"extreme cold." Pedley was nurse and doctor as well as guard over the
unfortunate madman who raved as they travelled along almost impossible
roads. Then Pedley goes on: "I arrived at Lake La Biche on the 31st, and
secured a team of horses to carry me to Fort Saskatchewan. I arrived on
January 7, 1905, and handed over my prisoner." Pedley had spent his
Christmas and New Year not in a happy social circle, but in the company
of the unhappy victim of insanity. And he ends his report by saying,
"During the earlier part of the trip the prisoner was very weak and
refused to eat, but during the latter part of the trip he developed a
good appetite and got stronger." Pedley's care was improving the
madman's condition, but it was taking it out of himself. The unfortunate
was transferred to Calgary guardroom, and that Pedley's nursing had
worked a change is evident because Assistant-Surgeon Rouleau reports
that it was "a remarkable case." He was taken to hospital and discharged
in February. Says Rouleau, "His mind and speech were as good as ever.
His life was saved." But the sequel is told in Commissioner Perry's
report, "Constable Pedley began his return trip to Fort Chippewyan. When
he left Fort Saskatchewan he was apparently in good health, but at Lake
La Biche he went violently insane as a result of the hardships of his
trip and _his anxiety_ for the safety of his charge. He was brought back
to Fort Saskatchewan and then transferred to Brandon Asylum." But we
rejoice that this is not the end. Perry goes on, "I am glad to say that
after spending six months there he recovered his mind and returned to
headquarters. He was granted three months' leave and is now at duty as
well as ever." And that this gallant man who was not conquered by cold
and danger was not going to be conquered by the recollection of the
breaking of a cord that had been subjected to too great a tension is
attested by Perry's closing reference: "In spite of all, he has recently
engaged for a further term of service." Comment on this is unnecessary.
It is like a flash which dispels the night in a prairie thunderstorm.

CHAPTER XIV

ON LAND AND SEA

Reference has been made several times to the studied and determined
reticence of Mounted Policemen concerning their own achievements. That
characteristic is stamped on all their reports and probably accounts for
the fact that no member of the corps would ever attempt writing a full
record of its work as a na