“Send a note in,” suggested Barry in Duff's ear.
“Good idea,” replied Duff, and wrote hurriedly.
“Here, take this through to your colonel,” he said, passing the note to the sergeant.
Almost immediately Colonel Kavanagh came out and greeted Duff warmly.
“Where in this wide creation have you been, Duff?” he exclaimed. “I've wanted you terribly.”
“Here I am now, then,” answered Duff. “Six of us. We're going with you.”
“It can't be done,” said the colonel. “I have only twenty places left; every one promised ten times over.”
“That makes it easy, Kavanagh. You can give six of them to us.”
“Duff, it simply can't be done. You know I'd give it to you if I could. I've wires from Ottawa backing up a hundred applicants, actually ordering me to put them on. No! It's no use,” continued the colonel, holding up his hand. “Look here, I'll give you a pointer. We have got word to-day that there's to be a second contingent. Neil Fraser is out there in your district, Wapiti, raising a company of two hundred and fifty men. We have stripped that country bare already, so he's up against it. He wants Wapiti men, he says. They are no better than any other, but he thinks they are. You get out there to-night, Duff, and get in on that thing. You will get a commission, too. Now hike! Hike! Go! Honest to God, Duff, I want you with my battalion, and if I can work it afterwards, I'll get you exchanged, but your only chance now is Wapiti. Go, for God's sake, go quick!”
“What do you say, boys?” asked Duff, wheeling upon his men.
“Go it is,” said Duff. “Right about turn. Good luck, Kavanagh, damn you. I see you have got a good sergeant there.”
“Who? McDowell? None better. You couldn't beat him, eh?” said the colonel with a grin.
The sergeant stood at attention, with a wooden face.
“He's the kind of man they want in the front lines,” said Duff. “The devil himself couldn't break through where he is.”
“That's why I have him. Good luck. Good-bye!”
Throughout the night they marched, now and then receiving a lift from a ranch wagon, and in the grey 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 breakfast in readiness.