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