"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。