arguform, logical
ment,
but dead, dull and impotent,
sound in philosophy,
of the soul,
bereft of the fire that kindles the powers
that urges
the emotion
to action, the imaginationthat

beautiful,it

even

lures
*T

beseech

God, that

be

in

endeavour.

high

to

may

therefore,brethren, by the mercies of

holy,
present your bodies a livingsacrifice,
you

ye

unto
acceptable

God, which

is your

reasonable

service."

voice, clear,vibrant,melodious, arrested with

the eyes and hearts of his hearers, and
first word
The

held them

to

the end.

the fascination

glowing as
A

and

face

with lambent

second

paused

of

time
allowed

With

he

the earnest

alightwith

voice

noble

there

its
so

was

beauty,eyes

flame.
read

his eyes

the
to

appealingwords,
wander
quietlyover

then
the

SKY

THE

110

IN

PILOT

congregation. They

NO

MAN'S

LAND

him

representedto

in that

hour

of his country. Sincerely,

with no attempt at rhetoric and with no employment of
any of its tricks,he began his sermon.

war," he said, "is

"This

and

issue

It is

that of

has

and

determined

conflict of ideals

that of force

but

reason

made

settlement.
is not

of settlement

force that finds

"

eternally
has

ruthless enemy
of
the method

souls,but the method

of

war

ambitious

Our

opposed.
the

womanhood

and

the manhood

pression
ex-

Therefore
the appeal of
through your bodies.
of his
the Apostle Paul, this old-world hero, to the men
in this day, and at this crisis of
to us
time reaches down
the world's
history. Offer your bodies^ these living
"

bodies

these

"

bodies

sacred

"

in sacrifice to

offer them

God."
There

littlediscussion

was

of the

of the

causes

neither

was
They knew that this war
of their making. There
desiringnor

need?

What
their

to incite
to

hatred

or

of

the horrors

There

revenge.
war,

to

its

war.

was

no

of
tempt
at-

ence
littlerefer-

was

griefs,its

dreadful

losses.
agonies,its irreparable
he lifted his audience

the first word

From

planeof

sacrifice.

and

sacrament

They

to

In

make.

high

called upon
freedom
all that
the ancient

"

called upon

the

were

the altar of the world's

offer upon
they held dear in life yea, life itself! It was
had
sacrifice that the noblest of the race
to

to

givingthemselves

ahvays
to

this

been
cause

givingthemselves to their country. They were

they were
In simple diction,and in
offeringthemselves to God.
clear flowingspeech,the sermon
proceeded without pause
or
stumblingto the end. The preacherclosed with an
appeal to the soldiers present to make this sacrifice of
theirs at once
worthy and complete. These bodies of
theirs
was

were

their

sacred

duty

to

and

keep

were

them

devoted
clean

and

to

this

cause.

It

fit.

he turned to the others presfew brief moments,

ent
and
hearts
sweetwives
the
service
at the
fathers,mothers,
of the soldiers,and reminded
them in tones thrill-

For

"

AND

BARRICADES

ing v/ith

that

111

though not privileged

in the soldiers' service in the front

share

to

sympathy

and

tenderness

BAYONETS

lines,

share in this

sacrifice,
by patient
might they
mission
of the separationand loss,by a cheerful subendurance
and by continual remembrance
in prayer
to trial,
its defendof the sacred cause
and
ers
to Almighty God
to victory.
they might help to bring this cause
the less

none

that followed

In the brief prayer

the sermon,

in words

tender, simple,heart-moving,he led the people in solemn

dedication of themselves,soul and body, to their country,
to

their cause,

their God.

to

effect of the

The

There

tears, but

no

were

and

sermon

was

prayer

walked

men

ing.
overpower-

with heads

out

of the exaltation of

erect, because
theirs. And women,
more

fearful of the

felt their hearts

grow

spiritwhich was
coming hour of ing,
part-

strong within

them

with
voluntarilysending their

the

men
thought that they were
and
Upon the whole congregationlay a new
away.
of privand uplifting
of duty,a new
solemn sense
sense
ilege
in making the sacrifice of all that they counted
preciousfor this holy cause.
the sermon
that broughtthe decision in the matIt was
ter
of Barry's appointment.
*'What
think of that, Colonel
do you
Kavanagh?"
in
for
asked Captain Neil Eraser, who
the service.
came

A
''A very fine sermon!
is he?"
the colonel. *'Who
''He

is my
in him.

it was
our

I understand
is

chaplain. He

*T wish

to

sermon!"

said

minister,"said Captain Neil, "and

own

to-day,the surpriseof

me,

gave

notable

very

Heaven

about

it,Eraser ?

too?

They'd

we

We've

my

life. I didn't know

there is

chance

Sergeant Dunbar's
could

he

take him

with

ing
of his be-

son."
us

got the father,v/hynot

What

the son,

both like it.''

*T say. Colonel, for Heaven's

sake, have a heart. I
hated to surrender
sergeant major. I don't
my
company
think 1 ought to be asked to surrender
our
chapla'fi
*"

"All

right.Eraser, so

be it. But

you

have

got

won-

THE

112

derf ul

SKY

chaplainin

that

that's the kind

And

That

very

Colonel

to

PILOT

regiment to

IN

MAN'S

What

boy.
of

NO

LAND

face ! What

voice

in our
men."
spiritwe want
afternoon, Captain Neil went straight
away
the
officer
the
new
Leighton,
commanding
which Captain Neil's company
belonged.To
a

the colonel he gave an enthusiastic report of the sermon,

with Colonel Kavanagh's judgment thereon.
would

"I

suggest, sir,that you

Ottawa

wire

the

on

matter," he urged. "If Colonel Kavanagh thought he

had a chance, he would
hesitate. We
not
reallyought
get this fixed.

to

you he's a find."

I'm rather interested to

assure

*'Go to it,then, Fraser.

desire for a chaplain.The
your earnest
one!

need

Say

what

Go

up

and

knows

use

you
name.

my

like.'*

you

it

Thus

Headquarters

to

Lord

see

that the

following day Barry

appointmentas chaplainof

came

by wire of his
regiment of Alberta rangers.
"It's at least

the

relief to have

formed
in-

was

the

new

settled,"said

matter

his father, to whom

Barry brought his wire.
"Barry,
that since terday,
I'm glad of the opportunityto tell you
yeshas undergone considerable change. I
mind
my
not

am

work

but that you

in the war."
sure

yesterday. The
Those
boys were

sermon

real to

me.

there, dad.

were

found

that

your

for
responsible
and

near

very

looking up

drew

You

was

war

placeand

your

wasn't

Barry, "I

"No, dad," answered

that

have

at me,

and

stuff out

sermon

very
you
of

me."

why

"If once,
me

was

is not

to

not

again?

that it

know

was

you, my boy. I
that I should
the word

proud of

At

rate, it

any

joiced
greatlyre-

I don't say
of you, but that

there in you.
was

proud

like to

use.

was

foundly
pro-

his father,"this is our

to hear a sermon
privileged
of mine.
Now, Barry," continued
last day togetherfor some
months,

perhaps forever,"he

added

gratefulthat
like that from

son

was

in

low

tone.

THE

SKY

manhood,

which

114

had

had

fragrance he
through their

IN

PILOT

been

NO

MAN'S

brightenedby

cherished

and

love v/hose

shared

with

his

Hsteningwith

years together,Barry
and tender sympathy.

attention

LAND

son

ent
rever-

always planned that I too should be laid here,

Barry," said his father,as they prepared to take their
has made
departure,*'but do you know, boy, this war
It seems
to me
a
changes in me and this is one.
many
body lies,if it be offered, as
my
very littlething where
in sacrifice to
saying so beautifully
yesterday,
you were
"I had

cause."

our

only nod

could

Barry

in

his head

reply. He

ly
deep-

was

moved.

Barry," said his father,noting his

young,
emotion, ''and life is very dear to you, my boy."
Not life,"said Barry brokenly. "Not
"No, dad, no!
''You

are

life,only

just want
you, and, oh dad!"
boy, losinghold of himself and making no

the

continued

dad.

you,

effort to check or hide the tears that

*'if one
of us is to go in this war,
as

is

"

only

that the other

want

It would

be

without

you.

been

always
to

"

Or

"

son,
a

answer,

have

you

to go

"

out

"

alone.

"

been

myself

out

We

have

very

good

"

so

"

"

"

his

words,

"

^but I

"

"No,

the sacrifice,

not

no,

am

that, but

understand."
his

his head

drew

and

go

likely
enough,

help -this,dad, I try

I'm not holding back from

dad," hurrying

perhaps you

you

I can't
"

For

have

to

strong enough

not

"

"

together

dad.

me,

dad

terribly lonely

face,

there at the time.

be

should

his

down

ran

father

dov/n

put both his

to

around

arms

been

if he had

his breast,as

his

child.

on
"There, there, laddie," he said, pattinghim
shoulder,"I know, I know ! Oh God, how I know.

have

lived

shadow

We
ever

since this war

began, has
my
prayer,
that in death, if it had to be, v/e might be together,

between
been

without
togethervery closely,

the

us,

and

and, Barry, somehow

"Good

old

I believe

dad, good

old

boy!

God

will

What

give

us

brick you

that."

are!

I
and

the

spoiling

Forgive

dad.

that,

help

couldn't

115

BAYONETS

AND

BARRICADES

for

me

being

baby,

"

day

"Forgive

you,
I

**Barry,

love

for

God

They
By
the
above
peace.

the

you,

my

rode

back

mountains,

broken,

still

with

it.

You've

his

arms

never

and

To-day

you.

around

his

brought

me

day

every

son,
one

thank

son."

through
arrived

they

time

the

for

you

will

nor

sorrow

boy,"

and

the

floating

the

there,

quiet

stars

clouds,

had

sun

in

their

camp.

behind

sunk

riding

were

and

the

toward

evening

the

serenely
hearts

was

CHAPTER

NERVE

introduce

Captain Dunbar,
sky-pilot,padre, chaplain, anything you like?
he's a devil of a good preacher.
The
Lord

your
say

knows

OF

QUESTION

'ENTLEMEN,

They

VIII

may

need

you

one."

So

Barry's commanding

He

bowed

officer

him

introduced

to

the

mess.

in
in

who,

pre-prandial
foot
his

of the

different

the

and

the

few

the

cers
offi-

having

place

minutes

of

group
were

mess,

found

Barry
for

to

the

near

silent,getting

sat

bearings.
Some

officers

of the

commanding
burly Englishman,
Vv^ell to

who,

five years

do
in

known

were

to

officer, Colonel

the

his

of

ante-room

cocktail.

table

directions

the

tO'

the

an

had

begin with,

He

country.

He

Leighton,

of

ovv^ner

him.

Alberta
made

had

had
a

typical,

horse
money

the

met

ranch,

during

reputation

of

of
his
of easy
morality, fond
being a sporting man,
his present position,
glass and of good living. He owed
partly to political influence, and partly to his previous
His
African
war.
military experience in the South
ularity
pophis officers was
cipline,
with
due
largely to his easy disthe absence
and
of that
to
rigidity of manner
is supposed
which
with
tO' go
high military command,
and

vv^hich

Barry
of

had

civilians
also

are

Major

met

find

to

wont

Bustead,

irksome,

so

the

Senior

Major

the

of the mess,
eastern
Battalion, and President
an
Canadian, with no military experience whatever, but with

abounding energy
boon
companion
become

his second

and
of

ambition;

Colonel

the

Leighton,

in command.

Barry
Ii6

close

he
was

friend

naturally

and
had

especiallyde-

OF

QUESTION

NERVE

117

he had not seen

Major Bayne, whom
months
since his first meeting with him some
ago on the
Pine
and
Lieutenant
Trail. Captain Neil Fraser
Red
the only officers about the table whom
Stewart Duff were
the junior lieutenants,
he recognised,
except that,among
Duncan
he caught the face of young
Cameron, the oldest
and a fine,
of his superintendent,
son
clean-looking
young
fellow he appeared.
AltogetherBarry was
stronglyattracted by the clean,
He would
surelysoon find good
strong faces about him.
friends among
them, and he only hoped he might be

lightedto

observe

able to be of

service to them.

some

rightintroduced himself as
CaptainHopeton. He was a young English publicschool
boy, w^ho, though a failure as a rancher, had proved an
in the social circles of the city. Because
immense
success
of this,and also of his familyconnections
"at home," he
had been appointedto a Civil Service position.A rather
air spoiledwhat would
bored manner
and a supercilious
The

young

otherwise

fellow

have been

his

on

and attractive face.

handsome

bore" of military
singleremark about the ''beastly
tion
duty, Hopeton ignored Barry, giving such atten-

After

as

he had

to

spare

from

his dinner

to

man

across

he had shared
the table,with whom,
apparently,
in the city.
rather excitingsocial experiences
For

of the meal, the conversation

trivial nature, and was
to Barry supremely

the first half hour

of the most

was

some

uninteresting.
''Shoptalk"

was

taboo,
strictly

of conThe thin stream

and also all reference to the war.
versation that trickled from lipto lipran
the gamut of
highlywith societyscandal which,
sport,spicedsomewhat
in that littlecity,appeared to flourish.

even

To

Barry it was

as

if he

were

in

strange land and

stood
Of sport, as undera

peopleof a strange tongue.

and
by these young chaps,he knew little,
he was
entirelyinnocent; so much so that

among

the references
him

merriment
that excited the most
utterlyobscure. After somic
attempts to

of
many
were

dal
scan-

of
to

introduce

PILOT

SKY

THE

118

IN

conversation

MAN'S

LAND

he

thought might be of
mutual
interest,but which had fallen quite flat,Barry
of loneliness
sense
gave up, and sat silent with a desolating
growing upon his spirit.
"After
the port,"when
smoking was
permitted,he
offered a cigaretteby Hopeton, and surprisedthat
was
smoked.
man
mightilyby saying that he never
young
This
it is to be feared, deepened into disgust
surprise,
topicsof

later,he declined
Hopeton's whisky bottle,which a servant
when,

few

which

NO

moments

drink

brought

not
provided at the mess,
Liquors were
were
permittedto order what they desired.

As
was

the bottles circulated,

tongues
in
the
foul
talk,but
nothing
with

decorate

frequentapology

the conversation.

to

were

the

Conscious

with his environment, and

of

and

an

him.

officers

but

loosened.

more

from

There

more

fanity,
pro-

began to
chaplain,
of a deepening disgust
overwhelming sense

of
vainly about for a means
Of military
he was
etiquette
ignorant;hence he
escape.
could only wait in deepeningdisgustfor the O.C. to give
the signalto rise. How
long he could have endured is
in a startling,
and, to most
doubtful, but release came
of the members
of the mess,
manner.
a trulyhorrifying
of

isolation,Barry

In

strange silences that fall upon

of those

one

cast

even

fluence
companies,Colonel Leighton,under the inliberal indrlgencein his whisky
somewhat

the noisiest of
of

flavour.

In the midst

tale,Barry
aflame, and

of

ta

his feet,his face

voice vibratingwith
to

rose

in

doubtful
very
of the laughterthat followed the

relation

bottle,began the

of

white

and

his eyes

passion,said

''May I be excused, sir?"

ing
add''Why, certainly,"said the colonel pleasantly,
moment's
after
hesitation,"is there anything
a
wrong,

Dunbar

Are

you

ill?"

qualityof
Barry's voice had the resonant
"I am
cello string. "I mean,
a
yes, sir,"he corrected.
ing
ill. The atmosphere surrounding such a tale is nauseat"No, sir."

to

me."

OF

QUESTION

NERVE

119

In the horrified silence that "ollov/ed his remark, he

walked out from the room.
Upon his ears, as he stood in
the ante-room, tremblingwith the violence of his passion,
like a hot
sudden
wrath
burst of laughter fell. A
a
ilame

swept

his

wheeled

He

body.

the door, and with

to his place at the table

high and

head

open

tracks, tore

face set, strode

down.

sat

ana

in his

in
beyond all words held the company
stillness. From
tense
Barry's face they looked toward
for speech or action,
the colonel,who, too dumfounded
Astonishment

gazing at his chaplain. Then from the

from Barry, a voice
table a few placesdown
sat

through the
*T

The

better, Dunbar?'^

"Feel

do, thank

zip of
sir," looking him

you,

of the

was

heard.

clear

cool,

silence like the

tense

end

voice

cut

sword.

straightin

the

eye.

fresh

"The
*T

always

find

myself that

even

whiff of fresh air is

member
threateningvertigo. I recontinued the speaker,dropping into
the table slightly
tone, and leaningacross

for

effective antidote

very

the cool voice,

air,doubtless,"continued

"

once
a

conversational

Barry, "I

toward
"

in the

was

room

with

comipany

of

speaker entered upon a long and

relation of an experienceof his,the
too interesting
none
point of which no one grasped, but the effect of which
And

men

profoundestrelief. He was
with a
a
tall,slightman,
regimentalmedical officer,
by a topknotof flaming
eye, a pleasantface crowned

every

the
keen

the

one

welcomed

hair,and with

with the

littledab of hair of like colour

he fondly cherished, as
tipper lip,which
item in his militaryequipment.

"Say, the
young

old doc

is

his

important

enough," said a
of "Sally,"colloquial

lifesaver,sure

subaltern,answering to the name

for Salford, as he stood amid

an

upon

circle of officers

later. "A
few minutes
a
gathered in the smoking room
lifesaver,"repeatedSally,with emphasis. "He can have
for his laboratorycollection after I'm through."
me
"He
is one
sure
singing bird," said another sub, a

PILOT

SKY

THE

120

stout, overgrown
of him," added

boy by
a

the

NO

MAN'S

LAND

of Booth.

name

"The

nerve

in admiration.

Booth

!" echoed

''Nerve

IN

young

"but
captain,

what

about

the

nerve?"
pilot's
'''Suigeneris.Train, I should say,"drawled
Hopeton.
"Suey, who did you say?" inquired Sally. "Vv^hat's
second

her
on

and

his neck

continued
with

name

let me

But

tellyou

burst into tears

of

I could have

fallen

gratitude.For me,"

"I don't hold

the room,
It isn't necessary."

Sally,glancing about

that dirt stuff at

mess.

"Beastly bad form," said Hopeton, "but, good Lord!

Your
Commanding Officer,Sally! There's such a thing
as
discipline,
you know."
"V\^hat extraordinarything is it that Sally knows?"
inquiredMajor Bustead, who lounged up to the group.
"We
v/ere
discussingthe padre'sbreak, Major, which
cipline.
for my
part,"drawled Hopeton, "I consider rotten disa
snorted the major. "By Gad, it was
"Discipline!"
pieceof the most damnable cheek I have ever heard at
table. He ought to be sent to Coventry. I only
mess
a
hope the O.C. will get him exchanged."
effort to subdue his voice, which
The major made
no
was
plainlyaudible throughout the room.
Captain Train, as
"Hush, for God's sake," warned
"Here he is."
Barry entered the door.
For
a
But
Barry had caught the major's words.
then walked
he stood irresolute;
moment
quietlytoward

the group.
"I couldn't

helphearingyou. Major Bustead," he said,

in a voice pleasantand under perfectcontrol. "I gather
referringto me."
you were
"I was, sir,"said the major defiantly,
"And
why should I be sent to Coventry,or exchanged,
sider.
I ask ?"
Barry'svoice was that of an interested outmay
"Because," stuttered the Major,
?"

that

"

you

have

been

guiltyof

"I
a

consider,sir,that

piece of

daro.nable

SKY

THE

122

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

''I don't know

in him," repliedCaptain Train.
for that kind of an animal, though."
that I care
the whole battalion had
hours had passed,
Before many
kick

of

received
for

with

though

undiluted

the

joy an
Commanding

account

Officer

was

of the incident,
popular with

called down
at his own
his men,
to have him
mess
by one
officers was
event
too thrilling
to give anyof his own
an
thing
but unalloyeddelightto those who had to suffer in
of their officers.
at the hands
indignities
geant
SerA notable exceptionin the battalion,
was
hovv^ever,
Major McFetteridge,who, because of his military
and of his reputationas a disciplinarian,
had
experience,
To
the serbeen recentlytransferred to the battalion.
geant
major this act of Barry'sv/as but another and more
flagrantexample of his fondness for ''buttin' in," and
that he strongly
the sergeant major let it be known
he declared was
the chaplainfor what
condemned
an
of breach of militarydiscipline.
unheard
there were
others who openlyapproved,and
Of course
'^nerve in standingup to the
admired
the chaplain's
who
In their opinion he was
in
old man."
entirelyjustified
silence similar

what

said.

he had

O.C. had

The

insulted

him, and

officer at the mess,

by his off-colour story, but
that
whole the generalresult of the incident was
life became

more

officers and

men.

and

more

For

one

this

on

of failure the months

and

the

Barry's

of isolation from

reason

every

because

both
of

of

trainingpreceding
for Barry
the battalion's departurefor England were
possible
one
long and almost uninterruptedmisery. It seemed imwith either the
to establish any pointof contact
In their athletics,
in their social gathofficers or the men.
erings,
and
made
in their reading,he was
quietlyignored
An
in no way
to feel that he was
impalpable
necessary.
but very real barrier preventedhis near
approachto those

haunting sense

whom

he

was

so

eager

to

serve.

unexpressedoppositionwas quickenedinto active

hostility
by the chaplain'suncompromising attitude on
the liquorquestion. By the army
the batregulations,
This

QUESTION

OF

NERVE

123

tallon canteen
was
dry, but in spiteof this many, both of
the officers and the men,
freelyindulgedin the use of
The
drink.
effect upon
of
intoxicating
discipline
was,
and in his publicaddresses as well as
deplorable,
course,
these
private conversation, Barry constantlydenounced
demoralisinghabits,winning thereby the violent dislike
of those especially
of tlie
affected,and the latent hostility
who
agreed with the sergeant major
majorityof the men
in resentingthe chaplain's
''buttin'in."
It was,
therefore, with unspeakable joy that Barry

learned

that the battalion

Any
for he

for

warned

was

change in his lot would

convinced

was

that he

be

had

ice.
serv-

improvement,

an

reached

the limit of

duty

chaplainof

in the exercise of his

wretchedness

overseas

as

the battalion.
this conviction,however, he
shipboard,he discovered that there
In

misery which
a

miserable

ship,he

he

mistaken.

was

stilldepths of

were

called upon to plumb.

in an
uncomfortable

was

stateroom

On

Assigned to
part of the

suffered

horriblyfrom seasickness,and for the

first half of the voyage
in his
lay foodless and spiritless
bunk, indifferent
sole friend

was

he could not

to

his environment

or

to

his fate.

His

his batman, Harry Hobbs, but, of course,

confide to Harry the misery of his body, or

deepermisery of his soul.

It w^as
Harry, however, that brought relief,for it was

the

he that called the M.O.

Vv^as

shocked

to

find the
and

physicalweakness,
he gave

to his

orders that

officer'sbedside.

chaplain in
mental

state

M.O.

of extreme

depression.At

Barry should be removed

largeand airy and open

stateroom, which was

The effect
breezes.

The

to
to

once,

his
the

own
sea

immediatelyapparent, for the

the touch of human
change of room, and more
especially
sympathy,did much to restore Barry to his normal health
and spirits.A friendship
the M.O.
sprang
up between
and the chaplain. With
interest
this friendshipa new
into Barry's life,and with surprising
came
rapidityhe
and mental tone.
regainedboth his physical
was

THE

IM

SKY

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

LAND

doctor took him

The

take his part in the

in hand, pressedhim
resolutely
dailyphysicaldrill,induced him

to
to

of sports,and, best of all,discovering

board, insisted on his taking a place

dailyprogramme

share the

violin

on

rendered
programme
his violin won
be expected,

on

the musical

As

might

all of the music

lovers

on

board

nightlyin

the salon.

him

friends among
ship,and life for Barry

to be bearable.
began once more
Returning strength,however, recalled him to the performance
of his duties as chaplain,and straightwayin
his duty,he came
into
the exercise of what he considered
than the sergeant major
conflict with no less a personage
his batman, Harry
trouble arose
The
himself.
over

Hobbs.

who, in his youthfuldays,had

Harry was a man
music halls,and in
diligent
patron of the London
had

become

himself

an

amateur

been
sequence
con-

entertainer

of

ability.His sailor's hornpipes,Irish

his old EnglishNorth-country ballads and his coster
jigs,
Their gratan
unending joy to his comrades.
itude
songs were
that proved poor
took
forms
admiration
and
of them
took an
Harry ^s undoing, and besides some
batman
to his officer
unholy joy in sendingthe chaplain's
incapableof service.
Barry'sindignationand griefwere
beyond words. He
with the erring Hobbs, as his minister,
dealt faithfully
his officer,
as
chaplain,but the downward
as
drag of his
environment
proved too great for his batman's powers
of resistance. Once and again Barry sought the aid of
the sergeant major to rescue
Harry from his downward
but the old sergeant major was
unimpressedwith
course,
of Harry's lapses.
the account
unfit for duty, sir?" he inquired.
*'Is your batman
^'Yes,he is,often," said Barry indignantly.
''Did you
report him, sir?" inquiredthe sergeant
major.
very

considerable

"No, I did not."

afraid that until
"Then, sir,I am

you

do

your

duty

do

can

QUESTION

OF

nothing,"answered

NERVE

1^5

the sergeant

major, with

respect.

suave

"If
"then

did

you

Hobbs

duty," Barry

your

would

not

need

to

be

was

moved

reported.

to

The

say,
lations
regu-

should prevent these frequent

governing that canteen
examples of drunkenness, which are a disgraceto
the battalion."
"Do

understand, sir,"inquiredthe sergeant major,

with

quietrespect,"that
duty?"

in

"I

saying that

am

batman

my

and

and

if the

others would

the

of

accusingme

are

you

failure

observed

regulationswere
be

drunk,
frequently
I understand, is
regulations,
not

so

enforcingof these
a part of your
duty."
"Then, sir," repliedthe sergeant major, "perhaps I
had better report myself to the Commanding Officer."
"You
said Barry, shortly,
he
can
as
pleaseyourself,"
turned

away.

good, sir," repliedthe sergeant major. "I

shall report myself at once."
The day following,the chaplainreceived an
order to
appear before the O.C. in the orderlyroom.
"Captain Dunbar, I understand that you are making
a
was
charge against Sergeant Major McFetteridge,"
Colonel Leighton'sgreeting.
"I am
making no chargeagainstany one, sir,"replied
Barry quietly.
"What
do you say to that. Sergeant Major McFetteridge
"Very

?"
In

reply,the sergeant major

of the passage
the day before.
"Is this correct,

between

gave

the

Captain Dunbar?"

full and

fair statement

chaplainand
asked

"Substantiallycorrect, sir, except that

major is here on his own
suggestion,and on

himself

the O.C.
the
no

sergeant
order

of

mine."
"Then

I understand

againstthe sergeant

that you

major."

withdraw

your

charge

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

126

NO

MAN'S

intention of

"I withdraw
nothing,sir. I had no
charge,and I have laid no charge
; but

major

at

the

time I have

same

LAND

layin^^

againstthe sergeant
hesitation in saying

no

not
are
regulationsgoverning the canteen
for
observed, and, as I understand that the responsibility
enforcing these regulationsis in the sergeant major's

that the

hands, in that

I consider

sense

that he has

failed in his

duty."
sergeant major

the

But

caught napping. He
that the canteen
testify

old

too

was

his witnesses

had

conducted

was

soldier to

be

ready at hand to
accordingto regulations,

or
chaplain'sbatman
any others
took more
liquorthan they should, neither the corporal
the sergeant major was
in charge of the canteen
nor

that if the

and

to be blamed.

**A11 1

can

say,

frequentlydrunk
when

them

the

for

worse

report these

"No, sir,I did not."

"Then
sir,do you know
serious
"Do

every
"Most

man

the

see

worse

their officers

report

that you
said the

neglect of duty?"
I understand, sir,that

you

to

men

did you

Captain Dunbar, or
charge of the canteen?"
me.

are

ship,and I myself have seen

liquorgoing into the canteen."

this

on

did you

"And

sir,"replied
Bar-ry,"is that soldiers

have

the

or

to

corporalin

guiltyof
sternly.

been

colonel

it is my
duty to report to
for liquoron this ship?'*

certainly,"repliedthe colonel, emphatically.

be reported."
must
"Every breach of discipline
"I understood, sir,that an officer had a certain amount
of discretion in
"Where
"Let

me

of this kind."

matter

did you get that notion?"

tellyou that you are wrong.

solelywith me."
to
"Then, sir, I am

inquiredthe colonel.
Discretionarypowers

he

every

man

whom

see

understand

the

"Certainly,sir,"
"And
as
officer,
every

worse

for

well, sir?"

that

I must

liquor?"

report

hesitated

colonel

The

then blurted

papers, and

his

with

me

charge against a N.C.O.,

sergeant major of his battalion.

in

careful

very

out

let

an
officer,
especially

be

fumbled

moment,

121

NERVE

say, CaptainDunbar, that

officer in your position,
ought to

And

"Certainly,sir.
an

OF

QUESTION

making

the
particularly
calculated
Nothing is more
more

The
discipline.

drag down

to

is dismissed."

case

"Sir," said Barry, maintaininghis place before

I ask

the

question?"
What
do you
"The case is dismissed.CaptainDunbar.
asked the colonel brusquely.
want?"
"I want
to be quiteclear as to my
duty,in the future,
table.

"May

that if any

I understand

sir. Do

man

or

officer is found

liquor,anywhere in this ship,and

day or night,he is to be reported

the influence of

under
at

one

any

of the

hour

even
orderly room,
though that officer
the adjutant or yourself?" Earry
should be, say,- even
said, gazing up at the colonel vs^ith a face in which
and candour
earnestness
were
equallyblended.
The
colonel gazed back at him with a face in which
were
equallyapparent. For some
rage and perplexity
while the whole
he was
moments,
speechless,
orderly

at

the

to

once

held its breath.

room

"I

mean

"

you

"

^you

the colonel,"that

stuttered

He

sense.

that

be

must

an

damned

understand

"

officer must
sure

of

what

other words," said the colonel,rushing his

of

course,"

use

common

he

says,

speech.

"But, sir,"continued Barry.

"Oh, go to the devil,sir,"roared the colonel.
case

in

"The

is dismissed."

Barry
"Is the

is the

man

matter

an

with

left the

roomx.

infernal and
him?"

condemned

exclaimed

fool,or what
the colonel,turning

adjutant in a helplessappeal,while the orderly

room
struggledwith its grins.
"The
devil only knows," said Major Bustead.
"He

to

his

saluted and

beats
my

is

He

me.

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

128

an

MAN'S

NO

LAND

interferingand impertinentass, in

else he is,I don't know."

It is fair to say that the sergeant major bore the chaplain
for
affair.
in
his
the
The
whole
no
grudge
part
but
opinion,

what

battalion,however,
and

adorned

expanded

possessedof the tale,

extent, and
unrecognisable

became

soon

to

an

of the CO.
The
revelled in ecstasy over
the discomfort
of opinionwas
that on the whole the sergeant
consensus
had

major

off with

come

the "old man"

coming

be

to

and

premier honours, and as

the "Sky Pilot,"as Barry

called,it was

about

the Pilot,he remained more

the whole, the battalion was

than

break.

even

an
ever

tween
bewas

for

As

mystery, and

on

inclined to leave him alone.

The chaplain,
at least,achieved
however, had partially,
his aim, in that the regulations
governing the canteen

enforced, to
strictly

more

were

the vast

and to the
discipline
generally,
Harry Hobbs in particular.
after this,another event
materiallyin bringing about this

immense

led to

regard to
To

is

of

modification

their

the
especially

the battalion in

of militaryetiquette
punctilio
but

of wilful insult which

expectedto
brought up in

aided

result,and which

opinionin

not
only a bore,
frequently

be

which

chaplain.

the civilian soldier the

appearance

same

of

advantage of

occurred

Soon

also

improvement

tolerate.
wide

To

spaces

at
no

times
grown

takes
man

on

should

the civilian soldier born

of the far Northwest

the
and

this is

case.

therefore, that McCuaig, fresh

surprising,
from
his thirty-five
v\^ilds,
years of life in the Athabasca
should find the routine of militarydiscipline
extremely
and the niceties of militaryetiquette
irksome
from
a
as
privateto an officer not only foolish but degradingboth
Under
the patientshepherdingof
to ofiicer and
man.
Barry's father,he had endured much without protest or
complaint,but, with the advent of Sergeant Major Mcwith his rigidmihtary discipline
and his strict
Fetteridge,
insistence upon etiquette,
McCuaig passedinto a new atIt is not

SKY

THE

ISO

can't have

"You

corporal,from
"Watch
With

me,
a

from

safe

sonny

MAN'S

LAND

beer, McCuaig," said the

more

any

NO

distance.

!"

McCuaig.
replied

singlesweep of his hand, he snatched

head.
the ledge behind the corporal's

tles
bot-

two

Holding

the top off the other,drank its conthe empty bottle at the spot
slowly and smashed
had been; knocked
the top
the corporal'shead

aloft,he knocked

one

/tents
-where
off

in

IN

PILOT

the

second

more

or

"Private

bottle

less

and

drink

proceedingto

was

it,

fashion.
leisurely

Timms!

Private

poral
Cor-

Mulligan!" shouted

Ferry, reappearingfrom beneath the

rest
"Ar-

counter.

that man!"

a
chance," cried McCuaig, in
"Wait, sonny; give me
wild, high, singsong voice. Liftinghis bottle to his

lips,he

continued

to

slowly,keepinghis

drink

who were
privates,
carryingout their orders.

the two

the
considering

upon

best method

of

again," cried McCuaig,

when he had finished his drink,tossingthe
goodnaturedly,
second bottle at the head of the corporal,who, being on
successful disappearance.
the alert,again made
a
on," said McCuaig, backing
"Now, then, boys, come
the wall, and dropping his hands
toward
to his hips.
of disappointment that he* found
himself
With
a
curse
of defence, McCuaig raised a
without his usual weapons
shout, sprang into the air,cracked his heels togetherin a
his head,
around
double
swinging his arms
rap, and
:
yelled
Meat!
"Come
boys! I'm hungry, I am!
on,
my
"There,

With
snap

each "meat," his white teeth came

like that of a hungry wolf.
Such

ferocityin
and

up

Meat!"

Meat!

sonny,

fill that

eye

his face and

posture that both Private

Mulligan,themselves
strength,paused and looked

Private

togetherwith
the beastly
was

men

of

at the

more

Timms

than

corporalfor

age
aver-

ther
fur-

orders.

"Arrest

that man,"

said the corporal again,presery-

ing at the

QUESTION
time

same

an

OF

NERVE

131

attitude that revealed

complete

disappearance. "Private McTavish," he added, callingupon a tall Highlander who was

gazing with admiring eyes upon the ragmg
McCuaig,
and Private Mulligan in arresting
"assist Private Timms
swift

for

readiness

that man."

"Why

don't you come

swift
With
a

Cuaig.
sonny?" inquiredMcyourself,
of
sidestepand a swifter swoop
his long arm, he reached for the corporal,
who once
more
found safetyin swift disappearance.
At that instant,the Highlander, seeinghis opportunity,
McCuaig, and winding his arms
flung himself upon
around him, hung to him grimly,crying out :
"Get hold of his legs! Queeck! Will you?"
the sergeant major, attracted by the unwonted
When
the scene,
there was
on
a
man
uproar, appeared upon
of McQuaig's limbs, and another
astride
one
every one
like sawlogs shootin' a rapid,"
"Heavin'
his stomach.
Private Corbin, a lumberjack from
the Eau
as
Claire,
later heard

was

"What

to

is he

inquiredthe colonel, after

sergeant major's report of the Homeric
like now?"

the

to
listening

remark.

combat.
is in

"He
like

compartment

demented.

one

tead, smashing
from

the

at

He
him

very
with

ship'stimbers, sir.

in the

hold, sir,and raging

nearly did for Major Busa

scantlingthat he ripped
He stillhas the scantling,

sir."
"Let

him

"Oh,

rot

cool

off all

night," said the Commanding

Officer,after consultation with the adjutant.
ing
had restrained himself durBarry, who with difficulty
the room,
the sergeant major's report, slippedfrom
found
the M.O., to whom
he detailed the story and
dragged him off to visit the raging McCuaig.
They found a corporal on guard outside.
"I would
gerous."
the door, sir. He
is reallydannot
open
!"

the
replied

M.O.

"Open

up the door!"

THE

132

SKY

"Excuse

me,

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

sir," said the corporal,*'itis

safe.

not

He is off his nut entirely."

At present, he is clean crazy.
within
From
M.O.
stood listening
The
at the door.
beast.
suffering
is suffering.Open the door !" ordered the
'That man
M.O. peremptorily.
The corporal,with great reluctance,unlocked the lock,
pad-

moaning

came

shot back

sounds

from

as

the bolt,and

then

stood

away

from

the

door.

officer,
McCuaig," said the doctor,

"It is the medical

opening the door slightly.

the scantling
Bang! Crash ! came
upon the door jamb,
shatteringit to pieces. The whole guard flungthemselves
againstthe door, shoved it shut, and shot the bolt.
ter
"I warned
you, sir,"said the panting corporal."Betleave him until morning. He's a regulardevil !"
is no
devil than you are, corporal,"said
"He
a
more
of the best
Barry, in a loud, clear voice. "He is one
in the battalion.

men

and
shot

that,he is

my

friend,

spends the nightthere,I spend it with him."

saying,and before any one could stop him, Barry
back the bolt,opened the door, and with his torchlight
flashingbefore him, stepped inside.

"Hello, McCuaig,"
"where
He

are

drew

you?

out!"

done

called,in
It's Dunbar, you

the door

followinghim,

"Stop
have

than

if he

So

for

More

he

but the
mischief

out

of

The

corporalwas
M.O.
interposed.
"Stay where you are! You
already.'*

"But, sir,he'll kill him!"

"This is my case," said the M.O.
all of you,

quiet,clear voice,

know."

shut after him.

he ordered.

enough

sharply. "Fall back

sight!"

in awestruck
silence,
Together they stood listening
and
of conflict,
to hear sounds
expecting every moment
cries for help,but all they heard was
flow
the cool,even
of a quietvoice,and after some
minutes had passed,the
sound of moans,
mingled with a terrible sobbing.

The

QUESTION

M.O., moving

said in

low tone

OF

toward

the

the
down
men
your
there until I call for you."

"Will

the

here !

command

Without

corporaland

his

guard,

and

passage

keep

them

corporal.

obey

you

1S3

"Take

"Sir/' began

NEKVE

orders?'' said the M.O.

my

Go

further

"I'm

in

!"

words, the corporal moved

his

men

away.

Half

hour

an

rounds, received

later,the sergeant major, going his

shock.

rude

McCuaig's compartment,
stretcher toward
"Who
a

have

In the passage

he met

the sick

leadingto
bearingon a

four men,
long silent form.

bay a
?"
got there, corporal

you

kindly interest.
"McCuaig, sir."
the
"McCuaig?" roared

he

inquiredin

of

tone

"And

major.

sergeant

"

who"

"Medical

officer's orders."

"Silence there,"said

sharpvoice

in the

rear.

"Carry

men."

on,

And

past the astonished

filed with

the

sergeant major, the procession

medical

officer and

the

chaplainat

its tail end.

After

O.C.,
took

the sergeant major had

as

his

was

place at

duty, the

that interview

mess,

but

began

in very

loud

ended

half

hour

it

of the

room

remark

"A
when

an

known

was

by

tones

his report to the

for.
What
sent

made

M.O.

was

was

never

divulged to

that v/hereas

by

the conversation

the Officer

Commanding, it
being shown out

later with the M.O.

the colonel himself,who

fine bit of work.

Tell him
he has a few minutes, and thank
very

the

I want
you,

heard

was

to

see

to

him

doctor,thank

youl"
"Who

does the old

see?"

inquiredSally,
who, with Hopeton and Booth, happened to be passing.
"The chaplain,"
snapped the M.O., going on his way.
man

want

to

M.O.

The

"A

close

the

to
to

me

tears,

sniff
men

"

Listen

he

eh?"

one,

queer

coming

and

and

recounted

one

queer

that

twice

be

you'd

LAND

close

very

voice:
a

idots

he's

back,

wrathful

Yes,

young

guts,

ran

in

MAN'S

NO

Jove,

sharply

one?

queer

damned

ton

turned
said

Sally,

IN

By

chaplain?

"The

to

PILOT

SKY

THE

134

at

in

him

are.

you

had

half

just

Shut
of

of

some

"

words
his

if

But

experience

that

rage

of

his

Hope-

up,

fiery

you

the

last

hour.

Jove!

*'By
tone,

as

he

Doc,
moved

some

away.

guts,

eh?"

said

Sally

in

low

IX

CHAPTER

SUBMARINES,

AND

BULLPUPS,

OTHER

THINGS

weird blast from the fog horn, followed

ALONG,short,
sharp toots, recalled Barry from
two

morning dream.
"Fog," he grumbled,and

turned

of the Athabasca

enchantment

over

to

by
his

re-capture the

rapids,and

his

dancing

canoe.

Overhead

there sounded

"Submarines, doc," he
broad

the

tramplingof feet.
shouted and leaped to the

floor

awake.

"What's

the row?"

the M.O., who

murmured

heavy sleeper.
For answer,
Barry rippedthe

clothes from

was

the doctor's

bed.

"Submarines, doc," he shouted again,and bucklingon

his Sam
he stood ready
Brown, and seizinghis lifebelt,
to

go.

"What!

your

In the orders

boots

off,doc?"

of the

day

that officers and

before had

been

an

ment
announce-

sleepfullydressed.
"Oh, the devil !" exclaimed the doctor,hunting through
his bedclothes in desperation."I can't sleepin my boots.
Where's
tunic?
Go on, old fellow,I'llfollow you."
my
Barry held his tunic for him.
"Here
Sam

you

are!

men

-Wake

w^ere

up,

to

doc!

And

here's youf

Brown."

ter
Barry dropped to lace the doctor's boots,while the latwas
bucklingon the rest of his equipment.
"All right,"
cried the doctor, rushing from the room
and leavinghis lifebelt behind him.
Barry caught up the lifebelt and followed.
T35

THE

186

SKY

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

doc/' he said, as
lifebelt,

"Your

companion

LAND

they passed up the

way.

''Oh, I'm

of

peach

soldier,"said the doctor, struggling

and swearing deeply the while.

into his lifebelt,
"Stop swearing,doc ! It's a waste of energy."

*^0h, go to hell44'
"No, I preferHeaven, if
present, I believe

for the
you,

doc.

The

Look

doctor

"By Jove !

leave this

I must

I'm

ship,but,

here, and

needed

so

are

there!"

glanced out upon the deck.

You're right,old man,
we

needed

are

and

I say, old

chap,"he said,pausing for a moment

old thing,aren't you ?"
to Barry, "You
to turn
are
a dear
of soldiers struggling,
The deck was
a mass
swearing,
half
their
various
stations.
their
to
Officers,
fighting
way
dressed and half awake, were
rushinghither and thither,
and
shouting
seekingtheir units, swearing at the men
meaninglessorders. Over all the stentorian voice of the
stood.
vainlytryingto make itself undersergeant major was

badly.

In the confusion

the cry

raised

was

"We're

torpedoed!

going down!"

We're
There

was

great rush

the winds

to
flung discipline

of their lives.

chance

It

boats.

for the nearest

and
a

was

Men

began fightingfor

terrific and

humiliating

scene.

Suddenly, over

the tumult,

was

heard

loud, ringing

laugh.
"Oh,

I say, Duff!

Not

that

way!
ringinglaugh.

Not

that

way!"

the
Again came
crowd,
Immediately a silence fell upon the struggling
at each
and for a moment
they stood looking inquiringly
seized by the serof silence was
geant
other.
That moment
voice rang
major. Like a trumpet his sonorous
out
steady and clear.
"Fall

He

in, men!

followed

quarters!Silence there!"
commands
with sharp,intelligible

Boat

this

to

You
The

SKY

THE

138

acted, not
difference

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

like soldiers,but like a herd

herd of steers and
between
a

of steers.
battalion

of soldiers,in the face of sudden

the steers break blindlyfor God

piledup

over

for the word

If the

O.C.

cut

No

N.C.O.

is

one

"

of command."
handled

sergeant major did

raw.

danger, is only this :

knows
where, and end
bank; soldiers stand steadylistening

knows

the

not.
a

to
qualified

His

soldier
set

with

men

tongue
as

forth

does

lighthand,

the

rasped them to the

his N.C.O., and no

the soldier's characteristics

knowledge and adequate fluencyof

the sergeant major. One
by one he peeled from their
shiveringsouls the various layersof their moral cuticle,
and in each other's eyes,
until they stood, in their own
objectsof commiseration.
I wad like ta say to ye."
''There's justone
thing more
able
noticeThe sergeant major's tendency to Doric was
more
"but it'ssomething
in his moments
of deeper feeling,
scrammlin'
for you lads to give heed ta. When
ye were
at a brandin', and
up yonder, like a lot o' mavericks
in
one
man
yowlin'like a bunch o' coyotes, there was
could laugh. There's lots o' animals
the regiment who
that the Almighty made
can
yowl, but there's only one
For God's sake, men,
when
can
laugh,and that's a mon.
ye'rein a tightplace,try a laugh."
For
the chaplainwas
weeks
after this event
some
that can
knov/n
throughout the battalion as "the man
laugh,"and certain it is that from that day there existed
of
and
the chaplain a new
bond
the M.O.
between
friendship.
As the shipadvanced
deeper into the submarine zone,
to be
the sole topicof thought and of conversation came
While
that convoy
Where
the convoy.
was
anyway?
the daylightlasted, a thousand
pairs of eyes swept the
horizon, and the interveningspaces of tossing,
blue-grey
for the
water, for the sight of a sinister periscope,or
night fell,a
smudge of a friendlycruiser,and when
thousand
pairs of ears listened with strained intentness
with the intimate

OTPIER

BULLPUPS,

SUBMAKINES,

THINGS

139

impact of the deadlytorpedoor for the signalof

the protectingconvoy.
from
While
still a day and a night out
land, Barry
in the dim lightof a misty morning, and proceeded
awoke
for the

for his constitutional.

the deck

to

Captain Neil

and

Fraser

There

he

fell in with

CaptainHopeton pacingup

and

down.
tween
bealong.Pilot!" said Captain Neil,heartily,
and the chaplainduring the last few days
whom
"We're
cordial friendship
had sprung
a
lookingfor
up.
submarines.
This is the place and the time for Fritz,
if he is going to get us at all."
in arm
Arm
they made the circle of the deck. The
mist, lyinglike a bank upon the sea, shifted the horizon
to within a thousand
yards of the ship.
'1 wish I knew
justwhat lies behind that bank there,"
the bow.
said Captain Hopeton, pointing over
For
moments
some
they stood, peeringidly into the
''Come

mist.

"By Jove, there

had

hawk's

"You've
had

'em

is

something there," said Barry, who

eye.

got 'em
for the last

laughed Hopeton.
hours.
I've been
forty-eight

too, eh,"

"Fve
'seein'

things'all night."
"But

there is,"insisted

Barry, pointingover

the port

bow.
"What
ran

is it like?" asked

for his

Captain Neil, while Hopeton

glass.

exactlylike the eye of an

oyster in its pulp. And, by Jove, there's another 1" added
Barry excitedly.
"I can't see anything,"said Captain Neil.
"But I can," insisted Barry. "Look
there, Hopeton!"
Hopeton fixed his glass upon the mist, where Barry
pointed.
"You're
right! There is something,and there are
"I'll tell you

two

of them."

what

it's like
"

"Give

got

SKY

THE

140

IN

PILOT

the Pilot the

NO

MAN'S

glass,Hopeton," said

LAND

Neil.

"He's

good eye."

ships,boys,as I'm a sinner,but what

they are, I don't know," cried Barry in a voice tense with
know
excitement.
"Here, Neil, take the glass. You
about ships."
in the
CaptainNeil held the gla'ss
Long and earnestly.
"There

two

are

direction indicated.
he said
"Boys,*byall that's holy,they'redestroyers,"
at lengthin a low voice.
Even
as
they gazed,the two black dots rapidlytook
shape,growing out of the mist into two sea monsters,
all head

shoulders, boring through the

and

seas,

each

huge comb of white spra}^, and with an

indescribable suggestionof arrogant, resistless power,
bearing dov/n upon the shipat furious speed.
"Destroyers!" shouted Captain Neil, in a voice that
rang through the ship. "By gad, destroyers!"
There
no
was
question of friend or foe; only Great
high
flinging

Britain's navy

rode
hand

over

those

the word

seas

immune.

caught up and passed

short space of time, the rails,
In a marvellously
the boats, the rigging,all the points of vantage were
like mad.
thronged v/ith men, roaring,waving, cheering,
undiminished
With
speed,each enveloped in its cloud
each side,rushed
of spray, the destroyerscame,
one
on
foaming past, swept in a circle around the ship and took
their stations alongside,riding quietly at half speed
like bulldogstugging at a leash.
"Great heavens, what a sight!" At the croak in Hope-

Upon
along.

every

was

and looked
ton's voice, the others turned
at him.
"You've
got it too, eh !" said CaptainNeil, clearinghis
own

throat.

"I've got something,God

wiping his eyes.

knows

!" answered

Hopeton,

lump.
"I, too," said Barry, swallowingthe proverbial
"Those

little" little

"

"Bulldogs,"suggestedHopeton.

SUBMARINES,

BULLPUPS,

OTHER

THINGS

141

''Bulldogpups/' said Captain Neil.

'That's it,"said Barry. 'That's what they are,
bulldogpups, got me by the throat all right."
*'Me, too, by gad !" said Captain Neil. ''I should
howled

loud

out

''Listen to
From

in another

the

old

have

minute."

boys!" cried Barry.

end to end

"Good

little

of the

shiprose
old John

Bull !" while

the traditional

and

Navy ! Good

continuous

one

roar,

Hopeton,

trol
self-conopenly abandoning
reserve
supposed to be a characteristic of the English pubhc
school boy, climbed
the rail and, hanging by a
upon
stanchion

with

hand, and with the other frantically

his head, continued to shout :

one

waving his cap over

"England! England! England
Then
above the cheeringcries was
band, and

from

thousand

forever!"
heard

the battalion

throats in solemn

chant there

the

Empire's national anthem, "God Save the King."

That night they steamed
into old Plymouth town, and
the followingmorning were
anchored
safe at Devonport
rose

dock.

Strict orders

held the officers and

ship until arrangements

but to Barry and
shore

gave

"And

for debarlcation

the doctor,the
leave for an hour.

men

should

on

board

be

Commanding

pleted,
com-

ficer
Of-

I would

suggest,"he said,"that you go and have

talk with that old boy walking up and down
a
the dock
there.
Yarn
tn him
about Canada, he's wild to know
about

it."

The

old naval

officer was

indeed

"wild

to know
about
that
the greater part of their shore leave
Canada," so
was
spent in answering his questions,and eager though
he was
to explore the old historic town,
before Barry
in the full tide of a glowing description
knew
it,he was
of his own
Province
of Alberta, extollingits great

ranches, its sweeping valleys,its immense

resources.
"And
to think you are
all British out there,"exclaimed
the old salt.

"We're
all from

all British,of course," replied

Barry, "but not
Britain."

THE

143

SKY

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

''but that
"I know, I know," said the officer,
wonderful."
it more
!

"Wonderful

should

Why, why

*'Yes,wonderful.

Oh,

only makes

it be wonderful

?"

Canadians," cried the old

you

out his hand

salt,impulsively
stretching

to

''You

Barry.

!"

Canadians

Barry glanced at his face. Those hard blue

Surprised,
brimming with tears; the leatherlike skin was
eyes were
working curiouslyabout the mouth.
"Why, sir,I don't quiteunderstand what you mean/'
said Barry.
will. Think
of it,rushing three
"No, and you never
"

miles

thousand

for

thousand

"Five

"Fancy that!
to help old
way,

of us," interrupted
Barry.
miles
five thousand
in this

some

Rushing
mother
England,

and

all of your

own

didn't ask it of you.

Though, by heaven,
sir,to speak
gratefulfor it. I find it difficult,

free will.
we're

quietlyof

We

this."

Barry caught the

had

until that moment

Not

British

pointof view. To him, as to all Canadians, it had only

reasonable and natural thing that when
been a perfectly
the Empire was
threatened,they should spring into the
ing
dofight.They saw nothing heroic in that. They were
their simple duty.
of

think of the wonder

"But

again,"that

Canada

it,"said the naval officer

feel in that way

should

its response

to the call of the blood."

The

old man's

lipswere

stillquivering.

is true, sir,"said the M.O., joiningin the talk,

is something more.
tnere
Frankly, my opinionis

"That
"but

that the
not

biggestthing,sir,with

that the motherland

course,

we

all feel

was

some

in need

that, but

that

in

Canada, is

of

us

of

help,though,of

the

freedom

of

the

of the free
is threatened, and that Canada, as one
do her part in its defence.'*
nations of the world, must

world
"A

fine

said
spirit,"

the old

gentleman.

"This
as

well
The

fight,"continued

yours, and
old salt swore
as

"You

are

OTHER

BULLPUPS,

SUBMARINES,

we

the M.O., "is ours,

hate a bully."

great oath, and said

of the old

pups

THINGS

breed, and

143

see,

you

you

true

run

to

glad to know you, gentlemen," he continued,

shaking them warmly by the hand.
After they had gone a few steps he called Barry back
I'm

type.

to

him.
"That's

card, sir. I should like

my
in London

me

sometime

Barry glanced

you

card

and

was

on

to

come

see

leave."

read, "Commander

of the old

decent

very

Officer

boy,"he said to the

afterwards, when recountingthe

"I don't suppose

I'll ever
think he reallymeant
it."
"Meant

Dunbar,
no

are

to

Vincent, R.N.R."

Howard
"It

the

at

when

you

it,"exclaimed
I'm

the

use

old country man,

These
people, and

mistake.

view.
inter-

the card, but I do

Commanding

an

manding
Com-

and

Officer.
I know.

"Why,
Make

especiallythese
looselyabout.

naval

You
people,do not throw their cards
will undoubtedly hear from him."
"It's not likely,"
repliedBarry,"but the old gentleman
is great stuff,all right."
During the long, sunny springday, their dinky little
train whisked
them brisklythrough the sweet
and restful
beauty of the English southern counties. To these
however, from the wide sunbaked, windswept plains
men,
of western
Canada, the English landscapesuggested a
dainty picture,done in soft greys and greens, with here
and there a vivid splash of colour, where
the rich red
soil broke through the green.
But its tiny fields set off
with hedges, and lines of trees, its little,
lages,
clean-sweptvilwith their picturesque
church spires,
its parks with
deer that actuallystood stillto look at you, its splendid
manor

gave

houses, and,
these men,

at

rare

fresh from
of

its turreted castles,

intervals,
the raw,

unmeasured

and

made
un-

unreality. To them it seemed a

toy landscape for children to play with,but,as theypassed
west,

sense

144

THE

SKY

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

LAND

through the big towns and citieswith their tall,clustering

with unmistakable
chimneys, their crowding populations,
the harbours
evidences of great wealth, their shipping,where
in
bit into the red coast line,there began to waken
them the thought that this tiny England, so beautifully
somethingmightier
finished,and so neatlyadorned, was
known.
than they had ever
in
in these clean swept villages,
In these tiny fields,
these manor
houses, in these castles,in factory and in
struck deep the roots of an England whose
were
shipyard,
yet guessed.
greatness they had never
The next afternoon brought them to the great military
at Shorncliffe,in a misty rain, hungry, for their
camp
rations had been exhausted
earlyin the day, weary from
ship and train travel,and eager to get their feet once
again on mother earth.
At the littlestation theywere
keptwaitingin a pouring
The
rain for something to happen, they knew not what.
R.T.O., a young
Imperial officer,blase with his ten
in England, had some
occult reason
for
of war
months
delaying their departure. So, while the night grew
every

bags

moment
or

found

wetter

such

and

darker, the

shelter

as

men

they could

sat

on

in the

their kittion,
tiny sta-

road
''goodstrains" blockingthe raildisgusted
tracks,growing more
indignantand more
the
in
British
the
with
war
high command,
general,and
of vengeance
with increasing
intensityvows
registering
ered
they considagainstthe Kaiser, who, in the last analysis,
for their misery.
responsible
At length the "brass hat" for whom
they had been
gree
dewaitingappearedupon the scene, not in the slightest
and with a highly
but very businesslike,
apologetic,
After a little conversation
emphasisedmilitarymanner.
between
the brass hat and their Commanding
Officer,the
and off they set in the darkness
latter gave the command
for their first route march
on
English soil.
fields,slushy
Through muddy roads and lanes, over
and sodden, up hill and down
dale,they plodded steadily
or

in the lee of the

THE

146

PILOT

SKY

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

of the party marched

the chaplain,
laden
man's rifle and another man's kit-bag.

rear
one

"They're

the

standing at
"You

brought

The

doctor's

corporalmade

the matter

"It's that
he'd let

us

"Kept

sergeant

major.

country."

his chocolate.

He's

day in the train.

first thing,he givesme
a

Well, the

he sets himself

Then

he'd

wishin' all the time

pick up. Then

begins to talk."

"Damned
know

about
and

"

gets with

he

the

until I

limit,he halts
at

rain.

us

outside

the door.

*No

the door

and

starts

talk

Say!

me

for

the

and
cigarette,

to

"

from
that

was

better

duck

angel,shuttin'
he opens
him, and

and

get

was

job,

Nigger Jake in the

stuck on myself that
a

his back.

on,' and

move

By and

by,

up
we

then another, feedin' 'em

his jaw, and when
at
was
we
slingin'

lame

and

chocolate

knocks

bite.

bustin', that's my

out

won

kit-bag on

my

another

picksup
with

how

*Well, sir,we'd

beside me,
leave me

givesme

broncho

the

Calgary Stampede,
I said

eat

know, but the first thing I knew

if I

tellin' him

all in.

was

about?"

"Talk, what

you

he

jaw

of his chocolate.

cake

and

on

go

to

waggon
then he

Couldn't

in the mud

down

his

more

got lots of both.

sick all

I'd been

if

marching,eh?'*

you

"No, it's his chocolate and his jaw, but

than

explained

"Blowed

sir,"he said.

Sky

has

man

no

later on, he

no

Pilot of ours,
fall out."

that

means

reply,but
sergeant major.

the

to

major

the

in this

first march

our

on

That

all in?

'em

the sergeant

side.

corporal," said

done,

fallen out

with

all here, sir," said Corporal Thorn

to the
of triumph in his voice. "All
a distinct note

M.O., with
here, sir,"he repeated,as he observed
"Well

down

and

one

stone

shacks and

soldiers here,'snaps

headed
the red-

rightin his face. Then

steps rightin where she could see
out in the
to her, and us
listening

the door

In fifteen minutes

feed of coffee and

of them

we

was

all standin* up

to

buns, and then he gets Harry Hobbs

BULLPUPS,

SUBMAHINES,

THINGS

OTHER

147

couldn't have
and
if we
derned
singin*,
marched
to Bedin.
Say ! He's a good one, ain't no quitter,
be
he
and
won't let nobody else
a
quitter."
And
thus it came
that with Corporal Thorn
and his
into a new
derelicts the chaplainmarched
place in the
whistlin'

and

of the

esteem

his battalion,and

of

men

its sergeant

of

major.
But

of this,of course, Barry had no knowledge

that he had made
into the
littleprogress
some

knew

of both officers and

made, too,

firm

some

in his battalion.

men

which
friendships

certain extent, the sense

his firstmonths
had made

had

of isolation and

the

He

had

relieved,to
so

appalling.

of failure inasfar

sense

fidence
con-

loneliness that

with the battalion

But there stillremained

He

his

as

duty as chaplainwas concerned.

specific
The
experiencesof the first weeks in England only
served to deepen in him the conviction that his influence
the men
their especial
on
against the evils which were
the wind againstthe incoming tide,beating
snare
was
as
in from
the North
Sea.
He could make
tain
a
ripple,a cerof fussy noise, but the tide of temptation
amount
rolled steadily
onward, unchecked in its flow.
The old temptationsto profanity,drink and lust,that
had haunted

lying

the soldiers' steps at home, were

found to be
in wait for them
here and in aggravated form.

True,

in the

there
but

in his presence
less profanitythan there had

was

it filled him

change was
solelyto an

due

with

of

kind

rage

the

among

been
to

men

the first,
feel that this
at

of the evil of the habit,but

unwillingnessto give offence to one whom

of them

many
some

and

mess

to

no

sense

coming

v/ere

to

regard with respect and

with affection.

even

*T hate that,"he said to the M.O., to whom

he would
his soul. "You'd
think I was
a
occasionallyunburden
kind of

"Oh,

policeman over
I wouldn't

whom

the habit of

ought

to

be

worry

their morals."
about

that," said the M.O.,

profanitywas a
mighty glad that your

very

to

venial sin. *'You

presence

does

act

as

SKY

THE

14^8

kind of moral
that

I confess
you,

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

And
prophylactic.
since I have

conscious

am

IN

limitation

of

very

it does, I
to

come

LAND

be

assure

associated

real, and

at

you.

with

tressing
times, dis-

vocabulary. I may not be more

more
virtuous, but certainlyI am
respectable."
This sentiment, however, brought little comfort
to the
chaplain,
''I am
"and I am
not
not
a
policeman,"he protested,
I notice them shut
going to play policeman to these men.
I comiC
around, but I know quitewell that they
up when
I pass on, and that they feel
themselves loose when
turn
much

of my

comfortable.

more

am

not

and

will not

be their

policeman."
"What

inquiredthe M.O.
tim.e.
Barry pondered this questionfor some
"To
tell the truth," he said, at length,"I confess, I
I wish I did, doc, on my
soul. 'One
don't quiteknow.
better here in their
no
are
thing I do know, the men
morals
than they were
at home."
"Better?
They are worse,
by Jove!" exclaimed the
Look
M.O.
"Look
at the daily crime-sheet!
at that
daily orderlyroom
parade. It's something fierce,and
it's gettingworse."
"The
canteen?"
wet
inquiredBarry, who had lost
in the battalion by reason
of the
prestigewith some
strenuous
fighthe had made againstits introduction since
cared so much
coming to England. Not that the men
but they resented the idea that they were
for their liquor,
denied privileges
enjoyed by other battalions.
"The

then

wet

would

canteen?"

you

be?"

echoed

the

doctor.

"No,

you

opposed,as you did, the introduction of the wet

the same
grounds. I regard
canteen, although not upon
It is the centre
of every
nuisance in camp.
it as a perfect
creases
it materiallyindisorder,it is subversive of discipline;
canteen
sick parade. But it is not the wet
my
for the growing crime-sheet and
that is chiefly
responsible
I don't apologise
orderlyroom
parade. It is those damned
know

"

"

SUBMARINES,
"Please

don't.

Say

"Those

damned

pubs/' continued

every

crossroads

ninety per

in this

that, I
that

week, namely
cent,

of

again!" exclaimed
the

in

want

give

to
out

that

these

at

M.O.

our

vently.
fer-

Barry

the

our

of
and

bit of

formati
in-

conference
for

pubs account
hospitalcases."

at

cause

army,

another

you

149

M.O., "stuck

They're

country.
drunkenness

came

tent

our

the

of

cent,

than

more

it

THINGS

OTHER

BULLPUPS,

this

ninety per

"Ninety per

That's surelyhigh."
cent, doctor?
have said so, but I am
mous
givingyou the unani-

"I would

of

verdict

Cut

conference.

the
out

twenty-six medical
the damned

take my share of it cut out

of the venereal disease goes.
"

of

of

morality but

from

his chair and

beer

officers at
and

"

the
I

know

you

the beer and

With

ninetyper cent,
it is not a question

me

Here
efficiency."
began to pace the

the M.O.
hut.

sprang

"This

is the

thingin

one
come

this army
business that makes me
wild. We
here to fight these boys are willing
to fight

over

"

"

! They go out for a walk, they

by gad they will fight
have a few beers together,their inhibitory
are
powers
their way,
and they wake
paralysed,opportunitycomes

and

God
up a little later diseased.
dear old England, and I would

in heaven!

I love this

die for her

if need

be,

God Almighty damn

but may
her publichouses, and all
the infernal and vicious customs
which
they nourish."
"Thank
at

you,

doctor,go righton," said Barry.

the tent

since,I

justnow.

hospitalthis week
have been wanting to
But

what

did your

for
say

M.O.

"I

the first time.

what

have

you

conference

was

Ever
said

do about

it?"

"What

could

we

do ?

The

Home

Office blocks the way.

Well, I've got that off my stomach, and I feel better,"

added the M.O., with a slightlaugh.
to say this,"said Barry. "I don't
"But, doc, I want
believe that the percentage of men
gori of thing is large. I've been

who

go

in

for this

making inquiriesfrom

SKY

THE

150

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

chaplainsand they all agree

in our
fine and clean body of men
"Right you are! Of course,

that

our

small

very
than in

small

it

as

blazes!

is,it is just that

These

homics, and

peopleare
A

land.
broncho.

our

are

men

their

have

we

it is

our

much

"

only

too

have

finer young
chap
He's in that tent

and
their

people
"

that young
threw
a
leg

never

percentage
But

left their

There's

land.

centage,
per-

Hell

many.

soldiers. They

small

home.

populationat
much

smaller

folks, to fight. Their

the best in

mighty
army."

Canadian

percentage
civilian

LAND

Pentover

hospitalto-night.I know
Three
she has given. Oh, damn
it
his mother.
sons
all,"the doctor's voice broke at this point. "I can't speak
quietly.Their mothers have given them up, to death, if
need

be, but

to

not

here. Pilot !" The

this rotten, damnable

disease. Look
doctor pointeda shakingand accusing

fingerat Barry. "You

thing,but next time you
hell

it. You

over

have

spoken against this

often

loose,give them

break

can't make

merry

hot."

it too

Long Barry sat silent overborne by the fury of the

doctor's passionateindictment.
his wrath
"Cheer up, old chap !" said the doctor,when
had

subsided.

somewhat

the devil

"We'll

can

of mine.

the

can

things go

"Don't
how
the old

man

beat

imploredBarry. "That's
of the job of the chaplain
the ghastlytragedy of this

I do?"

part of my job,surely. Part

Oh, that is
service,I mean.
exist.

and

yet."

"But, doctor,what

work

lick the Kaiser

Somehow

I can't get at it. These

speak againstthem
on
just as before."

you
you
has

and

believe it.Pilot,not
have alreadychecked

pretty much

cut

make

evils

enemies, but

hold
quiteas before. Beprofanity.Even
my

it out

at

mess.

You

don't

Cheer
they would have been but for you.
up! Our wings may not be visible but, on the other
hand, there are no signsof horns and hoofs."
"Doctor, one thing I'll do," cried Barry, with a sudden
know

where

BULLPUPS,

SUBMARINES,

OTHER

THINGS

151

"We've
a
meeting of the chaplains'
inspiration.
corps
I'll give them
to-morrow.
speech."
your
"Expurgated edition,I hope/' said the M.O.

"No,
need

be,

remember, and, if

can

more."

few

damn

I'll put in every

"Lord, I'd like

to be

there,old boy !" said the doctor,

fervently.
At the meeting of
as
good as his word.
Barry was
the chaplains'corps, the time was
mainly taken up in
routine business, dealingwith arrangements for religious
services at the various
At the close of the
rose

the attention

of

which

attention,and
It

that he had

corps

"

demanded
which

the matter

was

the

the

meeting,however,

announced

and

within

camps

they

matter

area.

of the

chaplains
to bring to
portance
highest im-

one

matter

of

the

their immediate
dared

of venereal

not

serious

longer ignore.

any

disease

and

in

our

Canadian

army.

statisticsand illustrative incidents

His

hearts of the

men

present. He

steps be taken that day

to

grippedhard

closed with

deal with

demand

the situation.

the
that
The

people had entrusted them with the care of

"Their
their boys' souls.
souls,"he cried. "I say our
I am
first duty is to their bodies.
not
saying the percentage
is large. It is not as large as in the civilian
But why any?
We
for
must
care
populationat home.
these men's bodies.
They fightwith their bodies."
His last sentence
struck Barry to the heart.
It recalled
his own
er's
to his fathspoken in Edmonton
sermon,
his feet, and
battalion.
on
Immediately he was
without preface or apology,reproduced as far as he was
able the M.O.'s
speech of the previous night, and that
without expurgation.
Canadian

There

but

was

littlediscussion.

There

was

but

resolved
to call a jointmeeting of
opinion. It was
chaplainsand medical officers to decide upon a course

one

the
of

action.
As

Barry

was

leavingthe meeting,the

senior

chaplain.

SKY

THE

152

NO

Anglicanclergyman,with

old

an

IN

PILOT

MAN'S

LAND

face
saintly

and

smile

that set one's tenderest emotions

to him, and
astir,came
his shoulder, said:
puttinghis hand affectionately
upon
"And
It

how
to

was

is your

Barry

*Toor
"I know
When
that

he

he

fellow?"

dear

going,my

if his father's hand

as

were

upon

his

pouringout the
sad failure as a chaplain.
story of his own
boy ! Poor boy !" the old gentleman kept saying.
how you feel. Just so, justso !"
den
his heart of the burBarry had finished relieving
had so long lain upon
it,the old gentleman took
before

shoulder,and
miserable

work

aware

was

was

by the hand and said :

"My dear fellow,remember
they are far from home.
These
boys need their mothers.
They sorelyneed their
And
mothers ! And, my boy, they need God.
they need
Good-bye !"
you.
with a warm
Barry came
feelingin his heart,
away
No
and resolve.
and in it a new
longer would
purpose
He would
he be a policeman to his men.
try to forget
ed
their faults,and to remember
only how sorelythey needand
their God, and that they needed
their mothers
him

him,
He

too.

found
The

news.

the camp

day

there

for

orders

under

was

moment

so

with great news,

thrilling
long awaited had come.

was

an

officers'

meeting

The

talion
bat-

that

At

France.

glorious

in

very

orderly

the

room.

As

Barry

the room,

entered

the O.C.

speech.
Barry was immediatelyconscious
in the colonel's words.
He
spirit,
of responsibility,
and what
sense
with
else arrested Barry'sattention,
toward
"In
a

with

my

spoke
more
a

tone,

new

new

with

a
a

new

new

than

anything

sense

of brotherhood

his officers.

closingwhat

confession.

of

closinghis

was

I have

am

officers. I

not
am

to say,

gentlemen,let me

make

the battalion,nor
satisfied with myself. I remember

satisfied with
not

being indignant at

the report sent

in

by

the in-

CHAPTER

X,

FRANCE

France!"

sunny
FRANCE,bitterness

after

another

"Cheer

this

the

rain

for

you,"

the
is

will

sun

'sunny
Barry,

this

beastly,
shine
again,

but

the

for

in

France.'

There's

"and

myself

as

mal

mer

for

combination

of

to

worse

is

de

trated
concen-

fraud

cursed

"One

"There's

rain

This

said

you

makes

Barry.

and

pass,

assure

said

better.

perhaps
will

war."

carried

tone

disgust.

and

in this

up!"

The

come

"

clouds

spite of
little homily
well, for I
and

sleet

feel rotten."

one

grumbled Duff, gazing gloomily

drizzling rain at the rugged outline of
the Boulogne
docks.
that marked
his hand
toward
at this," cried Duff, sweeping

"Everything
through the
wharves
"Look
the

is rotten,"

"You

deck.

think

would

this

stuff

threshing. machine
and this
kits, quartermaster's stores
the

blower

of

"

"

"Lieutenant
O.C.'s

"Yes,
"Mr.

shot

of

out

soldier's
is

baggage,
military organisation.

Lord!"

Good

the

was

Duff!

Is Lieutenant

Duff

here?"

It

was

voice.

and
sir," said Duff, going forward
saluting.
Duff, I wish you to take charge of the Transport

quite useless
will find Sergeant Mackay
You
a
helpless,I mean.
man.
Sorry I couldn't give you longer notice.
for the job."
think, however, you are the man
"I'll do my
best, sir," said Duff, saluting, as the
for

C.

the

turned
"What
are

present.

Lieutenant

Bonner

is

"

liable
re-

O.

away.
did
in

I tell you,
for it,and

Duff?"
you

have
154

said
my

"You
Barry.
sympathy."

tainly
cer-

i^^RANCE

"Sympathy! Don't
"This is justthe kind
of

gang

You

navvies

watch
see

you

battalion

Crow's

But,

this go
confidence,he

before

I'm

me/' said Duff.

thing I Hke.

I'llmake

ladded in a low voice:

something in this

about

worry

took

war

Pass

for

run

nothing.

one

bust

or

"And

Nest

I haven't

word, Pilot! When

full steam
ahead, give me

bearing down,

burst of

in the
smoke.

my

me

room!

you
of

155

something." Then in
Barry by the arm, and

if I live,Pilot,I'llbe running
biggerthan the Transport of

done."

Barry let his eyes run over

rugged, passionateface, lit up

the

the
powerful figure,
with gleaming eyes,

now

said:

and

"I

believe you.

Duff.

Meantime, I'll watch

your

smoke."
"Do!"

repliedDuff with superb self-confidence.

worth
while during the next hour to watch

it was

order

evolve
his
he

and

men

did

more

of his

out

of

chaos.

First

all he

of

And
Duff

put into

into his sergeant the fear of death.

than that.
He
breathed
into them

But
thing
some-

He
spiritof invincible determination.
had them springingat his snappy orders with an eagerness
that was
in itself the largerhalf of obedience, and
as
they obeyed they became conscious that they were
own

working under the direction of a brain

plan of action,and that held its
its grasp.
Not only did Duff

himself

show

that had
details

master

of

fected
per-

firmlyin
tion
organisa-

and

he himself
control, but in a critical moment
leaped into the breach, and did the thing that balked his

Did

men.

heavy transport

jamb at
spring,Duff

wagon

the

way,
gang-

the traffic,
with a
at the
was
A heave of his mighty shoulders,and the wagon
wheel.
Did
went
a
horse, stupid
roaring down the gangway.
with terror, from
its unusual
surroundings,balk. Duff

holdingup

had

awful
out

"twitch"

on

thing had

its upper

lip,and

gripped it, the

of its tracks,and

was

on

before

horse

its way

to

was

it knew

what

lifted clear

the dock.

SKY

THE

156

Before

energeticofficer
standing beside the

''An
hat

''A

MAN'S

repliedthe colonel.
"Quite remarkable!

LAND

ship,Duff

the

at

circle of

there," said the brass

have

you

had

circus.

colonel.

is his firsttime

This

man.

new

NO

him, gazingas if

about

admirers

cleared

had

he

IN

PILOT

the

on

remarkable!"

Quite

transport,**

exclaimed

the

been
have
done in
unloading must
record
time, and in spiteof quiteunusual conditions."
boat being clear and
the loads made
The
up, Duff
approached the Commanding Officer.
"Shall we
off?
"All ready,sir,"he announced.
move

brass

''That

hat.

like to

I should

roads

asked

route?"

the

know

you

The

start.

will be

almost

afraid."

I'm
impassable,
"Do

get

the

Commanding

Officer.

"Yes, sir,I have it here."

"All right,
go ahead, Duff.
work

have

you

"Thank

mighty good pieceof

there."

done

sir," said Duff, salutingand

you,

turning

away.

off,there," he shouted

"Move
The

driver

fell

and
Other

could
hold

"Get

are

you

he

yelled.

When

he

the

grooms

the team

had

on

standing at

horses' backs; that will

the

of?"

afraid

"Take

hold

cried to

he

of that
a

groom

strugglinganimal.

then, all together!"

"Now

to

any

move.

gingerlyapproaching the

was

before

their heads

at

was

here, men,"

What

horse.
who

heavily. Duff

man

but

started the team

the

leadingteam.
they slipped,
plunged

tO'

their feet
their

again, he
heads, "Jump up

help the

them

to

hold

said
on

their

footing."
There
grooms.
"Come
nearest

some

was

on!"

him,
groom

he

he

slighthesitation
roared,

flunghimself

mounted

the

and
upon

on

the part of the

horse

stridingto the
its back.

other, and

once

more

start

157

FRANCE

but

made,

was

than

more

gone
fell

the

its

on

not

few

groom's horse
heavily,and rolled
beneath
man
side, pinning the unfortunate

steps, when
over

had

they

him.
There

and

off his horse

of you

the head

at

One

men.

instant Duff

an

of the

of you

*'Now

that

pull out

was

fallen animal.

he shouted.

officer here!"

**Medical

In

shriek of agony.

was

then,

two

while

we

man

lift."
horse's head

The
the

injuredman

"Take

him

lifted clear,and

were

of

pulledout

was

danger.

doctor," said Duff,

please,
examining the groom.

of the way,

out

O., who

to the M.

shoulders

and

was

"Sergeant!"
His

sergeant literally
sprang

"Get

me

"Bags,

I don't know

sir?

"Bags," repeated Duff

The

savagely. "Canvas, anything

sergeant without

further

words

plunged

immediately with

darkness, returning almost

dozen

^"

where

these horses' feet."

around

to wrap

said.

bags," he

dozen

his side.

to

intO' the
half

bags.
sergeant ; that's the way

"Thanks,

to

Now

move.

get

more!"

some

Under

feet of

Duff's

directions

horses, thus

the

the

bags were
enabling them

tied about
to

hold

the
their

footing,and the transport moved off in the darkness.

Returning from the disposingof the injured man, the
M. O. found
Barry shiveringwith the cold, and weak
from

his recent

will be

"There

morning,
O.

"If

take

them

men

at

won't

and

they

end

no

you'llbe
don't

seasickness.
of
of

them

fit to go

sick

parade to-morrow
them," grumbled the M.
of here soon
out
they'll
There

in ambulances.

away

of

one

move

this moment
hear

of

attack

to

are

hundred

but
hospital,

the O.C.

The

kitchens

it."

"Doc, they ought

to

have

somethinghot.

SKY

THE

158

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

Let me
have a coupleof
left behind, I understand.
what I can do."
and let me
see
your men,
I've tried all the hotels about
here.
"It's no
use,
are

They're

full

"No

harm

But

he

After

M.

C. A.

with

full up, as the doctor had

much
inquiry,he found his way to the
A cheerful but sleepysecretary,half dead

fatigueof

the

heavy day ministeringto soldiers

line,"could offer him no help at all.
is no
to say that there
place in this

the

"going

up

"Do

you

mean

"where
town," said Barry desperately,

get

man!"

mile

with

Half

Barry

the

can

C. ?

out.

you."

up

upon

the entrance
wide

certainly!
hospitalhalf

"You

go

back

to

bed.

place."

mile

came

secretary. "Why,

don't," said Barry.

you

I'll find the

stood

man

They've a
They will certainly
help you

the street.

up

"No,

cried

try the R. A. M.

not

I'll come

at

sick

dish of coffee?"

"Sick

Why

off he went.

hotels

the

found

said.
Y.

up."
trying,doc," said Barry, and

to

the secretary had said,

the flaringlantern of the R. A. M. C."
the

street, as

huge warehouse,

the gate of which

open.

Entering the courtyard,Barry found a group of men

about a blazingfire.
ing
"May I see the officer in charge?" he asked, approachthe
The

group.

glanced at

men

"Yes, sir,"said

his rank

badges.
sergeant, clickinghis heels smartly.

anything for you, sir?"

"Thank
you," said Barry, and told him his wants.
said the sergeant, "and
"We
have plenty of biscuits,"

"Can

I do

coffee,too.
I

don't

see

would

you
"Thank

into another
But

the

are

welcome

how

we

can

like to

see

You

you,"

said

to

do

any
the officer in

Barry,

and

all you
more

can

for

carry,
you.

but
But

charge,sir?"
together they passed

room.

officer

was

engaged

elsewhere.

While

they

159

FRANCE

the
discussing

were

matter,

opened,and a young
V. A. D. (Voluntary

door

girldressed in the uniform of a

Aid Detachment) appeared.
in
is it, sergeant?"she inquired,
"What

soft but

tired voice.

rather
The

sergeant
Then

interest.

explained,while she listened with mild

Barry took up the tale,and proceeded to

the wretched condition of his comrades, out

dilate upon
the V. A. D.
But his story moved
in the icy rain.
of the real misery
much
had seen
too
not
at all. She
and

horrors

and

indeed

"You

of

Barry began

war.

littleashamed

apologetictone, "and
yet."
"You

dawning

As

in her e3^es.

that

noticed

cried the

Canadians?"

are

over,"

she

girl,a

in

about

an

war

interest

new

into the

came

and

brown,

they were

said

he

much

don't know

we

discouraged,

himself.

of

just come

have

we

see,

feel

to

that

light,Barry
they were
very

lustrous.

Canadians," she exclaimed.

"I love the

officer at Ypres;
artillery

liaison

was

time

of the gas, you

Her

voice

Unconsciously Barry
band

her

on

"He

brother

them,

the

at

immensely."

sad.

soft and

was

with

liked them

He

know.

"My

let his

eyes

fall to

the black

arm.

he

Canadians, too, when

the

with

was

killed at Armentieres, three months

ago."
"Killed!" exclaimed
Barry. "Oh, I am

so

was

for

sorry

you."
"I had
tone.

two

"One

Mons, you

brothers,"she went
on, in her gentleeven
killed at Landrecies, on the retreat from
was

know."

"No," said Barry, "I'm

about

I don't know

afraid

it.

Tellm.e!"
"It

was

fight!" A

great

ring

into her cheek.

couldn't.

My

said
fight,"

came

into

"They

the

voice

her

tried to

oldest brother

girl. "Oh,

was

rush

splendid

littlecolour

and

our

men,

there in

but

they

charge of

THE

160

machine

was

*'And

your

"Oh,

we

very
said I was

we

"Wonderful

I think

Canadians!

in

I should
but

young,

see,

for

He's

is matron

are

eyes opened a littlewider.

? Why, what else could we

brown

The

and

too

the

come

of

course

all in it."

"You

British

!"

wonderful

are

in her

government

amazing," said Barry.

perfectly

"It is
women

the

mother

you

said

He

tears

in munitions.

far too

So

that's quite nonsense.

it.

pride.
inquiredBarry.

unwillingthat

was

She

here.

over

of

sign

to

was

service, and

hospital.She

about

us

no

house

see, father

active

for

did wonderful

voice,only tenderness

our

up

hospital.You

old

was

LANP

guns

is alone now?"

mother
gave

MAN'S

tell

to

There

in her

tremor

nor

NO

machine

The
came

fine."

very

eyes,

colonel

The

work.
it

section.

gun

IN

PILOT

SKY

do ?

they'rewonderful, coming

But

the

all this

to fight."
way
"I can't see that," said

Barry. "That's what that old

that it's
naval boy at Devonport said, but I can't see
anythingwonderful that we should fightfor our Empire."
A
naval officer!" The
girl lost her
"Devonport!
calm.
"I

excited.

became

She

his

have

card

"What

was

his name?"

here," said Barry, taking

out

his

pocket book and handing her the card.

splendid!"
"My uncle!" she cried. "Why, how perfectly
"Why, we're really
offeringBarry her hand.
Then
that Uncle
ard
Howintroduced.
you're the man
her cheek.
She stopped abruptly,a flush on
"

Then

turned

she

will do,"
and

cans

As
came

as

the

as

many

to
man

Barry's eyes
to

"Will

the N.

"Yes, sergeant, that

C. O.

brought half a dozen large biscuit

large bottles of prepared coffee.
fell upon

the

biscuit

cans

an

idea

him.
these

cans

hold

water?"

he

inquired.

sir,"repliedthe

"Yes,
sergeant.
"Thi\"
"Then, we're fixed,"cried Barry,in highdelight.
is

perfectlyfine."
"What

do you

mean?"

asked

the

girl.

of

conscious

He

was

the

tucking in.

''Well, are
businesslike

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

162

almost

an

What

NO

would

MAN'S

LAND

irresistible desire to do

happen if

ready?" inquiredthe girlin

you

quick,

tone.

said Barry, recalled to the business

Oh, yes,'*

"What?
of the moment.

During
to

the

her wheel,

drive

the

indeed

as

her

girlgave
was

whole

attention

for the road was

necessary,
she
drove
without
lights

dangerously slippery,and
through the black night.Barry kept up an endless stream
she took
her
of talk, set going by her command,
as
I can
''Now tell me
about Canada.
placeat the wheel.
listen,but I can't talk."

the full tide of his most

eloquent passages, Barry
found himself growing incoherent at times, for his mind
In

in

was

state

of oscillation between

the wonderful

and

of the brown
qualities
eyes that he remembered
dening
flashingupon him in the lightof the fire,and that madthe girl's
littlecurl over
ear.
In an
unbelievablyshort time, so it seemed to him,
of a marching column.
they came
upon the rear
"These are your men, I fancy,"she said,"and this will

lustrous

be your
camp
been here."
She

swung

the

car

off the road

with

tents, and brought the

old ruined factory.
out

it well.

the left;I know

on

into

an

to

car

open

I've often

field,set

stop beside

an

believe,will be the best place for your purpose,"

her seat, and ran
to
from
she said, and sprang
before her.
"Here
the ruin, flashing
her torchlight
you
are," she said. "This will be justthe thing."
"This,

Barry followed her a few steps down into the long,

stone-flaggedcellar.
astically.
"Splendid! This is the very thing,"he cried enthusi"You
are
reallythe most wonderful person."
"Now
what

"But
here," she ordered.
for wood ? There is always water," she
tanlcs further on.
Come, I'll show you."

get your

will you do
added, "in some

stuff in

FRANCE

followed

Barry
**Now

in

her

growing amazement
prompt efficiency.

her

at

16a

then, there

wood, I don't know

are

your

tanks," she said.

you

laugh;

gay

Together they returned

Before
and

she mounted
him

offered

to

we

the

and
were

you

den
gar-

Canadians,

car.

her seat

hand

her

ripping that

to

"I know

ration
admi-

*'As for

will do, but there is

"
palinga little further on, and, of course
"Don't
about that,*'said Barry.
worry

"I won't," with

you see."

what

and

she turned

said:

"I

think

introduced

to

Barry,

it is perfectly

in

this way.
yet,"she added shyly.

Though I don't know your name

"Awfully stupid of me," said Barry, and he gave her
his name,
adding that of the regiment,and his rank.
"Good-bye, then," she said,climbinginto her car, and
her engine.
starting
"But," said Barry,"I must see you safelyback."
She laughed a scornful but, as Barry thought,a most
delicious littlelaugh.
"Nonsense
! We
don't do that sort of thinghere, you
We're

know.
A

on

our

own."

littlesilence fell between

"When

does

abruptly.
"Perhaps

your

to-morrow.

them.

battalion
I don't

march?"

she

asked,

know."

"If you do go then," she said, with

I won't see
touch of shyness,"I suppose

again that little

you again."
"See you again,"exclaimed
Barry,his tone indicating
of such a calamitywas
that the possibility
unthinkable,
I shall see
see
"why, of course
you
you again. I must
again I I I just must see you again."
"Good
night,then," she said in a soft, hurried voice,
throwing in her clutch.
in the dark to the hum
of her
Barry stood listening
faint every moment.
engine,growing more
"Some
girl,eh?" said a voice. At his side he saw
Harry Hobbs.
Barry turned sharplyupon him.
"

"

"

SKY

THE

164

''Now

PILOT

then, Hobbs,

NO

IN

MAN'S
and

will get a fire

going and look lively! And, Hobbs, I believe there's a
fence about fifty
yards down there, which you might find
Now
useful.
m.ove.
Quick!'* Unconsciously he tried
to

wood

LAND

some

we

reproduce,in utteringthe
effect

The

manner.

Hobbs

without

last word, Duff's tone

evident immediately.

was

further

and

words

ness.
departed in the darkof the
Again Barry stood listeningto the hum
engine,until he could no longerhear it in the noise and
confusion
of the camp, but in his heart Harry's words
made

music.

girl,eh?"

''Some
As

he stood

in his heart, a
oaths.

It

there in the darkness, hearingthat music

voice broke in, swearing hard and deep
the M.

was

O.

here," cried Barry.

boy; come
The M. O. approached. He was
in a state of rage that
rendered coherent speech impossible.
"Oh, quitit,doc. Let me show you something.''
He led him into the ruin,where his spoilswere
cached.
Listen!
on!
"Biscuits,my boy, and coffee. Hold
Fm
going to get a fire going here and in twenty minutes
there'll be six cans
of fragrantdelicious coffee,boiling
"Hello, doc,

my

hot."

"Why, how
"Doc, don't
sick men,
how many

and

"Why,

how

"Go

on;

thetalk !

"

Listen to

bringthem
can

quietly

supply,but
thf^ devil

I haven't

me

over

at

You
here.

round

up your
I don't know

least,I think,a hundred."

?"

time to talk to you.

Get

busy!"

the men
the tins,
cut
Working by flashlight,
open
of
dumped the biscuits on a blanket spread in a corner
for a fire.
the cellar,while Barry made
preparations
"Here, Hobbs, you punch two holes in these cans, just
inch from
the top."
an
Soon the fire was
blazingcheerily.In its lightBarry
was
searchingthrough the ruin.

FRANCE

165

**the very

"By Jove," he shouted,

thing. Just made

for us."

He
and

pulledout
with

ran

long
a

String them

cans.

In twenty minutes
is it?" he
"How

tin full to
The

tasted

heap of

rubbish

Now

then, for

this rod."

on

ready.

was

inquired anxiously,handing

mess

men.

it.

made,"

mother

"Like

hole in this wall.

the coffee

of his

one

boy

from

it to the fire.

"Here, boys,punch
the

steel rod

he

said, with

appeared at

the cellar door.

grin. "Gee,

but it's good."

the doctor

At that moment
"I say, old

chap,"he said,"there

fifteen minutes.

That

will be

riot here in

coffee smells the whole

camp."
chaps first. By Jove,

"Bring 'em along,doc. The sick

here's the sergeant major himself."
all this?" inquiredthe sergeant major in his
"What's
"Who's
voice.
responsiblefor this fire?"
gruffest
"Coffee, sergeant major?" answered
Barry, handing
him

tin full.

what

"But

?"

"Drink

it first,
sergeant
sergeant major took

The

major."
the

tin and

mess

tasted the

coffee.

"Well, this is fine,"he declared,"and it'swhat the boys

But this fire is againstorders, sir. I ought to
want.
have

it

"You
"And

put out."
will have

it put out
major," cried the M. O.

mine," added

over

my

dead

body,

geant
ser-

Barry.

"By gad, we'll chance the zeps, sir,"said the sergeant

than a
men
major. "This freezin' rain will kill more
bomb.
Bring in your men, sir,"he added to the M. O.
"But
The

I must

see

the O.

C."

strugglinghard with
rugged exterior,beat warm

was

militarydiscipline
humanity, which, under his

sergeant major's devotion

his

to

in his heart.

SKY

THE

166

''Why
"But

bother

I must

had

He

PILOT

with

IN

the O.

vv^ent

LAND

C. ?" said the M.

him," insisted

see

the

D.

sergeant major.

far to go to attain his purpose.

the devil is this?" exclaimed
What

voice at the door.

"By gad, it's the old

Barry.

In

MAN'S

not

"Hello!

O. to

NO

"Now

the O.

came

forward

look out

C,

with

himself," muttered

man

loud

the M.

for ructions."

followed

by

brass

hat.

Barry

steaming tin of coffee.

china hasn't
arrived yet, sir," he said
"Sorry our
cheerfully,"but the coffee isn't bad, the boys say."
to
"Why, it's you, Dunbar," said the colonel,peeringinhis face, and shaking the rain drops from
his coat.
"I might have guessed that you'd be in it. Where
there's
any
at

trouble," he continued, turning to the brass hat

his side,"you may
be quite sure
that the Pilot or the
O.

M.

here

will be in it.

By Jove, this

the

right spot. Have a cup, major?"

brought a second tin.
"It's against regulations,
you know,"

takingthe

coffee goes to
he said as Barry
said the

major,

tin

gingerly."Fires are quite forbidden.

Air raids,and that sort of thing,don't you know."
"Oh, hang it all,major," cried the O. C. "The coffee
mess

is fine,and my men
of yours, anyway,

will be
is

no

lot better for it.

place

for

for men
off the
especially
straight
devilish glad to get this coffee.

human

boat.
Give

As
me

This

camp

beings,and
for me,

I'm

another

tin,

Pilot."
murmured
the major, stilldrinking
quiteirregular,"
! But I see the door
"It's quiteirregular
his coffee.
fairlywell guarded againstlight,and perhaps
"If
"I think we'll just carry on," said the colonel.

"It's
is

"

for it.
responsibility
Just keep guard on the lighthere,

there is any

trouble, I'll assume

Thank

Pilot.

you,

the

sergeant major."
"All

right,sir. Very good, sir,we

will

hang

up

blanket."
Meanwhile

the

news

had

spreadthroughoutthe

camp,

FRANCE

before

and

jammed
door

with

and

out

noisy and

minutes

many

crowd

into the

there

pilotclimbed
speech.

of

was
on

up

167
had

men

passed the cellar was

that reached
through the

night. The

danger
heap of

of

crowd

was

confusion.

rubbish

and

becoming
Then

made

the
little

"Men/' he called out, "this cofifee is intended first of

all for the sick

first be cared

must

the coffee

as

outside,and

in this battalion.

men

far

for.

that

we

sick

men

shall distribute

it will go.
There is plentyof water
I think I have plentyof coffee.
Sergeant
as

major, I suggest that

sort

After

Those

you

round

up

these

men

in

some

of order.'*

few

from
the sergeant
sharp words of command
major brought order out of confusion, and for two hours
there filed through the cellar a continuous
of
stream
each
bringing an empty mess
tin, and carrying
men,
it away
full of hot and fragrantcoffee.
had been supplied the officers
By the time the men
finished with their duties,and having got word
were
of
the Pilot's coffee stall,came
crowding in. One and all
vociferous in their praiseof the chaplain,votthey were
ing
him a "good fellow" and a "life-saver" of the highest
order.
But it was
felt by all that Corporal Thom
pressed
exthe general consensus
of opinion to his friend

"That

Timms.
to

the

narrow

us
telling

for him.

And

about

Pilot of ours," he declared,"runs

gauge,

last

but in that last round

Sunday

there won't

up he
be the goat

little
was

run

It's him

for the baa baas, sure

enough."
in the vernacular the corporal's
words

did
though
sound
not
quite reverent, it was
pressed
agreed that they exin an
the general
manner
entirelysatisfactory
opinion of the battalion.
An hour later,wearied as he was, Barry crawled into
his icy blankets,but with a warmer
feelingin his heart
than he had known
since he joined the battalion.
But
before he had gone
to sleep,there came
into his mind
awake.
a thought that brought him
He
had
up wide

quite

is

their

up

to

first

insisted

France.

LAND

chaplain.

as

his

really

"What

chaplain's

hearten

What

This

men.

your

march

they
chance!

conscience,

To-morrow

death.

and

danger

And

you

it.''

missed

Barry

boys

in

night

MAN'S

duty

his

would

that

word

about

there,"

had

you

"for

but

all

NO

IN

PILOT

forgotten

chance

of

SKY

THE

168

he

as

too

was

are

failure,

fell

asleep

feeling
that

he
lot

thought

said

the

discuss

to

weary

to

better,"

brought

himself,
and

him

further,

matter

"At

in

spite

no

small

any
of

the

rate,
his

comfort.

sense

170

SKY

THE

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

all right. Glad

*'0h, that's perfectly

enough to do
Barry hesitated.

the

5ense

the sergeant had

rightthing."

sergeant?"
but
sergeant? Why, certainly,
I

"May
"The

see

"

the

"

it's not

sary
neces-

all."

at

The
A.

ah

LAND

sergeant
C. officer

M.

called and

was

thanked.

duly

R.

The

obviously anxious to be rid of his

visitor and to get off to his duty.
Still Barry lingered.
"There
also a young
was
lady, sir, last night,"he
said at length.
"A

them

ran

and

lady?"

young

"Sister

the sergeant.
Vincent, sir,"interjected

Ran

"Yes, she

you

"A.h!

Um!

"

ambulances

The

eh ?"

the camp,

with the biscuits and

up

coffee.

It

of her."

Very

"

"She

orders."

to

up
us

ran

awfullykind

was

in her car, sir.

up to the camp
all under
were

cars

"Ah

was

good! Very good!

C. abruptly.

call her," said the O.

"I'm afraid she'd be

sir.

asleepnow,

Sergeant,

She

was

on

night duty, sir."

"Oh, then," said Barry, "pleasedon't disturb
wouldn't
to

think

of it.

the thanks

convey

"Surely,surely!
Good
He

turned

said to

If you
will be kind enough, sir,
and of myself to her."
of the men

Well,

reallymust

be

bye!
going.Good-

luck!"
to

his motor

Barry.

"Oh,

"I won't

car.

I'll be

to

sure

forget,sir,"he

tell her," he

added

smile.
significant
As Barry was
mounting his horse, the strains of
battalion band were
heard floating
the street.
down

with

drew

her.

up his horse

beside

the entrance

and

waited.

the
He

Down

winding hill they came, tall,lean, hard-lookingmen,

of the
stridingwith the free, easy swing of the men

the

foothills.

comrades.

Barry

felt his heart

fill with

pride in

his

THE

NEW

MESSAGE

171

"By Jove," he said to himself, "the boys are all right."

"Fine body of men,
sir,"said the sergeant, who with
his comrades
had gathered about the gateway.
"Not too bad, eh, sergeant?"said Barry, with modest

pride.
"Sir," said

the

in

sergeant

lady is up at the v^^indow to your

"Sergeant,you're a brick!
He

in his

turned

filledwith

column,
Her

smilingnurses

and

face

was

the

upon

saddle, and

turned

voice, "the young

left."
Thank

saw

you," said Barry.

above

lookingdown

them

among

low

him
at

his friend of the

from

away

him,

and

window

the

marching
night before.

her

were

eyes

column, eagerly searchingthe ranks

of

the

marching men.
"Sergeant,"said Barry, "your Commanding Officer
is a very busy man,
has a great many
and
things to
his attention.
Don't you think it is quitepossible
occupy
of mine might escape his memory,
that that message
and
be reallymore
if I
don't you think it would
satisfactory
in person?"
could deliver that message
sergeant tilted his hat

The

over

eye, and

one

scratched

his head.

"Well, sir,the Commanding Officer does 'ave

of things to think about, and though he doesn't
forget,he might. Besides, I reallythink the young
like to know

would

"Sergeant, you
wait

here

He
and

of

man

until the battalion

his horse

moved

him

swung
The

movement

few

around

in the window.

D.

so

He

of the column

head
him

only time

to turn

The

his back

Commanding

lady

passes."
steps out

the gateway,
dow.
facing the win-

from

that he stood

caught the attention of the V. A.

She glanced down, saw
him, and,

in eager
her hand
out, waved
smile of warm
friendliness.

had

often

I'll just

discernment.

leaning far
with

lot

the coffee went."

justhow
are

to

drew
to

his hand

wave

in

greetingand

reply,when

the

oppositethe gateway, forcing

the window
Officer

and

stand at salute.

acknowledged

the

salute,

THE

172

full of

smile

the band

After

meaning,

had

LAND

MAN'S

his hand

at

nurses

with

NO

IN

the window, waved

there gathered, then

glanced up
of

PILOT

SKY

glanced back
rode

and

it ceased

and the men, catchingsightof Barry and the

above him, broke softlyinto
group at the window

suggestivem.usic
the soldiers

Who's

Hello!

rather

popular with

you, with
! Oh ! Oh ! Oh

saw

lady friend;

your

the littleblossom

Who's
Oh

that time

ditty,at

playing,
smiling

"Hello!

hall

Barr}^,

at

on.

the entrance,

passed

the group

to

by

side;

your

girlor two.

! I'm

surprisedat you."

length of the column the refrain passed,

graduallygaining in strength and volume, until by the
time the rear
were
came
oppositethe entrance, the men
throats:
shoutingwith wide open
the

Down

"Oh
with

! Oh

! Oh

! Fm

! Oh

surprisedat you,"

growing emphasis and meaning

upon

every

cessive
suc-

"Oh!"

was

be humiliated

would

and his heart hot with

aflame

Barry's face was

indignation. She

that

of

girl. She
before her associates. He glanced
not

kind

furious

but she was

The
battalion
at the window
gone.
up
marched
but Barry stillremained, his eyes following
on
his
the swinging column, his face still flaming,and

indignation.
morning. Captain Dunbar!"

heart hot with

"Good
He

swung

off his

friendliness

warm

"I'm

see

was

you.

the coffee went

smilingat

him

with

the little V. A. D.
"I

of his comrades.
I

just ran in
last night.

marching along there

your

there

awfully sorry," began Barry, thinking of

impudent song
to

horse, and

kindness, and

that

I'm

glad
splendidly

tell you
how
There
are
a hundred
to

fine and

are

I'm here

mean

to

give you

the

very

fellows

fit justbecause
their thanks."

of

NEW

THE

felt that he

MESSAGE

173

His
cuttinga rather poor figure.
and stumblingly. The suggestive
words
came
haltingly
still in his mind.
music hall dittywas
"What
a splendidband
you have," she said,"and how
the men
sing."
splendidly
"Sing!" cried Barry indignantly."Oh, yes, they
don't they?" he added, greatlyredo sing rather v/ell,
lieved.
"I have
only a minute," he added hurriedly,
if I may
"but I wanted
to see
you again, and I wonder
and then, just to
well,hang
crop you a littlenote nov\^
I
don't want
it all justto keep in touch with you.
you
to quiteforgetme."
"Oh, I won't forget you," she said. The brown
eyes
"You
uncle
looked straight
at him.
see, after all,my

Barry

was

"

"

knows
see,

You
Indeed, he told me about you.
reallyare friends,in a way, aren't we?"
Goodare
indeed, and you are awfully good. bye!'^

you
we

"We

so

well.

"Goodbye," she said, "and if I leave here soon, I

promise to let you know."
And
Barry rode away, his heart in such a turmoil as
In his ears
he had never
known.
lingeredthe music of
that soft voice, and his eyes saw
a bewildering
complexity
until he drew
of dancing ringlets
and lustrous glances,
of the column
and
found himself riding
up at the rear
once

beside his friend,the M. O.

old man," said the doctor.
"Congratulations,
more

blossom, all right. Cheer

over

your

white

face

smoothing your brow,

"Oh, shut

up,

some

in the

up ; you

may

"She's

ing
find her bend-

day, holdingyour hand,

approved V. A.

or

D. manner."

doc," said Barry with quiteunusual

curt-

"She's not that kind of a girl."

knows !"
"Ah, who knovv^s !" said the doctor. "Who
ing
At the railwaystation,
the battalion was
halted, await-

ness.

the

making up of their train,the departureof which

train from up the
was
delayed by the incominghospital
line. They had not long to wait.
"Here she is, boys!" called out a soldier. And
into

SKY

THE

174

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

LAND

hospitaltrain, with its

mutilated,maimed, broken. Its
freightof wounded
men,
with faces,white as their swathcrowded
vfindows were
looked
forth
from
which
ings,worn,
spent, deep-lined,
but undaunted
and indomitable.
staring,
eyes, indifferent,
befitted its noble
as
movement,
Gradually,with stately
to rest immediatelyoppositethe
burden, the train came
the

slowly rolled

station

With

battalion.

grave,

that

fascinated, horror-stricken

faces

rigidand voiceless gazing

their eyes were
at that deeply moving spectacle.Before
of a gallant
remnants
being paraded the tragic,pathetic
regiment,which but a few weeks before had stood where
with courage. At
stood, vital with life,tingling
they now
that Holy
ascended
their country's bidding they had
the

men

of the battalion stood

the altar of the world's

of Sacrifice,
to offer upon
their bodies as a livingsacrifice unto God, holy
freedom
and acceptable.Now, their offeringbeing made, they
Mount

bruised, shattered but

being borne back helpless,
unconquered and eternallyglorious.
gazed at each other across
Silentlythe two com.panies
the window
Then
from
of the
the interveningspace.
train a soldier thrust a bandaged head and bandaged
were

arm.

he cried,waving the arm.

*'Helio there, Canada!"
hidden
if he had touched
a
as
spring,from

battalion's thousand

there

throats

broke

roar

stantly
Inthe

of cheers

rock the rafters of the station building.

Again, again,and yet again! As if they could never

that seemed

to

swelling emotions, they

roared forth their cheers, waving caps and rifles high in
and
the air,while "down their cheeks poured, unheeded
exhaust

unhindered,

"Canada!
Canadians

their

rain of tears.
Canada!"
Canada!
Alberta

Feebly came
the bandaged
Then

of

burden

the

the
hands

Alberta

the

"Oh,

and

you

!"

answering cheers, awkwardly

waved

arms.

the battalion broke

kitbagsto

they cried.

ranks

ground, they

and

rushed

rifles and
flinging
the tracks,
across

THE

bring their

to

eager

NEW

brothers

from

*'Malcolm

their

MESSAGE

tribute of
own

175

pride and

country, far

! Hello, Malcolm

!" cried

love to their
the

across

voice

from

sea.
a

dow
win-

of the train,as the noise had somewhat

subsided.
"Hey, Malcolm, here you are!" cried a wounded
man,

raisinghim.self
Malcolm

Innes

turned, scanned

the tracks

across

It

his cot to the window.

from

the window

to

his brother, Ewen.

"Is it yourself,Ewen, and

the

the train,then rushed

and clung fast to it.

was

boy, all unconscious

are

you

hurted bad?"

cried

of his

breakingvoice and falling

little time in
They clung together for some

tears.

silence.
"Are

much

you

hurted, Ewen?

Tell

me

the

God's

truth," again said Malcolm.

"Not much," said Ewen.
"True
as
death, I'm tellin'
is broke, that's all. We
had a bad time
My arm
you.
of it,but, man,
we
Oh, it was
gave them hell,you bet.
great !"
Then
seemed

again the silence fell

to be nothing to say.

"Here, stand
know, men!"
An
back

back

there!

N. C. O. of the R. A. M.
from

You

them.

There

get back, you

must

C. tried to

push

Malcolm

the window.

"Here, you
brother

between

go

to

hell,"cried Malcolm

*^It's
fiercelj".

I've

got."
The N. C. O., widelyexperienced
in these tragicscenes,
An
hesitated a moment.
officer,
coming up behind hini,
with a singleglance took in the situation.
colm's
"My boy," he said kindly,placinghis hand on Mal"we want
to get these poor
chaps as soon
arm,
as
possiblewhere they will be comfortable."
Malcolm
back at once, saluting.
sprang
"Yes, sir," he said. "Certainly,sir." And backing
the tracks, stood looking across
at the window
across

my

from

which

his brother, wearied

disappeared.

with

his effort,had

THE

176

SKY

IN

PILOT

Meantime

the R. A. M.

his white

face.

C.

NO

MAN'S

LAND

busy with their work.

With
marvellous
rapidityand speed the train was
loaded
unof its pathetic freight,
the carrying cases
into
ambulances
and the walking cases
intO' cars
and wagons.
*'Good-bye,Mac," called a voice as a car was
driving
off. It was
Ewen
man
again. The wounded
spoke to
the driver, who
immediatelypulled up and sv/ung over
Malcolm
to the platformwhere
was
standing.
Ewen, you are goin' to be all
''Oh, are
sure,
you
right? Man, you look awful white."
"All right,Mac.
You bet I will.
It's only my arm/*
in patheticcontrast
said Ewen, his brave, brightwords
to

this

At

"Why,
his

point Barry

came

rushingalong.

Ewen!

poor

fellow!"

about

arm

were

My

the wounded

cried,throwing

he

shoulder.

man's

"What

is

it?"

"My
low

arm,

tone.

write my
to

in a
words
sir/'said the boy, adding some
"You'll
"But I'm all right,"he said brightly.
tell her?

mother, sir,and

You'll

what

know

say."
old boy, God
"Surely I vv^ill.You'll be all right,
luck, Ewen!"

Good

you!
Then

leaning over

"Remember
You

won't

you

are

the

few

boy,

he

added

in

God

all alone.

not

voice,

low

is with

you.

forgetthat!"

"I won't, sir. I know

of the stretcher
Most

Only a
Barry

bless

of the

turned

away

more

it well," said Ewen

earnestly.
been
hurried away.
had
cases

seriouslywounded
from

the

car,

he

saw

remained.
the

As

medical

approachinghim.
"A terrible business,"said Barry, in a horror-stricken
voice. "Splendidchaps. How
plucky they are!"
The M. O. made
no
reply,but coming close to Barry,
he put his arm
through his, the sergeant major taking
him
by the other arm.
"I say, Barry, old chap," said the M, O. in a grave
officer and

sergeant major

SKY

THE

178

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

LAND

forget we're soldiers. Help me to keep up, boy. I'm

not very strong."
That
pitifulword did for Barry what nothing else
could do.
He lifted his head, stood up and drew a deep
breath.

"Sure
mustn't
He

he said,in

thing,dad,"
keep you."

motioned

that his
he turned

to

call him

would

the M.

O.,

an

clear,steadyvoice. *T

Then

the bearers.

to

duty

ing
suddenlyrecollectfrom

away

of

agony

his father,

in
supplication

his

voice.
I leave him

"Oh, doctor,must

here ?" he asked

in

low

tone.

running up
Just then an orderlycame
said:
saluting,
"Sir, the Commanding Officer says you
father

behind with your

"Until

till till

are

him, and,
to remain

"

"

for," said the M.

sent

are

you

"

to

"I will

O.

see

to that."

"Where's

the

Commanding

Officer?"

cried

Barry,

startingforward.
"He

has

couldn't

off somewheres, sir. He was

called away.
himself,but he was

gone

come

that message

to

"Doctor, will
Officer for

sorry he
He sent

you."
remember

you

me

?" he said

to

thank

and
briefly,

the Commanding
turned

to

follow

his father into the ambulance, which he discovered to be

in charge of his friend,the sergeant of the R. A. M. C.
At

the

solicitous

hospitalhe
He

care.

made

was

of
every mark
to feel that he was
among

received

was

with

friends.
"How

long, doctor?"

he

asked, after the doctor

had

finished his examination.

long, I'm afraid. A few hours, perhaps a day.

He will not suffer though," said the doctor.
"But," he
member,
added, taking Barry by the arm, "he is very weak, re"Not

and

must

not

be excited."

"I know, doctor," said

179

MESSAGE

NEW

THE

Barry, quietly. "I won't

worry

him."
his father's cot,
lants
under the directions of the nurse, such stimuthen speaking a quiet,
and
he needed, now
the

Through
giving him,
as

morning Barry

by

sat

cheery word.

opened his eyes and smiled at him.

**Good to see you there,my boy. That was
only
my
the
I
I
feared
Thank
not
see
might
^rief.
you again.
good God that he allowed me to see you."
Good
to me;
"He
is good, dad, isn't He?
good to us
his father

Often

feoth."
is

"Yes, He
For
due
and

almost

good," said

two

hours

his father,and

he

a
slept,

the terrific strain of the past

woke
refreshed,calm and strong.
are

lot better,dad," said

asleep.

sleepof exhaustion,
hours,
forty-eight

to

"You

fell

Barry.

"I believe

you are going to pullthrough, eh !"

"A lot better,Barry,"said his father,"but, my
and I.
soldiers."

soldiers,you

are

we

"All

are

the

by God's

and

be

long,but

ber,
remem-

play the game.'*

must
word, Barry. We
play the
I'll try to

right,dad.

"That's

I shall not

boy, we

grace

we

will,you

and

"

our

game,

last game

together."
Through the afternoon they talked,between intervals
of sleep,resolved each to help the other in playing to
the end, in the

of British

manner

that last,great
soldiers,

game.

They talked,of course, of

together,going far back into

home

and

their

the earlier years

happy days
of struggle

the ranch.

on

"Hard

days, Barry, they were,

failed me.

Wonderful

all

right,you

you

remember

"Yes,

always."

and

courage

I, Barry, she

but your mother

she had, and if we
was

never

were

always happy. Do

her?"

dad, quite well.

remember

ker

smiling

SKY

THE

180

PILOT

God

"Smiling,my

she

that's the way

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

Smilingthrough those days. Yes,

played the game, and that's the only

boy."

way,

*'Yes,dad,'*said Barry, and his smile

showed

his knuckles

but

ever,

white

brighterthan
where
he gripped
was

the chair.
The

and

faces

went, wondering at their bright

voices.
They kept their minds

and

came

nurse

their

cheery
the old happy days. They recalled their canoe
upon
their hunting experiences,
trips,
dwellingmostly upon the
incidents,playing the game.
not
at all of what
was
they spoke little;

Of

humorous

the

golden, happy past,

past, the

rich

to

the

war

be after

in love

and

"

in

comradeship,that was their one theme.

As night fell,
the father grew
and his periods
weary,
of sleepgrew
longer,but ever as he woke he found his
him.
son's face smilingdown
upon
"Good
ing
hoy, Barry," he said once, with an understandlook and an answering smile.
"Don't try too hard,
*ny boy."
I assure
"It's all right,
dad.
you it's all right. You
it is."

icnow

"I

I know,

know,

my

boy," he said, and

fell

asleep

again.
the

As

sheer

of

aware

stupidfrom

and

at

nurse

She

set

"Oh,

him.

near

one

his exhaustion

and

He

his

sat up,

grief,and

found

tray

thank

at his

you,

said

softly. "You

will

need

it."

side.
no!"

he said.

"I can't eat.

I can't

anything."

touch

"You

need

it," said the

nurse.

"You

must

He
will need you."
for his sake, you know.
Her
He glancedat her
voice aroused him.

"Oh, it's you!" he cried.

It

dazed

his side.

this," she

"Take

on,

his

upon

some

Barry's head, from

In his sleep he
breast.

drew

hour

weariness, sunk

became

midnight

was

the littleV. A. D.

take

face.

it,

"Don't

him

an

"Now

eggnog.

on

his shoulder,

this first."

She

take your tea." There was

that compelled obedience.

her

in silence while

ate

"Drink

his father.

pointingto

quiet authorityabout

He

181

rise/*she said,puttingher hand

and
handed

MESSAGE

NEW

THE

she stood

beside

He

him.

was

and too sick at heart to talk,but he gradually

weary
of loneliness
became
that the overpowering.
aware
sense

too

that had

with

been

day

finished his

he had

When

all

him

was

gone.

slightmeal,

he

whisperedto

her:
"I wish
You

have

"You

helped me
for

your friends."
is no
"There
no

but

one

At

this

The

home,

from

"It's very,
from
all
and

softly.

else,"said Barry simply. "We

have

just ourselves."

point his

out

me

A. D.

V.

his hand

father

opened

his eyes

brightand

began
and

to

gatherup

touched

her

the tea

things.Barry

arm.

this is your

"Dad,
to

far

so

said

she

now,"

you,

one

it.

wide-awake.

very

put

but I can't. I did need

you,

greatly."

better

are

hard

very

thank

I could

She was
night nurse.
very
night, and again to-night. This is

last

kind
Miss

Vincent."
The

brightnessof

the V.

A.

D.'s smile

outshone

his

own.

"I'm

not

real nurse," she said.

"I'm

only a

V,

A.

the floors and

to wash
D., you know.
They use me
dishes,and for all sorts of odd jobs. To-night they are
this duty."
on
shorthanded, and have put me
While she was
speaking,she continued to smile,a smile
of radiant
The

cheer

wounded

and
man

courage.

listened

gravely to her,

his eyes

searchingher face,her eyes, her ver}?- soul, it seemed to

she
In spiteof her experienceand her self-control,
her.
felt her face flushingunder his searchinggaze.
"My dear," he said at length,"I am glad to meet you.
I know."
His eyes fell
You are a good and brave girl,

SKY

THE

182

the black band

upon

the
the

have

look, not
the

but

of

badge

upon her
heroism.

look

so

beautiful

"

you

"

he

"

but with

bandaged

arms,

grace

the

it

an

others

of

ing
wear-

me,

dear

your

dear

my

take

she

your

patheticsmile

to

have

"

has

hands
at

his

of indescribable

kissed him
his son,

you

mother's

and

swift movement

honour

are

you

forgive me,

girlstooped and

count

see

I cannot

"Barry," he said,turningto
courtesy. I

has

will

My dear,
glanced with

LAND

dear, pardon

My

suffer.

to
courage
in mine,"

"I

thinks

She

look.

MAN'S

arm.

Barry, she

same

same

NO

IN

PILOT

head.
the fore-

on

"that

was

known

fine
Miss

you,

Vincent."
He

paused
her

upon

moment

or

his

two,

still

face.

"You will befriend my boy, after

"I will try my best,sir,"said the
in her
said.

searchingeyes

"I shall be

the colour deepening

girl,
"Good
night, sir,''she

the while.

cheeks

at hand

near

*'

after

"

if I

wanted."

am

"Barry," said his father, after the girl had gone,

"that is a very charming and a very superior
lady,
young
one
you will be glad to know."
she is,"said Barry, and then he
told his father of the events of the previous night.
For some
after he had finished his father
moments

"Yes, dad,

am

sure

and Barry,thinking
laywith his eyes shut,and quitestill,
the face he
he slept,sat watching, his eyes intent upon
loved

best in all the world.

not asleep.
But his father was

"Yes, Barry," he said, "she is like your dear mother,

and
hurriedly, "I hope you will not
now," he added
"

taking a liberty
"Oh, dad, I imploreyou!" said Barry.
"Barry, I would like to speak to you about

think I

am

Barry
"I'm
to

his head

shook

not

much

quit," he

father's face.

work."

sadly.

good, dad,"

added

your

he

said, "but

quickly,noting

I'm

shadow

going

not
on

his

THE

"Barry,Tm
hope will not

NEW

going to
hurt you.

MESSAGE

Canadian
or

Forgive me this,my boy."

*'Oh, dad, please tell me
"Thank
you, Barry. They
a

censor

which

say something to you

I know
the common

than you do, boy. Our

be rebuked, criticised

to

183

soldier better

soldiers do not
watched

even

I do
like

closely.

too

all that is in your heart!'*

don't like the chaplainto be

their words."

over

"I loathe it,"said Barry passionately.

"Believe
they are good chaps in their hearts.
me,
all that,but that is merely a habit or a
You
ought to Lear
expressionof high emotion.

They

and

swear

mere

member
they ^go over.' Barry, let all that pass and rethat these boys are
giving their lives their
lives,Barry, for right,for conscience, and ultimately,
Barry, a man
though it may be unconsciously,for God.

them

as

"

is

that

Don't

giving his

be too

life for God

hard

them, but

on

that when

He

paused

voice and
I

me.

moment

was

back

didn't run,

they

boys
"

afraid

"

then

two, and

are

convulsive

He

lowered

his

be ashamed

of

sob.

laughed scornfully.

Barry, thank God!

of
only lads, many

and

Barry,in

they must go on.

that hour they need

But
them

They
some

must

one

to

the

boys ^my
lonely and
"

"

on.

Oh.

with

them.

go
go

God,"

They need
His

or

is

lonely
terribly
truly awful experience."

"Barry, you won't

afraid, m.yself."
terribly

"You, dad, you!"

'T

that

feel

they

continued:

Barry choked

son

was

getting a

was

line

they go up the
terriblyafraid, and

and

he likes.
say what
recall to mind, Barry,

may

with
listening
new

view

of

in his eyes.
of the
soldier and

his heart
the

He
dier's
sol-

needs.

"Unhappily," continued

his

father, "God

of them
shadowy being, to many
terror.
Barry," he said, "they
them

the

truth

about

God.

need

It's not

is at

stranger,
some

fair to

to

one

best
some

to

God,

a
a

tell
you

lS4i

SKY

THE

know."

Here

humbly:

"I

as

PILOT

againhis

think

NO

father

I may

before.

I did not

IN

say,

And

you

MAN'S

LAND

paused and then said very

God
Barry, I know
now,
helped me, boy, to know

him."
"Not
"Oh, dad," cried Barry,passionately.
Him

know
"Let
I went

tell you

you helped me,

"
I wanted

paused abruptly,his

He

quivering.
"Forgive me,
A

how

the last time,

up

few

I don't

all!"

at

me

I!

Before
his

lip

little weak."

silence and

of

moments

and

working

face

Fm

boy.

my

Barry.

then

he

continued

:
quietly

"I

Barry."
The
were
boy's
writhingunder his knees, but
his face and eyes were
quite steady.
"I was
terribly
lonely. I thought of that strange, dear
bond that held us together,and then like a flash out of
those great words : 'Like as a father pitieth
the sky came
then
his children,'and oh, boy, boy! It came
to me
that as I feel toward my boy God feels toward me. Barry,
God's
listen
His voice fell to a whisper. "I am
wanted

you,
hands

"

son,

as

was

not

are

you

he

cheeks.

It

to

was

his mother's
more

the

fear, and

more

boys
"

tell the

boys

his eyes closed,and as

fall dovv^n the white
tears

than

"Dad,
God

two

saw

him

terrible sight. Never,

grave, had he seen

he could endure.

besiJe his father's

what

no

lay a long time silent,with

watched

was

was

God."

Barry
at

There

nearly so lonely..Tell

the truth about

He

mine.

his father's tears.

He

you,

It

put his face down

pillow.
understand," he whispered.

for us, as
years for me."

even

the

on

is like.

not

He

is like you,

dad, have

dad.

"I
He

know
gave

given yourselfall

now

self
himthese

sobbing,but very quietly.

"Forgive me, dad; I'm not crying. I'm justthinking

He

was

SKY

THE

186

PILOT

IN

NO

You

eighteen years
^together
despair eighteenyears ago
"

know

and

"

have

you

been

LAND

saved

me

when

she went
all the world

"

"

MAN'S

"

from

"

away
to

you

"

me

my

"

son

"And

dad," said his

to me,

you

in the

son

steady

same

tone.

"Fve

tried all my
life to make
but somehow
I couldn't
love you
"But I knew, dad," said Barry.

know

you

"

^how

"

"

"

"All

life I have

my

known."

"Really?" asked his

^ink
you quiteknow

"I

father.
Ah

wonder

"

"

don't

boy ^my boy

don't
You
know
can't. Barry," he
said, "I
you
I'm
think
I'm going out
going out
^no, in
^your
in
word
eh
boy
Barry?"
my
cle,
"Yes, dad," said his son.
"Going in. The inner cir"

"

"

"

"

"

"

inner

"

Kiss

Barry

me

Good"

deep

breath

the next, but there

laid his

face, touched
He

death.

took; another

he

father

put his

"Dad, oh, dad,"

with

arms

about

the

distance.

hand
Then

upon

Then

whispered.

she drew

placeda

screen

softlyand

came

coming

the head

and

to

then

back, and
about

for

waited

quiet

stateliness of

stillwarm.
"Do

Oh, God, tell him

you know
I never
could."
Tell him!
Tell him!
a

"

form,
unresponsive

Do

littleV. A. D.

quite

into his

noble

the

now

he

Barry

"

looked

and

down

his face to the cheek

don't

another.

not

was

"

"

night

even

you

"

"

lips.

the

on

Good

I'llsleep

"

boy,

my

Barry

"

kissed him

"So"

The

"

echoed his father. "Warmth

I think

"

Oh"

"

know

"

Now

"

and

"

"

circle

"

light love
night Barry

He

"

know."

you
"The
"

"

"

"

my

"

the

stood

the heart of the dead

She

an

"

lookingfrom

bedside, she laid

beckoning to

the cot.

you know
I love him.
how

her

man.

orderly,they

let her eyes

rest

for

THE

momait

or

two

NEW

the

upon

IS^

MESSAGE

kneeling

boy,

then

softly

went

away.

Death

often
the

to

was

seen

brown

it
eyes

her

an

unmoved,
could

all
but

not

too

familiar

to-night,
hold

their

thing.
as

tears.

she

walked

She

had
away,

XII

CHAPTER

GOD

OF

MAN

standing beside his father's grave, in a

for
Httle plot in the Boulogne
set
apart
cemetery
and
British
officers.
They had, one
by one, gone
away
the simple
left him
until, alone, he stood looking down
on
ARRY

was

wooden
unit

cross

the

of

the
"Died

of

which

on

the

soldier

with

simple

legend, eloquent

that

fill his

emotion

the

little British

was

in

this

moment,

father's

and

courage

The

old

unfitness
of

out

been

of

it, and

soul, and
be

he

felt himself

to

he

had

message

conceive

new

himself

whose

main

faults

and

as

duty
sins

its

rows

looked
of

around
crosses,

alone

those

became

of

it

in

the

dread

old

close

of

his

only was
charged with

to

was

the

men

his

to

high
a
mighty
days. He

examples

aware

work,
of
he

not

moral

upon
he
and

of

He

soul.

anew.

failure

for

ultant
ex-

an

tender

there

by

born

dered
won-

pride that he
his
glorious offering which
But,
saving of the world.

the

he

did

during these last three

veritable
emancipation of

sense

his

he

had

he
he

now

in him

had

for

Rather

stood

devotion,

if he

as

tears.
as

that

he

Even

solemn,

sacrifice,

service

burial

grief.

surrounded

and

change wrought
had
experienced
was

of

as

grave,

no

with

chiefly
was
permitted to share
for
making
Empire was
conscious

of

soul

plot,

neath
under-

and

heroic

of

beautiful

shed

could

he

death,

and

age,

action."

in

Throughout the simple,

been
not
acutely conscious

his

of

date

received

wounds

the name,

recorded

were

the

it,had
a

new

feeling of
been
man,

lifted
but

mission, because

new

longer did he
policeman or religious censor,
the
in judgment
stand
over
his

men.

No

of

his

battalion.

i88

No

more

MAN

189

GOD

OF

be a stern denunciation
of his message
of these faults and sins. Standingthere to-day,he could
and
blindness and stupidity
at his former
only wonder
the burden

would

pride.
"Who

"that
I," he said in bitter self-humiliation,

am

I should

"A

judge

God

had said in his

superintendent
A man
of God!
Yes, truly a man
to sit in God's placein judgment
not

him.

man

sinners,but

his fellow

upon

self.'*
my-

of God/' his

man

last letter to
not

littleI knew

How

comrades?

my

show

to

God, their

them

Father.
the officers and

to

"God

will

istered
admin-

he considered

what

for

men

groaned aloud.
forgiveme, I know,''

their sins.

to be

he had

frequentrebukes

the

Barry thought of
He

he

said.

"But

will

they?"
tried to recall what

He

his battahon
there

him
but

seemed

had

How

of aught
distinct memory
denunciations,with reference to what

and

both

he

their

faulty in

be

him

to

during

clear and

no

came

warnings
judged to

he

been

had

of his message
to
these past months, but to

the burden

failed and

so

misconceived

so

plainteaching? He moved
days, not with denunciations in
only with pityand love.
"Be

of the air.

Not

had

of them

one

Father.

your

He

anxious,"

not

How

To-day

sinners all His

among

His

heart

said.

the Master's

voice, but

or

"Consider

the birds

falleth to the

much

it

terrible.

and

sad

conduct.

ground
preciousare you

more

out
withthan

the birds."
What
"I
know

going up

men

the front line.

"Be

not

afraid," his father had

was

him

for

message

perilsof

and

to

inconceivable.

was

terror

said, "I

was

message

he

seemed

to

afraid."
now

had.

him

face the terrors

anxious!"

to

said to

him.

That

should
gallant
spirit
impossible.Yet even he had
that

That

the loneHness, what

a
In their loneliness men
cried out
And

for

190

SKY

THE

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

of a friend,and the Master

for the presence
had said:
Father.
*'When
Your
Father
to your
ye pray, pray

When

knoweth.
missed

had

all this.

'Our

say,

ye pray,

What

Father' 1"
he had

mess

made

sadly misread his Master's

misinterpretedhis Master's spirit!
Barry looked down upon the grave at
"But
For

he
you knew, dad, you knew!"
the first time since he had become

thought of his work

longed to see his men
It

them.

of his

his feet.

whispered.
he
a
chaplain,

with

gratitudeand eagerness.
again. He had something to

this: that God

was

them

to

he

teachingand

How

work!

And

He
tell

like their

was

fathers,their mothers, their brothers,their friends;only

without

m.ore
infinitely

With

his

and
loving,
head high and

returned

he

to

Harry Hobbs,

their faults.

his feet

lightupon the earth,

R.A.M.C.
Hospital,where he found
his
his handbag and a letter from

the

with

O.C.
"Take

with

Barry

was

and

now,

brought

to

was

also

all sympathise

shall be

His

his unit.

to

return

order

an

and

the Assistant

from

Chaplain Service,bidding him

of

"We

glad to see
few days now
for yourself."
a
greatlytouched, but he had only one desire

that
him

the O.C.

miss you

We

you.

but take

you,

days off," said

few

report

at

batman
Director

the earliest

moment.

Headquarters he learned that the A.D.C.S. had

been in Boulogne, but had gone to Etaples,
some
thirty
or
forty miles distant,to visit the largehospitalsthere.
he would
that to-morrow
He determined
go to Etaples
At

and

report, after which

That

evening,he

their

their folks
serene

From

and

visited the

Canadians

proceed
men

to

in the

his battalion.

coming
hospital,

joy in seeinga chaplain

country touched Barry to the heart. He
which
he promised to transmit to
messages
at home, and left with them
something of the

upon many
from their own
took

he would

exultant

Ewen

Innes

peace

and

whose

that filledhis
others of the

own

soul.

Wapiti draft,he

learned

MAN

somethingof

OF

GOD

191

his father's work

placein their
battalion. Soldiers are not eloquentin speech,but mostly
in silence. Their words
halted when
to speak
they came
of their sergeant major's soldierly
qualities,for his
father had become
the sergeant major of the battalion
his courage.
his patience,
his skill,
his job,sir,"said one
of them.
*'He knew
"He was
always onto it."
"It was
his care of his men
that we
thoughtmost of,"
and

"

"

said Ewen,
under
come

who

continued to relate incidents that had

his own
observation of this characteristic,

the while

tears

"He

flowingdown his cheeks.

thought of himself, sir. It

never

first. He
He

watched
As

far

was

like

us

Barry listened

in broken
at

than

our

was

fort
com-

sergeant major.
father; that's what he did."

more

our

the soldiers

to

of
telling

his father

words, and with flowingtears, he almost

for

them

that he had

their tears
Tears

none.

and

wondered

seemed

be

to

at

himself

much

so

dered
won-

out

of

placein tellingsuch a tale as that.

The train for Etaplesleavingat an unearthlyhour in
the morning, Barry went
to take farewell of the V.A.D.
the nightbefore.
"That
is an awfully early hour," she said,"and, oh,
such

wretched

train."

maternal

There

in her voice

was

solicitude for his comfort.

"That's
at

nothing,"said Barry. "When

unending work, it makes me feel

your

like

see

more

you
and

here
more

slacker."

"Wait

for

here

me

her wonted

calm

she

moment,"

shortlyin

return

to

away
even

most
al-

an

and

such

glow

said,and hurried
of excitement

self-restraint could not

as

quite

hide.
"I'm
car.

going to

I know

American

the matron

to

and

Etaplesto-morrow
of the

some

nurses

in my
in the

hospitalthere."

"You

it'snot

drive you

don't
a

mean

it,"said Barry, "but

terrible bore

for

you?

am

much

are

you sure
afraid that

IDS

THE

I have

SKY

been

good

very

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

nuisance to you, and you

LAND

been

have

so

very,

me."

to

wide
cried, and the brown
eyes were
! Why,
open in surprise.'*A bore, and you a Canadian
of my brothers' friends,and besides you seem
you are one
friend of our
to me
a
family. My uncle Howard, you
all about you.
Besides," she added in a
know, told me
voice of great gentleness,
*'youremember, I promised."
bore!"

"A

she

hand.

Barry caught her

*'I wish

I could

all I feel about

tell you

it,but

how
some-

I can't get the words."

or

She

allowed

two

colour

her hand

remain

to

moment

with
withdrawing it,said hurriedly,
showing in her cheeks :
then

*'I think

and

Then

I understand."

splendidrun,
by nine o'clock

she

was

if the
to
a

go

tone

ruptly,
abof

It will be

had

with

V.A.D., she added

slight

better start
getting
Then, as if for-

We

long day."

manner

to-morrow.

is fine.

day

give us

changing her

the busincss-like

dropping into

V.A.D., she said, "So, we'll

in her

in his for

littlecatch

voice, "Oh, I shall love it!"

day proved to be fine, one of those golden days

of "sunny
of springthat have given to the land its name
It was
France."
a
day for life and youth and hope. A
than ever
cruel outseemed
rage
more
a
day on which war
the sunniest
humanity. But across
days,
upon
their spirits,
the shiningface of France, and across
across
cast its black shadow.
They both, however,
too, the war
resolved that for that day at least they
seemed
to have
The

would
rest

their eyes
where the sun

turn

only

The
could

"

V.A.D.

with

her

mind

her

descriptiveand somewhat
pointsof interest along the
their years
grief. The

his

intent

share

her

desultory comments
wav.
Barry, because

ever

experiencesof

upon

wheel

in the conversation,

mood, talked about

together but

let them

and

shining.

was

only contribute, as

with

that shadow

from

without

his father

obtrusion

the past three

upon
monised
it harand

all

of his

days, which

1D4

SKY

THE

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

they have in their country. I heard

thing,not long ago, from a friend of mine.
that

mans

fine

oil

about

man

to

close

deal, with

very
Pittsburgh

with
traveller,

millions in it,suddenly discovered that his oil vv^as to go

At once
the deal was
to the Germans.
off,and, though

raised,there was, in his own

pricewas
considerably
words, 'Nothing doing!' 'No stuff of mine,' he said,
of the Anglo-Saxon race/
'shall go to help an
enemy

the

That's

the way
"This
is a

"Whenever
to

I believe the

hospital,"said

wonderful

see

the American

it,I somehow

people

real Americans

feel."
the

V.A.D.

feel my

for the

heart grow
warm
splendidw^ay in which

they have helpedpoor France, for,you know, in the first

of the war,
months
the French
were
hospitals
perfectly
ghastly.'*
''I know, I know
!" cried Barry. "And the Canadians,
have a Canadian
too, have chippedin a bit. We
hospital
in Paris, for the French, and others are being organised."
They turned in at the gate and found themselves in a
ers
beautiful quadrangle,set out with grass plotsand flowand cement
The
walks.
buildingitself,an ancient
had been enlargedby means
of sun-parlours
royalpalace,
and porches which
it an air of wonderful
cheerigave
and brightness.
ness
if any of my friends are about,"
Unless you care
"Wait
here for me.
said the V.A.D.
to come
in," she added.
"I will

"No,

run

in and

I will wait

see

strangers but, if there

should

them.

see

I don't

be found, if you don't mind."

Hardly had she passedwithin the door, when another
came
swiftlyto the gate and drew up a littlein front

where

car

like to

just feel like meeting

Canadians
in the hospital,
I
are
And
perhaps you can discover

here.

my

chief

can

Barry's. A girlleaped from

spring in her step, which spoke

of

ran
'

up

What

the

of

wheel

and

with

bounding vitality,

the steps.

thought caught

her

it is difficult to say, but

on

MAN

OF

the topmost step she spun

195

GOD

and looked

around

into
straight

Barry's eyes.
*Taula!"

shouted,and

he

of the

out

was

and

car

at

the foot of the steps, with hand outstretched,when, with

at him,,
a
singletouch of her foot to the steps, she was
with both hands
reaching for his.
you !" she
white, then red again.

"Barry, oh, Barry ! It can't be

face went
than

Oh,
to

red, then
drink to

ter
''Oh, it'sbet-

Whence, how, why, whither?

you.

answering,"she

mind

never

see

panted. Her

went

"It's

on.

enough

you."

see

her diverted her attention

step behind

Barry

ran

the steps, and

up

hand, led her

"I

want

"I'm
hand.
The

to

meet

of mine," he

friend

keen

eyes,

said and

as

were
knife-point,

the

upon

face.

her
you," she said frankly,offering
she added, with a littlelaugh,"because
"Principally,"
Barry."
you know
V.A.D.
bowed
with the slightreserve
istic
character-

glad to know

of her, and

"I, too,

am

took

"and

Paula's

hand.

pleased,"she said, "to

Captain Dunbar."
I'm

Then

she added

glad to

meet

your

The

V.A.D.

"Of

course

justready

meet

with

friend

increased

American

an

matron, and some

!" cried Paula.
"Good
"Now,
take lunch with me."
I know

the

by

Paula.

Paula's
V.A.D.'s

V.A.D.

Barry.

down.

you

introduced

taking the

from

of

diality,
cor-

in France.

of the nurses."

then, you'llboth of

you

demurred.
you

will,"cried Paula.

"Oh, Barry, I^m,

die from

seeingyou again. Come along!"

she cried,impulsively,
catching the V.A.D. by the arm.
"Come
along and park your buzzwagon here beside
to

mine."
She
before

ran

to her

the V.A.D.

car,

sprang

had

Barry waited where

in and

hers well

they had

whirled

it into

place

started.
left him.

The

sudden

196

SKY

THE

PILOT

NO

IN

appearingof Paula had stirred

that almost
overpowered
in

away

Athabasca,

once

MAN'S
him

within
him.

he

more

His
was

water, the
pool, the swiftlyflov\^ing
father bending over
it. His heart was
hand had been rudelythrust into a raw
V.A.D.

The

held Paula

few

LAND
ing
feel-

depthsof
mind

far

was

seeing the dark

campfire,and his
quiveringas if a
wound

in it.

beside

moments

her

car,

speaking quickly and earnestly. When

they rejoined
soft with unshed tears, and her
Barry, Paula's eyes were
voice was
very gentle.
"I know, Barry," she said. "Miss
Vincent
justtold
me.
Oh, what terrible changes this war
brings to us all.
sad thingshere every day. It's terribly
We
see
so
many
sad for you, Barry."
''Yes,it is sad, Paula, and it is going to be lonely.
You
have brought back to me
that bright day on
the
"after all,in this
Athabasca.
But," he added earnestly,
war
everythingpersonal is so small. Besides, he was so
splendid,you know, and the boys told me he played the
So I'm not going to
game
up there right to the end.
him ; at least,I'm trying not to."
shame
But bright as was
Barry's smile, Paula caught the
and turned quicklyaway
from
him.
quiveringof his lips,
After
her

old

moment

or

silence,she cried, with

of

two

impulsiveness,''Now

you

will both

the quartermaster of this outfit,and have a

shall have a lovely,cosy
We
parlour of my own.

I'm

me.

small

time, just Miss

Vincent,

you

"But," repliedthe V.A.D.

and
"I

myself together."
have just arranged with

her."
the matron
to lunch with
I'llcut that out, all
"Oh, rubbish!
of

being quartermaster
party to suit myself?"

use

with

lunch

Still the V.A.D.

for lunch

demurred.
was

right. What's

if I can't arrange
With

the
lunch

her, breakingan

serious affair

"

was

indeed

gagement
en-

ing
tak-

libertywhich no English girlwould think of doing.

"I'll make
it per!''rried Paula.
"Oh, that's nonsense
fectly
Look
all right.
here," she cried,wheeling upon
a

MAN

correct.
terribly
diplomacy. Besides, if

V.A.D., "you Britishers

the
show

don't
take

this you
on
she said with

in

come

are

littleshirtsleeve

you

Barry,"

19T

GOD

OF

so

the matron,

have

can

she added, as she ran

away.
!"
said
"What
the V. A.D.
a
splendidgirl

you

I'll

and

"Watch

threateningsmile.

I'll

me!"

American
captivating
I call it, I do hope
In

short time

has.

she

way

that

"And

Perfectly ripping,

shall be friends."

v/e

Paula

rushing back into the

came

room,

announcing triumphantly that arrangem^ents had

her

accordingto
hearty accord.
made

would

desperately
grievedthat
Of course,
to joinus.

And

to

are

we

The

in

little lunch

Barry doing

party

his best to

cannot

I knew

accept my

tion
invita-

the old dear couldn't.

the whole, a success.

contributed
the larger part^
on

was,

Paula

second

her.

would

escape

efforts,his mind

heroic

she

afterwards."

her

meet

the conversation

To

the matron

"She
she sends her love," she said to the V.A.D.
miss this party. She
not have you on
any account

"And

is

with

programme,

been

But

in

spiteof his

him, far away to.

the gleaming river and.

and
the sunny Athabasca
plains,
and then with swift transition
the smooth
slipping
canoe,
to the littleBritish plot in the cemetery at Boulogne.

At

such

times, Paula, reading his face,would

falter in her gay

tarily
momen-

talk, only to begin again

with

newed
re-

topic,however, she had no

in holdingBarr3^'s
attention.
when
she
It v/as
difficulty
told of the organisingand despatchingof the American
vivacity.

On

one

Red

Cross

own

unit, organised and

"I

have

am

units to

France,

avv^fully
sorry

loved

have

and

financed

he is not

of
especially

more

her

by

father.

to-day. He

here

her

would

again, Barry."
"And
seen
him," said Barry. "He is a big
and it is fine of him to do this thing. It's justlike
man,
the big, generous-heartedAmericans
stinted
they are so unto

seen

you

I to have

"

in their

they

are

and they back

sympathies,

worth."

them

up for all

IN

PILOT

SKY.

THE

198

NO

MAN'S

LAND

they are," added the V.A.D. in

"This hospital,
admiration.
know," turning
warm
you
Its equipment! Its
to Barry, "is perfectlywonderful.
appliances!I have often heard our O.C. speak in the
"And

efficient

how

EtaplesAmerican

of the

rapturous envy

most

Red

Cross

unit."

why

"And

should

after all.

of money
in

throvv^n at

money

We

here
little hospitals

few

than

us

"It's a question

it be ?" cried Paula.

not

at

in France.

she added, turning to

efficiency,"
back
Lord ! My pater has justcome
he was
rubberingaround with lords

more

talk about

you

"Good

V.A.D.

London, where

from

dukes

and

put

have

We

the

We

war.

And

use.

can

we

not

are

things

and

I told him, and now

un-American
disgustingly
way
of
the efficiency
from morning until night over
raves

in

he

He's

the British.

allowed

been

to

of their

some

see

nition
mu-

simply had to declaim the

American
Declaration of Independence to'him three times
sentiments, and
a
day to revive his drooping Democratic
that he
to his pajamas so
I had to sew
Old Glory on
dreams.
No, to tell you
might dream proper American
the truth," here Paula's voice took a deeper note, "every
works,

last American
tion and
those
As

of
at

rage

his country'sattitude,
"

in her

the V.A.D.

shone

eyes

from

rose

two

her

monkeying

witl"

devils."

with

she ended, her voice shook

humiHa-

is hot with

in France

here

us

wom.an-raping
baby-killing,

pale,and

were

know.

you

passion,her cheeks
pulsivel
Imbright tears.

place,ran

around

to

around
her neck, said:
Paula, and puttingher arm
"Oh, I do thank you, and I love you for your words,"
of
while Barr}^ stood at attention,as if in the presence
his

superiorofficer.
"You

earnestness.

tears.

salute

you," he

worthily represent

said with
your

grave

brave

and

people."

generous

"Oh,

"I

it all!" cried

darn

"Pm
feel

"

fool,but

real

breed."

you

Americans,

Paula, brushing away

don't know
I mean,

not

hov/
the

we

her

cans
Ameri-

yellov/hyphenat

After

MAN

his chief,the assistant

chaplainservice,while Paula took

lunch, Barry
director

of

went

look up

to

charge of the V.A.D., saying:

''Run away, Barry, and see your
Miss

how

Vincent

Brass

I'llshow^

Hat.

quartermaster's
department

of

a,

hospitalshould be run."

real

His
with

hour

with the A.D.C.S. was

a most
perience
exstimulating
for Barry. He
found himself at once
in touch:
official thinking in terms
of militaryreg^
not
an

ulations

but a soldier and a man.

For
etiquette,
both.
was
Through all the terrible days

and

the A.D.C.S.
at

199

GOD

OF

the Canadians, in that welter of gas and

their imperishablefame as fightblood, had won
ing

Ypres, where

fire and

he had

men,

been

with

them, sharingtheir dangers

with
and ministeringto their wants
of the fighting
line. Physically
an

small and

he seemed

officers

unimpressivefigure,
charged with concentrated

waiting release.

energy
As

slight,
yet

his brother

Barry listened

his words

coming forth in snappy,

jerkingphrases,he was fascinated by the bulldogjaw and
In brief,comprehensive,
piercingeyes of the littleman.
vigorous sentences, he set forth his ideals for the chaplain
service in the

to

Canadian

army.

"Three

things,"he said,'T tell my

the Canadian
chaplain service. The
themselves, unity with

among

Two
the army.
and Canadians.
side of

words

describe

men,

should mark

first.
Unity" unity

the other

departments of

chaplains Christian
I am
an
Anglican myself, but on this
the channel
there are
no
Anglican, no Presbyterian,
Methodist
nadian
no
chaplains,only Christian and Cachaplains. I have had to fightfor this with high
our

"

officialsboth

v/on

out, and

The

in the army
and in the church.
I have
while I'm here this will be maintained.

second thing is Spirituality.

The
Christian man,
livingin touch with
God.
with

the

of the

Third, Humanity.

Chaplain
the Divine
He

m.ust

must
"

be

be

alive ward
to'touched

feelingof our infirmity,'

sharingthe experiences
their feelings,
their fears,
gettingto know
men,

THE

SOO

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

their loneliness,their misery, their anxieties,and

God
knows
they have their anxieties for themselves and for
their folks at home."
As

Barry listened,he
*'They need you.
They
They need God.''

heard

remember," said
close the interview, "that
have

let
difficulty,

any

tell you.

the
I

A.D.C.S.,

am

at

know.

me

his father's voice.

They

afraid.

are

"And

again

your

as

are

he

back.

If you

are

lonely.
rose

to

If you
wrong,

right,I'll back you up.

the hospital. There
Now, let us go and
are
fellows there. If you feel like saying anyof our
some
thing
in the convalescent ward, all right,
but don't let it
you."
worry
As they went
through the wards, Barry could not but
the faces of the patientsbrightened as his
notice how
chief approached,and how
their eyes followed him after
he had passed.
sanctified
They moved slowlythrough those long corridors,
by the sufferingsand griefsand hidden tears of
homesick
of whom
it
and homelonging men,
to many

promise

to

If you
look over

that the best of life

seemed
When

are

was

past.

length of the convalescent

ward, the A.D.C.S. turned .and, after gettingpermission
of the medical
superintendent,
brieflyintroduced Barry
"a man
from the wild and woolly
to the wounded
as
men,
they had

Canadian

west,

tell us

to

competent

on

the

gone

his v/ay up the line,and therefore

when
about the war, and especially

it will end."

Beside
its open

them

stood

Barry

case.

stringsin

an

when

piano, and
took

absent-minded

"I don't know

know

up
way,

anything about

it will end, and

and plenty,as our

on

the
and

it

lay a violin in
violin,fingeredits
said

the war,
that is when

men,
we

but I do
lick those

American
friends would
good
say,"bowing to the doctor at his side. "I'm an awfully
speaker,boys," he continued in a confidential tone,
poor
^'but I can
make
this thing talk a bit."
Huns

202

THE

Then

SKY

with

PILOT

full

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

bowing, he swept

arm

them

into the

majestic strains
fiercely

of the "Marseillaise,"bringing
the blue-coated
orderlies about the door, and such pa^
tients as could stand, and the group
about the piano to

rigidattention.

From

the ^'Marseillaise" it

was

easy

to

into the noble

of his ov/n
national song,
simplicity
where
"Oh, Canada!"
again his accompanist was
quite
them,
able to follov/,
and thence to the Empire's National Anpass

which

had

for

hundred

their feet British soldiers and

to

his bow

into

whimsical

Doodle."

in this

and

Quickly the V.A.D.

brilliant variation

Again, with

in the music,

he

moved

from

her into the vacant

famous

the

stool,

place. Then

piano rattled into

of that

dropped

kee
renderingof "Yan-

reallyhumorous

caught Paula and thrust

together the violin and
and

thing?"

instant's break

an

stepped

over

his side,and
"Where's
America
Without

over.

the last chord, Paula

whispered in his ear:

he drew

As

lifted to

years or more
sailors the world

and

fantastic

air.
trifling

change of mood, Barry swung into

that old song
of the homesick
plantationnegro, "The
Suwanee
River"
but under the manipulations
a simpleenough air,
of a master
lending itself to an interpretation
and
of the deep and tender emotions
which in that room
a

sudden

"

in that company
folk

French, British,Canadian, American

throbbing in

were

home

of

and

common

the "old folks at home."

longing for the old

Before

he had

played

doctor
through, the grey-hairedAmerican
was
openly wiping his eyes, and his colleagueslooking
that did
of the tears
from
each other, ashamed
away
them
only honour.
Paula's flushed face and flashingeyes were
eloquent
stood
of her deep emotion, while at her side the V.A.D.
ing
quiet,controlled,but with a glow of tender feelingshin-

the

air

once

in her

face and

in her

soft brown

eyes.

tion,
long did Barry lingeramid those deeps of emohis figureto its full height, and
but straightening
throwing up his head, he, in full octaves, played the open-

Not

MAN

203

Americans
Star Spangled Banner/'

has

of what

ing bars

GOD

OF

to

come

be known

tional
na-

as

anthem, 'The
Instantlythe A.D.C.S., the orderlies about the door,
soldiers that
the wounded
French, British and Canadian
while
remained
to attention and
could stand, sprang
so
forth
the violin,with its piano accompaniment,throbbed
the last bar, Barry dropped
With
chords.
Ithe sonorous
his bow
to his side,but held the violin stillat his chin.
Not one
of that company
moved, but stood v/ith their
fastened

eyes

quietlylifted his bow

throbbing to the strains
stole out

the

that

of

pure, sweet,

as

which, sounding over

and

terror

peace and
Thee."

comfort

the wounded

the silence,still

some

in their hours

women

and

despair,has lifted them

hope "Nearer, My God,

had

held the company

anguish and

tension which

The

pause,

ethereal source,
of that old sacred melody,

and

men

on

moment's

triumphant martial air,

from

long drav/n, trembling notes

of

again, and

he

there

After

his face.

upon

sank

men

"

to

relaxed,

was

their seats, the A.D.C.S.

to

to

moved
re-

hat, which, accordingto militaryregulations,

he had worn
On all sides,heads dropped
to this moment.
and so continued until Barryin an attitude of reverence,
his

doctor
"Let

sir,"he
One

with

moment

"Thank
have

as

an

and

American

the

one

group
the
last
him,

of

last of all to

smile radiant

know."

close.

Christian,thank

you,

Americans

to

came

shake

it here."
come

was

through her
you! He
saying: "Thank

being Paula, who held his hand

and said softly
:
I
you, Barry. I believe all that stuff now.

learned

The

to

said.

by

hands

came

me,

deep, vibratingnote

can
laid his violin in its case, the old Ameriforward, with his hand extended.

he had

When

the last

drawn

had

the V.A.D.

Shyly,with

tears, she offered her

would

have

liked

hand,

that, I

SKY

.THE

""04"

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

"Captain Dunbar, whereas your

abrupt tone of the A.D.C.S. startled
home, sir. I didn't think

"At

LAND

violin?"

own

The

all.

them

chaplainwould

need

one.'*
violin in this?"

"Whose

the

asked

A.D.C.S.

in his

brusque manner.
of the doctors.
think this is mine," said one
"Will you sell it?
Til buy it from
you, at any price
it for him."
I want
say.
you
"It's his
"You
can't buy it,colonel,"said the doctor.
"I rather

now.

He

took

Barry

it had

knew

never

all that heart

stuff in it."

it to Barry. But
the violin,and handed
the old doctor
Then
back in astonishment.

up

drew

forward.

came

"No, Travis," he said,"we'll do better than that. What

did your fiddle cost?"
and fiftydollars,I think."
"A hundred
of Americans, representing
their
"Travis, this company
country here in France, as a token of their sympathy with

their sacred cause, and of gratitudeto you,

to Barry, "will buy this instrument and present

the allies and

sir,"bowing

condition that he repeat

this young
on
man,
this
the service he has rendered
in similar circumstances
it to

"You

bet you

right?"he asked, lookingabout him.

! Right you are !" said the doctors.
are

"Oh,

doctor,

you

Am

afternoon.

are

old

dear

thing!" exclaimed

Paula.

Barry stood holding the instrument

find his voice.

to

"In the
of
will

The

A.D.C.S.

sands
of my chaplain,
of thouand in the name
soldiers to whom
I promise you he
Canadian
name

bring the blessingthat

I thank

you

American

"Well," said the

he has

for this very

am

brought us

beautiful and

this afternoon,
very

acteristic
char-

act."
old

how
doctor, "I don't know
if I had been to church."

folks feel,but I feel as

"Now, sir,"said the A.D.C.S.

tone, "I

in his hand, unable

tO' his aid.
came

organisinga

company

to

you

Barry, in his military

of musicians

who

will

help the boys

and
through our camps
helped us to-day. I would
go

do you

What

205

GOD

OF

,MAN

like you

to

be

as
one

you have
of them.

say?''
layingthe violin
Barry hastily,
standing back from it,"don't make

"Oh, sir,"exclaimed
the

upon

that

an

piano

and

order, sir.

I want

to

stay with my

men."

The
quivering with deep emotion.
A.D.C.S.
looked into the quiveringface.
"All right,Dunbar," he said,with a littlelaugh,and
puttinghis hand on Barry'sshoulder. "I guess you are
all right."
"Some
boy ! What ?" said the American doctor. "Here
I think you had better take your fiddle along,"handing
Barry the violin. "It doesn't belong to any one in this
His

face

was

bunch."
The

burst
to

of

laughterthat followed, all

the humour

of the

out

of proportion

remark, revealed the tensity

they had passed.

of Etaples they drove
gether
toThrough the little town
until they had emerged
in almost complete silence,
in all the
into the country, lyingspread out about them
tender beauty of the soft springevening. As the car
the
moved
through the sweet silence of the open fields,
said softly:
y.A.D.
"Oh, Captain DuAbar, Iis Barry," he said gently.
"My name
into the beautiful face and a soft
A quick flush came
lightto the brown eyes, as she answered:
she hurried to add, "I
mine is Phyllis." Then
"And
v\ras
going to say that you helped me this afternoon as
nothing has since my dear brothers went."
been to me
have
"Thank
Phyllis. What
you
you,
through all these days, I wish I could tell,but I can't
of the strain

through which

"

find words."
Then

they
eloquent than

Barry

burst

rode
any

forth

together in
words

of

silence that

theirs could

enthusiastically:

be.

was

At

more

length

SKY

THE

g06

Americans!

"Those
act

of

"Oh,"
"aren't

What

that

kindness

fine

was

to

Phyllis,

repHed
they

NO

IN

PILOT

That

LAND

beautiful

"

gracious

and

me."
with

was

MAN'S

ansv/ering

perfectly

ripping

enthusiasm,
oi

them."

CHAPTER

XIII

INTENSIVE

ARRY'S

return

home.

In

with

sympathy
to

the

mess

him

in

battalion

there
his

Barry

to

was

they

Hitherto,

or

found

it

was

far

coming

demonstration

no

the

of

officers took

casion
oc-

interestingbit of news,
less awkwardly,
by their
in acimpossible to express
tual
an

experience as

an

like

was

less, but

more

express,

what
presence
words.
It

the

to

drop in casually with

to

seeking

TRAINING

new

it

as

ful.
delight-

was

real

fellowship was
cerned
conhe had lived a life of comparative isolation
among
his fellow
while
careful
officers,and
to prethey were
serve
the conventions
courtesies
and
imposed by their
mutual
been
made
feel that
to
relations, he had
ever
in that

as

circle he

Among
surprised

the
him

anything
affairs.
army,

to

than

more

have

but
That

to
too

either

not

was

is, in
of

existence.

performance

of

As

the

leisure
for

concern

to

be

all its
its

the

or

the

that

attitude

an

had

never

matter

of

with

his

fact,
own

inclination

for

and

his

chaplain

wondered

none

While

civil,there

entirely occupied

of

some

maintain

to

and

him,

Bayne.

friendliness.

casual

Major

careful

correct

call upon

to

came

did

been

notwithstanding
form

outsider.

officers who

always
toward
him, at once
been
approach
any
Major Bayne was
interests

any

an

was

had

officer

as

at.

Life

in the

fishnesses,
loyaltiesand its fine unseltred
phases, a brutally self-cen-

Its routine
''duties"

in the

tinual
con-

less
authority ruthin its exactions
relentless in its penalties. Only
and
of experience of its iron
after months
rigiditydoes the
he is to self-determination, with
civilian, accustomed
as
somewhat
of his
a
easygoing regard for the conventions
207

under

consists
an

THE

208

community, arrive
and

as

qualityof

the

IN

PILOT

SKY

the

NO

of mind

the state

at

MAN'S

of second

matter

trivial act

most

LAND

in which

by

estimates

he

nature

sciously
uncon-

its relation to

the

Like a
by the Military High Command.
often perfectly
unreasonable
spectre does that solemn, impalpable,
and omnipotent entitylurk in the
omniscient
shadow
ready to reach out a clutchinghand, and for,'
wilful or
infraction of regulations,
some
inadvertent,
hale the luckless and shivering defaulter to judgment.
standard

set

behooves

It therefore

to

man

take heed

to

himself

and

for,with the best intention,he may discover

that he has been guiltyof an infraction,not of a regulation
found in K. R. " O., with which he has painfully
to his ways,

himself

made

himself

familiar and

w^hich

one
observe, but
sixty-nine"instructions"

sacred

writingsknown

Battalion

duty,or

to
as

and

have

the

business

conscience

himself
for his
so

toward

his

pletely
promotion,giveshimself so comthat
of "watching his step"
only

definite exercise of his altruistic faculties

And

tions"
"informa-

appeared in those
Army, Divisional,
Brigade,or
time

officer with

an

am.bition for

an

to
a

seventeen

Orders.

In consequence,

by

time

from

cised
exerdiligently

of those

of

to

and

hundred

he has

which

in the commendable

can

dulge
he in-

of
civilian luxur}'

ing
car-

neighbour.

it came

about

that

Major Bayne, possessingin

qualityof "canniness" characteristic

of his race
initiated
a
qualitywhich for the benefit of the unbe necessary
to define as being a
Saxon
it may
ing
judiciousblending of shrev/dness and caution, and betious
of his race, ambias
well, again after the manner
for his own
advancement, and, furthermore, being
of conscience,had been so entirelyengrossed m
man
a
the absorbing business of "watching his step"that he had
and
paid slightheed to the affairs of any other officer,
a

large measure

the

"

"

least of
the
more

all to

battalion
or

less

whose
functions in
chaplain,
be confessed, as
he had regarded,it must
formal, if not merely decorative.

those

of the

THE

glO

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

Your
friend,Sergeant
charge of the bombers.
He is doing awfully
Knight, is slated for a commission.
well with the signallers,
and, by the way, there is something
I want
to show
to-morrow,
something quite
you
and
in bayonet
instructor
new
remarkable, our
unique
rather stuck on
our
fighting.Do you know we were
but he has made
the boys feel that they
bayonet fighting,
didn't know
anything about bayonet fighting,
or, for that
matter, about anything else. I think you will enjoy him.
There
is nothing like
The boys are all up on their toes.
of a live shell 'coming in' to speed up the
the scream
training."
When
he left Barry in a maze
the major had departed,
the battalion were
of wonder
and gratitude. That
glad
tility
back, that all the old feelingof latent hosto have him
takes

he had

of which

been

conscious

was

gone,

they felt that they reallyneeded him stirred in

of humilityand gratitude.
a
profound sense
Late

as

the cam.p

it was

just to

Wherever
and
some

into

he

he

felt he must

see

the

went

he

men

was

soldier,than

which

no

that

his heart

stroll about

give them greeting.

greeted with a new
respect
if he had passed through
as
and

cordiality.It was
and
mystic initiation ceremony
a
magic circle of comradeship
new

for

go out

and

is
privilege

had

with

more

been
the

admitted
common

dearly coveted

from the colonel himself to the youngest

the officers,
sub, and which is indeed, in the last analysis,the sine

by

of effective leadership.
qua non
As
Barry was
passing the sergeants' mess-room

the

out Sergeant Major McFetopened and there came

teridgehimself, with two others of the mess.
''Good evening, sergeant major," said Barry quietly
passingon his way.
"Good
evening,sir,"said the sergeant major with his
usual stiff salute. "Oh, it's you, sir,"he cried as the light
fell upon
Barry's face. "We're glad to see you back,

door

sir.

"Thank

you,

sergeant major," repliedBarry, offering

TRAINING

INTENSIVE
I'm

his hand, "and

*Thank
you,
Won't

sir. I

you," and

with

be back

assure

in, sir?

come

you

glad to

we're

you

The

211

boys

glad to

again/'

have

will all want

threw

sayingthe sergeant major

so

all

you

you.

to

wide

see

open

the door.
and more
appreciated
It is
jealouslyguarded than in the sergeants'mess.
enclusive of all militarycircles. Realising
the most
this,
glad to accept the invitation. The hut was
Barry was
filledwith sergeants in easy deshabille,smoking, lounging,
playingvarious games.
the sergeant major,
"The
boys,"announced
chaplain,
his feet,and at attention.
and instantly
on
was
every man
"It's all right,boys," said the sergeant major. "The
chaplainhas justdropped in for a minute for a friendly
is class

Nowhere

call,and

want

v/e

more
privilege

sergeant major loved

feel,sir,"he added, for the

little ceremonial, "that we
spectfully
re-

to

you
a

sympathisewith
ourselves

consider

you

honoured

loss,and

in your

by

your

presence

that
here

we

night."
to-

deeplytouched by the unexpected warmth

to his recent
of their welcome, and by the reference
row,
sorthat he could not trust himself to speak. Without
with
the group, shaking hands
he passed around
a word
in turn.
each man
By the time he had finished the round,
Barry

had

he

was

so

his voice

in

control,and said:

I thank
of you.
gratefulfor your sympathy."
you
if
he
He hesitated a moment
as
then,
or
two;
Tell theml
heard his father's voice, "Tell them!
They
don't know
Him," he added:
"And, sergeant major, if
to say to all
you will allow me, I have something I want

this is very
for this welcome, and I am

kind

"Sergeant major,

the

when

men

I get

chance.

say it all to-night

like to say : That

I cannot

I would
the sergeants, but this much
since I saw
you, I believe I have got

to

work

whose
man,

in the
men

and

battalion.

told
more

me

that he

than

got it from
was

new

a
a

idea of my

sergeant major

fine soldier and

that, that he

was

'like

brave

father

to

SKY

THE

21"

From

I learned

him

IN

NO

sergeant major,

That,

them.'

PILOT

that my

fauhs, but to help men

in Heaven, and, men,

shall count
His

do

can

men

is

who

God,

if I

on

our

this,I

knowing, and

Then
the

he

ing
lead-

of
privilege

all learned

have

that you

fore
"Be-

added,

at

Then

?"

knee

immiortal

that

of

jump

to

is worth

I have

in words

Him

mother's

your

I think

hard.

grippedthem
'good night,'
may

to

you

not

father.

own

my

Him."

words

I say

LAND

to knov\^

for He

myself happy,

all need

we

was

job was

for their

Father

MAN'S

simply he spoke the words

the men
joiningin low and

prayer,

voices.

reverent

the prayer, he quietlysaid, "Good

night!"and
passingout of the hut. He had not got to the door,

After
was

however, when the sergeant major's voice arrested him.

ing
"Sir, on behalf of the sergeants, I thank you for comin and
all

us

I thank

words.

for your

you

You

have

done

good."

bouring
followingmorning, a sergeant from a neighserving
the transport lines,and obbattalion,visiting
Barry passing along with Major Bayne on the
battalion parade ground, took occasion to remark:
"That
is your padre, ain't it? He checks you fellows
The

rather

up

short,don't he?"like to

"Yes, that is our

padre, or Pilot,as we
him," was
Sergeant Mackay's answer, "but
that he

you

and

crupper,

until

needn't

get

so

the

heads

our

business

blasted hot

but

to

touch

the

own."

our

I ain't

it.

over

tell

I haven't heard

from

fellows."

own

"That's

one,

up

nothing againstyour padre that

your
to

us

it's nobody'sdamned

"Well, you
said

justcheck

can

I want

call

all

war.

right,sergeant.
I'm

not

huntin'

That
for

before

was

any

trouble

we

with

got
body,
any-

to start up anything with any

but if any one wants
how to do it."
sergeant, in this battalion,he knows

And

this

came

to

be

recognised as

mess.
sergeant's
squad
bayonet-fighting

an

article in the

creed of the
The

were

engaged

in

some

pre-

INTENSIVE

TRAINING

213

ordinary kind when Major

limlnarydrill of the more
Bayne and the chaplainarrived on the ground.
"We'll just watch the littlebeggar a while from here
and go up later,"said the major.
the drill sergeant on
As
his job, it
Barry watched
seemed

In

in
figure,

him

about
Below

that he had

him

to

at

there

admiration

once

without

haste, he

did you

he

envy.

indeed

was

their eyes

after

had

followed

hope

the

to

enquired
evolutions

again.

He

is

dream.
He's
say dream, but he's no
awake
for that. He's a poem
; that's what

going to

was

much

and

that?"

anythinglike

see

ever

of the drill sergeant for a time.

"Never," said Barry, "nor do I
I

perfection

behold.

to

major,

"

was

fore.
be-

height, yet not insignificant,

erect,
without angularity,
precisein movement
exaggeration,

"Now,

soldier work

average

swift in action

the

seen

pose, in action

that awakened

the

without

joy

never

too

wide

is."
Back

and

forth, about

drill sergeant,
He
movement.

and

around, stepped the little

finished

a
was

example of precise,
graceful
in
and
clean
explaining
evidently
cut,

he v/ished
speech the details of the movements
formal and memorised
executed, but through his more
vocabulary his native cockney would occasionally
erupt,
and picturesqueness
of his
adding vastlyto the pungency
memorised

speech.
"He

knows

here

right,"said the mxajor,

"but he would not let on if it were
King George himself.
I'llbet you a month's pay, though, that we
can't get one
foot beyond what he considers the salutingpointbefore
he

comes

to

are

we

attention,and

like it in the whole

poem,
to

move

his salute has

them

!"

ing
for his salute,there is nothTalk about a
Canadian
army.
as

Shakespearefaded.
Watch

and

Now

he's

going

listen !"

ening,
threatlong-drawn cry, fiercely
in English speech the word
"squad.**
representing
follovv^ed an expletive,Yun !" which for explosive

"Ye-a-ou-w
Then

off.

all

came

the

"

THE

214.

PILOT

SKY

qualitymade

rifle crack

in the

release

to

NO

IN

seem

LAND

drawl, and which

hidden
spring drawn
a

men

MAN'S

peared
apto

tension.
The
slack and sagging line leaped
its utmost
into a rigidunit,of breathless,motionless humanity.
!" a prolonged vocalisation,
"Aw-e-ou-aw
expressiveof
infinite and

an

''As you

to mean

ear

former

to
gentlepity,and interpreted

!" released the

were

the initiated

rigidline

sagging state.

"N-a-w

then," said the voice in

tense, ''this ain't no

littlesnap
pie ease!"
and

arter

The

"

"

dinner

semi-undertone, slow
siester. A

bloomin'

last word

in

ing
sharply ris-

inflection,
tightening
up the springagain for the
"Ye-a-ou-w
e-ou-r

yun

"

Without
you

its

to

!!!

yun!"

"

Aw-e-ou-r

warning

came

"Attention!"

were!"

"

plosive
ex-

(Squad attention.)"Awyun

!!!"

the commands,
He walked
up

repeating"As
and

fore
be-

dov/n

the

and remarking
rigid line,looking them over
casually,
"Might be a littleworse," adding as an afterthought,
"per-haps!" After which, with a sharp right turn, and
a
quick march, he himself leading with a step of cleanthem
to the bayonet-fighting
cut, easy grace, he moved
ground.
"By Jove!" breathed Barry. "Did you ever imagine
anything like that?"
"The result of ten years in the regulararmy," said the
major.
"It's almost worth
it,"answered
Barry.
geant
ground, the littleserArriving at the bayonet-fighting
if
as
major put the squad through their manual
of biting
they had been recruits,to a running comment
After bringingthem to attention,he walked
pleasantries.
the line,then back again, and remarked
s^.owlydown
after due
"I have
of

deliberation:
seen

worse^

"

he gave
resignation,
"Stan-a-yeh!!!"

The

men

"stood

at

not

often"

"

Then, in

tone

the order:

ease," and then "stood

easy."

INTENSIVE

TRAINING

215

"Now, then," said the major, "we'll steal in

if

can."

we

They

moved
remained

major, who

abstraction

in calm

forward

him,

on

the littlesergeant

toward

zon
studyingthe oppositehori-

until their toes

had

reached

certain line,when, like the crack of a whip, there came

the long-drawn cry with its explosivetermination:
once
more
!

"Ye-a-ou-w

rigidity.
Toward
the advancing
threw

himself

into

officers the

salute

of indescribable

movement

the result that

the

into instantaneous,breathless and

again thrown

was

!! !" with

Yun

"

with

grace

one

and

line
tionless
mo-

major

sergeant

smooth, unbroken
finish.

"Good

morning, sergeant major," said Major Bayne.

"Captain Dunbar, this is Sergeant Major Hackett."
the salute,with a barelyperceptible
diminution
Again came
of snap,

befitted

as

"Sergeant major,"
deal to be able to
"Wot's

do

said

less formal

Barry, "I would

occasion.

give a great

that."

that, sir?" enquiredthe sergeant major.

"That

salute of

yours."

'ow !" permitting

himself
"Quite easy wen
you knaow
a
slightsmile.
"You
I see, sergeant
are
doing some
bayonet-fighting,
major," said Major Bayne.
"Yes, sir,goin' to do a bit,sir,"repliedthe sergeant
major.
"Very well, carry on!"
And
the sergeant major "carried on," puttinginto his
work

into

and

unbelievable
energy.
On
the

and

utterance

and

even

bayonet-fighting
ground, the

an

vicious

first line of the

representedby sacks stuffed with straw, hung

frame, the second by stuffed sacks depositedon

was

enemy
upon

his every
movement
of concentrated
amount

the parapet of

the three
bayonet-fighting
pointsdemanding specialemphasis are the "guarding"
a

trench.

In

THE

216

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

enemy's attack, a swift bayonet thrust and an

equally swift recovery, each operation,whether in case
in the stuffed effigy,
of a livingenemy
or
being attended
interested
much
with considerable difficulty.
Barry was
element introduced into the exercises
in the psychological
by the drill master.
"You
must
halways keep in mind that the henemy is
before you.
It's important that you should visualise your
foe. The henemy is hever before you.
Anything be-ind
British soldier won't trouble anybody, and you are to
a
of

the

that hit's either you

of rapid action
moments

remember
In

had

You

"

the

dently
sergeant major evi-

with his aspirates.

difficulty
before

suspended sacks

*'The

'im."

or

to

are

'em

treat

emy.
represent the hen-

you

so."

Having got his line within strikingdistance of the

directed by two
mands,
comswinging sacks, the exercise was
the first of which
''On guard!" and 'Toint!"
was
supposed to knock off the enemy's thrust, and the
into his vitals,after
second to drive the bayonet home
which, without

then, ''Hn-gah !"

''Naw
For

there must

command,

some

swift recovery.

Pint !!!"

in response

moments,

be

to

these

orders, the

ever,
squad practised"guarding" and "pointing,"not, howto the complete satisfaction of the sergeant.
'andin'

five,stick it hinto 'im.

then, number

"Naw,
a

lidy an

ain't

unbreller !"

attempt by number
the amenities proper
to

five

Another
of

Ye

being stillsuggestive

social function, the

geant
ser-

overgentlesoldier.
"Naw, then," he said,"hobserve ! There's my henemy.
See 'is hugly mug.
Hn-gah ! Pint !!!"
the sergeant major threw
of command,
At the words
himself into his guard and attacked with such appalling
ferocityas must have paralysedan ordinary foe, sending
his bayonet clean through to his guard, and recovering
major steppedup

it with

clean, swift

to

the

movement.

is

"He

is

of

training

into

it r'^

in

right

he

men

NO

magnificent/'

perfectly

all,

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

218

his
to

said
There

psychology.

fight,

MAN'S

without

LAND

"and,

Barry,
is

putting

no

after

possibility
the

'aight

XIV

CHAPTER
A

TOUCH

OF

WAR

drawing
period of intensive training
THEclose.
The finishing
touches in the various departments
to

was

that had

to

come

be considered

in modern

necessary

given. With the "puttingon the

had been sharpened
lacquer" the fightingspiritof the men
all waitingimpato its keenest edge. They were
tiently
lying
for the order to "go up." The motives undervaried with the temperament,
that ardour of spirit
of the soldier. There
education
and
were
disposition
those who
were
eager to "go up" to prove themselves in
had
their fellow Canadians
that deadly strugglewhere
in arms
their right to stand as comrades
already won
battalions of the British
famous
with the most
fighting
in whose
heart burned
Others, again,there were
army.
a
deep passionto get into gripswith those hellish fiends
and
whose
cruelties,
practisedupon defenceless women
children in that very district where
camped,
they were
had

warfare

and

upon

Vancouver

been

Canadians, had stirred Canada

wounded
to

Halifax

with

desire

But, v/ith the great majority

for

there

was

from

revenge.

little of

the

Their
desire either for militaryglory or for revenge.
country had laid upon them a duty for the dischargeof
for many
which
they had been preparing themselves

ready to perform.
duty they were
that, they were
eager to get at it and get done

months, and
than

More

with

it,no

that

matter

at

what

cost.

all this,too, there

the thing would
to what
below all their feelings
With

underlyingcuriosityas
be like "up there." Far down
unanswered
there lay an
interrogationwhich
dared to put to his comrade, and which indeed
was

an

219

no

man

few

men

SKY

THE

220

put

themselves.

to

I stand
The

under

up

was

camp

of

battalions
Ever

PILOT

That

MAN'S

LAND

was
interrogation

"How

with

from

rumours

appallinghorrors

since that fateful 22nd

of

the

returning
front

front from

the western

into the

given
those

long and

bombardment
line

keeping

5, that day of
and for the
army,

Dixmude

of

the

line.

April,191

of

tragedy and of glory for the Canadian

Canadian
people,the Ypres salient,the point of
on

shall

the test?"
overrun

the

NO

IN

to

honour

Verdun, had

been

Canadian

During
arm.y.
in the face of a continued

terrible months,
and of successive counter-attacks,with the
fully
thinner,week by week, backed up by woe-

growing
had held
the Canadian
inadequate artillery,
army
with the grim tenacityof death itself. There
on
was
To
nothing that they could do but hold on.
push the
lines would only emphasise
salient deeper into the enemy
role asand danger of their position. The
the difficulty
signed
them was
that of simplyholding steadywith what
seemed
ultimate objectivein view no
to know.
one
after month, the Canadian
Week
by week, and month
battalions had

moved

"tours,''buildingup

up

into the

sahent, had done

their obliterated

their

parapets, digging

their crumbling
revetting
trenches,and rebuildingtheir flimsydugouts, and
hind
then returningto their reserve
lines,always leavingbein hastilydug graves over
them
the parados of their
trenches,or in the little improvisedcemeteries by Hooge,
of their comrades,
or
Maple Copse or Hill 60, a few more
and broken
and ever
sending down the line their maimed
to be refitted for war
or
discharged again to civilian
life. It was
fare
altogethera ghastlybusiness,a kind of warof the finest temper and a
callingfor an endurance
of the highestquality.
courage
nadians
From
this grim and endless test of endurance, the Caout

their

choked-up

had
"trench
which
French

discovered

raid,"
later
and

water-courses,

came

form

of

relief known

specialdevelopment of
to be adopted by their

British armies.

It

was

trench

comrades

form

of

as

warfare
of the

sport,grim

TOUCH

OF

WAR

221

enough, deadlyenough, greatlyenjoyed by the Canadian

soldiers ; and the battalion which had successfully
pulled
off a trench raid always returned
to its lines in a state
of high exaltation.
They had been able to give Fritz a
littleof what

they had

been

receiving
during these

weary

months.
the battalion waited

While

with

ever-growingimpatience
send them
for the order that would
"up the line/'
of officers was
a
gathered in the senior major's
group
of studying in detail some
hut for the purpose
graphs,
photoof the enemy
secured by our
trenches
aircraft,
of the front line.
sector
immediately oppositetheir own
They had finished their stud}^ and were
engaged in the
divertingand pleasantexercise of ragging each other.
The particularsubjectof that discussion was
their various
and the comparativeusefulness of
abilities,
sprinting
of
various kinds
funk-holes
as
a
protectionagainst
the uncertain
or
"J.J.s"(Jack Johnsons),''whizzbangs,"
and
wobbling ''minniewafers."
occasion to call upon
had Barry found
Seldom
Major
he had

Bustead, with whom

than

more

however,

from

which

purely formal
the orderly room

undertook

he

been

to

unable

establish anything

to

relations.

message,

Lieutenant

to

deliver,brought

eron,
Cam-

him

to

the

senior

m.ajor'shut.
"Come
in, padre," said the major, who of late
more
genial,"and tell us the best kind of

hole

for

'minniewafer.'

"The

deepest and the

say,"said Barry, "from

had
a

come
be-

funk-

"

closest for me, major, I should

what I have heard of those uncertain

wobbling beasts."
understand
that chaplainsdo
and

"I

not

accompany

their

battalions to the front line,but stay back at the casualty

old
clearing stations," suggested the major. "Wise

birds, they

are,

too."

The

major

had

an

unpleasant

laugh.
"I

suppose

Barry,

they
"but

go

where

if you

will

they are
excuse

ordered, sir,"replied
me,

I have

here

THE

222

PILOT

SKY

chit for Lieutenant

in," and
"Will

allow

you

"Certainly,go
Cameron

read

grave

"It's from

NO

LAND

has

justcome

Cameron

his message.
sir?" said Cameron.

me,

read

on,

MAN'S

sir,which

Cameron,

handed

Barry

IN

it,"said the major.

the message,
and
and anxious
look.

his face there appeared

on

the

casualtyclearingstation,sir. One of
is there dangerouslywounded,
our
chaps from Edmonton
and wants
I'd like to go, sir,if I might."
to see
me.
it all right with the O.C.
"Oh, certainly. I'll make
Get a horse from the transport. Which
casualtyclearing
station is it?"
Cameron

looked

"Menin

Mill, sir."

"Menin

Mill.

By gad, I thought it was

Brandthoek,
that's
a different proposition.
Mill,good Lord,
Right up on the
beyond Ypres, you know.

but Menin
That's
line.

his message.

at

way

can't take

You

there.

horse

go up at all?"
"I think I should like to go,

ought
know

Do

you

think you

to

chap well.

the

Went

Cameron.
sir,"replied
to

school

and

"I

collegewith

him.''

"Then," said the major, "you had better hurry up and

yourselfto one of the transports going in.

will barely be in time."
"Thank
you, sir,"said Cameron, and left the room.
is it,Cameron?"
Barry went out with him. "Who
attach

said.

"Do

I know

"I don't

my

very

"May
Tait

and

of

he

him?"

know, sir,whether

McPherson

You

Edmonton,

an

you

do

or

not.

It's young

awfully decent chap, and

best friend."
I go

up

with

you,

Captain Gregg,

who

Duncan?
are

at

I know

Colonel

stand."
the Mill, I under-

awfully glad if you would, but I hardly

liked to ask you.
of being a very
It hasn't the reputation
healthy place,I hear."
"All right,Cameron.
I'm going up," said Barry.
"I would

be

TOUCH

OF

found

Upon enquirythey

WAR

that

223

they were

late for

too

to
as
again the question arose
whether, in view of the major's order, they should make
the attempt by themselves.
Cam"It was
not
reallyan order, I think, sir,"said eron.

transports, and

the

"It

I'll go.

The

for

sent

"All

more

was

note

suggestion.I think
said,'dangerouslywounded,' and he
a

me."

right,"said Barry,
certainlypick up some

direct

of

in the way

us

to

"v/e'll go on, and we'll almost

who
will be able to
one

Mill."

the

road, which took them to Vlammertinghe, led

through level fields,
lyingwaste and desolate with rank,
As they approached that historic
overgrowing weeds.
of war.
on
village,
they saw
every hand the cruel marks
Their

On

either side of the road

with

around

cottages, grown

shattered

roofless and

were

nettles and

briars.

Among

the old
ruins, as they found on a
day, were
garden flowers, pansies and daisies,bravely trying to
hold their own.
to be seen
Among the rank weeds was

these

later

the half-hidden
there stood

debris of broken

the ruins of what

with

its

broken

rare

and
stately

hung

walls

and

Here

stead,
thriftyhomewhich

nettles and briars grew around

At
shattered,staringwindows.

and

grass-grown

mutilated

and

Now

intervals,a great house

gateway,

been

gear.

stone-flaggedcourtyard, around

clustered its stables.

the

had

farm

trees.

melancholyand

weird

appeared, with pretentious

drive winding up between
Over

the whole

countryside

steads,
desolation,cottages, homecryingaloud to high heaven

the very trees

fields,
for pity and vengeance.
stillstood
At Vlammertinghe, itself,
the church tower
most
whole, but the church itself was
wrecked, as were
to
of the villageshops and dwellings. In the villagewas
be seen
no
soldiers,who in the
livingthing except some
broken
The village
cellars were
making their bivouacs.
since the terrific
stood deserted of its inhalDitants,
ever
onslaughtof the Huns, on the 22nd of April,191 5, which

SKY

THE

2M

them

driven

had

PILOT

forth

stricken,terror-hunted
tle

babes, while

crowd

the cross-roads

At

MAN'S

their

homes,

broke, with

stood

LAND

of old men,

rain
pitiless

NO

from

them

over

appallingroar,

IN

of

panic-

continuous

ht-

and

women

and

shells.

m^ounted

officer,
directing

here tended to congestion. As they

which
the traffic,
entered the village,
the sentry halted them to enquire as
to their bona
fides. Having satisfiedhim, they enquired
Mill.
their way
to the Menin
"Menin!"
The risinginflection of the

voice
sentry's

Are you
expressed a mild surprise. "The old Mill!
going there?"
"Yes," said Barry, answering his inflection. *'Why
not?'*

know, if s rather
He
there,but

"Well, sir,you
bit of country up
in

French

quite a

business

of

bad

"

his.

manner

"If you

as

road.

Warm

shrugged his
if to

say

it

ders
shoul-

was

no

going to Menin, you keep

this road straightthrough past W^ipers past the Cloth
Hall, out by the Menin Gate. A hot place,that,sir. Then
straighton, taking the rightincline for about a mile and
will see a big cemetery on
half. You
a
your left. The
Mill stands near
a
big school on your right. But why
not drop into the dressingstation,
here, sir,righthere in
this old

catch

mill, which
ambulance

an

"Thank

you

at

the cross-roads

You

may

going straightup to the Mill."

much," said Barry. "We'll do that

thing."

very

luck, sir,"said the sentry,

"Good

They
for

very

stands

are

"All
in and

found

an

ambulance

about

saluting.

to

start, and

asked

lift.

right,sir,"said
ask

the driver,"but

you'd better step

the officer."

ing,
buildstone
largeand high-vaulted
ioned,
which in peace days had been a mill. The old-fashtaining
massive machinery was
stillstanding intact. Obpermissionfrom the officer,
they took their places

They passed into

SKY

THE

:226

InsensiblyBarry
quiver of

LAND

crouched

down

his wheel, without

held

in

the apparent

muscle.

three more,

be

"There'll

MAN'S

both

Cameron

and

driver

the

but

the car,

NO

IN

PILOT

I guess,"he said,
presently,

full

speed.
proved right. Again that distant woolly
guess
*Svhoof," the long-drawn whine, deepening to a scream,
and crash,and a second shell fell in the
the appalling
roar

puttingon
His

behind

road

them.

said

"Two,"

the

driver

couple more."
Again and yet again,each
the
deeper in their souls,came

be

will

'There

coolly.

the

time
two

growing
but they
shells,

terror

other

fell far behind.

the driver,"that's rotten

"Oh, Fritzie,"remonstrated
bad

You'll

work.

have

to

do

better than

that."

Again and again, in groups of four, the shells came

roaring in, but the car had passed out of that particular
of danger, and sped safelyon its way.
zone
"Do

you

this sort

have

quired
thing every night?"en-

of

Barry.
"Oh,
makes

no," cheerfullyrepliedthe driver.

than that,at times.
lot better practice

this?"

see

put his

He

inches above

few
don't

mind

so

fingerupon

his head.

going

much

"I
up,

"Fritzie
Do

triangularhole

got that last week.

but

you
a

We

annoying

it's rather

you'rebringingdown your load of wounded."

and
more
As they approached Ypres, the road became
more
congested,until at lengththey had to thread their

when

between

way

two

continuous

streams

of traffic up

and

tillery
of marching battalions,transports, ardown, consisting
and then a motor
ambulances, with now
wagons,

or

big

About

gun.
a

mile

from

the

city,they

came

to

and

building,with pretentioustowers
by a high brick wall.
used
"An
asylum," explainedthe driver. "Now
dressingstation. We'll just run in for orders."
red

brick

large
rounded
sur-

as

At

what

TOUCH

seemed

OF

Barry

to

WAR

^27

reckless

the brick posts, and turned

side of which he parked his ambulance.

in between
on

speed,he whirled
into a courtyard,

one

"Better

inside, sir," said the driver.

''They
few in here, seeingit's a hospital."
throw
sometimes
a
They passed down the wide stairs,the centre of which
come

been

had

converted

stretchers,into

wheeled

for the passage

gangv/ay

of

large basement, with concrete

lit by flaring
pillars,
gasjets. Along

massive

floors and
the

into

sides of the outer

room

rows

were

of

wounded

diers,
sol-

their

whiter than
no
bandaged heads and arms
their faces,a patientand patheticgroup,
waiting v/ithambulance
the
down
out complaintfor an
to carry them

line.
In

inner

an

three

medical

and

operatingroom,

with
officers,

their work.

Barry found

assistants and

two

or

tent
orderlies,in-

While

waiting there for their

and terrifying
driver,they heard overhead again that ominous
whine, this time, however, not long drawn, but
coming in with terrific speed,and ending with a sharp
crash.
and shattering
Again and again and again,with
the shells. It seemed
hardly a second between,there came
crash
if every
fair upon
to Barry as
the roof of
was
the building,
either of the medical attendants
but no man
of the waitingwounded
heed.
or
paid the slightest
At length there came
crash
that seemed
a
to break
in which they were
within the very room
gathered. The
of them went
some
a sound
lightsflickered,
out, there was
upon

if

as

tower

had

filled the

smoke

crashed

down

upon

the roof.

Dust

and

room.

"Light up that gas," said the Ofiicer Commanding.

An
once
more
orderlysprang to obey. The gasjetswere
and
the work went
on.
lighted
"Rather
wasn't
that one?"
asked Barrjr of a,.
near,
wounded

"Yes,"
and

man

he

at

his side.

repliedcasually,
"theygot a piecethat time/"
again he sunk into apatheticsilence.

In
and

few

^'Better wait

LAND

obtained

bit,"said the sergeant

his orders

at

the door, "until

is over."

Hate

"I guess
rather crowded

Fritz

the driver.

"Oh, that's ail right,"said

is

MAN'S

forth.

set

to

Evening

their

NO

the driver had

moments

ready

vv^as

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

228

pretty well through. They

are

there

the mill,and I guess we'll go on."

In his heart, Barry earnestly hoped that the sergeant
asmuch
definite com.mand, but, inwould
interposewith a more
had apparentlyceased, and
the bombardment
as
at

all in

as

if it

up

his coat, said

were

driver, buttoning

sir,if

"We'll

go,

minutes'

few

the

day's work,

you
run

ready."
brought them
are

the gate of the

to

city. As the car felt its way through the ghostly

only vaguely conscious in the darkness
town, Barry was
of its ghostlyskeletonlike ruins. Fifteen minutes brought
ruined

them

the Menin

to

gate.
hot

rather

"Sounds

"Well, Fritzie,I
time.
He

out

guess

there,''remarked

the

ran

you
into the lee of

car

join 3^our party this

don't mind, really."
the ramparts, by the side

won't

we

preferto wait, if

We

of the gateway, waited there half

''Evening Hate" was
past^ then
Mill.
Menin
lifted the

They

blanket

the driver.

hour

an

or

onward

so, until the

again

to

coveringthe sandbagged

passed through a dark corridor

cellar,lit by lanterns,swinging from
candles
everywhere upon
ledges or

and
the
upon

the

trance,
en-

into

came

roof,

and

by

improvised

candlesticks.
No

had

sooner

the

they

room

saw

across

and

his shirtsleeves

"Hello, Dunbar,"
"I

guess

Won't

you

than Barry
light,
Gregg, his coat off,

the

friend, Dr.

rolled to his elbows.

said the
shake

won't
have

his

into

come

cup

doctor, coming

forward.

hands

of

Sit down.
just now.
coffee?
Jim," turning to an

orderly,"give Captain Dunbar

to
Barry presented Cameron

cup

of coffee."

his friend,and

together

his

"We

he
patient,

came

I think

up

see

note

the doctor
sat

down

through

was

with

them.

McPherson.
chap named
young
about him to-day."
down

the

said

"McPherson,"

and

229

WAR

When

came

to

sent

you

OF

and waited.

they sat down

with

TOUCH

"1

doctor.

don't

remember,

but I will see."

He

turned

to

and

desk

record, apparently found

Barry.
"I

am

to

sorry

turning over
the

name,

the pages of a
returned
and
to

that McPherson

say

died this afternoon,"

he said.

"Dead," said Barry.

awfully sorry,
"Was

there
"He

doctor.

He

turned

"I'm

Cameron.

to

Duncan."

anybody with
was

him?"

Lieutenant

he

enquired of

Cameron's

the

close

very

friend,and collegecompanion."
"Oh, awfully sorry,"repliedthe doctor. "Yes, I think
with him
Captain Winter, the chaplainof the
th, was
I can
tellyou where
at the last. He's not here justnow.
To-morrow
is his day here."
to get him.
"Is
is" is his body still here?"
enquired Cameron,
"

"

after

few

silence.

moments'

"Yes, it's in the next room.

He was
pretty badly smashed
"I think
his

know
that

saw

I should

like to

people,you

see

see, and

Do
up,

want

you

I'm

to

see

afraid."
"I

him," said Cameron.

I would

it?

like to tell them

him.'^

"Oh, all right,"said the doctor.

He

called

this way,
sir,"said the orderly.
Together they followed the orderly into the next

an

derly.
or-

"Come

apparentlya
floor they saw

storehouse

grain. There lyingupon the

kets.
three silent shapes,wrapped in grey blanfor

is McPherson, sir,"said the

the card attached to the blanket
down
He stooped,drew
the blanket
"This

stepped back.

room,

In civil life,
both

orderly,lookingat

Barry

from
and

the face and

Cameron

had

SKY

THE

"30

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

the faces of the dead, but

having been prepared for burial
seen

is to soften by their
Cameron
gave one
of which
out
mass,

only in the coffin,after

by those whose office it
art death's grim austerities.
swift glanceat the shapeless,
bloody
stared up at him
wide-open glassy

eyes.

"Oh,

God,

my

God

my

!" he

gasped,grippingBarry by

the arm, and staggering

back as if he had received
his escape, but
He turned to the door as if to make
himself

"Oh, let me go
"Duncan, there

boy

he

"

Let
a

are

get

me

right,sir.

of here 1"

out

nineteen

and
I

"

voice, "there's

solemn

there."

chaps out
halted

was

at

the

muttered:

then

forgetting."
"And, Duncan, remember," said Barry, in
are

Barry,

firmly.
"Steady, Duncan!"

lot of wounded

only

was

word, stood motionless

"You

said.

he

"Steady, old boy,"

The

blow.

shaken, held him

and

white

was

more

than

that

to

quietand

McPherson.

and loved is not

fine young
chap whom
you knew
friend has
that poor and battered pieceof clay. Your
escaped from death and all its horrors."

That

"Yes,
"We'll
I'm

yes, I
out

go

know," whispered Cameron, stillshaking.

sir.

now,

right."
They passed out

all

right. I

assure

you

all

departing at

dressing-roomagain,where
was
continuing to arrive. Cameron
ing
but Barry held him back, unwillonce,

that the lad

should

the wounded
for

I'll be

by

were

what

into the

had

he

be driven

away

beaten

and

nerved
un-

seen.

"I say, Duncan, let's see some

of these boys. We
can
perhaps cheer them up a bit. They need it badly enough^

God

knows."

"All

right,"muttered
in the shadow.

bench

Cameron,

They

waited

down
sitting
there tillDr.

upon

Gregg

along.

came

"Hello, Dunbar,
eh?"
moments.

said the

ten,
looking seedy. Feeling rotfor a few
doctor, eying him critically

you

are

TOUCH

"Oh, Tm

all

OF

WAR

231

right,"said Barry.

justbeen in there
sight. Cameron's

"The

with young
Cameron.
badly knocked up.

truth

Rather
Can

is,IVe

ghastly

do

you

thing
any-

for him?"

"Sure

thing,"said

there where

Now

two.

or

are.

you

the doctor

cheerfully."Stay right
I'll bring you something in a moment
sit rightthere,do you hear?
Don't

move."
In

few

them

he

moments

returned,bringinghot coffee

for

both.

"There," he said in

cheerful

matter-of-fact

voice,

''drink that."

Barry gulpedit down, Cameron

and

with

evident

with

of

almost

leave

declined

all. You

while.

might

doctor

slowly,

more

continued

cheerful

and,

to

verse
con-

Barry

as

careless indifference.

you,"

of shell shock.

case

that for

months

in tones

I must

"Now,
handle

The

them

thought, of
there's

distaste.

takinghis

The

said

the

We

didn't know

doctor.

British R.A.M.C.

"I
how
for

recogniseit as requiringtreatment

to
care

to

look

at

this

chap.

Poor

see

to

some

at

devil!"

since he had
ever
lookingat the man
into the room,
come
supported by two of his comrades.
He was
indeed an objectof pity. Of splendidphysique,
six feet and powerfully built,with the fine intelligent
face of an educated man,
he stood there white, twitching
in every muscle, in a state of complete nerve-collapse.
Colonel Tait, who
had been observinghim keenly ever
since his enteringthe room,
now
approachedhim, greeted
him w^ith a cheerful "Hello !" took him by the hand and
felt his pulse.
"How
are
you, old chap ? Feelinga littlebetter than
aren't you?"
were,
you
doc
"Yes
Be all
Rather
tor.
rotten
though
right to-morrow

Barry

been

had

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"Sure
harm.

you

We'll

will!
send

Still
you

down

little rest
for

won't

do

you

any

coupleof weeks, and

THE

232

then

SKY

PILOT

NO

IN

will be fit enough to

you

MAN'S

have

LAND

another

go

the

at

boche."

sayinghe

him

and went
assistant,
with his work.
At this point Cameron, from
whose
on
eyes the look of horror had not yet faded, leaned over
So

and

Barry

to

turned

to

over

an

whispered :

''Let's get out of this. For

He glancedat
gettingme."

Heaven's

sake,this thingis
Barry. *'What, are you ill,

too?"
his clenched
teeth.
''Ill,"answered
Barry between
"111? No, why should I be ill? Look
at these boys. I
see
myself ill. By Jove !" he added under his breath,
"here's

voice

shell shock.

another

took

on

Sit down, Cameron!"

Don't
"Sit down.
tone.

sterner

His
be

an

ass!"
Once

Colonel

more

This

man.

second

Tait

was

stretcher

violent, requiringtwo

very

the shell-shock

in hand

took

The

case.

hold

to

men

was

man

him

his

on

stretcher.

"Oh, let him

"What's

wrong

you

wounds?"

any

"No,
shock,

sir.

The

colonel

Let

go!

you?"

with

sir," chattered

"

who

Gregg,

Buried
had

came

him

the
few

to

over

said Colonel

he said to the

man

twice-"

"

go!"

by

"Have

man.

miserably.

"Shell

shell.

Ah!"

moments'

where

Tait.

Oh!

conversation

Barry

"

with

and
sitting

was

said:
"I

Dunbar, watch

say,

this

case.

You

will

see

some

fun."

Barry, shaken and indignant. "Not

for that poor chap."
up," said the colonel sharply.
stood up without
much
apparent difficulty.

"Fun," echoed
fun

much

"Stand
The

man

"Ah!"
too."

the

said

His

man

until he

"Pain

voice

by
came

the

the
to

was
arm

the

there,eh?"

colonel.
kind and
and
small
he

ran

"Shell

shock.

sympathetic.
his hand

Bad
He

down

case,

gripped
his spine

of his back.

said,giving the

man

poke.

THE

"34

PILOT

SKY

gestlonbegins
the well

and, begad!

IN

work

to

known

NO

the

and

LAND

self
discovers in him-

man

of

symptoms

I don't wonder.

MAN'S

genuine

"What

shell

shock,
just given

have

we

for hysteria a littlenerve

is part of the treatment
tonic. A good sleepmay
put him all rightby to-morrow
morning. The chances are, however, that the O. C. will
him

"

him

send

the

so,

chap

rag him
keen
to

will be

half

to

are

Oh,
none

few

a
as

days'

happy

death

get back

his V. C.
"We

for

down

down

again, and

as

rest

and

clam.

there, so
the

all get scared

of us proud about
v/e

change. If
The boys will

that he

chances

are

will be
may

get

stiff,"laughed Gregg.
here.

that you read about in the home

papers,
We
much
about.
just 'carryon'."

That
we

hero

stuff

don't know

"By Jove, Gregg! That's all right,but to just 'carry

on' in this business,it seems
calls for some
to me,
pretty
fine hero

"Well,
see

about

ready

to

stuff."

don't call it so," said Gregg.

we

your
go.

ambulance.
I think

I believe there's
can

find

"Now
one

place for

you

I'll

about

and

friend,and it will save

you a long walk."
ings.
from the old mill with mingled feelThey came
away
Barry had to a certain extent recovered from his
Cam*
shock, and had himself sornewhat firmlyin hand.
still silent and obviously shaken.
eron
was
when
It was
dawn
they arrived at the cam^p,
grey
nervously exhausted, and sick at heart.
physically
weary,
Hobbs, who greeted them with the news
Barry wakened
under orders to go up that night.
that the battalion was
able to gauge
that of hisj
state
Barry was
By his own
your

friend
had

experiencesof the last ten hours

tion
desolabeen like nothing in his previous life" The
the face of the country, upon
wrought by war
upon

the bodies
unnerved

The

Cameron.

of

men,

him; and

their souls, had sickened and

this he remembered
was
an
ence
experiupon

conscious of a
only a brief ten hours. He was
profound self-distrust and humiliation, as he thought
of those other men,
v/ith their
those medical
officers,
of

TOUCH

orderlies,the ambulance
Hov/

could

have

months?

for

and

WAH

In

few

the

his fellow officers and

to meet

235

soldiers.
drivers,those wounded
this horror, day in and day out,

they endure

for weeks

OF

hours

he would

They could

men.

fail to read in his face all this that he carried in his

not

heart.
his grey,
and
fear

By
There

haggard face he knew

that the

had

his

to

came

too, must

deep

gone

him

the sudden

his fellow

meet

man

he

whisper that

he

soul.
their

endure

must

would

reveal

himself

live down

ever

can

friend's

thought that Cameron,

and
officers,

that

searching chaff, and

his undoing; for no

into

ror
hor-

same

to

talion
in his bat-

"quitter."That very
would
be forced to lead up his platoon
night Cameron
into the front line, and
lead them
must
step by step
where
that
the transports
same
over
Vlammertinghe road,
ger
were
nightlyshelled. In the presence of any danthe

soever,

begin

to

would

the nerve,
"Come
door

of

couple of

be found

better

the courage

he

said, standing at

dead

some

grub, and then sleep for

beat

and

hesitated.

his

The

thing he

and,

as

coffee

he was,
was

around

arm

in.

dragged him

so

are

you.
a

until reveille."

hot coffee in ten minutes.

to."
you

threw

bracing up of

"I'm

going,and
He

should

man

of his friend.

The

ready.

His

coat

will have

Come

Cameron's

boy dropped

boots and

longed for

most

that moment
to be alone.
was
on!" insisted Barry. "Hobbs
"Come
I want

for the

Cameron,"

me,

coffee and

Cameron

Far

eyes of his men

his very soul to

not

eyes

his hut.

hours

search

the shells would

failed to notice the startled

when
his
Hobbs
blurted out

had

steadyingof

in with

and

was.

must

way

the

have

We'll

He

Cameron's
Some

news.

the

qualityhe

falter.

in

look

their leader

to

what

die than

he must
not falter. When
well how
the
fall,he knew

turn

of

see

is

on,

was

on,

old

shoulder

at

fire

chap.
and

Barry's cot,
asleepbefore the

onto

boyish face, with

its

haggard

236

SKY

THE

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

ther's
look, struck pity to Barry'sheart, and recalled his faIf ever
words, *^These boys need their mothers."
his mother, it was
lad needed
a
Cameron, and
young

just in
He

that hour.
the

woke

boy

his boots,
in his blankets.

remove

up

down

Hobbs'

on

up,
made

gave

his coffee,had Hobbs

him
undress
and covered

him

him

Then, taking his

coffee,he lay

own

bed.

"Harry," he said,"give us every minute of sleepyou

Wake
us
can.
just one-half hour before reveille with
coffee and
rustle,and,
everythingelse good you can
Harry, waken me before Mr. Cameron."
he lay down
When
to
an
sleep he made
amazing
horror
and
that
his
and
fear
selfown
discovery
He felt himself quite
distrust had entirely
passed away.
had this thing come
to
prepared to "carry on." How
of coffee and
by means
pass? His physicalrecuperation
This doubtless in part, but only in part. In his
food?
for his friend he had forgottenhimself, and in
concern
forgettinghimself he had forgotten his fear. It was
an
amazing discovery.
"Thank
the good God," he said. "He
never
forgets
a
fellow,and I won't forgetthat."
"

He

woke

find Hobbs

to

bacon, and

and

him

his

side,with coffee,toast

ing
the floor beside his cot his tub await-

on

the tub

"

at

exactlyeightreceptacle
een

rubber

being a

inches in diameter.
He
the

hurried

while
a

through

Cameron
man's

dead

Barry hated to
bare thirtyminutes
work

upon

"Bring

his breakfast,all
most
and with alman,

and
dressing,

his

lyinglike

dead

face.

reveille

him, but

waken

off, and

he

had

was

but

experiment ta

an

his friend.
the

coffee, Harry.

Not

the

bacon, yet,"he

ordered.

"Hello, Cameron, old boy ! Wake

Cameron
eyes,

rolled

still dull and

over

with

heavy

with

up."

groan

sleep.

and

opened his

TOUCH

237

WAR

OF

Pipe this down your tunnel and look

have got thirtyminutes
You
too.
twenty-five,
lively,
and you have your toilet to perform
really to reveille,
"Here

are.

you

"

"

"

"

shave,

manicure

massage,

over,

all the rest

so

"

go

it.

to

can't get into it,but soap yourself

with a pail or
will sluice you
two

You

your tub.
Hobbs
and

Here's

and

outside."

Spartan stuff? It's awfully cold. I

rub this morning."
think I'll content
myself with a nose
"Get out of bed, and be quick about it,"commanded
Barry, "unless you'd rather take your tub where you
all this

"Why

are."

sayinghe jerkedthe clothes clear

So

the

with

Cameron

himself

stripped,soaped

Cameron

tub.
over,

off the cot, threatening

up,

sprang

groaning

and

shivering

the while; then stood outside in the open, while Hobbs

the order of the bath, and after a vigorous
administered

glowing.
"By jingo! That's bully! It's a pity a fellow can't
always feel justhow bullyit is before he takes it."
then! a little snap!" ordered
tempted
"Na-a-w
Barry, in atthe
inimitable
of
imitation
Sergeant Major
"A
little speed,pie-ease!That's better. I've
Hackett.
in

rub, came

worse

seen

And

so

often!"

not

"

he rattled

on

dressingand

through Cameron's

shaving operations.
this

Shove

fice,Cameron."
yours, sir ?" said Cam.eron, as he

againstyour

bacon

about

"What

the luxuries

to

'ere.

then, 'Obbs, a littleDelmonico

"Now

"Had

it,you

voice and

somehow

which

slacker."
he

manner

added:

going

any,

and

you

stop eating, though.

around

if you
there

with

and

to

my

sit down

and

swift

"Listen

Hobbs,

down

!:id "rustled."

Hobbs

You
prayers.
don't mind I'll do them

have

I'm

to

Then

sat

me,

won't
out

change

of

Cameron.
bother

loud.

me

Don't

wandering
Barry took his

stop your

listen."

Bible.

"Cameron,"

he

said,"one comfort

in

reading the

Bible

to

chap

PILOT

SKY

THE

2SS

with

NO

IN

MAN'S

father like yours

is that you know

all
context, historical references

thing already
teaching therefore,no
theological
the

about
and

LAND

"

need

"

of comment.

things. Turn
you have a good imaginationto see
the juicewhile I read.
Hobbs, you waken up, too."

Also
on

began to read the vivid words which picture

in miniature
as
etchings the life stories of the heroes
in their day held their generationsteady
of Faith who
to duty and
and pointed the way
victory. As he read
his face became
alight,his dark eyes glowed, his voice
he

Then

thrilled under

the noble

Then

to

he

"And
to

me

came

this

shall I

what

say ? For

more

Gideon," and

tell of

he

passionof the words

:
statelyperoration

fail

the time would

through the list of

kingdoms, wrought

on

so

read.

through faith subdued

of
obtained promises,stopped the mouths
righteousness,
fore
the world
not
was
lions, (of whom
worthy). Whereseeing we also are compassed about with so great
cloud of witnesses,let us lay aside every weight, and
a
heroes, **Who

the sin which

doth

patiencethe race
Jesus,the author
set
joy that was

so

that
and

reader

and

tide of dramatic
of the great and
were

called upon
Cameron
naa

kindlingeyes
to

and

hearers

endure

prayer

Hobbs
was

looking

faith,who,

the

upon
music of

were

themselves

book

and

Wonderful

for the

ing
despisof the

part

cross.

with

face,was

his

ing
listen-

words.
thrilling

laid it down.

company!
heroes

are

All

in it.

the

finest

Now,

then,

dropped on his knees, Cameron

followinghis example.
a
chieflyof thanksgivingfor those
prayer
He

the

they,too,
pictured;

the reader's

the

unto

swept along upon

were

forgotten his breakfast, and

the best of the war's

"

It

is set down

eternal conflict there

to

us,

with

run

the cross,
at the righthand

passion. They

Barry closed his

*'Great, eh!

our

let us

him, endured

fastened

the noble

us, and

before

is set

finisher of

before

the shame, and

throne of God."
Both

easilybeset

and

who

TOUCH

OF

^39

WAR

in their

day and in the face of anguish and terror and

death had kept the faith; of thanksgiving,too, for all
in this present day of sacrifice in the home
land
who
the field of battle were
and of sacrifice upon
keeping
that

faith for the

same

Empire

and

for this

humanity. The prayer closed

that they in the battalion might be
petition
of a humble
place in that great company.
As
they were
repeatingtogether the
of

cause

Father,''the
the camp.
''Go out,

of the reveille sounded

notes

Hobbs, for

sacred

same

with

found

simple
worthy
"Our

prayer

shrillyover

minute," said Barry after they

He
well that Cameron
their prayer.
knew
miinutes with him alone.
v/ould want
a few
said the boy, and his voice was
*'Sir,"
quietand steady,

had

risen from

"Tm

going

not

to

try

to

thank

you,

but I believe I

can

*carryon' now."
bet you

"You

"You
man,

bet you
isn't it?

have

got

to

with

the

game."

can

can," said Barry, grippinghis hand.

! It's the point of view after all,old
it doesn't matter, but we
of the boys, and we
have got to stay

For

think

Eighteen hours

ourselves

later the relief

completed,and

was

the

in its place in the line,all but the sentries

asleep in their flimsydugouts and behind their rotten
battalion

was

parapets.
An

hour

later,Barry, who
in the regimental aid post,
sleepby the M. O.
"There's

was
was

something doing

sleepingwith
wakened

out

the M.O.

from

dead

said.

there," he

"Listen!"
There

was

"Bombs
The
tat
were

"

quick succession

!" said the

explosionswere

tat-tat-tat

both
"I guess

on

of

the

M.

sharpexplosions.

O.
the rat-tat-tat

followed

by

machine

Instantlythey
guns.
in the trench.

their feet and

Fritzie is

of

out

tryingto put something over

"

on

^tat-

us.

THE

^40

SKY

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

O.

first night,"said the M.

being our

LAND

"I'll get my

boys

out."
He

'

adjoiningdugout, where
roused
bearers were
sleeping,

stretcher

and
them

the trench.

up

voices

of

and

trench

There

"Come

O.

is here, and I think this is where you

well. They will bring the wounded
as
machine
The

'

minutes

few
O.

all

"Fritzie
while

was

tried to

the doctor

his wounded

coming.
"The

arm,

You

first

"my place
sharply,
will be most
to

put

trench

one

righthere."

us

have

to

you.

seen

to

came

wounded

us," he exclaimed,

on

iodine

and

tying up

he's got another

our

guess
h
e
added.
officer,"

be 'at 'em.'

Grabbed

one

from

With
a

bayonet,
private as

burstinglike hell all

Beg pardon, sir,"he added, turning to Barry.
some
kid, poor chap. He's got his,I guess."
ran

"Who

past, and

is he?"

bombs

asked

the M.

"Lieutenant

Cameron,

"Cameron!"

cried

"They

are

the

his wounds.

with

I think

"but

in the bunch

one

over

dabbing

was

ought

too, mind
he

useful

stillkept up their incessant tattoo.

utes
in his forecast. In a few mincorrect

in spiteof
walking, jubilant

man

in the direction

still again, except for

was

the communication

down

subdued

of

which

guns,
M.

sent

on."

"Captain Dunbar,"called the M.

and

cation
quick marching feet along the communifew yards away.
a
They stood together

the sound.

In

corporal

them

the sound

was

for a few
minutes.
listening
"I'm going,"said Barry, hurrying off
of

his

the

to

ran

around.
"He's

O.

sir."

Barry. "Where
carrying the stretcher

is he?"
cases

right down

dressingstation,I hear," said the man.

off at a run.
"I'm going,doc," said Barry, and was
ment,
exciteAt the casualtyclearingstation there was
no
the doctors and orderlies "carrying on" as usual,
receivingthe wounded, dressingtheir wounds, sending
and despatchcharacteristic
them
with the smoothness
down
to

the

of their department.

Xy

CHAPTER

THINNING

months

THREE
made

in that
mark

their

RANKS

of

hell-hole

salient

the

this battalion," said

on

have

Transport

Sergeant Mackay.
the first line and
*'Yes, there's quite a lot of these round
back
about
was
here," replied the pioneer sergeant, who
that were
some
putting the finishing touches
crosses,
upon
to be sent
up the line that night.
ishing?'*
finWhose
is that cross
"That's
are
so, Fatty.
you
Lieutenant

"That's

Salford's,

fine

officer

young

he

the
The
deeper the mud
Always had a smile.
Booth's.
And
is Lieutenant
this here
more
Sally smiled.
wonderful.
Two
that picked up
There's
chap now
a
months
a
everybody thought he was
big soft slob,
ago
here's
all right. And
and
those bombers
say that he was
too.

was,

O.'s.

M.

the
there
would

was

ever

on,

the

and

'carried

on'

time,

them

and

him

say

He

one.

Vv^alkingabout

go
was

they
they

doc!

old

Poor

but

two

that

as

with

last

chaplain
"

wonderful.

think
if it

was

man,

afraid

of

smile

when

if

now,

He

nothing.
a

ment
bombard-

big show

the

there's

another

day,
peach

around

there

I wasn't

other

"

at

dressing station told me that

forward
back
and
getting out the
they had about
thirty injured up at

boys

worked

wounded,
time,

the

wasn't

in that
the

There

at

was

the

kind

of

er

shower

summer

that

falling,let alone H. E.'s and whizzbangs, and then

in with
O. went
after they got the last man
out, the M.
before
he left,
stretcher
bearers, just lookin' around
some
shell came
and
and
a
they say it was
got 'em all, and

was

about

the

last shell that

was

throwed.
242

And

that's where

THINNING

RANKS

243

got his,too. The Pilot went out

poor Harry Hobbs
he came
back that's what
minute before, and when
a

just
he

terrible cut up over

the M. O.
They say he was
Funny thing,the M. O.'s face was just as quietas if he
had gone to sleep,
but the rest of the boys,well you could
hardly get 'em together,and the Pilot walkin' up and
buried 'em ri^ht
We
down
there lookin' like a lost man.
there by Maple Copse. I v/ant to tell you, sergeant, that
The Pilot,
done in this war.
that's the hardest job I ever
It
in the middle
he broke right down
of the service.
saw.

have

must

hard

been

for him.

I've been

with

him

now

he stands up to his v/ork like a

takes it kind of cheery almost, but when we
was
funeral

at every

He

and

the

M.

O.

couldn't appear
ought to have

to

stand

tin' down

put-

Harry, the Pilot

poor
it. I cried like a baby, and

and

the

seen

man.

just
you

crowd, the O. C. and the adjutant

and they are all pretty hardened

pioneers,
up by
this time.
They have done enough plantin'anyhow.
head
They justall went to pieces.The shells w^as goin'overthe trees, something awful, but nobody
among
than if they had been pea-shooters. First
minded more

and

time
him

the

ever

ever

the Pilot break, and I have been with

since the firstone
we
buried,and that was
big
seen

Jim Berry.

don't

guess

you

snipergot

back here."
^'Back here!"
do you
This
"I

much

exclaimed

'back here' ?

mean,

night with

see

him.

You

or

don't

remember?
of the

get much

"What

Sergeant Mackay.
Don't

I have

the transport, and

to

go

news

up

every

that

barridge,too.
through
aint no
'safetyfirst'job."
know, sergeant. I'm not sayin'you ain't at war.

Believe

I'd rather

me,

Hell Fire Corner

nightlike you
but

you

the

news

don't

knov/, he

Cuaig,who

same
was

and

be up front than to go up round

Gate every
back by the Menin
come

fellows.

I ain't

sayin'nothingabout that,

things that I see, and you don't get

I do.
as
Now, about Jim Berry, you
goin' to do some
snipin'in place of Mc-

went

see

to

the m.achine

gun

company."

THE

244

SKY

"McCuaig,

PILOT

the

in

machine

''Well, that's what

"you
down

here, same

boys

the

I'm

don't get
as

and

that's how

Cuaig

he

the

never

we're

like,and

when

get

news

sewin'

cheer

to

news

about

on

fixin'

we're

themselves

McCuaig.

You

he's

up,

see, Mc-

killer,you

in his rifle. The

his rifle to be sure,

he, givin'him

devils.

get

comes

his riflxc: 'Say,

it ain't

I'd like to

only
after

and

work, stoppin'a raid,he

says

up

the crosses, you get kind

kind of lonesome, and so

right for sport, but

killin' these

to

thews,
Mat-

got four of the Huns, but he had

ofliGer,and

this is all

see, when

up

I heard

he had

say

of the chances

puttin'on
things,and

three natches
put down
he seen
the machine
gun
to

company!

snipin'the first tour, and

had only cut three natches

was

bet, and

boys

LAND

sayin',"said Sergeant

You

me.

the
boys keep telling

and

MAN'S

gun

some

fixin' 'em

and
the graves
thinkin' about

up
of

NO

that."

heard

the

IN

for

good enough
to

on

your

gang,

if I can,' and

they put him right onto the machine gun.

with that Lewis
since. Just
ever
Say, he's sleepin'
gun
I tellin' you?
was
Oh, yes,
pets it like a baby. What
about

McCuaig

and

and
place snipin'

Jim Berry. Well,

good sniperhe was

he took

McCuaig's
He

too.

used

to

know, up in the mountains with Jim Knight

fall. Well, he started out snipin'the day after

hunt, you
every

McCuaig quit,and
took

him

up

to

McCuaig

the 'hide.'

gave

new

things

his rifle too, and

Well, big Jim

careless cuss, you know.

He
and McCuaig
his rifle,
sightin'
of them

him

gets his eye

watchin'

was

was
on

always
the

hole,

through one

"

'Terry'sscope."
Them
French
is mighty
"Yes, that's it,Paris cope.
When
smart
fellows, you bet.
along walks a Hun.
'There

he comes!'

until

he

hated

to

and

sings out McCuaig. 'Didn't see him

got past,'says Jim, pretty mad, because Jim
show
that he'd got 'buck fever,' or something,

waited

for the

next.

again. 'Bang!' goes

'Here

he

Jim.

comes!'

says

Cuaig,
Mc-

'I've got him,' he

THINNING

shouts, lioppin'
up
him

grabs
awful,
goats.

and

to

get

'Oh

shaw!'

he

24)5

good look, when

him

jerks

tellin' him

and

RANKS

swearin'

down,
wasn't

McCuaig

shootin'

somethin'
mountain

no

Jim. 'They can't get me.'

'You keep your head down, Jim,' said McCuaig. That's
the very last words he said to him, just as he was
leavin'
him.
He wasn't down
the next
day when bang! goes
and again up he jumps to see v/hat he'd got,
Jim's rifle,
when
ping! goes a Boche bullet rightthrough his head.
You
know
real mad, and he stood quiet
McCuaig was
Then
he got Corporal
at that hole for three hours.
Thom
when
to shove
rifle,
a
ping! comes
up a hat on
the bullet and bang! goes Jim's rifle. 'Guess he won't
shoot

says

there's shootin' in hell,'says he,

and m.akes another
natch.
Say, the boys all felt bad
about Jim and so did the Pilot. Well, we
had to plant
him

no

unless

more,

that

night,as we
out beyond the Loop.
guess."
"Of

course,

all around

been

goin'out

was

next

don't know

You

day.

It

was

that is,I

where

"I've
Mackay indignantly.
that front line. What
are
you givin'

do,"

asserted

us!"

"Oh,

bet.

you

mine.

have, eh ! Well, I wouldn't unless I had to,

It's

Well,

in the

out
to

you

machine

no
as

open,
guns,

with a waist line like

place for a man
I was
sayin',that cemetery was
right
under
and
observation,
right
exposed
snipers,
whizbangs,all the hull bloody

Wasn't
lot of 'em.
no
I'm not after any
say.
"
should be

place for a cemetery

bomb
proof job but

quiet and
of the transport boys.
"Should
"Yes.

be

What's

the

use

retired
of

anyway,
a

cem.etery

spot,"suggested one

gettinglivin' men

shot up
know.
Not

to
they'reburyin'dead men, I want
saying anything about the oflicers that's always round,
should be someand the chaplain. I say a cemetery
where
there's a
of sight,like Maple Copse; now,
out
it hard diggin'.
good place,except that the roots make

when

246

SKY

THE

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

Up againsta railwaybank like that down at Zillebeck,

by the Railway Dugouts, there's a lovelyplace.'*
*'How
the Ramparts do, sergeant?"enquired
would
another

transport lad.
You

"Ramparts?
sergeant, with

Ypres?

at

mean

Yes," said the

grin, ''but I'd hate to turn out the

Brigade Headquarters Staff."
''Go on, sergeant."
"Well, as I was
sayin',that's no placefor a cemetery
much
so
up there beyond the Loop, but I didn't know
about it then, you bet.
That's where
had to bury
we
Jim. It w^as a awful black night,and of course, just as
out

got

we

them

they

up,

I want

and

I wisht I

heavy, an

the trench

to

flares started

what

know

up

lookin'

was

tell you,

to

was

awful

tryin'to hurry
procession,and

to

one.

go

'overland'

something

to

awful.

for, but when

I felt about

the

Well, Jim, you

the

I don't

they

size of

know,

was

he

on

went

tree,

pretty

for the boys. I

carry he was
along,but that Pilot,he heads

heavy
'em

tery,
ceme-

goes

at

funeral

march

was

the

pace.

I believe in doin'

thingsright. I've heard of some

pioneersthat hurries their job. I don't believe in that,
but when
the open
dark
are
on
a
going across
you
night,with them flares going up, I say between flares
is a good time to get a move
on, but, no, that there Pilot,
he just goes that pace and no
I want
to tell you
more.
the boys was
and the oflicers too.
The
O. C.
nervous
I could see the major
there.
and Major Bustead was
fussin' to get on.
all right,
Well, we
got Jim down
if they didn't
and just as the Pilot got started,darned
chorus you
open
up the biggestkind of a machine
gun
Now

heard."

ever

"What
"Me

good

did you
?

words

Well,

do, sergeant?"

I started

I could

huggin'mud

think of.

Even

and

sayingall the

the O. C. got down

got into the grave,

his knees, and the major, he near

but that darned
Pilot stood up there gettingtaller every
minute, and goin' on with his prayer, and the boys
on

THINNING
that loud

sayin'*Amen!'
take

he'd

hirxt and

the

nothin' !

time, the

emphatic that

and

way

thought

somethin*, but

out

cut

if his memory
he kept a fetchin* up

Seemed

247

RANKS

as

cut

out

workin*

was

thingsthat

over

he could

to the benediction,
easilyforgot,and when he comes
the whizbangs begin to come.
Up goes his hand, the
kind
a
they do. I thought to myself that that was
way
of unnecessary
display. I looks up and there he was,
In fact,I says to myself"
like a tree than ever.
more
think things at times like that
how
it's queer
you
fool is a tree,
if they won't think the darned
darned
a

"

"

nothin'

for

flare

but

that's what

done,

was

"You

like

much

so

him.

saved

He

tree

the
I

anyhov/.

until he

moved

never

in

up

then didn't he stay with us pioneersafter

filledup.
Say, he's all right."
gone until we

do

with

his work

in
gettin'

you

the

boys."
his work'?"

in
'gettin'

mean,

"and

Mackay,

enquired

pioneer sergeant.

"Oh, well,

you

"he's

language."
faith

he

And

said

know,"

makin'

I know

things.

has

this

'em

was

the

near

as

pioneer sergeant.

He
his way.
remember?"

used

to

jump

tell him
showin'
was

Thorn

to

right in

their

confession

of

go.

myself up the line,"said

boys used to get out of
'em somethingfierce. You

and

they
things. I saw
Corporal Thorn the other night
him
his girl's
picture,and the Pilot thought
fine girltoo, and got her address
a
down, and

"Well, they justlove

chap

on

all

about

!"

"Huh-uh

said he

"The

lot different

tied up

as

wardly,
awk-

Sergeant Mackay

think

'em

the sergeant cared to

"Oh, I can see a difference

she

stand

bet he's all right,"said Sergeant

"What
the

would

tree

and

the rest had

he's

look

light and

guess

darned

was

the

to

have

going to write
corporal was, and

swell up

her

him

and

drop

in

now

tell her what

ought to see
you
until he 'most bust his tunic."

fine

Corporal

the

''Yes, and

"He's
was

all

first
bet."

for the Pilot."

all about that," said

Pilot used
hard

awful

The

along.

the

to

to
on

go

with

up

captain,he

had

There

he

rear.

shape, you

us

on

transport. It

the

to

the Pilot

round

come

would

with

voice.

monotonous

I remember
fightin'.

raid of
to

sure

have

course.

be there.

note

lovely time

"There
the

enthusiasm

soldier.

nighthe got

dirty mess,

and

not

word

in

But

the
his

just loved

He

his wound.

It

was

raid on. CaptainNeil

blown
just about got his arm

If there
He

right."
CaptainFraser," said
of

was

and

now

was

off, but they say he's goin' to be all right. I was

regimentalaid post when they fetched him in.
was

and

the column

minutes, with the Pilot safe up in front.

few

pioneer sergeant,

was

the

was

Sergeant Mackay.

Captain Duff, handlin'

all
the Pilot calmed him down
"Yes, and there's that young

into

all the rest, to hold in when

and

the mules

on

he

here, and

use

I know

"Oh,

month

saying anything againstCaptain Duff, but

roughneck, you know well enough, and I guess

he hadn't much

for

not

was

"The

what

know

you

get this transport licked

to

one

"I'm

then

Well,

right,"said Sergeant Mackay stoutly. "He

chief for about

my

was

geant.
officers,too," said the pioneer ser-

"There's Captain Duff.

he is."
terror

holy

Pilot,"

the

about

corporal'sdippy
Sergeant Mackay.

said

LAND

MAN'S

the

I know

"Oh,

he

NO

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

^48

face all cut up, and his

until the Pilot
out of him

arm

comes

at

the

Oh, he

hangin',
along.
jollyin'

begins to chirpup and the Pilot starts

minute and sayin'Psalms to him the next
him along one
minute, and littleprayers, and the boys around listenin',
all choked up, but I'm
sometimes
grinnin'and sometimes
awful glad Captain Neil is comin' round all right."
ished.
finBy this time the pioneersergeant had his crosses
Then

he

"Well," he said,as he

set

the

crosses

againstthe wall,

SKY

THE

^50

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

LAND

Sergeant Mackay looked at him with darkening face,

he should adopt
evidentlyuncertain as to what course
''turn himself
loose" upon
whether
this benighted
to
"

Englishman

abandon

to

or

him

his

to

tion
condi-

deserved

decided

the latter
upon
his back upon
In portentous silence he turned
course.
and walked
the whole length of the line
Fatty Matthews
of

to

get

time

ignorance. He

fatuous

mule

back

over

for the mule

had

It took him
the rope.
mind about the
his own

little

som.e
manoeuvre

the sergeant was

unwontedly deliberate and gentle
with him.
Then, the manoeuvre
executed, he v/alked

and

slowly back to the pioneer sergeant and in restrained

him.
and carefullychosen speech addressed
*'Look here, Fatty, I'm askin' you, don't you ever
say
things like that outside of these lines,for the sake of
the regiment,you know.
I'd reallyhate the other battalions
to

know

had

we

"

got such

He

self
him-

halted

quietly,*'A man
proceededmore
in this battalion.
as
My God, Fatty, they'd think
you
into your pants. I know
down
they
your brains had run
took a
haven't, because I know
you haven't any." He
then

abruptly and

fresh

breath,

continued

and

his

address

in

of

tone

''Why, man, don't you know that

the British Army, has gone, its Highland ments
regi-

patientrem.onstrance.
wherever

cleared

have

the

and

way;

that when

the

pipes

the devil himself couldn't hold them back?"

get playin'
"I don't wonder," said Fatty innocently."They make
a

all right."
fightin'
his face narrowly,
Sergeant Mackay scanned
feel like

man

to

as

he should

whether

credit the

tain
uncer-

pioneersergeant

sufficient to produce a sarcasm.

intelligence
I mean
"What
is," exclaimed
Fatty, seekingto

with

you
transport sergeant, "when
get so stirred up, you know, that you

the wrathful
them

pipes,you

just feel like killin'somebody."

This
apparently did not improve
Mackay.
"Oh,

darn

pease
aphear

it,you

know

what

mean

matters

!"

with

geant
Ser-

THINNING

what

know
You

said

Fatty,"

"No,

you

down

go

''I don't

solemnly.

don't

"I

I'll suggest this to you, Fatty.

there at the end
to that Pete mule, down

but

I guess

talk to him.

he'll understand

you.

you're so hot about," said the

an
aggravatedvoice, "but I'm going
in an3^way."
the'
sound
of the pipescoming from

what

see

pioneersergeant in
the boys come
to see
the distant

When
direction

the

of

the various
that

front

transport

the battalion

watch

they

had

had
the

been
lack

had
three

less than

of

sergeant

251

busy just now."

I'm

and

the

mean,

of the line and

no

HANKS

mouth

of

go,

rather
cut

base

For

that

formidable
up.

in camp,

More

units

the

they had

of

men

lined up
had

rumour

beaten

to
run

back

raids of the enemy

than

that, by

reinforcements, they had

tour, so that
of thirteen

double

in.

bad

heard

was

lines and

come

badly
of

line

had

returningfrom
they were
indeed
days, in what was

reason

do

to
an

a
perience
ex-

the veritable

hell.

they are all pretty well all in," said Sergeant

Matthews, who, standing with his pioneers,had been
That
avoided by his friend Sergeant Mackay.
carefully
his
enthusiastic Scot had for the time being abandoned
with the transport men
fraternising
transport, and was
he was
of the Highlanders, with whom
he would
sure
feel himself in more
complete accord.
"Here
they come, boys," said a Scot, as the sound of
ten
"There's a drummer
for ye. Listhe pipesgrew louder.
"I guess

'tilthat double

"Ay, Danny,
and

on
on

the

may

say

3^e?"

boys will be shovin' out their

hips about something awful."

the

hitchin' their
"Ye

roll,wull

that, Hec.

big drum,

man,

Will

ye look

but he has

chests

Angus
gr-rand style

at young

got the

him."

"Ay, boys, they

are

kay,
the la-ads,"said Sergeant Mac-

and
yieldingto the influence of his environment
casuallydropping into the cadence of the Highlanders
about him, which, during his ten years in the west, his

SKY

THE

"52

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

well-nighlost. "It's a very fine thing,your

pipers are doing, playingour boys out in this way, and
won't be forgettingthat in a hurry."
we
"Why for no?" enquired Hec, in surprise. "It's the
Highlandersthemselves that love a bonny fighter."
tongue had

Down

the

lines of silent men,

road, between

came

the

pipers with waving kilts and flyingtartans, swinging

Angus doing
along in their long swaying stride,young
his
with
the big drum,
wonders
on
whirlingsticks,and
est.
every piperblowing his loudest,and marching his proudthem

Behind
at

the

cam.e

of the battalion

men

of
their head, grave
colonel marched
Major

attention, their colonel

at

the
steady. Behind
Bayne, in place of the senior major, whom
prevented from accompanying the battalion
face

ing
march-

and

illness had
on

this last

cheery as was his wont, but

deep lined. After him at
head of A Company marched
Captain Duff, his rugged,
heavy face looking thinner and longer than its wont
fiercer than ever.
With eyes that looked straight
even

and
tour, no longerrotund
with face grey, serious and

the
but

before
men

them,

of the line of silent onlookers, the

something in their set, haggard faces

heedless

m.arched

on,

forbiddingapplause. At the
the chaplainalone, and every
up
M.

in the Salient behind

him

rear
one

of the column
that he

knew

his friend and

marched
had

left

comrade, the

marching had been at his

All knevsr too how
righthand.
during this last go, in the
face of death in its most
ried
form, they had carterrifying
their wounded
until all
comrades
out
one
by one
were
lain
brought to safety. And all knew too, how the chapand lonelyheart for
carried with him that day a sore
O., whose

the loss of
who

had

place in

one

who

chaplain'sface

was

his

become
was

ear.

more

to

loyal and

gaunt and

but for all that,it wore

"Say, he looks awful

Mackay's

all other

look

him

than

devoted

batman, and
friend.

thin,with hollow
of

cheeks,

detachment.

serene

tough,"said

The

voice in

Sergeant

THINNING

Sergeant Mackay

RANKS

253

sharplyaround

turned

upon

Fatty

Matthews.

"Tough!
voice.
"He

"You're
fine.

looks

looks

In

the

exclaimed, with a choke in his

damned
He
a
liar,that's what you are.
looks fine," he added
again furiously.

Tough!"
He
as

he

if hell itself couldn't

sergeant'seyes

strange

him."

scare

lightswere

ing.
glisten-

"Yes, you're right,sergeant,"said Fatty Matthews

and that's where he's been, too, I
humbly. "You're right,

guess."
Bravely

with the historic and immortal

gallantly,
the evening air,
"Cock
o' the North"
out on
shrilling
the battalion parade
the pipers played them
to
on
they halted, silent still and with that
ground, where

strange

They

and

air of

had

been

detached

indifference

through hell.

still upon
them.
prise
Nothing else could sur-

All else,indeed, seemed paltry.

Briefly,but with heart-reachingwords, the
them.

thanked

colonel

the

pipers for what he called "an act of fine

and brotherlycourtesy." Then
turning to his men, he
spoke a few words before dismissal.
"Men, you have passed through a long and hard time
failed. I am
of testing. You
have not
not
going to
praiseyou, but I want you to know that I am proud of
Proud
to be your
commanding officer. I know
you.
is before us, you will show the same
that whatever
spirit
of endurance
"We

have

and

courage.

lost this time

eleven of

tv/enty-ninemen,

them

killed,and with these three very brave and very

them
medical officer,
our
a
gallantofficers,
among
very
loss
this
battalion.
did
These
their
to
men
duty
great
We
miss
loved them.
shall
to the last.
We
them, but
Let us give three cheers
to-day we are proud of them.
for our
gallantdead."
With
no
joyous outburst, but with a note of fierce,

strained

determination, came
all he could do, Barry could

the
not

cheers.

prevent

In

spiteof

shudder

as

he

THE

"54

the

heard
had

SKY

in their grey

on/

have

and

up

v/illhave

You

LAND

blankets.
the O.

men," concluded

"Now,

MAN'S

he
cheeringfor those whom
of them
lated,
lying,some
sorelymuti-

recentlyseen

so

NO

him

about

men

IN

PILOT

coupleof

then

and

supper,

shovv, to which

C, "we

hours

in which

shall have

we

'carry

must

clean

to

to-nighta

and
hope you will all come,
I hope you will all greatlyenjoy."
which
The colonel's little speeches,as a rule,elicited appreciative
cheers,but this afternoon there was
only a grave
After
silence.
their huts
to
went
dismissal,the men
and were
soon
a
"high mark
busy giving themselves
scrub" preliminaryto the hot bath and "jungle hunt"
in v/hich they would
indulgethemselves to-morrov/.
As
Barry was
moving off the parade ground, the
juniormajor caught up to him, and took him by the arm

cinema

said

and

"I have

around

sent

batman

my

after you until I

We
draft.
all know
look

to

pick out

can

how

you

feel

your
man

hut.

He

from

the

about

will
new

old

Hobbs,

man."
"Thank

you,

major,"

said

Barry quietly. "I

ciate
appre-

that."

continued the major.

will be around
to-night,"
All
I have
lot of things to do.
a
"No, I think not.
he spoke.
those letters to write."
as
Barry shuddered
"You

P'or
a

nothing in all his ministerial experiencewas

task than
more
exhaustingand heartbreaking
of these

dead
"I

would

letters to

the relatives and

him

to

the writing

friends

of his

comrades.
better come," said the major
the O. C. would
like it,and the
"I know
like it too."

think you

"Do

you

"Good
shoulder.

had

think so?"

man,"

said

"That's

Barry found his

his tub ready,and

said

Barry. "Then I'llbe

Major Bayne, pattinghim

the stuff

we

supper

boys

there."
on

the

like in this battaHon."

hut in order, his

in

estly.
earn-

thingsout
preparation.

for

airing,

THINNING

'Thanks, Monroe,"
as

he
As

he

RANKS

said to

255

Major Bayne^s batman,

passed into his hut.

he

his hut

entered

first time

there

swept

and

closed
his

over

soul

of loneliness.
It was
desolatingsense
of quiet,his first leisure to think of

snapped

the last link with

that while

he

remained

experience.Upon
gaps

would

stare

him.

at

his return

Up

upon

force himself

well

loved

It

to

was

be his

every

here

him

like

He

tinual
con-

tour

they did

back

face.

him

to

came

in the lines

terriblyobtrude themselves^ but

billets they thrust themselves
upon

for almost

there had been

life of his,now

from

so

mutilations

himself

for that.

soldier,this

appallingand

his first moment

that old home

all the dearer

but

remote

so

door, for the

an

the loss of his batm.an

With

weeks.

two

the

could

in

nev/

not
rest

hideous

hardly

his

clothes.
He
muddy, filthy
his cot justas
would gladlyhave laid himself down
upon
he was, and given himself up to the luxury of his grief
and loneliness,
until sleepshould come,
but his life as a
soldier had taught him
of
something. These months
and especially
these last months
of compandiscipline,
ionship
with his battalion through the terrible experiences
of war, had wrought into the very fibre of his life
of unity with and
a
for his comsense
rades.
responsibility
His every emotion
of loss,of grief,of heartsickness carried with it the immediate
suggestion and
remembrance
that his comrades
too were
passingthrough
like experience,and this was
his salvation.
a
Weary,

sick, desolate

to

as

remove

he felt himself

in this

that m.any of his comrades

sick and desolate. He wondered
felt.

were

how

hour, he
as

bered
remem-

he, weary,

the

and

man
major's bat-

"Well, Monroe,'* he said with an attempt at a voice

of cheer, ^'pretty
tough go this time."
"I lost m.y chum
"Yes, sir,very tough," said Monroe.
this time," he added after a few moments'
silence.
"Poor

It's hard

chap,"said Barry.
to

leave

"I'm

awfully sorry

friend up there."

for you.

THE

^56

SKY

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

"It is that, sir/' repliedMonroe,

hurriedlybut with hesitation,''and
all know

sir,we

me,

all feel for you,

it'sawful

sir,believe

for

choked

his eyes and

busied himself
to

will

if you

for you.

tough

sympathy

of
A

rush

of

added

pardon
boys

The
too

much

tears

came

was

warm

For

his voice.

his

with

then he

and

me."

The

unexpected touch
Barry's self-control.

LAND

minutes

some

undressing,but

Monroe

he

tinued
con-

speaking.
"Yes, sir,the Wapiti bunch
was
CorporalThom
"CorporalThom

with

is

small.

gettingpretty

"

me

!" cried

Barry.

"Was

CorporalThom

chum?"

your

"Yes, sir, for six

together. We

awful

was

we

years

was

the

on

close friends.

He

Bar

U.

was

M.

good

chum."
He

your

chum!

have

indeed

"He

has often
"But

Let
his

live bomb
end

one

bomb
of

to

it.

that

"I

fectly
"Per-

down

three

came

got him."

bomb

Barry.

finer in the

"Nothing

it.

There

corporal had
rushed

was

into

the

was

bay, but
end, and

blown

to

the

then

enemy

of

it and

front

the

they got there, eight or ten

them.
fell hissing among
They
of

an

got wind

as

the other
He

about

They

out.

men

Just

bay.
to

tell you
The
up.

me

coming

called

cried

hear, sir,"said Monroe;

only heard

"He

you."

and

You

too.

sir," said Monroe.

you,

about

me

mine

of

was

great loss."

splendid,"said Barry.

"Oh,
raid

splendiddeath!"
glorious!"
what

ago,

war.

great friend

lot of

talked to

"I didn't

days

was

suffered

thought

Barry again; "he

exclaimed

Thom!"

"Corporal

of

them,

pieces,but

himself
one

no

all rushed

corporal kicked
threw

line

on

else

the

top
was

hurt."

During the recital of this tale,Monroe

Barry and v/hen he had finished his
with

tears.

stood
eyes

were

lookingat
shining

NO

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

258

LAND

MAN'S

the officers came

in the battalion,
as
into such gatherings
this,to receive them with a ripple
as
silence. Barry arrived
of applause,but to-nightthere was
It

the custom

was

hush, and

he

When

late.

then

as

he moved

the

fell upon

appearedthere

the front

toward

men

seats

served
re-

the officers,the men

began to rise until the
whole battalion was
standingsilent and motionless,and
y
It was
seat.
until he had found
remained
a
Major
so
for

Bayne

v/ho

called his attention

which

was

reserved

to

stration,
demon-

this unusual

only for great

occasions

and

nothingless than a battalion commander.

"They are salutingyou, Pilot,"said Major Bayne in
a
whisper,himself standingwith the other officers.
the mxCn
standing,
Barry quickly lifted his eyes, saw
the
with all eyes directed toward
him, slowly looked over
of faces, smiled a bright but slightlywavering
rows
smile, turned and saluted the Commanding Officer,and
all tremblingand shaken
sat down
by this most touching
tribute of sympathy and affection.
show
The
picturesof great allied
began with some
for

excited

leaders which

applause.

mild

Then

interest and
came

Bull's

drew

there
an

was

impromptu

have

no

lack of musical

entertainment

too, in such
arisen a demand

an

was

functory
per-

tragic comedy of
immigrant, when just as
the

experiencesas an
blew
the interest began to deepen, the machine
off for the night.
were
pictures
Ordinarilysuch a contretemps would have
fatal to the evening'senjoyment, for
means
John

some

and

other

the

up, and

been

by

no

talion
in the bat-

talent,and

narily,
easilypossible.Ordi-

there would
emergency
who had
for the chaplain,

at
come

once

to

recognisedas a great standby in times of need such

this.
as
To-night,however, everythingseemed changed.
that the chaplain
of the men
The mild suggestionof one
should take the piano was
promptly discouragedby the
dissenting
growlsof the others present. They knew well
how their chaplainwas
feeling.
do?" asked Major Bayne of Barry.
shall we
'What
be

THINNING

Coleman

"Get

RANKS

the

piano. He
a young
suggested Barry, indicating
done

is

perfectwizard,"

lieutenant

who

had

the battalion with

to

come

to

259

the recent
draft,and who had
accompaniments for Barry'sviolin playing.

some

Lieutenant

Coleman,

on

being called for, went

to

the

indeed a wizard as
piano,and began to play. He was
Barry had said, with a genius for ragtime and popular
music hall ditties,
and possessed also of the further gift
his services invaluable on
of improvisationthat made
justsuch an occasion as this.
From
one
popular air to another he wandered, each
executed

with

greater brilliance than

failed to excite

approval.

The

been

to

wont

seemed
a

to

anythingmore
old

than

which
songs
let loose the song

have

on

last,but

mild

other

birds

It
lost their power.
immovable
apathy which

settled and

the

was

interest and
occasions

of

he

the

not

had

battalion

gloom,

but

apparentlynothing

could break.
"This

is

going awfully slow," said Major Bayne to

Barry. *T wish something could be done."
"The
boys are tired out," answered
Barry, himself
sick of the performance and longing more
and
weary
than anythingelse for solitude and his cot.
The
Officer came
and sat beside
over
Commanding
He was
them.
obviouslyworried and uneasy.
"I don't like this," he said to the major. "Coleman
is doing his best,and is doing mighty well, but there is
heart in the boys, and it isn't entirely
due to physical
no
I wish we
weakness.
could start something that would
before
wake
them
they leave. They would
sleep
up
better."

much
"The

Pilot

here

undertone, "but
much

can

do

I rather

it,"said. Major Bayne in

hate to ask him

an

for he is pretty

all in."

They

sat

half hearted
"This
over

littlewhile

drawling of

won't
here."

to
longer listening
"The
Tulip and the

the

men's

Rose/^

bar
do," said the O. C. abruptly. '"'GetDun-

SKY

THE

260

"Dunbar,"
"This

him.

PILOT

said the O.

thing is

at

their eyes.

Do

MAN'S

C. when
dull

as

get the boys started up

Look

NO

IN

bit.
you

as

LAND

Barrj^ had

ditchwater.

They
know

come

I want

to
to

hopelesslydull.
what they are
seeare

ing?"
"Yes, sir,"said Barry, "they

seeing what they

thirteen days."

are

lookingat for the last

"You are right,
Dunbar, and that's what I want them
I know
don't feel very fit,and I
to forget. Now
you
do something for
hate to ask you, but I believe you can
What
do you say?"
with that violin of yours.
the men
for it,"said Major Bayne.
"I have alreadysent a man
have

"I

been

knew

it,and

he'd do

his violin lies there under

the

piano."
preface Barry walked
straightto the stage v/here Coleman, having miserably
failed to strike fire with "The
Tulip and the Rose," was
grinding out, with great diligenceand conscientious
"Irish Eyes." Barry picked up his violin from
energy,
the stage, laid his violin on the piano,
the floor,mounted
then he took his placebehind the pianistand, bending
over
him, reached down, caught him under the legs and
while still in full tide of his performance,lifted him
squarelyoff the stool and depositedhim upon a chair at
look
side of the stage. Then, ignoringthe amazed
one
Coleman's
face, he proceededgravelyto tune his
upon
with
the cool neatness
violin to the piano. The act itself,
raged
which it was
performed,the astonished face of the outall togethercreated a situation excessively
pianist,
funny. The effect upon the audience v/as first one of
surprise,then of unalloyed delight. Immediately every
Without

announcement

in the hall

man

the

wide

was

situation grew

upon

quite a livelymanner.
When
Barry put
again, for often had
of

or

awake, and

as

the humour

them, they began

his violin to
he bewitched

to

cheer

of
in

they cheered
with the magic

his chin
them

his instrument.

Before

he

began

to

play,he glanced over

his shoulder

THINNING
at

RANKS

261

and remarked
in an undertone,
the discomfited Coleman
perfectlyaudible throughout the hall,*'Now we'll

have

music."

some

off in a perfect storm

Again the audience went
renewed
from time to
delightedcheers,which were
as
Barry would turn looking with a grave face
the stillamazed
Coleman, not yet quite recovered

of
time
upon

from

his first astonishment.

When

restored,Barry began to play.

finally
For
number
he made
a
daring choice. It
the intricate but altogethertuneful Ballade and
was
Polonaise by Vieuxtemps. Throughout the somewhat
he held his audience
the
fixed under
lengthy number
It was
a
triumph immediate and
mastery of his art.
he had finished the last brilliant movement
complete. When
siastic
burst again into enthuof the Polonaise, the men
not
cheering,moved
only by the music but more
which they could not fail
of their chaplain,
by the spirit
to understand
and appreciate.
He had alreadyachieved what the O. C. had desired,
but he was
not
Having finished
yet done with them.
he was
his classical selection,which
quite well aware
Coleman
could not touch, he turned to the latter and
tated,
hesigravely motioned him to the piano stool. Coleman
of
not
knowing quite what would be demanded
quietwas
his opening

him.

"Come

on,

the

Coleman, be

audience

joining

sport,"shouted
once

young

cer,
offi-

encouraging

more

in

never

knew

cheers.
Still Coleman

hesitated.

One

just what

him
chaplainmight put on.
Failingto move
by imploringgesture, Barry finallyapproached him, and
with elaborate,courteous
formality,offered him his hand,
and finally
conducted
him to the piano stool. Again the
delightedaudience went into a roar of cheers.

the

vagary

From

them
old

that moment,

at his

heart

will,now

song,

now

and

for

full hour, Barry had

spellboundto some
listening
beating hand and foot to

simple
reel,
a

SKY

THE

26S

roaringto

now

and

IN

NO

MAN'S

the limit of their

LAND

hmg

some

power

old

popular air.

well-loved

"Ain't he

PILOT

bird?"

said the

major

to

the

Commanding

Officer.
''He's fine,"assented the
great sigh. ''I can't tell you
from

It's worth

me.

Commanding
what

week's

rest

burden

Officer with

he has lifted

the men,
and, poor
his voice, he leaned

to

chaps, they need it." Lowering

to the major and
over
said,*'We may be going up again
to-morrow
night."
''To-morrow
night,colonel!" exclaimed the major,
aghast.
"Not a word, but I have exceedinglygrave news.
The
front line is driven in. One
of the battalions holding
is completelywiped out."
"Wiped out? Good God, and where are the enemy?"
"As far as I can hear, although I haven't the particulars,
they have broken through from Hooge to Hill 60,
are
through SanctuaryWood, and down to Maple Copse.
Two

relief

The

chances

battalions
are

have

gone

shall have

we

up

and

go to back
the boys, for

to

It's hard

holding.

are

them

up
have
they

on
evening.
come
through a long and bitter experience,but not a
word
We
shall let them
of this, major, to .any one.
anxious
have their rest to-night.That's why I was
so
That's why I am
about this entertainment.
particularly
He
is a wonder, and by
gratefulto that Pilot of ours.
the look of him he is about all in. He is stayingmagnificently
And
with the game.
major, I am going
now,
to do
something that will please him immensely. At

to-morrow

least I think it will."

At

pause

in the music, the O.

C.

arose

and

moved

stepped back to the

rear.
Standingbefore the men, the O. C. spoke briefly:
"I wish to thank
in your
our
chaplain,
men,
name,
and his assistant,
Mr.
Coleman, for the very delightful
feel by
I know
how
evening they have given us.
you
I feel m3^self. I need say no
and now,
the way
more,
toward

the

stage.

Barry

at

once

THINNING

RANKS

S^3

seeingthat we have missed our parade service for the

last two
Sundays, and as I should not like the chaplain
to become
rusty in his duty,I'm going to ask him to bring
our
evening to a close with a littleservice
very pleasant
such as he himself would
suggest/'
the words out of his mouth, when
Barry
Hardly were
took

said:

his violin and

up

"Boys, did

have

you

good time to-night?"

'Yes,sir;you bet we had, sir."

Well, then, if you had, sing this," and
the first verses

them

"Abide

with

of the old

hymn,

fast falls the

me,

tide."

even

When

they had sung the first verse,

*'Now sing these words," and once
more
verse:
stirring
"I fear

foe, with Thee

no

at

When

they had finished the

"Shall

v/e

"Go

have
sir!"

on,

recited for

hand
verse,

to

he

said again:
he recited the

bless."

he said to them

another?"
"Sure

they said.

thing!" "Finish

it

up!"
"Then," said Barry, "sing these words"

"I need

Thy presence every passinghour,

but Thy grace can foil the tempter'spower."

What

when

Then

he

had

violin and, moving

a voice vibrant with
"Don't
for

finished the verse, he dropped the

to the edge of the platform,said,in
emotion

sing these words,

^'

but say them

as

play them

you."

He

then recited the

moving

words

with which

the old

hymn closes :
"Hold
Shine

Thou

Thy

through the

cross

before

gloom

and

closingeyes;
point me to the skies;
my

SKY

THE

2g4

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows

Heaven's

flee,
In life,in death, O Lord, abide vi^ithme."
"I wsLnt every
I play them."

of you

one

to say

long-drawn,tremulous

In

the words

to himself

as

he voiced the beautiful

notes

need, which
lines. Then, with his
finds expressionin the first two
bow
grippingthe stringsin a great sweeping crescendo,

plea for aid in the

he

forth

poured

faith with

which

supreme

the

in full strong chords

the hymn closes.

laid his violin

He

of man's

hour

quite a

the piano, stood

on

triumphant
few

them, then said:

"Men, listen to these great words.
They might have
been written for us, and for these days ;" and he recited

lookingupon

moments

to

the words

them

in the

courage

"God

is

of

the

face of

psalm, eloquentof
crumbling world:
Hebrew

refuge and strength,a

our

very

present help

in trouble.
will not

Therefore

though

and

the midst

of the

the

Though

thereof.

be

the mountains

earth

be

carried

moved,
re-

into

sea.

waters

the

though

fear, though the

we

thereof

mountains

roar

shake

and
with

troubled,
the swelling
be

Selah.

whereof
shall make
glad
river,the streams
the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles

There

is

of the Most
God

of her; she shall not be moved.

her and that rightearly.

is in the midst

God
The

High.

shall

heathen

help

raged, the kingdoms

his voice,the earth melted.

were

moved; he

tered
ut-

SKY

THE

^66

do

"Well, what
*'How

does

IN

NO

MAN'S

think

of

that?"

PILOT

you

that suit

LAND

O.

said the

C.

you?"

"Well, sir/' said Barry, uncertaintyand hesitation in

I conhis voice, "I'd like the leave, all right,but can
veniently

spared just now?"

"Most
said the O. C, "and, what's more,
certainly,"
I want
you to go to-night. Can you get ready?"
"I suppose
so, sir,"said Barry, wearily.
"By Jove! listen to him," said the O. C. "He hates
And
to leave us, doesn't he?"
they all laughed. "Now,
Dunbar," he said,"no more
posing. You catch the leave
of fact, I
train to-night at Poperinghe. As a matter
be

it starts

think

"Thank
"Then

somewhere

you,

good
"Every

twelve."

about

sir,"said Barry. "I think I

luck!"

said

O.

the

C,

can

catch

risingfrom

it."
his

like to be in your
is glad that
place,but since it isn't himself, every man
it should be you."
chair.

one

of

us

here

would

Still Barry hesitated.

"I reallyhate to leave you, sir,justnow," he said.
mean
that," he added with a littlenervous
laugh.

"Oh,

on,

Dunbar,"

said the

gruffnessmight signifyalmost

whose
with

come

touch

upon

that

his shoulder

comradeship. "Say good-bye to

the

O.

C.

any

in

"I

voice

emotion, but

Barry knew meant

boys here, and get

out."

justfinished the plan for the campaign of

knew
in that littlecompany
the next night,and every man
that for him this might be his last "Good-bye" to the
chaplain. It only added to the depth of their feeling
unconscious.
that of all this Barry v/as
that they knew
that unconsciouslyhe had gathered
But, whether it was
of the situation,or
something of the real significance
They

whether

had

it

was

that he himself

had

reached

the limit of

ing
shakto man,
control,as he passed from man
hands in farewell,his lipsrefused to utter a single
unshed tears that spoke for
word, but in his eyes were

emotional

him.

Major
**Take

All

old

man.

all

feel

better

of

almost
"I

hate

go,

You

when
have

earned

that

that

and

us,

we

that

Good-

you.

suggestion,

strange

calamity.

major,"
said

you

of

one

known

have

of

conscious

was

good-bye,

Remember

really
we

outside:

and

you,

luck.

are

you

impending
to

with

good

because

men

"Nonsense,"
leave

that

Barry

Again

of

sorts

and

door,

the

to

Monroe

and

to-night

are

we

horse

my

him

followed

Bayne

267

HANKS

THINNING

get
it."

the
your

he

"I

said.

major
chance,

I'll

believe

''Take

impatiently.
and

have

good

wait."
your

time.

CHAPTER

THE

AT
^

PASSING

Poperinghe the

XVI

station,and

OF

leave

MCCUAIG

train

of

Httle company

waiting

was

in the

officers and

men

having their papers examined

preparatory to their
from
securingtransportation.Some of the officers were
his own
known
to Barry.
brigadeand were
"A big push on at the front,I hear," said one
of them

were

to

friend.

''Yes, major," said

his

friend.

''They

h:.ve

been

having a perfecthell of a time."

I
are
"By the way, your men
going in to-morrow,
understand," said the major, turning to Barry.
"I don't think so, major," repliedBarry. "We
have
out."
just come
"Oh, well, I had it from fairlygood authority that
they were
night."
going in to-morrow
he found
Barry hunted up Monroe, whom
talkingto
a
signallerof the battalion.
"Did you boys hear anythingabout the battalion going
up

to-morrow?"

had
"Yes, sir," said the signallerpromptly. "We
the wires.
over
They are going in, all right,to-morrow

it

night."
kicked

Monroe

"Did

you

hear

the

signalleron the ankle.

anything about it,Monroe?"

enquired

Barry.
"No, sir. I don't believe these
are

They

always flyingabout."
"But

to

at all.

rumours

the

you

say

you

got it

over

the wires?"

said Barry

signaller.

"Yes, sir.

That

is, sir, of
268

course,

we

get

lot of

PASSING

THE

269

in
up/' said the signaller

evident confusion.

very

*'And

haven't

you

Barry.
"No, sir,not
if there

had

you

said

have

heard

in it."

childlike

face wakened

expressionof innocence
Barry's suspicion.
Now,

me.

chaplain.Tell me the truth.

heard of the battalion going in to-morrow?'*
Barry's eye Monroe
began to squirm.

talkingto
Under

I think I would

here,Monroe," he said,"don't lie to

"Look
Have

anything, Monroe?"

truth

any

in the

Monroe's

upon

heard

thing,and

been

Something

Pm

mixed

Perhaps Pm

messages.

McCUAIG

OF

you

as

your

the truth, I did hear

"Well, sir,to tell you

rumour

of that kind."

"And
"tell me

you?"

said

Barry, turning upon

the truth."

"Well, sir,it's just as

wires.

The

I said.

you

We

going in."
Monroe,"
stuff,

had

it

over

the

battalion is

'Very well,get my
"Pm
going back."
"I beg your pardon, sir."
"Do

signaller,

the

hear

me?

Get

my

said

stuff;I'm

Barry, quietly.

not

going

out

to-night."Barry's tone admitted no further talk, and

and
Monroe, swearing deeply at his friend the signaller
"lack of
and especially
at his own
at his own
stupidity,
his lie through," hunted
out
to see
gage
Barry's bagnerve
and stood ready for his officer to return.
Barry
"Hello, Dunbar," said the major, as he saw
"What's
his horse.
about to mount
Forgotten
up?
something? You'll surely miss your train."
"I'm not going," said Barry briefly,
getting himself
settled in his saddle.
do you
going!" exclaimed the major. "What
I thought you were
mean?
on
leave,"
"Changed my mind," said Barry cheerfully.
ing
be noth"I say, old man," said the major, "there may
I told you about the push. Anyway, you
in what
"Not

270

THE

know

we

SKY

PILOT

cannot

postpone

IN

NO

our

leave until all the fighting

MAN'S

LAND

is over."

"Oh, that's all right/'repliedBarry. "There are lots

of you combatant
chaps in a battalion,but there is only

chaplain."
"Oh, hang it all," cried the major, "take your leave.
Well," seeing that Barry paid no heed to his advice, "the
one

best of luck, old

you're all right after all."

guess

The

exhilaration

that had

morning was not so

and, bidding Monroe
bed

into

hut

was

sleep all day,

that he had

so

the

battalion

was

writing hard

distance

some

from

Hence

camp.

his hut,
he tumbled
to

further

no

The

tion
informa-

chaplain's
from

Headquarters and
it

while

that

came

Barry

throughout the remainder

of what
was
quite unaware

at his letters

afternoon, he was
taking place. Monroe, however,
the

o'clock to say

rode back

battalion's movements.

the

to

as

spiritand limp
all was
sleep,and

of

He

far away.
let him

too, had
about the hut,

Monroe,

busy

flat in

nothing until late in the afternoon.

sleptin, and, after rising,had been

knew

and

Barry during the

sustained

evening suddenly fled,leavinghim

he wanted
in body. What
most

of

"I

man," he said, offeringhis hand.

that the battalion had

been

six

about

returned

"standing to"

that there
general feelingwas
would
be no advance
until late at night.
Glad of the opportunity to catch up with his correspondence,
Barry paid littleheed to the passing of time.

all

afternoon, but that

His
out

the

the V.A.D., in which

he
that he
the bitterness of his disappointment

even

last letter

to

Boulogne

and

to

would

was
hope that after this "show"
which
be granted leave, upon
happy

would

with

speakingof
wise

and

leave to

speed proceed to

her.

tripto England. Would

She
it not

proceedingthat she should

synchronisewith his ? Now he must
proper

not

was

her, and

the

all

poured

to

his way

on

now

was

pressing
ex-

over,
event

had
be

he

been
a

make
be

he

very

her

off,and

PASSING

THE

with

so

love

to

London

see

OF

the

with

her, and

McCUAIG

hope

211
that

they might

together

Just then Monroe

with

came

the

that

startHngnews

*'moved

up" hours ago.

"Which
road?" enquired Barry, springingto his feet.
"Don't know, sir,"rephed Monroe, who had evidently
his own
"But I met
a
padre,"
opinion about matters.

the battahon

had

he continued, "who
told me
that there
wounded
passingthrough the Brandhoek
He
and
with

hate
a

tion.
ClearingSta-

there,sir,"
they were
very short-handed
regarded his officer with anxious eyes.
take you
up there, Monroe," said Barry

to

smile.

"Oh, that's all right,sir,"said Monroe,

I guess

we'll have

to

remember, Monroe, that

have sent me
out of this,but

only

one

place for

is the
is, where
Beige,Zillebeck,or

"but
hastily,

hurry."

"I

there's

of

stream

said

Monroe

"I

was

me

battalion

"

major and

your
you

well

know

would

you

enough that

to-night,and the question

Ypres Barracks, Chateau

where?"

enquired at the transports, sir,"said Monroe, "and

out
one
They moved
quietlyand
appeared to know.

"I
no

left

word

no

"All
not

are

"We'll
this

behind."

Beige, and if they

go up to Chateau
there, we'll make a shot at Zillebeck,"said Barry.
right,we'll

right away.

go

We

don't

need

lot of

truck

trip."

long and tiresome march, but Barry found

tion
himself remarkably fit,and already under the exhilaraof what
before him.
At the Chateau
was
Beige
formed
inthey found no word of their battalion,but they were
that the shellingon
the Kruisstraat
road had
The
been
still going on.
bad all afternoon, and
was
Boches
attention indeed to the
were
paying particular
It

was

crossroads.

right,"said Barry.
at it,anyway."
hundred
yards further

"All
look
A

"We'll

up

go

the road

up

and

they

were

have

held

SKY

THE

"72

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

LAND

by a sudden burst of H.E. shells,which fell in near

proximity to the crossroads before them.
"Well, we'll just wait here a few minutes until we
time these things,"said Barry, sittingdown
by the
can
up

roadside.
As they were
at

quickmarch.

dropping

shells at the crossroads."

quite a few

sir,"said
chance, thank

just take a
"All right,boys,

we'll

if you

of them.

one

runners,

are

"Good

passed them

wait, boys," called Barry; "they are

"Better

"We

soldiers

waitingthere,three

"I guess

sir."

you,

best," repliedBarry.

think

luck!"

"Thank

you,

sir," they said, and

set

off at

smart

pace.

While

Barry

sat

to
listening

the pavement,

upon

there

the sound
came

of their footsteps

that terrific whine,

appallingcrash, as a H.E. shell landed

the road.
full upon
Barry sprang to his feet. Three
in quick succession, then there
ol^er shells followed
of hurrying feet and a man
the sound
came
appeared,
bleedinghorriblyand gasping.
"Oh, my God ! My God ! They are gone ! They are
followed

gone

by

an

!"

"Sit down," said Barry. "Now,

"My arm, sir,"said the man.

Barry

cut

off the blood-soaked

where's your

wound?"

sleeve,rippedopen his

dressing,and bound the wound up tightly.Then

above the wound.
the arm
he put a tourniquetupon
"The
other boys killed,you say?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir,blown to pieces. Oh, my God !" he groaned,
blown
off,
shuddering. "My chum's whole head was
and the other has his bellyall torn up."
"Now
look here, old man," said Barry, "you lie down
for the
here where
and keep perfectlystill,"
are,
you
shock than
from
man
was
throwing himself about, more
from pain. "We'll get you to the dressingstation in a

firstaid

SKY

THE

"74

and

chateau
A. M.

"Can

the

gave

IN

man

NO

MAN'S

LAND

into the

over

of

care

the

to digginga
you put a squad on
of the officer in charge. "If so,

quired
grave?" he inthough I'm in

hurry, I'llstay to bury those poor chaps."

thing,we can," said the officer. "We'll do the

awful

an

PILOT

"Sure

very best we
In about

his w^ay
dodged the shellingat the crossroads, and
track across
the open fields,
arrived at the
hour

an

again. He
following a
Zillebeck

hurry it."

to

can

and

without

Bund

Here

to

his relief he

his way

at

once

meeting

of officers.

"Well,

to

half

Barry

on

was

adventure.
the battalion.

found

exclaimed

Colonel

made

He

walked

Headquarters, and

"

I'm

in upon

ing
Leighton, check-

in hell are
hard, "who have we here ! What
doing here, Pilot? I thought you would be safely
old Blighty by this time," he added, shaking him

himself

you
in

warmly by the
"Oh,
said
gave

hand.

couldn't

you

work

Barry cheerily,
going
him

an

eager

did you
to

the fun

was

colonel,"

me,

of men,

who

thought you
but
starting,

darned," said Major

had
I

told

lie

"That's

him, adding, "You

more

cheerfully."

what

comes

the

"How

Bayne.

of

will have

man's

train your

to

environment,'* said
always too truthful,

major, disgustedly."I was

anyway."
"Well, sir,"said Barry, turningto the colonel.
afraid
awfully glad to find you here. I was
you."
"Well, gentlemen," said the colonel, "you

as

far

as

Maple Copse, and

"I'm

I'd lost
have

all

question?
companies
graduallywork

to ask
got your orders. Does any one want
Well, then, it's pretty simpleafter all. Two

advance

got

find out?"

Barry
man

"You

welcome.

shipped me off,just as
to you."
on
"Well, I'll be

that game
on
round the group

PASSING

THE

until

up

they feel the

against attack, at

hold
Later

"

to

on,

when

return

guns

have

got

hold

to

275

put in
The

other

block and
two

in support at Zillebeck

they

come

are

and

up,

pushing them

those

at

go

but

on,

then

all costs.

reserves

our

I hear

"

enemy,

up

promised a

are

we

follow

are

McCUAIG

OF

devils.

I expect

panies
com-

Village.

when
up

our

rapidly

Meantime

we

the battalion will be

pulledout very shortly."

The
flickeringcandles lit up the faces of the men
elaboratelycareless
crowding the dugout. They were
the
and jolly,but their eyes behed their faces. Under
careless air there

They
big

nervous

Once

contest.

would

and

stern

look

all sportsmen, and had

thrill of the moments

were

the anxious

tense

was

the ball

all

off, their

v/as

of expectation.

experienced
preceding a
nervousness

they would be cool and wary, playingthe

gamie for all they had in them.
"Now, gentlemen," said the colonel,as they prepared
to leave the dugout, "before I let you
go, there is one
thingI want to say. It's a tradition of the British army
go, and

officer who

that any soldier or

toward
the sound
that

we

left

our

guns.

the

an

gone,

That

guns.

example of that
chaplainbehind, and he

have

battalion had
the

of

has lost his unit marches

proud to-night

old tradition here.

but he moved

is what

am

I would

didn't know
toward

where

the sound

expect from

any

We

his
of
of

the less gratifyingto find

gentlemen, but it's none
one's expectations
realised."
Only his flaming face revealed Barry's emotion as the
colonel was
speaking.
"Now
then, gentlemen,carry on, and the best of luck."
"Sir," said Barry, "what about a littleprayer?"
while round the room
"Fine," said the colonel heartily,
there ran a murmur
of approval.
Barry pulled out his littleBible and read, not one of
the "fighting
psalms" but the tenderlyexquisitewords
of the Shepherd'ssong.
His voice was
clear, steady
His prayer
and
was
ringing with cheery confidence.

you,

THE

276
in the
calm
In

SKY

spiritof

the

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

psalm, breathinghigh

and

courage

in the presence
of the ultimate issue.
he commended
his comrades
to
singlesentence

trust,
a

PILOT

even

keeping of the Eternal God of Truth and Justice

and Mercy, asking that they might be found
steadfast
in their hour of testingand worthy of their country and
the

their

cause.

Together they joined in the Lord's prayer; then lifting

them his hands, he closed the littleservice with that
over
ancient and beautiful formula
of blessing,which
for
from
thousand
the Holy
two
out
men
years has sent
Place of Meeting to face with hearts resolved whatever
life might hold for them.
One
by one, as they passed out the officers shook
hands
with Barry, thanking him
for the service,and
with them again.
expressingtheir delightthat he was
"What
we
are
going to do v/ith you, Pilot?" inquired
the colonel.
''I thought I'd stick around

with the

boys," said Barry.

"Well," said the colonel,gravely,"of

of your
be in the way.

going

officers. That

reminds

no

use

Mill
rush

You

up

to

would
me,

the attack.
be

an

there

for you this afternoon.

R. A.
there.
Our own

there's

course,

You

vv^ould

embarrassment
a

was

They

are

to

call from

having

an

only
the

Menin
awful

lage,
P. will be in Zillebeck Vil-

Headquarters will be there."

there, sir,if you agree,"said Barry, and after
discussion the matter
so
was
arranged.
some
In a ruined cellar in the villageof Zillebeck,a mile
established and
and a half further in, the R. A. P. was
there carried on during the desperatefightingof the next
of
stream
three days. Through this post a continuous
ing
v/ounded
passed,the stretcher cases all night,the walkof
all day and all night. In spiteof its scenes
cases
horror and sufferingthe R. A. P. was
a
cheery spot.
and
"I'll go

our

his front line business,

of the rightstuff,cool,quick with his fingers,
but he was
and undisturbed by the crashingof burstingshells. The
The

new

M.

O.

was

strange

to

PASSING

THE

stretcher bearers and

air

Attached

Thither
administer

to the R. A.

the wounded

buildingwherein

maintained

the wounded

even

an

able
bearcheeriness,that helped to make
otherwise would have been a nightmare of unspeakable

horror.

of

277

McCUAIG

resolute

of

what

to

OF

in

pause

m.en

drinks,ease
word of cheer,say

an

outer

laid after treatment.

were

run

tion,
posi-

sing snatches

or

prayer,

tion,
littleleisure for reflec-

was

been

if there had

was

of his woi*k, Barry would

the strain of an awkward

speak a
hymn or psalm. There
nor

P.

indulged in

have

he

would

tain
reflection,
knowing well that only thus could he mainhis self-control and "carry on."
each wounded

With

there

man

of the progress

news

came

of the

fighting.The boys were

holding splendidly,
front.
indeed
were
gradually eating into the enemy
stories of his comrades, incidents
They brought wend
humorous, ueroic,accordingto the temperament
pathetic,
the narrator.

of

But

from

than

more

one

source

came

Knight's machine gun section to which McCuaig

after
attached.
was
Knight himself had been killed soon
tales
conflicting
entering the line, and about his men
told : they were
were
holding a strong point,they were
tales of

blown

wiped out,
the hero
life.
and

over"

gone

alone.

first authentic account

a

and

with

that

he

by him
under

"Where

did

"Way

had

been

his

5^oung

Pickles,

way
A

comm^andeered

you

see

McCuaig
Walk,"

carry

munition,
am-

death.

first,Pickles?'' Barry

to learn the truth about

Lover's

to

said

young
pileof brush

his friend.

Pickles, who

I
and trees.
"under a
high spirits,
a wildcat,or
though it was
something moving and snarlwas

in

up

made

threat of instant

inquired,anxious

with

came

quarters
hobbling to Headfrom
Company, and who
message
had
fallen in v/ith McCuaig by the

who

runner,

reported
way,

every

had

He

The
now

of

their

position,they were
still"carryingon." McCuaig was
tale. He
was
having the time of his
He V\^as for going "out
quitemad.
shifted

they had
they were

up,

THE

278

the

ing
"

SKY

PILOT

of

kind

lightwas

NO

IN

dim

MAN'S

when

and

"

LAND

McCuaig. He was alone. Two

lyingnear him, dead, I guess, and he
talkingto himself something fierce. I

there
were

and

I went

to him.

me

three

or

was

he called

when

I went

up
men

was

swearing,

was

scart

stiff

he says to
where
know

and

over,

'Say, youngster,'just like that, 'you

into the trench ?
used
this walk
to drop down
me,

there's

machine

lot of

ammunition

gun

Well,
there, all

over

fixed up and ready. You

go and
tried to get out of it,sayin'I was
bringinga
down, but he turns his machine gun
message

here.'

bring it up

says,

'Young

down

there,and

Go

and

to

hell

it's only

'hurryup'
on

me,

and

couple of hundred yards

fairlygood cover.
They can't see you.

man,

bring that
just where

stuff here.

If you
stand.'
You

you

got that ammunition

quick. Oh,

so

don't I'llblow
I

b^-

promised.

bleeds

to

he's crazy,
is fightinglike

right,"said young Pickles, "but he

hell. I beg pardon, sir."
"Doctor, I'm going after him," said Barry.
until he

you

o"f coi^rse,

all

stay there

death.

He

will

"He

oldest

is my

friend."

"All right,padre,if you

say

O., "but

so," said the M.

it's a nasty job. I should not care

for it."
Barry knew the area thoroughly. He got from
Pickles
where

an

McCuaig had last been

stretcher
about
The

which

bearers

thousand

had

been

of
were

seen,

and

with

off for the wood,

further on.

set

yards

communication

trench

leading up

with

constructed

such

care

young
the

spot

the returning

which

to

and

the

was

wood,

of which

proud, had been blown up from

to end by the systematicand thorough bombardment
The
little party, therefore,
the three days before.
their way
overland by the lightof
forced to make

the Canadians
end

descriptionof the location

exact

of

were

so

the star shells.

They reached the wood

him
the

in utter

bewilderment.

landscapewas

in

safety. Barry looked about

Every familiar feature of

utterlyblotted

out.

The

beautiful

PASSING

THE

OF

McCUAIG

279

of heavy trees and thick underbrush,

itself,
of tangled trunks, above which
stood
mat
a
was
splinteredstubs. Not a tree, not a branch, hardly a

ambrosial

wood

leaf

green

were

left.

was

and

that mat

of

fallen trunks

Companies, somewhere, holding,blocking,

toward

feelingup

Under

the Hun.

ing
whining overhead, going out and comin, but mostly coming in. None, however, were
fallingon the wood because here friend and foe were
lyingalmost within bayonet length of each other. Only

The

an

shells

were

occasional
that

burst

hung

from

poking his
working at
"For
up

like

Barry pushed
in, found

table

looked
Duff

by the lightof

bear

den, under

aside the blanket

and
a

and

lieutenant

young

gutteringcandle.

the love of God, Pilot,"exclaimed

Duff, springing
and gripping Barry'shand, "it's good to see you,

but what
"I

head

the silence

broke

placeof desolation and death.

Headquarters,"said the stretcher

the company
bearer, pointingto what
fallen trees.

gun

this

over

"That's

some

machine

are

came

you

up

greetingto

for

doing here?"
McCuaig," said Barry, after

warm

botb.

"Oh, say, that's good. We have got him as far as the

next
dugout here, the old bear. I've been tryingto get
him out for half a day. There's a soldier for you ! He's
been

pottingBoches
from

one

he's got
come."

"We

are

hole to another

gun,

for the last two

I'm

awfully glad

ing
scout-

days, and
have

you

thingsgoing,Duff?"

that they can't

we'll hold them, unless they bring up

have

foot, and

his blessed machine

nasty wound.

"How

with

got the

so

move
a

lot of

reserves."

"By Jove ! Duff, you boys are wonderful."

"I say," said Duff, brushing aside the compliment,
devil is
"did young
Pickles get through? That
young
the limit. You'd have thoughthe was
hunting coyotes."

SKY

THE

280

PILOT

IN

NO

"Yes, he got through. Got

It

"Well, Pilot,old
be

"get out

arm,

break

Duff

minute.

Get

evidentlyin

was

Don't

Get out !

any

LAND

blightythough,I guess.
about McCuaig."
me
man," said Duff, takinghim by the

he that told

was

MAN'S

here anyway;

rightto come
up
to
see
glad
you."
no

may

of here."

out

fever of

There

time.

waste

anxiety. "You had

though,by Jove, I'm

"What's

I in any
the fuss, Duff?"
said Barry. "Am
danger than you? I say,"he continued,with tense

more

enthusiasm, "do

Duff, that as long as Canada

you realise,
lasts they will talk of what you are
doing up here these

days?"
"For
"You

Pleaven's
make

me

that wounded
He

sake. Pilot,get out," said Duff crossly.

nervous.
Besides, you have got to get
out, you

man

hustled

dugout,

where

machine

gun

Barry
they

know.

and

out

found

to

over

along."
the neighbouring
his beloved

with

McCuaig

his side.

still at

Come

wounded

The

was

man

pale,but extremely cheerful,smoking a cigarette.

"I'm glad to see
reaching
you, sir,"he said quietly,

very

his hand.

out

"Good
"but you

are

his

on

the

wounded

man

on

further

for

machine

shells come,

Duff, "you

guns,

That's

out.

"You're

you."

the

man,"

stuff.

the

things.

good-bye, Pilot,it's worth

old

but

where

don't rush

"Good-bye,

hard,

know."

and

stretcher

long and painfulcarry.

"Now, boys," warned
except

hand

a
happy light
reply,but there was
Duff's compelling urging they got

no

Under

face.

old fool,you

blamed

made

McCuaig

Barry, grippinghis

said

old man,"

Good

are

don't

started

their

all rightup here,

take

danger
Take

on

is.

your

lot to have

chances

any

When

time.
seen

you

the

Now,
way."
any-

Barry, smiling at him.

God
keep
luck, old man.

said

THE

282

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

"All

said the M. O., beckoning

right,
boy, justlie still,"
Barry after him.
"He
is going out," he said when
they reached the
"and he's going fast. That
wound
in
dressingroom,
the back has been bleedinga long time."
"Oh, doctor, can't anything be done ? You know he's
constitution.
Can't
something be
got a remarkable
done?"

"There
other

job,"said

"I

"Go

doctor

O., "and

the M.

wishes
this is

he had
one

get along without

you

some

of

them."

me

for

said Barry.
the

on," said

Barry
he

when

doctor, will

say,

while?"

As

times

are

took

O., nodding

M.

candle

and

went

to

him.

in beside

his friend.

gazing upon the greying face, the

wounded
man
opened his eyes.
"That
you, Barry?" he asked with a quiet smile.
Barry started. Only in the very first weeks of their
acquaintancehad McCuaig called him by his first name,
and never
during the past months had he used anything
sat

but his rank

there

all rank distinctions

title. Now

were

ated.
obliter-

to man.
man
as
They were
ing
thinkDo you know
what I was
"Yes, Mac, it's me.
I was
about?
thinkingof the first time I saw you
coming down that rapidin your canoe."
"I remember
well, Barry. I often think of it. It's
a long time
ago," said McCuaig in his soft, slow voice.

"I've
time

been

never

it

was

and
that I come,
fault,but I didn't understand

sorry
own

my

but

once

that
the

game."
"You've
of

made

said

you,"
McCuaig's

proud
McCuaig's.
upon
Barry's
fingerstightened upon

great soldier,Mac.

Barry,
long thin

We

are

all

putting his hand

hand.
"I

think

I'm

Barry'sface.
It

was

"Oh,

going out,"

Mac,

old

said, with

his eyes

on

you think?"
for truth telling.

"What

the time

he

do

man,"

said

Barry, puttinghis head

PASSING

THE

down

close to

that

to

came

have

him

OF

McCUAIG

283

hide from him the rush of tears

his eyes, "I'm afraid you are, and I hate
to

go."
"Why, Barry, you crying for me?" asked McCuaig in
kind of wonder.
a
"Say, boy, I'm awful glad you feel
I don't feel quite so lonelynow."
that way.
Somehow
to

you

"Oh, Mac,

talion,
oldest,my best friend in the batin all the world," said Barry.
"Oh, I just love to hear you say that, boy. Do you
you

I wanted

know

are

to

my

I felt about
tell you how
remember?"
Barry nodded.

the boat, you

tell me, honest Injun, did I make
best ever," said Barry.
"The

on

and

I heard

men.

the smile

Again
"Barry,
showed

it

"They

the colonel say

so

as

"Barry,

soldier?"

all say so, officers

the other day."

came.

was

that

you

that

done

and

for

I
done it so nice.
you
I always wanted
how
to tell you

me,

that, and

good

that time

You

me.

never

forgot

I felt about

it.

Barry, you done a lot for me."

"Oh, Mac, don't talk like that," said Barry, tryingto
keep his voice steady. "I did so littleand I wanted to
do

much."

so

"Say, I like to hear you. I'd like to stay a littlelonger

justto be with you, Barry. I've watched you just like
own
boy, and I've been awful proud of you,
my
you was
but I didn't like to say so."
ble
The uncoveringof the great love of this simple,humhearted man
broke down
Barry's self-control. He
made

effort to check

his

fallingtears.
"I'm getting kind of weak, Barry," whispered McCuaig.
"I guess I won't be long, mebbe."
His words
recalled Barry's nerve.
"Mac, v/ould you like me to say a prayer?"he asked.
"Justas you feel about it,you know."
"Yes
I
I
would
but
ain't your
religion you
know
though I like awful well the way
you talk
no

"

"

"

about

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Him."

"I know

you

are

R.

C, Mac,

but after all you

know

SKY

PILOT

just the

one

THE

284

have

we

NO

IN

Father

MAN'S

LAND

in Heaven

and

the

one

Saviour."

*'Yes,

know, Barry. It's all the same.''

"

Barry had a
"Wait, Mac,
He

hurried

sudden

inspiration.
a minute," he said.
out to the dressingroom,

but could find

"I'll

fix,
cruci-

seekinga

there.

none

Headquarters," he said.
"Say, there's a machine gun playingthat street awful,"
said the M. O.'s sergeant, "to say nothing of whizzbangs."
"Oh, that's all right,"said Barry. "I'll make a dash
to

across

run

for it."
But
went

and

at
out

Headquartershe
into the garden
with

returned

two

was

in the

small

togetherin the form of a

hastened to McCuaig's side.
The
hurried
breathing and
showed

man

The

sunken
end

A.

P.,

it and

took

of

cheeks

far.

not

was

He

O. bound

M.

Barry

cross.

the

that

of the R.

rear

twigs.

them

wounded

successful.

more

no

the
As

There was
knelt beside him, he opened his eyes.
his face,which Barry understood.
a look of distress upon
his
terrible. He wanted
God was
God was
And
near.

Barry

priest.
"Barry," he whispered,"I've not
I haven't been
to anybody,
mean
and fight,and
"

"

^been

"

good

^but I used

"

man.

to swear

"

"

"Mac, listen
in

to

voice.

quiet,clear
wouldn't

"You

me.

"

all the same," said Barry,

"Suppose I'd injuredyou."

We're

Barry."

I did some
real mean
thing to you, and
suppose
then came
and said I was
sorry, would
you forgiveme?"
I
of anything you did
I'd never
think
"Would

"But

Barry."
"Mac, that's the

"

"

"

"

to me,

you.
out

We

have

all your
"I guess

way

all done

sins.' You
"

that's so,

Father

your
wrong,

needn't

Barry

"

but He

says, 'I will blot

Him,

fear to trust
I guess

feels to

in Heaven

that's
"

all

Mac."

right."

PASSING

THE

McCUAIG

OF

I'll say

"Yes, it's all right. Now

285

Look,

prayer.

Mac!"
He

smile of
"I

joy and
I

it !

see

"

A
his eyes.
surprisetransfiguredthe dying face.

the littlewooden

held up

see

it !" he

"

before

cross

whispered,and

made

ment
move-

them, and
lips. Barry laid the cross
upon
with that symbol of the Divine love and of the Divine
he prayed in words
sacrifice pressed to the dying lips,
such as a child might use.
time after the prayer McCuaig lay with his
For some
accession of strength,he
eyes shut, then with a sudden
opened them and looking up into Barry'seyes, said:
You
helped me
"Barry, I'm all right now.
again."
of such iron strength,
The
long thin hands, once
began to wander weakly over the blanket,until touching
Barry's they closed upon it,and held it fast.
"I
he
won't
ever
forget you
whispered.
lifted Barry's hand
The nerveless fingerswith difficulty
he said.
to the cold lips. "Good
bye Bar
ry
"Good-bye, dear old comrade.
Good-bye, dear old
friend,"said Barry in a clear quietvoice,gazingthrough
tears
his falling
straightinto the dying eyes.
"Good
The whisper faded into silence.
night
A quiet smile lay on
the white face. The
eyes closed,
littletired sigh,and the brave tender spirit
there was
a
who
of immortals
passed on to join that noble company
with

his

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

abide

in the Presence

Love, and

"go

no

of the Eternal
out

more

God

and

of Truth

forever," because

they

are

akin to Him.

sorelytortured graveyard,beside the littleshellZillebeck church, in a hole made

wrecked
by an enemy
a
shell,they laid McCuaig
restingplace for one
fitting
had lived his days in the free wild spaces of the
who
Canadian
tomb for as gallanta soldier as
west, a fitting
In the

"

Canada

sent

forth

to war

to

night the battalion was

with spirit
unbroken, they

That
but

ever

make

the world

relieved.
crawled

out

Worn,
from

free.

spent,
under

THE

SKY

matted

mass

286

that

PILOT

them,
which

from

them,
hold

to

sea,

the

foot

but

dear,
her

with

other

sending
buried

their

Canadian

their

out

hind
be-

dead
the

dead

Julien, by Hooge,
Sanctuary Wood,
Hill 60, and
Mount
and
Sorel, and

every

is

leaving

and

LAND

line
and

St.

Maple
Copse,
St. Eloi, guards
Canada

MAN'S

tangled trunks,

of

before

wounded

NO

IN

dear

as

dead

battalions

own

of

while
that

hold

to

way

Ypres

her

great

time

shall

bloodsoaked
for

Honour,

and

the

to

last

Canada

Faith

and

sea

will

soil

sacred

to

To

sea.

from

domain,

on

which

to

hold
her

Freedom.

'

XVII

CHAPTER
LONDON

LEAVE

PHYLLIS

AND

actly
pulledinto the Boulogne station extwenty-sixhours late. As Barry stepped off
met
the train he was
by the R. T. O., an old Imperial
officer with a brisk and importantmilitarymanner.
''You are the O. C. train,sir?" he inquired.
"I am, sir,"replied
Barry, saluting.

THE

"You

leave train

have

R. T. O.,
low tone.

"Yes

sir,we
R.

hard

drawing him

"at least the

The

had

T.

have

men

O.

have.
took

time, I understand," said the

off to
had

side and

one

time,''repliedBarry,

hard

This

speaking in

is my

report, sir."

the document,

opened it,glanced

hurriedlythrough it.
thirteen fatal.
casualties,
"Ah," he said, "ninety-seven
Very bad. Six burned. This is trulyterrible."
"There
were
only two soldiers burned, sir," replied
when
Barry, "but it is terrible,especially
you think that
the men
were
supposedto have
going on leave and were
got quitof the danger zone."
off
said the officer. "You
ran
"Very, very terrible,"
the track,I understand."
collision.
a
"No, sir,it was
gross

There

carelessness,
sir,"said Barry.

must

"I trust

have

been

there will

investigation.I have taken the libertyto suggest

that,sir,in my report."
Barry'svoice was stern.
"You
need have no
apprehensionon that score, sir,"
the report.
said the R. T. O., with his eyes still upon
be

an

I see
make
no
is very clear and concise.
you
services in connection with the afof your own
mention

"This

287

THE

288

SKY

PILOT

IN

fair,but others have.

from
also

as

the

from

officer

the

v^illnot

MAN'S

had

gram
teleflattering

the

R.

Commander,

resourcefulness.

be

forgotten. I understand
"Yes, sir," repliedBarry, who

A.

M.

C,

mentioning

assure

this

you

padre?"
gettingrather
a

are

you
was

of the conversation.

weary

"All I have

then,sir,is that the Canadian army

combatant
officers for, if you will pardon

to

be rich in

must

it strikes

me,

LAND

most

commanding

Divisional

initiative and

your

I have

NO

that there is

me

officer lost in

"If I

say,

damned

combatant

good

you."

were

better

would

"I

padre,"repliedBarry,

be content."
"I

fancy you have littleground for complainton that

score," said the R. T. O., for the first time smiling at
him.

"May
ends

ask, sir,"repliedBarry, "if

my

responsibility

here ?"

"Yes, unless

want

you

to

"I'd rather not, sir,if you

she sails?"
"About

three hours.

"I should

should

also

car,

up
I put

if you

will
you

up

afterwards
had

you

easilydo

can

through some
be good enough

think you

Have

like to visit the R.

like to phone the

Etaples."
"Very well, you
in my

charge of the boat."

please. How
long before

take

care

to wait

littlematters
to

to

anythingto do ?"
A. M. C. hospital. I
American
hospital at
both.

I will

few

here.

run

Then

join me at breakfast,I can

the hospital. This is my

better step in and

sit down

you

until

moments

; you

if you

drive
I

car.

look rather

up."

used

"Will

you

allow

me

to

speak to

some

of the

first,

men

sir:
(I

Oh, certainly.Do

like.

There

are

men."

your

drawn
Barry moved along the line of men
followed by a risingmurmur
platform,he was

As
the

anything you

up

on

of

last letter to

her

In

PILOT

SKY

THE

290

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

him, received before the last

tour

the possibility
of
trenches, she had mentioned
visit to London, and had promised him further information

in the
a

before
he

her

departure,but

further

no

had

word

received.

inquiry at Etaples was

His

result. Paula
had

They

taken

father

the V.

unknown.

was

that

A.

D.

The

with

of

matron

their address

and

them,

lieved
hospitalbe-

the

had

planned a motor
trip to Scotland,
they had carried Captain Neil Eraser off with them,
were
They expected
planninga visit to his home.

for
and
to

her

and

equally unproductive of
had also gone to England.

they

in about

return

three weeks.

the bitterness of his

Barry realised
disappointment,
how
this meeting with his
on
greatly he had counted
friends.
it not for the hope of being able to disWere
cover
them
in England, he would
have turned back up
the line, there and
the only
then, and found among

By

friends he had

intolerable
down.
He

this side of the

on

weight

walked

out

loneliness

of

relief from

ocean

that

was

bearing him

the cemetery, and stood

for the first time it
There
to

father's grave.
him
that henceforth

the

beside
came

his
over

without

of his life
all the way
the sightof that face,without the touch of that

hand

his

on

floods his
manhood

shoulder,without
of

sense

was

and

unable

mental

and

to

his soul.

In

all his

It took

of

will,he held

despised himself
it off.

shake
from

state

the

was

He
in

himself

While

erect.

his weakness, he
that his
did not know
for

large measure

prolonged period

of

physical
exhausting
a

trenches,with its unrelieved

of impending destruction,that its endless procession
of broken, torn
bodies, with its nightsof sleepless

strain,his
sense

the cheer of that voice.

from

emotional

reaction

go

throwing himself prone upon

and yieldingto the agony
that flooded
that wrought in his heart physicalpain.

his soul, and

By a resolute act
blamed

loss swept

refrain

to

the littlemound

he

he rnust

treble tour

in the

LONDON

with
activity,

AND

LEAVE

its eternal

PHYLLIS

291

sequent
construggleagainstdepression,

the loss of his comrades, its eternal striving

after cheeriness and more
than all the shock of the
upon

train wreck, with its scenes

of horror; all this had combined
of resistance to the
to reduce his physicalpowers
point of utter exhaustion.
he

As

there in that cemetery

stood

eloquent of
silently
spiritof the place seemed

heroism

crosses,

the

life. As

his eyes

fell upon

he seemed

name,

to

instinct with
the memory
he was
with

of

dear

been

hand

and

into him

There

him

then!

How

felt the strong

his father's voice:

came

to

him,

is before

what

renewal

us,

gether,
altonever

in the presence
of a superior
in salute,and with a
lifted his hand

Unconsciously as
of

day!
to-

his father's

grip of

that part is not in our

hands
defeat,loss,suffering,
but the shame
of the quitternever
need and
shall be ours."

sense

him

to

cottage. How
dear

don't know

night,boy. We

officer,he

new

forgotten. Again

never

he

more

sacrifice,

cross

courage.

he had

scene

to

heard

*'Good

the

breathe

of

of

rows

bearing his father's

again that erect and gallantfigure,

life and

to

its

and

his father in the littlehome

it had
Once

see

with

if he

of

his

were

vital

energies he returned

to

the boat.

During the crossinghis mind was

chieflyoccupied
with the problem of discoveringthe whereabouts
of the
V. A. D.
her

his American

or

London

he

she

into

had

in

told him

hospital. He

might be able
Arrived

He

had

address, if indeed she had

that
turned

friends.

to trace

her

that
had

He

one.

her

home

learned
bered
remem-

had

been

slight hope that

some

by the aid

London, his first duty

never

of her uncle.

Sergeant
Matthews, whose injuriesin the wreck were
apparently
serious than at first supposed, safely disposed in
more
a
hospitalambulance.
Thereupon he proceeded to the
Hotel Cecil,and set himself seriouslyto the solution of
for clear thinkingand
his problem. He was
too
weary
was

to

see

THE

SKY

PILOT

the result of

as

he

IN

NO

long, confused

resolved

upon

MAN'S

and

letter to

LAND

very

vexing cogitation,

Commander

Vincent, R. N. R.

This, after much

in accomplishing.Thereafter, much

Howard

labour,he succeeded
for food,
too weary

he

proceeded to his room, v/here he gave himself up to

the unimaginable luxury of a bath in a clean tub, and
with an
unstinted supply of clean towels, after which
riotous indulgence,he bejookhimself to bed.
As he
lay stretched between the smooth clean sheets,he found
it

impossibleto

sheets had
of

these

been

state

sleepwould

physicalcleanness

of

existence

v/hen

clean

nightlyexperience. The

semi-unconscious

that

was

recall

moments

rob him

and

chief regret
preceding slumber

of this delicious

sense

of

well-being.

by a knock at his door, followed by

a
hesitatingapology for intrusion.
Rejoicing in the
fying
luxury of his surroundings,and in the altogethersatisdiscoverythat he might sleepagain,he turned over
A second
and once
lost in profound slumber.
more
was
He

wakened

was

time he

was

aroused

by

mild but somewhat

anxious

quiry
in-

to his welfare.

as

sleep,"and again
nothing,only a littlemore
in his clean sheets and
luxuriatingfor a few moments
his peaceful environment, he resigned himself to sleep,
of pleasantweariness,
with a comfortable
to waken
sense
of
acute
which graduallypassed into a somewhat
sense
hunger.
"I want

decided, after due consideration,that he would

and unknown,
plumb the depths of bliss,unmeasured
He

and

looked

upon
that it

waiter.

He

was

went

was

^'Dinner!"

exclaimed

He

at

looked
to

wind

to

the window

and

day. He
murky lightof a London
stillearlymorning, and rang for the

informed

was

He

by that

but that
impossible,
suppliedwith an earlydinner.

breakfast
be

the

out

decided

in bed.

breakfast

have

his

it,and

functionary that

if he desired he could

Barry.
watch, but found

that he

that consequentlyit had

had

lected
neg-

stopped.

LONDON

"What

AND

time

do you make
after six, sir."

"Half
He

LEAVE

decided

PHYLLIS

293

it,waiter?''

rise for dinner, 'phoned for

a
the sheets
paper and his mail, and lay back between
to recapture that rapturous sense
of
once
striving
more,
welfare

that he would

that

had

enwrapped him the night before.

Luxuriating in this delightsome exercise, he glanced
lazilyat the heading of his paper, and then cried,as the
leavingthe room,
paper boy was
"Hello ! here, boy ! what day is this ?"
ment.
"Friday,sir,"said the boy,gazing at him in astonish"Friday?

Are

sure?"

you

"Yes, sir,Friday,sir. What

"Oh,
He
that

yes, of

had

because

Commander

bed

to

on

Howard

that of

the

of

date

Vincent, R. N.

astounding discovery that

hours.

right."
Wednesday night.

remembered

he

say, sir ?"

All

course.

gone

does the paper

R.

He

knew

his letter to
He

made

the

had

he

four
sleptjust fortyThen
he made
second
a
discoveryand that was
his preciouseightdays' leave, three were
already

gone.

After

he

Then

inquired at the desk for

through the telegrams,but there

dined

searched

mail, and

nothing

had

betook

himself

spectre of loneliness
with

catchingup

could

shapes
Among

he

soul

whom

there

was

him.

dark, like

to

his
was

for him.
he

in the

he

London

was

jungle full

catch

all the millions

he could

anything in

the streets, aware

that the
hard on
his trail,and swiftly
to

form

of

roaring around

him

vv^ildbeasts, of whose
horrid

glimpses.
of no living
in the city,he knew
nor
was
go for companionship,
invited
that specially
of amusement
now

and

then

him.
There

was

with
him

the

Grand

Opera, of

course,

his father he knew

but

from

that that would

its

sociations
as-

bring

only acute misery. Gladly would he have gone to

but they would be shut againsthim at this
hospitals,

THE

^94

SKY

He

hour.

bought

Revues

knew

and

LAND

and

under

columns.

amusement

Some

shaded
the

of

then of

an

additional

glimpse now
officers passing in

of young

their

be

to

caught

he

as

on

MAN'S

simply tiresome, others disgusting.

None
of them appealedto him.
dered
Aimlessly he wanof
his
scious
direction,conalong the streets, heedless
he

now

door

NO

IN

evening paper,

an

the

studied

lamp

PILOT

of wretchedness

pang

and

then

with

sweet

at

theatre

faced girls

arms.

At

such pair,
length in desperationhe followed one
found
and
himself
Its light
listeningto Cinderella.
and
delicate fancy, its sweet
pathos, its gentle humour
lured him temporarily from his misery, but often there

back

of his comrades
the bitter memory
in their horrid environment
of filth,
edness.
danger and wretch-

came

He

upon

found

him

some

compensation in

officers beside him

the

like himself

were

thought that

these

leave, and

while

on

grudge them their delightin

the play, and their obviously greater delight in their
tralised
neulovelycompanions beside them, but this again was
hard fate
by the bitter recollection of his own
which
denied him a like joy.
After the play he stood in the entrance
hall,observing
of ill-usage
the crowd, indulginghis sense
at the hands
of fate as he saw
the officers lingeringwith many
necessary
untouches over
the cloakingof their fair partners,
and as he caught the answering glancesand smiles that
he envied

rewarded
His

followed

they hovered
profession. He
as

of

"How

manoeuvrings of the painted

about the doors, boldlybusy with

the

understood

their lure and

temptationcast by
Close

not

their attentions.
eyes

ladies
their

them, he did

at

them

"Awfully

before

the

ture
na-

overpowering subtletyof the

don.
the lonelysoldier in Lonover

like it,boy?
It's
jolly,dad.

you

never

the

his side he heard

do

as

voice
Not

bad, eh?"

perfectlyfine

of

you."

LONDON

He

turned

LEAVE

and

AND

PHYLLIS

295

grey-hairedgentleman, with upright

in
soldierlyfigure,and walking with him, arm
followed
He
a
officer,evidentlyhis son.
arm,
young
them slowly to the door, and eager to share if he might
the joy of their comradeship, he listened to their talk.
Then
as they disappearedinto the darkness, sick at heart,
he passed out of the door, stood a moment
to get his
dued
bearings,and sauntered beyond the radius of the subther
light about the entrance, into the darkness fursaw

on.

He

had

but

gone

shaded

few

corner

and

neath
standingbelight,meditating the crossingof
paces,

was

roaringstreet, when he heard behind him an eager

voice crying,
''CaptainDunbar!
Captain Dunbar!"
in the dim lighta dainty
Swiftlyhe turned, and saw
and
figure,opera coat flowingaway from gleaming arms
hair,with
shoulders, a face with its halo of gold brown
soft brown
a vision of
eyes ashine and eager parted lips,
fluttering,
bewilderingloveliness bearing down upon him
the

with

outstretched

hands.

*'What/' he gasped, "you! Oh, you darling!"

He
reached for her, gathered her in his arms,
drew
her toward
aware
him, and before either he or she was
of what he intended to do, kissed her partinglips.
dare you!" she cried,aghast,pushing him
"Oh, how
back from
her, her face in a red flame.
"Oh, I'm so

glad, I was afraid I should lose you."

Barry, appalled at his own
temerity,his eyes taking
in the sweet
trembling.
beauty of her lovelyface,stood silent,
"Well, aren't you going to tell me you are glad to see
me?"
she cried,smilingup at him saucily.
he murmured, moving toward
her.
"Phyllis,"
"Stop," she said, puttingher hands out before her,
as

if to

ought
She

hold

him

off. "Remember

be very angry,
drew him toward

indeed."

to

dark wall.

where

you

are.

THE

"96

"But
how

SKY

I have

wanted

NO

IN

aren't angry,

you

wanted

PILOT

MAN'S

Phyllis. If

only knew
place. Oh, I have

in this awful

you

LAND

you

you."

She

that he

saw

"Have

white and stilltrembling.

Barry?" she asked, gently. "Oh,

you,

was

you

have
been through horrible
boy. I know
poor
you
things. No, Barry, don't. You awful man," for his
hands
member
rewere
moving toward her again. "You must
where
at

you

Look

are.

all these

at

ing
people star-

us."

difference
"People,"he said, as if in a daze. "What
do they make?
so
Oh, Phyllis,you are
wonderfully
lovely. I can't believe it's you, but it is,it is! I know
Are you glad to see me?"
he asked shyly,
your
eyes.
his hungry eyes upon her face.
flush rising
"Oh, Barry," she whispered,the warm
Can't you
see?
again in her cheeks, "can't you see?
I thinkingabout?
and see mamma,
But what am
Come
and

there's another

with

her."

"Who?

"No,
voice.
She

Not

Paula," she said,with

not

"Come

and
his

took

Barry
the sad

took

of

yours

arm

I have

subtle

change in her

see!"

brought him

and

I have

mamma,

"and

admirer

and

Paula?"

standing at the theatre

"Oh,

friend

dear

back

to

motor

entrance.

had

such

race," she cried

citedly,
ex-

mother."

captured him.

Barry, my
into
the offered hand, and gazed earnestly

brown

eyes

that searched

"And

here's your friend,"said

"Hello, Pilot,"said a voice from

his in return.

Phyllis.
a

dark

of the

corner

car.

"What,

Neil!

pushing both

Oh, you

hands

at

boy," he cried

him.

"You

is the arm, eh ? all right?"

"Oh!
doing awfully well," said

dear

in

old

an

ecstasy,

boy.

Captain Neil.

How

"And

you?"
"Oh,

never

so

well in all my

life,"cried Barry. "Yet,

THE

298

*'And

SKY

PILOT

receivingcheers
where

''Now

Barry.
"Why,

did

MAN'S

LAND

the station."

at

stuff?"

get all that

you

all London

NO

IN

inquired

ringingwith it," said Captain

is

Neil.

''Nonsense," said Barry; "who's

"Well," said Phyllis,"we came

to-dayin

the

hospital.Such
Fatty Matthews?"

"Who?

been

stuffingyou?"

across

sergeant

your

funny man."
asked

Barry, turning to

Captain Neil.
it was

Fatty,"said CaptainNeil,"and if you had

rightsby his account, you ought to be in command

"Yes,
your

at this moment
were

you

"Yes,

of

an

O. C. leave train,were
to

dismay

my

was

chap.Captain Courtney,a
and

"My
"We

made

him

might have been

lot

a
a

very

least. But

you not ?"

made
O. C, but

decent

I met

fellow,my

tant,
adju-

on."

carry

word, that was

had a wreck,

at the very

corps

army

stroke!"

ghastly afifairit
worse.

The

R. A.

did

though it

was,

C.

people
awfully well,
M.

behaved
and the men
magnificently,
that we
so
managed to get through."
"And
what about the O. C. ?" inquiredCaptain Neil.
that the others
"Oh, nothing special. He just saw
tell me
have
carried on.
Now
about you people. What
are
you been doing and what
you going to do?"

"Well, 'we're here, because

we're

"

here,'

chantied

Captain Neil.
"And
ments?"
why didn't you send me word as to your moveof agony
hours
said Barry. "What
you would
have spared me!"
"But I did," repliedPhyllis. "I sent you our
town
address and told you everything."
isn't that rotten!"
"Now
exclaimed
Barry. "Never
what's the programme?"
mind, I've found you, and now
"Well," cried CaptainNeil with great enthusiasm, "we
the
all off to Edinburgh to-morrow,
where
meet
we
are

Rowlands, and then for

and

to my

"99
the

tripthrough

motor

ancestral

PHYLLIS

AND

LEAVE

LONDON

lands
High-

home."

he said blankly,
Barry's face fell. ''To-morrow?"
all going?"
with a quick look at Phyllis. "And
you are
"Not
I," said Mrs. Vincent, "but why should you not
join the party? You need just such a change. It would
do you good."
"Sure thing he will,"cried Captain Neil.
During the supper they had firmly resolved to taboo,
of subjects,
the war.
chiefly
They talked on all manner
of the proposed motor
trip,but in spiteof the ban their
For Captain Neil
talk w^ouid hark back to the trenches.
how
his comrades
know
must
were
faring,and how his
tell him of
was
carrying on, and Barry must
company
their losses,and all of the great achievem.ents wrought
And
of their battalion.
Barry because his
by the men
full of all their splendiddeeds let himself
heart was
own
told how
He
Sally and Booth had met their last
go.
call,of the M. O. and his splendidwork in rescuingthe

wounded.
jected
in all of this of the Pilot, I observe," interCaptain Neil.

"No

word

"Oh, he just carried on!"

he

Then
how

told

how

his face there

on

Corporal Thom,

of

and
heroes

whose

are

and

to

last the M.

was

only

how

he gave

Cameron

how

he had

worthy,
names

at

kept

enumerate,

deeds

recorded

are

O.

He

peace.

himself

out, and
had to tell

for his

rades
com-

faith,a long list of

the

the world

of whom

unknown

fame,

to

of God.

in the books

went

And

was

but

not

whose

then

erently
rev-

he told of

McCuaig.
Barry talked,his heart was far away from London.
He was
men,
seeingagain that line of mud bespattered
He
trench.
patientlyplodding up the communication
and weary
was
looking upon them sleepingwith worn
As

faces, in rain and

in their

heavy

mudsoaked

flimsy,dark dugouts.

"crash"

of

the trench

boots
He

was

mortar,

and

puttees, down

hearing again the

the earth shaking

THE

300

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

of the

"crumph"
whizbang.

the swift rush of the

high explosive,
Before his eyes he saw
of bayoa steady Hne
nets
a
crumbling wall, then a quick rush to meet

behind

the attack,bomb and riflein hand.

face of his dying friend.
As

he

told his tale,his face

gleaming as with an inner fire.

"Oh,

LAND

He

the illumined

saw

glowing, his

was

eyes

God's

Mercy!" he cried,"they are men!

They
men!
men."
God
make
such
could
are
Only
"Yes, only God," echoed Mrs. Vincent after a long
"They are God's men, and to God they go at
pause.
God's own
men."
last. Truly they are
While
Barry was speaking,Phyllis,her hands tightly
with
clasped,v/as leaning forward
listening
glistening
riedly
hureyes and parted lips.Suddenly she rose, and went
to

the door.
said

"Forgive me,"
should

"I

In

few

where

see

have

not

that drew

here

"They
"We

are

of

one

"A

with

Captain Neil
Phyllishas gone," went
minutes

are

very

very

fond

out

queer

he

Mrs.

Vincent.

Indeed, he is like

chill at his heart.

made

Thor^

some

Americans

she

them.

questionwas

them

door.

same

is," said Barry warmly, but

continued

delightfulfriends in
at Etaples were
very good
to chat in her soft, gentle
a courteous
hearing but very
very

Barry gave
casual replies.His heart and his ears
the returningfootstepsof those who

"

saying,"I'll

the

at

CaptainFraser.

family."
fine,brave chap

her," and
voice,to which

see

It's Neil

our

to

an

and

arose

great friends," said

of

Vincent.

It's his fault."

out.

me

"Phyllis has
France.

Barry, turning to Mrs.

talked about these things.

While

Mrs.

Vincent

thrustingitself upon

answer.

that there

He

could
between

see

"

serted
abruptlydetalking,an ugly
ing
attention,demand-

had

was

his

any

attentive for

were

one

so

eyes could
his friend Captain

with

Phyllisand
Neil some
understanding. Just what was
It flashed upon
Barry longed to know.
was

between
him

that

LONDON

LEAVE

the answer
to that
upon
for if this girl was
more
then

AND

PHYLLIS

questionhis

301

whole

future

hung,
than friend to Captain Neil,
had for him
been quenched.
No
He
had
to-morrow.
had enough

the

joy of life
motor
trip for him
heart-wrenching to bear
If between

these

two

existed,his way
friendship
to the trenches
to-morrow.
"Oh,

here

Captain Neil

Phyllisand

clear.

was

No!

was

He

dear," said

are,

you

it

without that.
closer relation than that of
as

returned

would

Mrs.

to

the air too close,I fear."

"'No," said Phyllis with simple

the

mere

return

Vincent,

as

*'You

room,

found

Barry.

can't bear
her eyes

those m.en,

saw

it now."

Her

filledwith

were

and

sincerity,"it

I could

lipswere

bear

not

was

it.

still trembling,
and

tears.

"And

there in
yet,"said Barry, "when you wxre
over
the midst of it all,you never
weakened.
That's
once
the wonder
of it. You
justgo on, doing what you must
You
do.
haven't time to reflect,
and it's God's mercy
that it is so.
Thank
God
have our
we
duty to do no
matter

what

what

"Now,

settle that.

Vincent

What

"I don't know.

party and
"Not

from

life would
said

be

Captain

the table.

"We

bearable,"
un-

Neil
must

it,Barry?"

you

think I should

go?

It's your

it's already made

up."
Phyllis,
lookingshyly at

quite,"said

belong to the party

"Then

rose

about
Do

that

to-morrow?"

about

Mrs.

as
briskly,

Without

comes.

what

more

about

him.

"You

than any of us, you know."

Paula?"
said Barry. "This is her

party, is it not?"

Phylliswas silent.
"I think. Captain Dunbar," said Mrs. Vincent, "if you
would
like it,you ought to go.
need something of
You
the kind, and you will fit in admirably with the party, I
am
quite sure.
To-day," she added with a littlelaugh,
"I was
doubtful as to the proprietyof these young
ple
peooff
all
the
to Edinburgh by themselves,
going
way

SKY

THE

302

but

things, but

IN

in these

know

you

PILOT

war

if you

now

NO

MAN'S

times

do

extraordinaryscrupleswill be

we

join them,

LAND

my

removed."
"Some

chaperon," whispered Captain Neil audibly to

tled.
Phyllis. Then he added briskly,"Well, then, that's setTo-morrow
at 8 137 we
meet
at King's Cross, 8 137,
remember."
But

far from
settled.
Barry the matter was
"I can't quite make
mind
to-night,"he said.
up my
shall be at King's Cross, however, in the morning at

"I

any

for

rate."

"But, Barry," began Phyllis,

protesting,
"you
I want

She

must

"

"

"

speakingabruptly,her face flushingand

then going suddenly white.
"Oh, rot, old man," said Captain Neil, impatiently,
Of course
he'll come," he added
to
"you will come.
Phyllis.
Mrs. Vincent
They moved
together out of the room,
and
Captain Neil leadingthe way.
"Oh, Barry, aren't you going?" said Phyllisin a low
ceased

voice.
"How
"Do

you

"Of

can

ask

me

course,

that?" he

answer

to
we

go?

all want

almost in anger.
replied,
Do you want
to go?"
me
you to go," said the girl.

"Is that your answer?"

His voice was
"If that is all,Phyllis,I must
strained.

to-night.Why
stay here
The

should

I go

in London?

with

There's

tense; his face

say

you? Why
nothing for

'Good-bye'
should
me

here.

"

is the

only place
"Oh, Barry," she said, her e3^es bright with tears,
with a
"how
unkindly, how terriblyyou talk." Then
"What
swift change of mood
him.
she turned upon
right have you to talk like that?" she cried in sudden
war

wrath.

"What

have

done

"

what

have

we

done

to

you?"
go

"Wait, Phyllis,"he cried desperately."Oh, let them

sake, is
on," he added impatiently."For Heaven's

LONDON

there

PHYLI^IS

AND

LEAVE

place about here where I

both pale and trembling.

no

They were
to-night

now

"

the door.

at

"

"Can't

once."
see

you

He

talk to you?'*
*T must
talk to you
can

between

stood

I love

303

and

her

you? I love you,

why should I live?"

do

If you don't love me,

"Oh, Barry," said the girl,in a hurried voice. "You
I know
talk like this. Come
this way.
this
not
must
place." She hurried out by a side door, down a corridor,
you

hear?

and

into

small

parlour,with

cosy

corners,

where

they

alone.

were

"Now,

said Barry,facingher, with

Phyllis,"

fierceness in his voice and

I do.

settled

quite mad, I

am

I can't

help it any more

than breathing. I have no rightto tell you this,perhaps.
I am
nobody, and I have nothing to offer any girl. I
that now.
Oh, I see that clearlynow, but I never
see
I only Icved you.
thought of that part of it before.
I hardly knew
coula
I help it?
How
night.
myself until toBut I know
now," he added in a voice of triumph,
ing
the gloom lifting
from his face,and the fierce lightfadfrom
his eyes.
"Yes, I know now, Phyllis. I love
I love you and I am
I shall always love you.
glad
you.
to love you.
Nothing can take that from me."
All this time she was
standing before him, her face
white, her lipsparted,a look of wonder, almost of fear,
in. the brown
bravely holding his, her hands
eyes, so
pressedhard upon her bosom, as if to stay its tumult.
"I have no rightto say this to you," said Barry again.
"You
belong to a great family. Perhaps you are rich.
!" he groaned. "I never
Great Heavens
thought of that.
You are beautiful. Many men
will love you, great men
know,

and

to

rich

love you,

men

but

"I

manner.

will love

you.
Neil, he

Why, there's Captain

"Captain Neil," echoed

You

are

so

wonderful.

"

with
Phyllis,

infinite

scorn

in

her voice.

"Well,

many

men."

ble.
"Many men," she repeated,her lipsbeginningto trem"Oh, Barry, can't you see? You blind boy. There's

THE

304

only

SKY

one

She
her

for

man

came

"Phyllis,'*
in

true!
I

Yet

The

MAN'S

and

that^s

LAND

you."

just

you,

hands

her

his

putting
''It

his

upon

breast,

love

her,

round

arms

can't

be

Oh,

true!

dear

your

eyes,

hands

laid

NO

his.

voice.

you

little

him,

said,

your

believe

do

Barry,

into

he
his

IN

me,
to

near

looking

eyes

wonder

PILOT

eyes

it

can't

be

Phyllis,

so.

say

great

me."
slid

his

around

up

he

neck;

drew

her

close.

"Phyllis,
He

felt

backwards
her

and

my

dear,

dear,

her

body

suddenly

in
his

his

lips

still

arms,

met

love,"

hers

in

he

whispered.

relax,

clinging
a

long

and
to

kiss.

him,

she

as

he

bent

leaned
over

306

SKY

THE

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

"Father," said Paula, "let's go to church."

"Hush," said her father,puttingup his hand,
for

stood

and

so

moments.

some

he cried, lifting
his arms
"Oh, Scotland, Scotland!"
children in exile
high ibove his head, "no wonder
your
for their native land."

weep

fightand die for you," added Paula,

glancingat Captain Neil.
"Thank
you," said CaptainNeil,turningquicklyaway.
"And

your

"Yes,"

men

said

shall go

Paula, "we

to

church

here,

father."

The

against a cluster of ancient firs,in

the midst of Its quietgraves, yew shaded here and there.
Beside it stood the manse,
within its sweet
old garden,
covered stone wall.
protectedby a moss
At its gate the minister stood, a dark man
with silvering
hair,of some
sixtyyears, but stillerect and with
a
noble, intellectual face.
"Let us speak to him," said Paula, as they left their
church

stood

car.

characteristic reserve,

With
from

greetinga stranger,
Howland

Mr.

bared

Barry and

but with

Neil

fine and

his head, and

went

easy
up

shrank
tesy
cour-

to

the

minister.
bell's invitation,
sir,"he
to worship with you."
came
A grave smile touched the dark face.
"We

we

"You
me

heard

your

said, "and

rightlyinterpretedits message," he said.

"Let

repeat its welcome."

Americans, at least my daughter and I are,"

said Mr.
Howland, presenting Paula, a frank smile
friend
her beautiful face, "and this is her young
upon
officers
from
London, Miss Vincent, and these young
of the Canadian
are
army."
the minister, meeting them
"Canadians!"
exclaimed
with both hands.
"Oh, you are indeed welcome."
"We
all in the war, sir,I would have you know/'
are
"We

added

are

Mr.

Howland.

Vi^EDDING

JOURNEY

307

minister looked

The

puzzled.
"Let me
and
explain,"said Barry. "Mr. Rowland
his daughter are on leave from
their own
which
hospital
Miss Vincent
is from the
they have set up in France.
base hospitalin Boulogne."
Like the sun
breakinguppn the loch in a dull day, a
broke

smile
wide

dark

face.

threw

He

the

gate

open.

*Tn
let

the

over

the

of

country, in this its dark hour,

he shook them
welcome," and once
more

name

give you
each by the hand.
me

my

"We

have

stillhalf

hour

an

before

he continued.
the honour
of
"Pray do me
worship,''
enteringmy manse."
They followed him up the shrubbery-flanked
gravel
walk

the door.

to

"Enter," he said, going before them

"Jean! Jean!"

into the

manse.

he called.

voice like the sound

of a silver
"Yes, dear," came
a
issued a lady with a face
bell,and from another room
of rare
and delicate loveliness. Her soft,clinging
black
with a touch of white at her throat, served
to
gown,
it
emphasise the sweet purityof her face, but cast over
a

shade

of sadness at

once

poignant and tender.

dear, this is Mrs. Robertson," he said simply;

"these friends,Americans
from the
and Canadians, are

"My

war."
At

that word

by
"You

sad.
in

she

smile
are

to

came

inexpressibly
sweet,

welcome, oh,

soft Scotch

mined
greet them, her face illu-

voice.

very

"Come

but

inexpressibly
she

welcome,"

in and

rest

for

said,
few

moments."
"Our
of

friend here, Captain Dunbar, is

Canadian
distinguished
regiment."
young

"They
"A

all distinguished,"
said the lady.
chaplain?"said the minister. "My dear

should

"Oh,

are

be gratefulfor

the front

chaplain

message

for

our

"

yes, if you

would," added

his wife.

sir,we

people from

THE

808

SKY

PILOT

IN

"But," protestedBarry, "I

preach.
and

One

MAN'S

want

tired of

gets very

besides I'm

NO

to

hear

one's

poor preacher."
"I'll take that risk,but I will not press
a

LAND

elsb'

one

some

preaching,

own

very

you,'*said

the

minister

courteously.
"Do, Barry," said Paula

in

low

voice,but he shook

his head.
"I

see

said Mr.

have

you

soldier friends

some

Howland, pointingto

at

the

front,"

tel
photographon the manof a young
officer in Highland dress.
"Our
son, sir,"said the minister quietly.
"Our
in
only son," added his wife quietly."He was
the Black Watch."
Her voice,with its peculiarbell-like
full of pride and tenderness.
quality,was
"Oh," said Phyllis,turning to her with quick tears in
her eyes and holdingout her hand.
brother?"
Your
"Ah," said the lady, "you too?
"My two brothers."
"My dear child ! My dear child !" said the minister's
"Your
mother
wife, kissingher.
was
leged,"
greatlyprivishe added gently.
It was
a deeplymoving scene.
give
said Mr. Howland, wiping his eyes, "for"Madam,"

me,

but you

"There
"We

are

cannot

is dearer
me,

"Madam,"
honours

of

many

give our

than
we

mothers

our

don't
said

us

of the war.'*
the wonder
in this glen,sir,"she replied.
are

lives,sir. We can only give what

lieve
lives,our
dear, dear sons, and, be-

grudge
Mr.

and wonders

them."

Hovv^land, "the

whole

world

you."
"Sir," said Barry, obeying a quick impulse "I cannot
preach,but may I tell your peoplesomething about their
boys and how splendidthey are?"
"Thank
you," said the minister.
"Oh, would you?" cried his wife. "There are many
You can tell
there who feel only the loss and the sorrow.
them something of its splendour."
By this time in the eyes of all the visitors there were
you

at

WEDDING

tears, but

309

the faces of the minister

on

only the

was

JOURNEY

serene

peace

of

of sacrifice have

shrine

those

got

and

his wife
within

who

there

the

cred
sa-

vision of its eternal

glory.
"Barry," said Paula, drawing him aside, "I love you
for this,but do talk about something, or I shall surely

peoplebreak my heart."
"Oh, no," said Barry, looking at them, "there are no
there.
tears
They have been all the way through."
!" The folk that gathered in
"Like people,like priest
that morning were
the little church
simple people of
the countryside,
from
the glen, shepherds and
cotters
for the most
humble
women
villagers.They were
part,
The girlswere
and children.
with old men
at the
away
munition
at the war,
men
plants,the young
fighting
their
in
under
little
their
unknown
or
or
crosses
lying
These

cry.

and

unmarked

graves,

on

one

of

Britain's

five battle

of the Seven
Seas
tossing waters
dom.
Britain's navy
where
rides, guarding the world's freeSimple peasant folk they were, but with that look
land
Scotof grave and thoughtful steadfastness with which

fronts, or

knows

The

under

how

the

to

devotions

stamp her people.

were

conducted

by the minister with

prophet'smystic touch and

and with a
simple sincerity,
a
prophet'svision of things invisible.
He
no
yielded
Barry made
attempt at a sermon.
of the manse
himself to the spirit
of the place,the spirit
the burfortitude under
den
and its people, whose
serene
of their sorrow
had stirred him to his soul's depths.
father and
Their
spiritrecalled the spiritof his own
He
the spirit
in the trenches.
he had known
of the men
He
made
a
slightreference to the horrors of the war.
the soldiers' trials but he told them
touched lightly
upon
their tenderness
tales of their endurance, their patience,
to
to the wounded, their comradeship, their readiness
sacrifice.
the worth

Before
and

he

closed, he lifted

splendourof

it all and

them

gave

to

up

them

see

vision

of the world's
of the

NO

IN

PILOT

SKY

THE

SIO

MAN'S

through
regeneration

LAND

the eternal

mystery

cross.

They listened with upliftedface, on which rested a

quiet wonder, touched with that light that only falls
sacrifice and sacrament
are
where
joined. There were
terness,
faces, but they fell quietly,without bittears
on
many
without
passion,without despair.
for him at
face waited
A woman
with a grief worn
and
the foot of the pulpitstairs,the minister's wife
Phyllisbeside her.
"Mrs. Finlayson wishes to speak to you," she said.
"Ay, ay! I jistwant to say that you had the word
A'm
mair
the day. I see
it better the noo.
for me
sud be sleepin'
oot 3/onder." She
that ma
content
mon
held Barry's hand while she spoke, her tears falhng on
it,then kissed it and turned away.
ray,
"And
this," said the minister's wife, "is Mrs. Murhas just sent
has given three sons, and who
who
her last

son

sons," echoed Barry,gazing at the strong face,

"Three
beaten
"and

you

How

could

with the winds

brov/n

and

sent

away

took

It

through
had

the

to

as

for

minutes

door.

He

at

proud

Hft of her

Barry

wanted

of martyrs, those who

those who had sent them.

"You

have

minister
"It
hands

in

was

with
about

to

you.

lyin*
head,

to

his way
all.
greet them
make

there not in his own

feelingthat he was
standing between two
a
representative

companies

men

I wonder

wi' his three brithers

back

him

baud

some

but
and

fiftyyears,

wudna."

"and

He

of

suns

Oh,

last.

your

there, and," she added, with

oot

and

you?"

cudna

"A

this week."

away

done

us

had

gone

you

minister
and

your

to

die,

great service to-day,sir,"said the

bidding Barry good-bye.

to do it,"said Barry
a privilege
the

forth

son
per-

noble

and

his wife.

people."

as

he

shook

"I shall tell the

"My dear, my
wife

as

WEDDING

dear, is he

your

311

man?"

asked

PhylHs' hand.
Phyllis,glancing at Barry

the minister's

she held

is,''said

''He

JOURNEY

with

shy

pride.
''And he leaves you

soon?"

days," repliedthe girl,with a quick breath.

till you give yourselfwholly to
"Don't
let him
away
word."
It's a mother's
him.
Why not to-morrow?
"That's what I say," cried Paula impulsively,
seeking
the girl's
to cover
blushingconfusion. "Neil," she added,
turning to him, "I should love to be married in just
"In

such

two

dear littlechurch

"All
and

right,"said

as

Neil.

I shall show

it to you
down
wandered

this."
"I know
next

another

just like it,

week."

by the loch's side. Passing a

They
boat-rentingestablishment,Paula suddenly exclaimed,
"My Land of Liberty,look there,Barry!"
"What?"

canoe," she cried,running toward

"A

it. "A

Canadian

canoe!"

genuine Peterboro,"

"A

"Where

did you

he

cried, following her.

turningto the
get this?" he inquired,

boatman.

"My boy brought it with him from Canada, sir. He

is an engineer. I have his whole outfit in the house
tent, camp
thingsand all. He is at the war himself."
does it
"Oh, Barry, look at the dear thing. What
She glanced at Barry'sface and
make
you think of?"
I'm a fool !"
added quickly,"Oh, I know.
Forgive me.
"Come
along,Phyllis,"said Barry, drawing her away
"I want
to talk to you."
with him.
"We
shall take lunch in half an hour, Barry," called
after him.
"We're
due at Pitlochry,
Mr. Howland
you
"

know, for dinner."

"All right,sir,"said Barry. "We'll be on hand."
if she's got the nerve," said Paula to Cap"I wonder
tain
Neil

as

they

stood

looking after

them.

THE

312

SKY

PILOT

"I wonder," said

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

CaptainNeil,lookingat

her. "Would

you?"
"Would

I," said Paula, with

shyness. "I
in two
but you are not going away
days.'*
vently,
"No, thank the good Lord," said Captain Neil, fer"but, Paula, I'll not forget."
At Pitlochrythey found their mail awaitingthem.
"A
telegram for you, Barry," said Paula, who had
assumed
the duty of postman.
They all paused in examining their mail to watch
Barry open his wire.
"Guess," he shouted, holdinghis telegramhigh.
exclaimed Paula.
"Extended
"Oh, glory, I know!"
leave.
"

How

sudden

"

much?"

*0h, excellent young

maid, how

elder art thou

much

"

than

thy looks !'

"Oh, Barry!" exclaimed

Phyllis. "How
"Five days, five whole days."
It's the least they could do.
"Humph!
have made
it ten," grumbled Paula.
"Mr.
I speak to you
Howland, may
eloquent of
Barry's look and voice were
"Certainly,
Barry. Immediately?"
"If you please,
sir."
They retired to a corner, where Barry
with

ardent

look

and

They might

propositionto Mr. Howland, whose

pleasureand perplexity. The

resolve.

could

others

over

father,of
she declared.
"Oh,
"Now,

to

seen

gled
min-

waited

tiently
pa-

to end.

this time that the pater simply can't make

I know
without
what
me.
they are at."
moved

be

face showed

"Oh, pshaw!" said Paula, "Barry ought

She

moment?"

gesture putting his

vehement

for the conference

much?"

by

to

know

up

his mind

them.

course

I know

you

will do

what

as

he wants.

Barry wishes,"
Now

listen

Just wire Mrs. Vincent that everything is perfectly

that
and
all right,that you can
guarantee Barry,
it'sthe sensible thing,the only thingto do under the cir-

to

me.

THE

S14

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

usual," she said, "the heavy

"As
Dear

SKY

Mrs.
I

Robertson"

shall

love

always

falls to

work

minister's wife

the

to

"

LAND

and

you

"

bye.
''good-

dear

your

me.

little

church."

put her

She

the

around

arms

minister's

wife

and

kissed her.

going to see them off," said that lady.

"Lead
the way, CaptainDunbar, please,"she added, with
a
bright smile,givinghim a littlepush.
said Barry offeringhis wife his arm,
"Come, Phyllis,"
the street toward
and they started off down
the lake.
"Will
said the minister, offering
permit me?"
you
his arm
in mystifiedsilence took it without
to Paula, who
"Oh, we're

word.
I have

"May

his

arm

the
to

pleasure?"said

other

Rowland,

fering
of-

Robertson.

Mrs.

"Come, Captain Fraser,"

the

Mr.

she said

gaily,offeringhim

arm.

"Just what Is happening to me, I don't pretend to

Is In
it Is, America
know," said Paula, "but whatever
this thing to the finish."
Barry stopped at the boathouse landing. There, tied
laden with tent
to the dock, floated the Canadian
canoe,
and camp
outfit,and with extra baskets provided from
the

manse.

"Oh,

Barry,

wonderful!

how

!" cried Paula

In
more
was

that
smiles
Paula.

farewell
than
She

in

ecstasy of

an

there

tears.

How

were

The

managed

to

tears

derful
perfectlywondelight.

and

smiles, but

last to

touch

their hands

draw

them

apart

from

with unaccustomed
the others, with her eyes glistening
pered,
deserve each other.
"You
tears.
Phyllis,"she whis-

alternatelyshaking and kissing her, "there was

have
I would
a
fought you for him, until
day when
Neil came.
bye,
Barry, you dear boy, you may kiss me goodand oh, may
you both live forever."
"Goodbye, dear Paula," cried Phyllis. "You have

WEDDING

been

lovely

so

to

forget

never

JOUKNEY

from

me

the

S15

shall

first.

very

never,

you."
Paula,"

"Goodbye,

said

"dearest

Barry,

of

all

dear

friends."
She

stooped

"Goodbye
all,"

still

"Dear,

face

powerful
some

half

canoe

in

love

Phyllis

stepped

keep

and

you

salute,

keep

to

the

she

little
in

them,

bow,

you

passed

paddling,

first

at

the

of

curve

water,
held

sight.

them

with

sat

with

paddle

his

paddle
out

watching

stood

just

with

the

for

Goodbye!"

overhung
and

Paula

canoe,

and

whispered,

not

until

the

steady.

swinging

Barry

birches

they

it

company

the

strokes,

round,

into

stepped

"Goodbye!

fell.

tears

toward

and

Barry,"

dear

Phyllis

where

God

you.

it

over

Together
away,

of

paddle

his

stooping

her

while

canoe,

Barry.

took

time

the

bow.

all

to

said

He

the

in

place

her

to

steady

to

the

of
he

swung

Voyageur

her
ful,
grace-

shore,
the

ion
fash-

CHAPTER

XIX

pilot's

THE

PORT

last

little Canadian
army
THESalient.
British tradition
The

done

was

third month

of the war,

established

with

The

months

of

Salient

into

for the Hun,

Canadian
hands

191 5.

How

the

tradition and

the
from

the channel

historytell,and
in unmarked
of trenches

the

from
over

under

of

The

rear,

and

carry

"the

barred

seventeen

road-hog

let the dead

cost

army

served
pre-

of

rope"
Eu-

months, let
declare who

lie

which, followingthe curving line

tuary
Langemarck through Hooge and SancObservation
Ridge to St. Eloi, and

Salient
the

passed on
in the early

for seventeen

coast

be

was

little Canadian

that crowd

those,littlecrosses

the burden

For

what

graves

Wood
the dead

at

in the

should

convex

Calais

thoroughfareto

The

in that first terrific twenty-two

days' fightby Ypres, that that deadly

no

with

and

livingas

teries
ceme-

the

clearing stations in
well, who through life will

of

of enfeebled

months

the

and

mutilated bodies.

the Canadians

in shallow

dugouts
the maddening

behind

flimsytrenches endured
without the
pounding of the Huns' guns, big and little,
satisfaction of reprisal,
except in raid or counter-attack,
sufferingthe loss of two-thirds of their entire force,
but stillholding. Now
the welcome
at length came
lease.
reWelcome
ordered to the Somme.
not
They were
simply because of escape from an experience the most
come
could be subjected,but weltrying to which an army
of fighting
chance
a
chieflybecause there was
and

back.

They
of

the

had

no

illusions about

south, echoes

of

whose
316

that

great

titanic

battle

area

struggle had

317

PORT

LAST

PILOT'S

THE

reached them, but they longed for a chance to get back

ing
at their foe.
challengedtheir fightBesides,the Somme

gloriousassault of the
which flung them^ upon

spirit.That
the allied armies

and

prepared,embattled

July of
scientifically

first of

the

Frontier,"
stuffed woods, its

"German

entrenched

villages,its gun
ciplined
and defended
m^assed parks of artillery,
by highly disand superblyorganised soldiery,stirred them
war-makers
like a bugle call. For two
years the master
genuity
had
of the world
employed scientific knowledge, inwith

its fortified

unlimited

and

of

system of defence

resources

by

the

upon

of which

means

defy the world, and upon which v/hen

displayed the vaunting challenge,"We

to

In

they hoped
completedthey
are
ready for

on!"

come

you;

construction

that great conflict there was

element
of surno
prise.
It was
deliberate testing
out of strength,
a
cal
physi-

and

For

moral.

the first time

in the

war

the British

in manterms
power
something like even
mense
and in weight of metal, with, however, the imthe attacking
handicap stillrestingupon it that it was
force.
The result settled forever the question
of the fightingqualityof the races.
the first
When
day's fightwas
done, on a battle front of twenty miles

army

stood

the British
while
had

upon

armies

had

smashed

hole

their

fightingon an
gallantallies,
captured the whole line. In two

seven-mile

hole

entrenched

redoubts,woods

small, had

was

widened
down

to

ten.

seven

eight-milefront,
weeks' time, the
Fortified villages,

stuffed with

before

that

miles wide,

guns,

great and

steady, relentlcc^s,
of the Somme
The
full significance
crushing advance.
had not dawned
as
yet upon the world. The magnitude
of the achievement
not
was
yet estimated,but already
hitherto unknown
names
were
flung up flaming into
the world's sky in letters of eternal fire,Ovillers,Mametz
Wood, Trones
Wood, Langueval, Mouquet Farm,
Deville Wood
for the British,with twenty-one thousand
prisoners,and Hardecourt, Dompierre, Becquin-Court,
gone

S18

SKY

THE

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

Fay for the French allies,with thirty-one

thousand prisoners.
fied
fortichosen and elaborately
On that line of carefully
of
defences, the proudest of Germany's supermen
had been beaten at their own
by the civilian
war
game
soldiers of ^'effeteand luxury lovingBritain,"and the
republicanarmies of ^'decadent France," and still the
Homeric
fightwas raging. Foot by foot,yard by yard,
should make
to hold the line which
the Hun
was
fighting
good his insolent claim to the hegemony of the world.
being torn
Step by step, yard by yard, that line was
from his bloody fingers.Into that sea of fire and blood,
Canadians
the
to
were
plunge. They remembered
and St. Eloi,and were
Langemarck and Sanctuary Wood
not
unwillingto make the plunge. They thought of
the ruthless
those long months
in The
Salient,when
Hun
from his vantage ground of overwhelming superiority
had poured his deadly hail from
right flank, left
them, holding,suffering,
flank, front and rear, upon
dying, day by day, month
by month, and they were
the chance which
the Somme
fered
ofgrimly jubilantover
them of evening somewhat
the score.
Pickles
"We
have something to hand Fritzie,"young
he had learned of the qualwhen
heard to remark
was
ity
I
of the Somme
**and
fighting,
hope he'll like it,for
and

Bussu

he's got to take it."

The battalion ranks, both
been

ofiicers and

men,

had

once

filled up.

ing
trainThey had a brief fortnight's
in the new
fightingunder barrage and then
open
Ten
for the "Big Game."
set off cheerfully
days they
marched
and countermarched
in the back country, keeping
of
those
clear
two
mighty streams
"up" and "down,"
that flowed between ditches and hedges along the road
that led to the great arena,
and catchingglimpses and
echoes as they marched
until,hard, fit,
keen, they joined
That
the "upstream" flowing toward
Albert.
stream

more

was

made

that go

to

up

of those various

and

multifarious

constitute,
equip and maintain

modern

elements
army.

THE

There

wars

who

PILOT'S

LAST

819

PORT

cers,
offiwith their mounted
marching battalions,
in the world's
famous
and insignia
bearingnames
were

hundred
for two
few brief months

nothing of

and

years,

There

war.

battalions

them

ing
knowpeacefulcitizens,

were

ago

with

were

transport columns,

ammunition
columns, artillery
columns, with mounted
There were
escorts.
big guns, on huge caterpillar
trucks,
shoulderingthe lightertraffic to the ditches,and little
There were
motor
meekly in their rear.
slipping
lorries,honking and thundering their insistent way
through dodging, escaping,cursinginfantry,forty-six
miles of them to a single
There were
strings
army
corps.
of mules and horses with weirdlyshaped burdens on their
motor
cars
pack saddles. There were
bearing "Brass
Hats," gentlelookingindividuals,excessively
polite,
yet
when
somehow
and
to jump
gettingmen
they spoke,
everywhere ambulances, silent and swift moving, before
whose
approach the stream parted in recognitionof the
rightof way of these messengers of mercy over all the
engineryof war.
guns

The
and

stream"

"down

much

was

there differences. That stream

with more
battalions marched

the

with

same,

flowed

here

swiftly.
The
buoyant tread. They
had done their part and without shame.
They had met
their foes and seen
their backs. The trucks, transport
and ammunition
were
empty and coming with a
wagons
rush.
fully,
Only the ambulances moved more
slowly. Carewith watchful avoidance of ruts and holes, which,
in spiteof the army
of road-mendingHuns, broke up the
surface
way.

of

the pavement,

They

up.
And

must

these ambulances

get through no

they flowed these

as

their banks

and

flooded

over

more

streams

matter

ever

made

what
and

in littleeddies

was

their

held
broke

anon

into

villages

and

there to tarry for a day and a night,only to

fields,
be caught up again in either one
of those resistless inevitabl
currents

"Look

before

of
you,

war.

major," said Barry,who

was

rid-

THE

320

the

ing with
column,
The

PILOT

SKY

MAN'S

column

at

LAND

the head

of the

the invitation of the O. C.

at

now

slowlyclimbinga long gentlesloping

was

hill that reached

On

NO

HeadquartersCompany

often

as

IN

its apex

two

some

three miles

or

away.

either side,spread out over

the fields,
far as the
as
could reach, were
militaryencampments, in tents, in

eye

huts and

Infantryunits,horse lines,motor

in the open.

and for guns, ammunition

parks,repaircamps for motors
dumps with shells piledhigh, supply sheds
contents, Red Cross
bulging with their canvas-covered
truck

huts

and

cues

of

comforts

Y.

and

marquees,

C. A.

M.

"eats"
waitingsoldiers,-netting
kinds.

of various

The

whole

and

their

with

tents

drinks,and

countrysidewas

mighty encampment pa^^kedwith munitions and supplies

and throngingwith horses,mules and men.
the *grand scale,* said the O. C.
"This is war
on
the top of this hill
dropping back beside them. "From

one

"

can

we

Albert

see

and

part of the

most

famous

tle-fiel
bat-

just outside of Albert on

and in a couple of
the *brick field,*
is known
what
as
shall be in it. Well," he continued, with
we
days more
"the boys never
the column
were
a glanceover
following,
of all time.

We

camp

fit."

more

"And

keen,"

more

never

righton their toes."

"Major, I expect
down
you

here, and
know
him,

you

should

I believe.

be there

as

met

the

major. "They

are

the divisional commander

meet

wanj; you

"Yes, sir,I have

to be there.

He

has

CaptainDunbar,
asked especially
that

well."
the General.

To

my

mind

he

ideal soldier."

is an

"Yes, and
his

to

said

job and

At
from

ideal of^cer,"said the O. C.

he is always fit and keen."
an

"He

knows

tenant
lieuthe top of the hill,a traffic officer,
a
young
the Imperial forces, diverted the column
from
into a field.
the road

inquiredthe O. C.
"There's the answer,
sir,"said the ofificercoolly.
"Why

is this?"

THE

322

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

I find this ditch very

third.

IVIAN'S

LAND

convenient,though

what
some-

mucky."
white
Barry looked at him in astonishment. He was
and shaken, covered with mud, but tryingto get his cigarette
case

open.

"I'd get off, sir,if I

next

one

you," he said, "until the

were

Quick,sir,I

comes.

hear

it now."

Barry needed no second invitation. He flunghimself

headlong into the ditch beside the young fellow,but the
shell dropped into the field beyond.
"That's

as

near

as

scrapingthe mud
got it though."
wounded

I like

'em," said the

off his clothes.

He

drew

his

"It's hard

animal.

on

"My

young

officer,

old gec-gt^
and shot the

poor,

revolver

the horses.

You

see,

they can't dodge," he added.

"I say, my
boy," said Barry, for the lieutenant was
only a boy, "that was a near thing for you. What are
you going to do now?"
"Oh, justcarry on," said the boy. "The relief will be
along in a few hours. Beastlymess, eh?" he continued,
but whether

he

the state of his

"You
shook

are

own

to

you are all

"I'm
with him.

sure

hands

horse
the disem.bowelled
uniform, Barry could not say.

referred

or

right?"said Barry, as he
awfullyglad you weren't

hurt."

"So

am

I," said the boy heartily."Awfully rotten

to

eh ? What ?
pottedout here playinga ballypoliceman,
Well, good luck, sir," and Barry rode off to join his
with a deep admiration in his heart for the Engcolumn
lish
school boy who, when
war
probablya
began, was
fifth form
lad,in whose life the most dangerous episode
would be a ball taken full off bat at point,
or
a low tackle
the Rugby field.
on
the general,
At Divisional Headquarters, they met
who
after a conversation with the O. C. greetedBarry
warmly.
Well, I
man.
"So you have gone and done it,young
I happen to
admire your nerve, and I congratulate
you.

be

THE

the

know
is

PILOT'S

LAST

well.

familyvery

As

PORT

matter

323

of

fact there

connection, I beHeve.

By the way, I
have a communication
from London
for you," he added,
drawing Barry to one side,and givinghim a Httle shp.
"I happen to know
about it,"he continued,while Barry
was
readinghis telegram,"and say, if I can be of any
I shall be very glad. It's a step up, you see.
assistance,
I have no doubt it can
be put through quite easilyand
quickly,and I believe the step is coming to you."
Barry stood with his eyes upon the dispatch.It was
offer of a hospital
an
appointmentat the base,and carried
with it his majority.
"I have no doubt the missus will be pleased,
eh?" said
the general with a grin.
Barry pulledout a letter from his pocket,opened it
it to the general,pointingto a paragraph.
and handed
The
general took it and read,
"And
that though you have a
Barry, dear, remember
wife now,
duty to your country is still your first
your
duty. I would hate that any thoughtof me should make
remote

some

it harder

for you to carry on."

general folded up the letter,
put it

The

and
envelope,

handed

it back

to

slowlyinto

its

Barry.

"I know

ing
her," he said simply. "I should expect nothelse from her. You are a luckydog, but, of course,"
he added, with a swift glanceat Barry'sface,"some one
must

"I

take that

job."

fancy,sir,there

fit for this work

are

want

you
"I

am

that my

are

hardly^

here," repliedBarry quietly. "I

up

think,sir,I'll just carry

"You

many

for it,who

on

where

I am."

quite sure?" inquiredthe general. "Don't

?"
to think it over
two
a day or
quite sure, sir,"said Barry, "I am
quitesure

are

wife would

approve."

"Very well, then,"

this for you, and let me
division."
you in my

general,"let me handle
sir,that I am proud to have

said the
say,

SKY

THE

824

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

saying,he grippedBarry'shand hard, and turned

abruptlyaway to the others.
They rode to their camp in almost com.pletesilence,
So

except for
a

grunt

from

two

or

the O. C. who

in

seemed

mood.

grumpy

they arrived at Headquarters,the O. C. drew

up his horse and turningto the major, said,
'T don't know
justwhat to do with this Pilot of ours.
He is a fool in some
ways."
"A darned
fool, sir,"said the major emphatically.
selfish enough to
"And," continued the major, "I am
Pilot
damned
glad I won't apologise.
say that I am
It would have been just
that he decided to stay with us.
When

"

"

littleharder

to

carry

if he had

on

"

left us."
have

"Yes," growled the major, "but, oh, well, we

The Pilot is a soldier all right."

stick it I guess.
There was
nothing further said about the matter, but

got

to

day

next

as

Barry

their eyes
officer in the mess
men,

him

him

followed
seemed

to

as

the camp,

passed,and

he

discover

an

the

among

errand

every

that took

Barry'stent.

to

days later the

Two
and

about

walked

took

from

over

Bapaume

Road

Canadians

moved

They

the Australians.

toward

up

into the line

followed

Pozieres, passingthrougha

the

try
coun-

in the war.
fighting
"This," said the O. C, drawing aside from the road,
and ridingto a slightly
risingground,"is La Boiselle,or
mine
it was, and that I fancy is the famous
at least where
crater.
Sixty thousand pounds of gun cotton blew up

had

which

that hole."
There

was

foundations

seen

the heaviest

no
absolutely

of

the

sign of

houses, and

the very
village,
cellars having the

the

the

of a ploughed field.
appearance
continued the O. C.
"That vv^as a desperatefight,"
was

here that the Middlesex

Fifty

men

In that

reportedfrom
villagethey had

their great
it was
the battalion when
men

whole

made

division

"It

charge.
over.

fightingbefore

PILOT'S

THE

LAST

PORT

325

through, Middlesex
Royal Scots and
men,
Irish,for three days and three nights/'
As
they rode along, the guns on either side began
the far rear
the
their evening chorus and from
came
roaringrush of the H. E.s like invisible express trains
music to their ears,
hurtlingthrough the air. It was
in their hearts,
and they rode forward
with a new
feeling
for there appeared to be almost no replyfrom the enemy

they

were

guns.

The

battalion took

the Pozieres

Road,

that

work

to

and

they

were

the trenches
so

effective

at the

crossingof

tery
the counter-bat-

was

able to settle down

into their

in
without casualties. The R. A. P. was
positions
a
deep German
dug-out thirtyfeet below the surface,
It had
with double entrances
and heavily timbered.
been most
prepared,planked on sides and
elaborately
two
floor,and fitted with electric lights. There were
main rooms,
with a connectingcorridor,leadingto each
entrance.
They found an Australian medical officer in
charge.
*'These chaps were
weren't they?" said
regularsettlers,
Barry, after they had exchanged greetings.
''Yes,sir,they intended to sty, apparently,"said the

battle

Australian,in

his slow

drawl.

"We

found

letters

some

officer indicating
their intention to remyn
the plyce couldn't carry
for the durytion,but we wanted

on

wounded

"

on

without

added

with

it in fact.

It's

quitea good plyce,too," he

cheerful

grin.
"Why, it's just bully,"said
can't promiseyou
sorry that we
a

"I hear

it is rather

"Not

bad

as

Jove!

You

there.

Must

"Oh,

yes,

the M.
as

good

O.

"I

in The

am

only

Salient."

tralian.
rotten, eh, sir?" said the Aus-

Gallipoli,
though," said Barry. "By
Australian
chaps did magnificentlydown
have been a perfecthell."
quitehot for a while,but I fancy you Canyas

dians didn't have any

afternoon

tea

party in The

Sylient,

SKY

THE

326

IN

PILOT

NO

MAN'S

LAND

some
fightingthere. Oh,
My word, there was
there it comes," he added.
As he spoke a muffled explosion was
heard, and the
dug-out rocked, and the candles flickered.
"Can
they get you down here?" inquiredthe M. O.
*'I fancy a direct hit from
a
reallybig H. E. would
Of
disturb our
little home, but nothing else would.
would be a bit awkward,
a shell in the door
course,
wye
you knaow," repliedthe Australian.
and except for a
The night,however, passed quietly,
wounded
few slightly
walking cases, there was littlework
decided that in coming to the
The Canadians
to do.
Somme, they had made a most happy exchange.
A quietday followed the night,
but the whole battalion
was
keyed up with intense expectationfor the attack
which they knew was
fixed for the night following. With
all about
expectation mingled curiosity. They knew
but they were
their own
raiding; that was
specialty,
curious as to the new
styleof fightingwhich they knew
dating
to be awaiting them, the capturing,
holdingand consoli-

eh?

of

trenches.

line of enemy

Nightfallbrought the opportunityto gratifytheir

curiosity.For two hours before the attack, their guns
the front line of enemy
the barrage to cover
put down
trenches,and to disposeof his wire.
The
M. O. and Barry, with the Australian and their
whole staff,made their way to a ridgea few yards distant
to

see

the show.

Heaven, what

"Great

pointingto

seemed

the crest

fires upon
"Guns!
M.

what

of

Ours," said

inquired the M. O.,

watch
to be a fine of flickering
neighbouringrisingground.
at the
the Australian, surprised
is that?"

O.'s excitement.
"Guns

"Guns?
to

wheel!"

lived to
low

see

Barry," shouted the M. O.

wheel
And in the open! And
on
a hill! And
the good Lord I have
cried Barry. "Thank
in a
this day. Look
at the boys," he added

My Lord,

guns,

tone, to the Australian

beside him.

and

their shoulders

They glancedover
a
orderlies executing

in the

fox-trot

327

PORT

LAST

PILOT'S

THE

of the

two

saw

heavy shell-ploughed

soil.

"Why,
know

Our

in action in the open that

operatedonly from holes and corners^

guns

knocked

gun

they'dbe spotted

Otherwise

cellars.
in

out

seen

never

hedges and

from
and

my

have

we

way.

inquiredthe Australian.
the M. O., "don't you
dear chap," replied

the row?"

"Whafs

hour."

an

attended to
!" said the Australian,"our bird men
a
that the first dye of the fight. They sye there was
double line of observation balloons along the lines,ours
"Ow

and
not

theirs up to the
balloon
Boche
a

30th of June. The

to

was

be

next

Our

seen.

morning
plynesput

Since that time, we

their eye out in a singleafternoon.
There are the heavies
them in the air. Ah!
hold over
in half a
full chorus will be on
The
coming up now.
minute."
A

hours

two

the

full chorus

The

demonstrated.

prophecy was
For

later,the truth of the Australian's

seconds

few

barrage raged,and the

din

was
was

on.

such

they had to shout in each other's ears to be heard.

The
ringed with darting tongues of red
hilltopswere
flame as though belched out by a thousand fabled dragons.
that

It

was

if the air above

as

was

filledwith millions

visible
of in-

demons, whining, moaning, barking,shriekingin

a

fury of

the express
inch guns.

train

of this
our

while

to

at

have

lived

through

those

joyment
Salient,"said Barry, "to get the full en-

in The

day when

of

roar

worth

"It's almost
months

regularintervals came
the twelve, fifteen and sixteen

hate, while

venomous

experience.Well

O. C. asked

for

do

I remember

and
'retaliation,'

was

the
told

while
he could have six rounds, I think it was, or eight. Meantrenches and dug-outswere
going up in bloody
our
mud."
"I think

we

"They

might
will be

as

well go

coming

in

tralian.
below," said the Aus-

presently."

THE

3^8

SKY

PILOT

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

long after the first

That barrage so
coming in shells began to drop around.
long waited for,and so ardentlydesired,was worth some
But

Barry and

the M.

O. remained

risk.
the wounded

Soon

night,the

whole

the

On

work.

began
O. and

M.

arrival of

to

arrive,and throughoutthe

his staff
the

zero

busy at their
hour, the barrage

w^ere

lifted.

''Well,good luck

go

with

the

boys," said

Austhe tralian,
We'll

fervently."They are out and over now.

of them presently.'*
get some
of walking wounded
Throughout the night,a stream
exultant in spiteof their pain,
kept flowingin. Jubilant,
they bore with them the joyful report that they had
from his trenches and his deep dug-outs,
shifted the Hun
still advancing. Singing at the top of their
and were
voices, they came
limping in, bloody and muddy, but
wild with exultation and joy. The day long looked for
thing
gettingsomeby the Canadians had arrived. They were
of their

The

back.

own

next

day

The

whole

ment.
the full extent of the achievefor
Canadian
line had swept forward

revealed

tified
a foryards,had capturedstrong points,
sunken
"sugar refinery"and,
road, the famous
had captured the villageof
overrunning their objective,
a
gallantlittle fight,and
Courcelette,as well. It was
quitea notable achievement.
After'^two days the battalion was
pulledout, having
\suffered comparatively
than ready
slightlosses,and more
should come.
the opportunity
when
to return
The next three weeks were
spent in minor operations,
repellingcounter-attacks, and
consolidatingpositions,
preparingfor the real "big go," in which the Canadians
over

thousand

take their part in the advance of the whole allied

for
sent into reserve
line,after which the battalion was
to

were

few
The

the

days'respite.
Canadian

spiritof

line

those

was

who

graduallywearing thin, but

of the
the spirit
survived was

his horse

PILOT

SKY

THE

330

NO

IN

MAN'S

brought him an
him to report
chief,directing
a

runner

station in Albert
the order

to

"Look

*Too
for

the O.
Too

at

for immediate

from

his divisional

the

ing
casualtyclearduty. He carried

C.

at this !" he

bad!

order

LAND

stormed.

bad!"

said the O.

C.

"Rotten

luck

you.''

"Look

here, sir," said Barry, "I have always gone

with the battalion,and I think
"I fancy they are
You
gettingon to you, Dunbar.
"

up

know

you

have

the O. C. with
"Isn't there

rather
a

shirked

the C. C. S.

duty," said

smile.

some

way

of this?

out

If I got

tute^
substi-

"

"A

soldier

obeys orders. Captain Dunbar," said the

O. C. gravely.
"Yes, sir,I know, but
"And
he doesn't say 'but',"continued the O. C. "No,
Barry," he added in a kindlyvoice,"I have no responsibility
in
I'd
be glad to have you come
or
authority this.
We
are
going into the 'bigthing'this time,
up with us.
I know, but perhapsit's just as well. You
go your way
and we'll go ours.
I'd like to say this to you, however,
with the men."
my boy, you have been a great hehp to me
His tone
but kind, and it sent to Barry's
was
grave
heart
chill of foreboding. "Good-bye, Barry," he
a
added, shaking hands with him.
"Good-bye,sir. Good luck,sir. May I say, sir,"said
immensely with my
Barry, "that you have helped me
duty."
"Do
of
say so, Barry?" said the O. C, a note
you
surprisein his voice. "I'm delightedto know that."
"God
keep you, sir,"said Barry earnestly.
in His keeping,aren't we?"
"Thank
are
you, sir. We
and turning in his saddle,he gave the order to advance.
Barry rode with the column to the very mouth of the
communication
trench running to Pozieres, dropping into
for a time, and leavcommander
step with each company
"

PILOT'S

THE

with

LAST

PORT

331

cheeryword of farewell. At the mouth

of the trench,he stood watchingthe men
as
they stepped
and out of his sight,
down
giving them a word of good
cheer and good luck as they passed,and receiving
in return
answering smiles and greetings. Then with eyes
unseeing,he rode back to camp, heavy of heart, for he
ing each

well

knew

that many

these

of

faces he

would

no

see

more.

The

hour

zero

morning.

As

fixed for five

was

the hour

drew

the

m.

a.

Barry

near,

the C. C. S., found in his heart the words

*'My soul wait thou only upon God

of the

That

wounds

and

death

be

awaiting many
that theymight

were

he well knew, and his prayer

the fate appointed them
with

in

psalm,

I shall not

...

moved."

following

his work

at

of them

was

meet

unshaken

faith and

courage.

By

o^clock the wounded

seven

hour

later the C. A.
with

in the

cue

rain.
falling

C. marquee
wounded
men

M.
of

The

the

tent

"Tell

me," he said, "may

chaplainservice
the chaplainin charge.

wounded

was

filled to

an

flowing
over-

forming outside
in their pale and pasuffering
tient

faces stirred in him

Vv^as

to arrive and

began

poignantsympathy. There
adjoining.He ran to find
we

use

your

for

marquee

men?"

"Sure

thing. It will

never

be used

for

better purpose."

Barry returned to the O. C. of the C. C. S.

"Why not direct that a part of this stream

be sent

to

and for anti-tetanus

adjoiningtent for registration,
hypodermics? These poor chaps are standingout in the
rain,chilled to the bone and ready to drop,"
the

"For

Heaven's

reallyup

sake

it,"said the O. C.

do

against it here.

Can

you

take

"We

are

that off my

hands?"
"I'll
In

marquee

try,"said Barry.
few
was

minutes

the

of the

congestionat the door

relieved and

the wounded

men,

to

their

THE

S82

PILOT

comfort,

vast

own

SKY

chairs in the
was

IN

NO

MAN'S

bestowed

were

chaplainservice

LAND

the benches

upon

But

tent.

and

ther
something fur-

to their comfort.

necessary

"Draper/'said Barry to the chaplainin chargeof the

tent, "you see these men?
They have had nothing to
since last night. They have fought a battle,been
eat
wounded,
then.

and

walked

out

It's eighto'clock

"What
watch

about

it?"

five miles

some

What

now.

exclaimed

about
the

or

so,

since

it?"

chaplain. "You

me!"

He

the Y. M.

C. A. tent, enlisted the secretary's

aid and in twenty minutes they together
had transported
to the chaplainservice tent coffee and
and
cocoa
urns,

with

to

ran

organisedband of assistants were

supplyingthe
with warming and
comforting nourishment.
had those splendidservices more
fective
quicklyand eftheir placein the army.
justified

an

wounded
Never
With

the wounded
disaster.

of

whole
As

Canadian

with

came

rumours,

Something

line.

It

was

or

more

terrible had

less fantastic,

befallen the

difficultto get at the truth.

contradicted each other and

all rumours,
they
left the mind in a chaos of perplexity.The

battalion had

into wire, where the machine

guns had found it,the
in
battalion was
wiped out, it had found cover
practically
run

trench

and

the O. C.

was

stillholdingon, the O. C.

killed,and with

him

every

was

wounded,

company

mander.
com-

to the signalsto
again, Barry sent men
found
learn the truth,but it was
to get a message
impossible
fallen
through. That an overwhelming disaster had bebers
his battalion was
abundantlyevident from the numwith
With
his heart growing numb
of wounded.
Gradually,he was
pain he struggled with his work.
forced to accept as true that a large proportionof the
that the O. C. was
battalion were
wounded,
casualties,
of the officers had fallen and
possiblydying, that many
stillholding a precarious
that the remainder
position,
were
for their lives.
and fighting

Again

and

was

PILOT'S

THE

"I shall not

The

LAST

PORT

333

be moved," he had read to them last night.

of his battalion.
was
being fulfilled in the men

promise
They could

die at the wire

they could not be moved.

his work, his mind was
on

or

in the

trench, but

While

mechanicallycarrying
with the fighting,
nant
dying remof his comrades.
The O. C. of the C. C. S. passing
ing
his rounds found Barry carryingon with tears blindon
he was
his eyes so that he could hardly see the figures
enteringin his record.
"Your
men
are
having a hell of a time, I hear," said
''I say, boy," he added, glancingat Barry's
the O. C.
haggard face, "let up for a while."
"I'm
all right,sir," said Barry, through his teeth.
"Excuse me, reallyI'm all right. It is a bit difficultto
that your, friends are being cut
carry on when
you know
but I'm all right,
sir."
to pieces,
"All right,my boy," said the O. C, "we're up against
for you in a few minutes, and we'll
it to-day. I'llcome
have

bit to eat."

Barry shook his head.

O. C, knew
few

better

minutes

than

He

he

returned

he

was

too

just what
with

an

sick to eat, but the

In a
he wanted.
assistant who

took

Barry'splace.
"Come
along,boy," said the O. C. cheerfully."We
for the
care
have got to feed the livingthat we
may
and dying."
wounded
"You
are
quiteright,sir,"said Barry. "I am ashamed
of myself. I'll be fit in a few minutes."
"Don't apologisefor one
moment," said the colonel,
thing
"if you felt any less deeplythan you do, you'd be someget into touch with the
Headquarters,and try to get the facts."

less than
Divisional

man.

We'll

than his
privateroom
him
that Divisional
Headquarters
signallerinformed
It took some
had just been trying to get him.
time,
through. Meantime, the
however, to get the message
Colonel was
handling Barry with a wise and skillful
touch.
him eat and eat heartily,
He made
seekingto di-

He

had

no

sooner

reached

his

SKY

THE

334

the

befallen

NO

"We're

LAND

the disaster that had

from

the

to

big

befallen the battalion

that had

MAN'S

issues at stake, and

resolute cheerfulness that the calamity

battalion
with

pointingout

IN

in the meantime

his mind

vert

PILOT

only a temporary

was

back.
set-

boy, and we're paying the price,"

winning,my

he said.
At

length signalsgot the

colonel

H.

D.

Q. and

called the

tion,
phone. After a few minutes' conversathe O. C. called Barry.
''The general wants
to speak to you, padre,"and Barry
with an apprehensiveheart went
to the phone.
the general's
It was
"Oh, that you, CaptainDunbar?"
voice and somehow
it carried with it an
atmosphere of

calm

the

to

cheerful confidence.

and

"How

are

getting

you

on?"

"Oh,

well.

sir, very

We

terriblyanxious, of

are

course."
"That's
had

natural," said the general quietly."We

rather

with

serious
I

wire, and

behaved

with

have

whole

Your

brigade met
fear they suffered heavily. The men
reverse.

great steadiness

and

still splendidly

are

lieve
holding. We are, of course, making every effort to rethem, and with good hope of success.
"Have
O. C?"
inquiredBarry.
you heard of my
"I fear rather bad news, Dunbar.
Indeed, I fear he is
wounded.
We
have sent him straighton
to
seriously
Contay. Your officers have suffered quite severely."

"Have
"Not

the casualties are, sir?"

shall not
"We
exactly,"repliedthe General.
you

know

until

loss.

By the

heard

evening,but
way,

clearingstation?
If you

can

"I'm

what

run

can

you

I hear

up, I

must

we

can

be

The

prepared for

spared from

you are
send my

afraid not, sir,justnow.

afternoon."
"Let

be

doing
car

heavy
the casualty
a

fine work

for

Perhaps

there.

you."
later

on

in the

speak to Colonel James," said the general.

O. C. came
to the phone.
me

THE

PILOT'S

LAST

PORT

335

"Yes, sir,"he said.

"

now.

is

He

"

Yes,

later

The

calm

reallynecessary
we'll send

on

him

are

short handed

just

the present moment.

Very well, sir.
up.
at

"

"

We

"

best."

doing our

are

''Well,we

confident

and

bearingof his superiorofficer,

made
of the unnerving emotion
from
Barry ashamed
all morning. He
returned
jwhich he had been suffering
resolved to put aside all personalconsiderations.
to his work
The thing in which they were
engaged was
vastly
the
of
fate
more
importantthan
any individual or of any
battalion. Victory was
was
guaranteed,and
necessary,
was
demanding its price. That price was
being paid,
make
his contribution.
and to that priceevery man
must
of wounded
Toward
night the stream
graduallygrew
less,and the O. C. sent Barry,in a returningambulance,
serenitywith
lip to the Divisional Headquarters. The
which
the general received him
did much
to
restore
Barry's poise,which had been severelyshaken by the
in the
strain of the night and day with the wounded
casualtyclearingstation and by the heartracking
agony
he had suffered
*'Come
a

in, Dunbar," said the generalkindly. ''Take

for

seat

will find
"Thank
said

the loss of his comrades.

over

are

few

minutes.

good,

you,

Have

cigar.

These

you

I think."

sir. I will take

Barry,helpinghimself

from

a
a

if
cigarette,
box

on

may/*

the table.

minutes in the dug-out until he

been many
was
began to catch the reactions of the place. The spirit
It was
the
of controlled but concentrated
one
energy.
He

had

spiritof
him

to

not

divisional commander, and it

the humblest
orderly in the room.
the

swiftness of action,alertness of mind, and

passed
There
with

from
was

these

Runners
were
complete absence of hurry or confusion.
ing
continuallyarrivingwith urgent messages, phones insistimmediate
officers coming in with
answer,
upon
business of vast importance,but with no
sign of flurry,
the work
of the -Divisional Headquarterswent
swiftly
and smoothlyon.

THE

336

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

length there was a pause in the rush of calls upon

the general'sattention.
*'Come in this way," he said to Barry, and led him to
at the back of the dug-out.
a smaller room
to have
*'Verycomfortable quarters these. They seem
done themselves quitewell,haven't they? It is most
venient,
confor we
should not have taken painsto
certainly
such elaborate dug-outs as these we
have fallen
construct
At

Find

heir to.

His

seat, Dunbar.

voice

was

very

he continued, "we
''Yes,'*
Uncut

wire and
been

have

blown

an

I have

gentleand

have had

enfilade from

up.

The

got the latest

bad

redoubt

casualties

are

ports."
re-

kindly.
night'swork.
very

which

very

should

heavy."

they?" Barry asked.

"Quite heavy, Dunbar, I'm afraid. Only some
fifty
have reportedso far."
"Fifty!"cried Barry. "Out of five hundred!"
"There
will doubtless some
more
drop in," added
"but we
be prepared for a heavy loss,
must
the general,
afford.
can
far heavier,both in officers and men, than we
wrecked
Battalion Headquarters was
The
by
terribly
the
staff
few
of
hits.
succession of direct
a
Only a
fine officer. I
Colonel Leighton was
a
escapedunhurt.
I
had a great admiration, indeed, affection,for him.
how
know
him, and he to you."
you felt towards
ness
but the kindThe steadiness in his voice brought quiet,
came
in it brought strength,and comfort.
Barry beof the crushingload of responsibility
suddenly aware
to
He
this gentle-voiced
was
man.
eager
upon
help.
"I wish I could help you, sir,"he said. "I am
sure
"What

we

are

"I

are

all readyto do
know

our

best."

that, Dunbar, and

all

are

receded.

Major

maining
Duff- has gone out badly injured. The only officers reunhurt in the front line are Major Bayne and
are
carryin^e
splendidly
Captain Fraser, both of whom
And you, too, have given great help to-day. Colonel
on.
that your initiativeand resourcefulness
me
James assures

SKY

THE

338

PILOT

IN

"Yes, sir,"repliedthe
"I wasn't

all

at

NO

corps

MAN'S

commander

that the wire

sure

LAND

courteously.
cut, and

was

so

re*

ported."
''Ah !"
tinued
strong point should have been removed," conthe divisional commander, puttinghis finger
upon
Dowell
point of junction. "That I asked to be done, but Mc-

"This

"Ah

have missed

to

seems

it."

!"

enfilade got

"The
There

was

from

us

mistaking

no

the

that

point,of course."
implicationin the general's

words.
"Ah!

reportedthat,eh?"

You

report, sir. My division has

that strong point."
commander
serving
turned, and
apparentlyobcorps
Barry for the first time started and said,

"You

will find it in my
suffered very heavily from
The

"

"You

are^

friend,Captain Dunbar," said the general.

"Ah, Captain Dunbar," said the corps commander,

"My

obviouslyannoyed at his presence at the interview. "I

is quite
trust Captain Dunbar
"Captain Dunbar's reticence,"said the general with
quiet courtesy, "can be entirelytrusted. He has just
fine work
been doing some
at the C. C. S."
"Ah, yes. You are a padre,Dunbar?
Oh, I remember
heard about you.
to have
Very glad, indeed, to meet
"

vyou,

sir.

point

at

Well,
once,

I must

be off.

We'll

see

to

that strong

bar."
general. Good-night good-night,Dun"

"Of
generalreturned from seeinghis visitor out
we
keep these thingsto ourselves."
course,
"Of course," answered
Barry.
"And
now," said the general with a kindly smile, "I
Your
have kept the good news
to the last.
majority is
in my
coming through, and here is a letter which came
The

care.

Now,

if you

will

excuse

me,

I'llleave you

to

take

PILOT'S

THE

bit of

Then

we'll have

thank

"Oh,

taking the
one

There's

rest.

very

letter. "This

for

week,"

long

to

want

lie down.

much," said Barry eagerly,

indeed.
ters
is good news,
My letI have

going astray somehow.

been

"As

cot, if you

339

PORT

bite to eat later."

you

have
a

LAST

that," said the general with

as

had

not

uplifted

brows.

Barry'sheart.
"And
oh, my heart's beloved,God has been good to me
is over, I hope there will
the war
and to you, for when
To
which
of us to welcome
be two
tence
sendaddy back."
reply,
Barry in his letter,written in immediate
said,
"Yes, dear, dear heart, God has been good to us, in
that he has given us to each other, and to us both this
One

wonderful

life to carry

new

when

on

in

music

we

are

done.'*

general returned, he found Barry with

his arms
and dead asleep.
chap," he said to his batman, "he is done
the

When

face

in his letter made

sentence

on

"Poor

Let him

rest

his

up.

bit."

They gave him an hour, after which they had their

bite together.
"Now, general,"said Barry, "I should like to run up
there."
to Battalion Headquarters. I might be of use
will
"That's quite all right,"said the general. "You
that that strong point has alreadybeen
be glad to know
attended

"No,

to.

You

didn't hear

the row,

did you ?"

sir."

"Well

the relief is

going in

and

your

men

will

soon

be out."
When
found

Barry entered the Battalion Headquarters, he

naller
only Major Bayne and Captain Neil, with a sigand a couple of runners,
completing the arrangements
for the relief.

"You!
his hand.

Pilot!"

"Now

exclaimed
what

the

the

major, as
devil brought you

he

gripped

here?"

PILOT

SKY

THE

340

NO

IN

MAN'S

LAND

I
help it, major. Simply had to come.
have been tryingto get you all day," said Barry.
"Awfully glad to see you, old chap,"said Captain Neil,
with his speech.
for the major was
findingdifficulty
"How
left,major?" said Barry.
many
"Five officers and
seventy men," said the major in
a
husky voice. "My God, how those boys stuck."
"I shall not be moved," quoted Barry.
the
it!" said the major.
"Not
"That's
it! That's
them back
devil himself,let alone the Huns, could move
he
What
is it. Sergeant Matthews?"
from
that wire.
in at that moment.
inquiredof the sergeant who came
"Have
completedyour work?"
you
was
pale,panting and exhausted.
Sergeant Matthews
I didn't" I didn't" go
"Yes, sir,"he said, "I think so.
quitethe full length of the trench. The boys said there
"Couldn't

Sergeant Matthews,"

"But,

orders

"your
You

up there."

one

no

was

to

to

go

this battalion

know

end

the very
never

goes

the

major,

of the trench.

out

leaving

its

behind."

wounded
"We

were

thundered

had

full

load, sir,"said

the sergeant,

leaning

againstthe wall.
"Well, you will have -to go back," said the major,
"and complete the job. Can you carry on?"
"Yes, sir,I think so, sir."
As he spoke Sergeant Matthews
swayed along the wall
and collapsedonto a bench.
said the major curtlyto a
"Give him a shot of rum
"

runner.

"Let

me

go,

major.

I'll take the

party,"said Barry

eagerly. "The sergeant is all in. I've had an hour's

sleepand a feed and I feel quitefit."
the sergeant will be all right soon,"
"Oh, nonsense,
said the major impatiently.
The
sergeant is
"But, major, I should like to go.
can't take the risk
fit. We
playedout and I am perfectly
Beof leaving wounded
men
up there in that trench.

PILOT'S

THE

LAST

PORT

341

The
sides,there's little danger now.
strong point is
before I left."
blown
up, so the general told me
''No, Barry, I won't allow it. I won't take the chance,*'
said the major.
there are
''My God, man!
only five
I have

officers left.

lost every friend I have got in the

I'm damned
if I'm
battalion,except Neil here and you.
going to let you go out over No Man's Land."

"Steady, now,
a

walk

boys
and

to

the end
be

should

Barry. "I'm going to take

of the
one
trench, just in case

said

of that

Don't

there.

It must

no.

say

be done

done

carefully."
right,Barry," said

"All
"Better
and

major,"

major

stairs and

out

night,and

all

"I

Neil
queer

don't
stood

major, suddenlyyielding.
He

the sergeant with you.

he's all rightnow."

take

I guess

The

the

and

knows

Captain Neil followed

into the trench.

It

was

the party up the

beautiful starry

along the front.

like it," said the major, as he and
togetherwatching the party away.

about

was

quietnow

it,Neil.

go, but he is
his duty."

so

the way,

I tell you

darned

stubborn

I wish

about

I hadn't

what

Captain
"I

feel

let him

he thinks is

"By Jove! Major, he always bucks me up somehow,'''

said Captain Neil.
"Bucks
all up," said the major, and he turned to
us
denly
sudof responsibility
take up again the heavy burden
so
him.
relief had
The
and so terriblylaid upon
been completed,and the last N. C. O. had just reported/
The
reduced
"all clear."
Headquarters Company, now
to a poor half dozen, were
standingready to move, when
the telephonerang.
"Yes, doctor," said the major, answering it. "Oh,
God!
Not that, doctor!
Oh, God help
My God!
my
It's the Pilot,Neil," he said,
all ! I'llbe rightdown.
us
turningto his friend. "Justtake charge,will you please.
I must

run."

Breathless

he arrived

at the R. A.

P.

342

THE

SKY

PILOT

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

"Any chance, doctor?" he asked of the M. O. who

was
standing awaitinghim at the door.
"Not
the very least, major, and he only has a few
minutes.

He

"Now,

God

may

quite stilla
asked

of

moment

him.

bad

and

we

shoulder

"How
"Do

got

know?"

you

in the

wound

there

the

was

leg, and
to

geant
Ser-

man.

had

we

to

shelling
pretty

looked

over

my

Pilot, the

chaplain,sir, I
Sergeant Matthews, to

his

with

did he get it?" he

Just as we started,they got

dropped into a hole. I

and

major standing

just picked up the last

had

Matthews

said the

two.

or

stretcher bearer.

"Yes, sir,we
carry

you."
help me,"

wants

body spread over

there he got it."
keep off the shrapnel. It was
"Damn
the major,
Sergeant Matthews," exclaimed
and passed on.
Barry was
lyingon a stretcher,
very white and very
he welcomed
the major
but the smile with which
still,
mean,

bright.
for you,
old chap," he whispered.
"Awfully sorry
"Couldn't
them
we
got
really help it you know
all
I'm
awfully glad to see you
just a minute
was

very

"

"

"

"

"

before

"

The

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

before

"

"

"

weeping quietly.
"You
been
have
to me
a
major
good friend
We
have had
time
a good
together
Say goodbye
Neil."
for
and
^to
the boys
to
to
me
"Oh, Barry, boy," said the major, brokenly. "It's
hard to have you go. You have helped us all."
Barry fumbled with weak fingersat his breast. The
major opened his tunic thinkingthat he needed air.
was
major, by this tirrie,
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"My

"

my

"

"

let-ter

"

"

"

he

"

"

"

whispered.

major took the letter from his breast pocket,and

put it in his hand.
Barry held it a moment, then carried
it to his lips.
The

"Now
her

"

"

"

that's
"

thank

"

all
"

God

"

major,"
for

"

her

he
"

"Tell

whispered.
and

"

for

"

the

"

"

"

other.

PILOT'S

THE

Major
"

^to

^tell
"

the
"

"

It

**God

was

is

that

boys
^but

afraid

be

"

good.

last

God

34S

is

Never

good

"

'.

"

"
"

carry
and

word,
Never

PORT

"

to

"

his

LAST

be

afraid

on

could

there
but

carry

be
on."

no

better.

XX

CHAPTER
on"

''carry

they carried the Pilot to his

A
the walled
in the little plot outside
cemetery
grave
It had
been arthe outskirts of the city of Albert.
ranged
on
follow
the
to
that only a small
guard should
this plan was
But
changed. Sergeant Mackay,
grave.
the
who
was
only sergeant left, after consulting "the
to Major
Bayne.
boys," came
"The
boys feel bad, sir," he said, "that they can't go
with the Pilot, excuse
sir, the chaplain."
me,
to avoid
want
"Do
gestion
conthey?" said the major. "We
^T^HE

day

next

in the

the
"I

men.

know,

heard

the

them

that

besides

streets, and

they

want

"for

don't

we

will crowd
go,

there's

And

shells before, sir.

Mackay
"And

one

to

want

pose
ex-

They are still shellingthe city,you know."

boys have
sir," replied the sergeant. "The

them

"Let

but

the

you

with

back

went

look

to

remember

like
are

we

so

of

many

much."

streets

sergeant," said

not

the

the

word

soldiers,"

following

geant
Ser-

and

major,

the

to

said

men.

the

soldier to

geant,
ser-

his

grave."
And

look

like soldiers

they did

with

every

button

and

for battalion
shone
bayonet shining, as they had never
inspection.
They had passed through an experience which had left
dazed ; they had marched
them
deliberatelyinto the mouth
back stunned
of hell and had come
by what they had seen
So they thought, till
and
heard, incapable of emotion.
Then
been killed.
they
that the Pilot had
they learned
knew

that

grief was
grief mingled a kind
of

their
With
possibleto them.
inexplicablewrath at the manner

still
of

his death.
344

THE

346

He

SKY

faltered in

never

and

to

save

The

PILOT

major
of

remnant

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

He

lived to

help his comrades

he gave
paused, looked

his life

at

duty.

comrade

once

last."

the gallant
upon
splendidbattalion,his lipsquivering,
round

his eyes

But he pulledhimself
running over with tears.
together,and continued with steady voice to the end.
I speakingto you to"But not to say these thingsam
day.
I wish only to give you this last message
from our
*Tell the
Sky Pilot. This is the Pilot's last message:
boys that God is good, and when they are afraid,to trust
I want
for myself,men,
And
to
Him, and "carry on.''
what God
the only man
that showed
me
say that he was
'

is Hke."
In that company
of men
who
into the face of death, there were
of them

had
no

looked
eyes

steadfastly

without tears,

openlyweeping.
ginning
When
the major had finished,the officers present beand stood
with the divisional commander, came
then
for a single
at the head of the open
moment,
grave
It was
the duty of
silentlysaluted and turned away.
"The Last Post," but poor
to sound
Bugler Pat McCann
Pat was
with his sobbing at once
to pertoo
overcome
form
this last duty. Whereupon the runner
Pickles,
standing with rigid,stony face beside his chum, took the
bugle from his hands and there sounded forth that most
beautiful and most poignantof all musical sounds known
ing
Last Post," endto British soldiers the world
over, "The
note
with that last,high,long-drawn,heart-piercing

many

were

of farewell.
was
Then, because the war
yet to be won,
on," the battalion marching away to a

ried
they "carmerry

tune.

Barry's grave there still lingeredthree men,

divisional commander, Major Bayne, and Captain

Beside
the

Neil.
"I

thinkingof

am

said the

commander, and for the first time his voice

will
"We
The others waited, looking at him.

divisional
broke.

that littlegirlin London,"

"CARRY

hold

this

back

for

news

347

ON"

I think,

coupleof days,and

'*

major, you ought to go and

The
"No, general! My God, no! Don't ask me!"
major was profoundlyagitated. "Send Neil, here. He
knows
her well,and his wife is her great friend."
"Very well, major, I think that will be better,"said
"You
know
the general in his courteous, gentlevoice.
her. CaptainFraser, and you can be better spared."
it was
And
so
arranged. Captain Neil telegraphed
him at Boulogne, and togetherthey made
Paula to meet
the journeyto London, carryingwith them sad and fearful
"

hearts.
found

They
taken.

When

hands

her

Phyllisin
she

them

saw

flew to

littleflatwhich

her

her

and
Speechless,

bosom.

one

went

to

to the

her and

word

"I

Paula

round

arms

her,

Paula," she said, puttingher gently away

know,

from

"I

her.

My

soft and

low.

"See,

might
"Sit

let

no,

Now

his dear

She

that he

out

Barry

was

tender,

Neil," she said.

her hand

that he

in it.

tremour

no

was

put

stand, Paula

me

tell

me

about

friend,you

voice,

should

it,Neil

upon

the

"

calm

serene

am

quite

it. You

all about

know."

perfectlycontrolled,

so

intrude any

See, I

dear.

sweet, so soft, so
helpedCaptain Neil with his task.
Her

voice

me.

her.

about

strong.
were

Her

fear to tell me,

"Don't

that there

tell

to

down, darling,"besought Paula, again winding

arms

"No,

have

you

quitesteady."

am

see

what

know

dear love is dead !"

is dead.

so

looking

message.

put her

held her close.

and

her

without

with

eyes, she stood

other,waiting for their

had

white, and

face went

great fear in her wide-openbrown

from

her mother

It seemed

exhibition of
of this young

an

offence

tion
griefor emogirl,standing

so
straight,
proud,and regardinghim with

such brave

eyes.

Then

CaptainNeil

service upon

the

told his tale. He

Parade

Ground

began

before

with the last

the

battalion

SKY

THE

348

into

moved

IN

NO

MAN'S

LAND

told of Barry's bitter disapaction. He

pointmen
not
allowed
and of their relief that he was
them

to accompany

long day

PILOT

at

to

the front line. He

told of

the casualtyclearing station,and

Barry's
of

his

service to the wounded, and of how

good the divisional
commander
had been to him that night.

there he got your letter,Phyllis."

*'Oh, he got my letter. Fm so glad," whispered the

''Itwas

girl,with a quick breath and a sudden flushingof her

pale cheeks. "He knew ! He knew !"
''I have his letter in reply here," said CaptainNeil,
handing it to her.
She took it in both her hands, kissed it tenderly,
as
if caressing
a child,and
put it in her bosom.
"Please go on," she said,and CaptainNeil took up his
the major tried to persuade
told how
tale again. He
that night.
him not to go out after the wounded
"But, of course, he would go," the girl said with a
proud little smile, at which Captain Neil's self-control
quitegave way, and he could only look at her piteously
through his tears.
"Oh, I'm so sorry,"she said gently. "Can't you go
on?
can't

to

want

hear

so

much

every

bit, but if you

"

CaptainNeil grippedhimself hard and went

"and so he went
out, and they searched the trench
on,
from
end to end.
They found one poor chap, whose
legwas badly smashed
"Oh, I'm so glad they found him," whisperedPhyllis.
"Then
Sergeant Matthews
got his wound, and the
shells began to fall. They took refuge in a shell hole,
the
from
and
there, while covering Fatty Matthev/s
breaking shrapnel,Barry got his wound."
CaptainNeil was forced to pause again in the recital of
his story. After a few minutes, he told of how^ they
At which.

"

carried him

his grave, and

outside the cityof Albert.
to

laid him

in the cemetery

"CARRY

ON"

349

There

all there.
'The boys were
them left/'he said.
"Kow
many?" she asked.

of five hundred

"Seventyonly,out

not

were

and

four who

nightsbefore."
"Ah, poor, gallant
boys ! I love them, I love them
said the girl,clasping
her hands together.
broken up as they stood
"They were all terribly
the parapet

over

of

many

went

two

the grave, and no

commander

! No

wonder

made

wonder

! Then

littlespeech,and

allV'
about

sional
the divithen

our

Barry'slast message."
"Tell me," said the girlgently,
as
CaptainNeil paused.
"It was
Tell the boys that
this,"said Captain Neil.
God
is good, and when
they are afraid, to trust Him,
and "carryon."
"That was
like him," she said. "That was
like Barry !
Oh, Paula," she cried,turningto her friend. "Tm
so
It
beautiful closingto a beautiful life.
a
was
happy!
He
beautiful boy, Paula, wasn't he?
His body
was
a
major

own

them

gave

"

'

"

beautiful,his soul was

beautiful,his life was beautibeautiful. Oh, Paula, God
-ful,and the ending,oh, was
was

is

good.

him.

to

me

voice sank

so

glad

Oh,

Tm

am

into

of silence,with a
forth,"But Paula!
him

so

gave

Barry

happy

"

so

"

to
"

me,

and

happy."

gave

Her

whisper. Then after a few moments

littlepiteouscry, she suddenlybroke
Paula! he is gone.

I shall

never

see

again."

Paula
her

he

held her

own

heart

were

arms

tightlyabout her, sobbingas if

self
broken, but Phyllisrecovered her-

quickly.
"No, no," she said softly,
as

counsellingher own
*God is good,* he said, and
heart. "I must
remember.
not be afraid.
God was
so, Paula, I must
good to him.
He will be good to me.
He will be good to his child."
Her voice sank again into a whisper. She stood silent
with

eyes

looking into

the

far

if

distance.

clear,firm voice, she said, "I will

is

good !

I will

on/
'carry

"

not

Then, in

be afraid!

God

GREY^S

ZANE
May

be

THE

had

wherever

LIGHT

New

OF

THE

bringrs the

RAINBOW

The

of

story

until

nplands"

Dunlap's

"

list

STARS
ranch

to

story

becomes^ the

which
her

rescues

when

of frontier warfare.
A
by bandits,

center

is captured

she

delightful close.

becomes

who
faith awake.

clergryman

young-

last love

and

in the great

wanderer

westen

GOLD
describes

story

which

gold

The

THE

recent

prospectors

THE

picturesque

ruled.

the

two

OF

RIDERS
A

Grosset

for

TRAIL

at

DESERT
The
the

Ask

WESTERN

society girl buys

loyal superintendent

surprising: climax

sold.

are

York

Her

of

books

NOVELS

Utah
of some
Withersteen

of

romance

of

OF

SAGE

PURPLE

prosecution

LAST

uprising- along: the border, and ends with the finding

is the story's heroine.
willed
had
to the girl who

forty

THE

when

ago

years

is the

Jane

of the

theme

Mormon

authority

story.

PLAINSMEN
.

This

is the
of

preserver

wonderful

the
with Buffalo
took
as
the author
Jones, known
trip which
desert
and of a hunt in "that
the
Arizona
bison, across
and
of deep canons
giant pines."

record

of a
American

the

country

wife

one

been

STOP

SHORT

THE
The

of

tiring of his factory grind,

hero,

young

professional ball player.

a
as

sportsmanship,

clean

DESERT

New
learns to love a young
reared
Mormons,
among
the
demands
that
girl shall become
religion, however,
of this great
story.
of the Mormons"
Well, that's the problem

A lovely girl, v/ho has

The
Mormon
Englander.

the second

THE

OF

HERITAGE

THE

His

hard

and

courage

knocks

honesty

out

starts

the

start

ought

to

at

win

to
are

fame

fortune

as

success

win.

ZANE

BETTY

of Betty, the beautiful

heroism
This
story tells of the bravery and
of the bravest
pioneers.
Zane, one
old Colonel

Duane
becomes
in self defense, Buck
an
side of the river, he vinds
the Mexican
on
himself
her, brings down
in attempting
upon
to rescue
the
side by honest men,
on
is hunted
one
henceforth
on

killing

After

border.
prisoner, and

Texas

and

man

In

camp

sister of

outlaw
a

young

along

the
girl held

the wrath
of her
other
by outlaws.

LEGION

BORDER

THE

young

RANGER

STAR

LONE

THE

captors

and

by such

followed

mining
sent
Jim Cleve out to a lawless Western
in a spirit of anger,
hini out.
she followed
realizing that she loved him"
Then
his mettle.
when
she shoots
begms
is captured
by a bandit band, and trouble
she
her
On
way,
anothei
Here
health
romance-"
enters
him
again.
to
and
leader"
nurses
the
Kells,
Jim, in the throes of dissipation. A gold
when
Joan, disguised as an outlaw, observes
Randle,

Toan

camp,

to

prove

Strike, a thrilling robbery"

THE

LAST

By

OF

Helen

gambling

play

gun

Wetmore

carry

you

along

breathlessly.

SCOUT?,'"

GREAT

THE

Cody

and

and

Zane

Grey

told oyhis sister and

as
F. Cody,
life story of Colonel
and
his first encounter
with
dian.
Inin Iowa
an
with his boyhood
It begins
Grey.
Fort
Sumter
Chief
of
near
as
rider, then
"Bill"
We
as
a
express
see
pony
There
is
Indian
campaigns.
most
in the
dangerous
the Scouts, and later engaged
No
acter
charWild
West
Show.
of the travels of "The
interesting account
also a very
than.
of America
appeal to the imagination
In public life makes
a
stronger
"
him famous.
made
daring and bravery
Buffalo
Bill," whose
William

The
Zane

"

Buffalo

Bill,"

"

^__^__^__

Grosset

"

Dunlap,

Publishers,

New

York

B.

be

May

CHIP

had

wherever

THE

OF

HER
who

1 ove

Newport

for

story, dealing with

Montana

ranch-house.

Montana

action,

Spirited

feud

range

Juliet courtship

and

cowboys.
of Easterners

party

gay
a

and

told.

hearted

Describing

Dunlap's list

affairs of Chip

amusing

jovial, big

at

and

humorously

lively and

Romeo

for Grosset

the

and

DWELLERS.

families, and

two

cottage

RANGE

THE

charmingly

KNIGHT.

exchange

Ask

Wherein

of eighteen

PRAIRIE

sold.

are

FAMILY.

adventures

NOVELS

U.

are

HAPPY

the

books

FLYING

Whitman

Delia

THE

BOWER^S

M.

make

this

be-

bright,

jolly story.
THE

OF

LURE

THE

of

experience

Eastern

an

LONESOME

THE

TRAILS.

DIM

author

TRAIL.

among

of the

cowboys.

little branch

portrayal

vivid

the

brush

of sage

the

and

recollection

of

pair

of

large brown

"Weary"

upset

eyes

son's
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plans.
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LONG

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the

life of

outdoor

free

INDIAN.

GOOD
FLYING
his

stirring

RANCH.

mountain

story, sparkling with

Western

vigorous

ranch.

It

of life

romance

is

on

fine

love

Idaho

an

delightful story

Another

about

story.

ranch.

Chip

and

pals.
FLYING

THE

and

other

the

CLIMB.

fight

hard

man's

PHANTOM

THE

by

of

the

road

uphiU

"inlying
THE

robbery

for

"

school

to

of Chip

account

teachers.

ranch

mountain

and

of

manliness,

title of

The

OF

HERITAGE

THE

the

on

of

party

amusing

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Mexico

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opposing

boys

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THE

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U'S

moving-picture

staged

in

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SIOUX.

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GRINGOS.

THE

precedes

which

purposes

real

one

gold.

of

lust

film

story

of love

and

adventure

on

ranch

in

California.

and

THE

THE

OF

STARR

New

Mexico

ranch

story

of mystery

adventure.

MAN.

LOOKOUT
and

excitement

Grosset

DESERT.

"

Northern

CaUf

omia

story

full of action,

love.

DuNLAP,

Publishers,

New

York