d to give
much heed to him. They seemed to be dazed by the stupendous fact that
had been announced to them, and to be adjusting themselves to that fact.

When he had finished his lengthy and excited speech Brand took up the
discourse.

"Of course you don't think of going immediately," he said. "We have this
expedition in hand."

The men made no reply. Indeed, they hardly seemed to hear him.

"You don't mean to say," continued Brand with a touch of indignation in
his voice, addressing Duff, the recognised leader of the party, "that
you would break your engagement with this party, Mr. Duff?"

Duff glanced at him, then looked away in silence, studying the horizon.
The world was to him and to them all a new world within the last few
minutes.

His silence appeared to enrage Brand. He turned to Barry.

"Do you mean to tell me, sir, that you approve of this? Do you consider
it right and fair that these men should break their engagement with us?
We have gone to great expense, we have extremely important interests at
stake in this exploration."

Barry stood looking at him in silence, as if trying to take in exactly
what he meant, then in a low and awed tone he said:

"It is war! War with Germany!"

"We cannot help that," cried Brand. "What difference can this war make
to you here a hundred miles from civilisation? These men are pledged to
us."

"Their first pledge is to their country, sir," said Barry 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 as from a dream.

"Yes, it is England's war, it is Britain's war, and when Britain is at
war my country is at war, and when my country is at war I ought to be
there."

"God in heaven!" shouted Duff, striking him on the back, "you have said
it! My country is at war, and I must be there. As God hears me, I am off
to-day--now."

"Me, too!" said Knight with a shout.

"I'm going with you, sir," said little Harry Hobbs, ranging himself
beside Barry.

"Count me in," said Tom Fielding quietly. "I have a wife and three kids,
but--"

"My God!" gasped Duff. "My wife." His face went white. He had not yet
fully adjusted himself to the fact of war.

"Why, of course," said Mr. Howland, "you married men won't be called
upon. You must be reasonable. For instance you, Mr. Duff, cannot leave
your wife."

But Duff had recovered himself.

"My wife, sir? My wife would despise