the right spirit. The tendency is rather to raise a protest
against the authorities who permit men so to sacrifice themselves. Thus,
when those four gallant men fell in the Northern wilderness, the first
note from the press seemed to indicate that this patrol was an
exceptional occurrence, and that it should not have been allowed to take
place in view of the possible sacrifice it might involve. This gave
Commissioner Perry, than whom no one was more deeply distressed and
grieved at the tragic event, an opportunity to remind the country that
such patrols had been for years a common and every-day event in the work
of his men in the North. From year to year, under the Polar sky, in
scores of different directions, the Police had carried on this work,
performing definite duties, carrying mails, visiting camps of Indians
and Esquimaux who were the wards of the nation, maintaining law and
order beyond the confines of civilization and generally exercising a
wholesome oversight in the loneliest spaces in the world. "This is
dangerous work," wrote the Commissioner; "in our rigorous winter climate
and in spite of every precaution, a tragedy may occur at any time. It
does not deter our men from seeking service there, and it is to the
North many prefer to go." The spirit of adventure was in the blood of
these men, and the tragic possibilities which no one foresaw as well as
they did themselves erected no barrier which could discourage them in
their endeavours. If there was the constant looming up of danger through
the "white death" fog, there was also the glory of adventure under the
flashing splendour of the aurora borealis.

[Illustration: R.N.W.M.P. BARRACKS, CHURCHILL, HUDSON BAY.]

[Illustration: POLICE WITH DOGS AND EQUIPMENT ON SPLIT LAKE. N.W.T.]

And when Commissioner Perry wrote in his report as above quoted, he was
able to support his statement by actual facts from that very same year.
He said: "All over the North-land members of this Force are carrying out
these difficult journeys. Attached to this report you will find many
reports of equally dangerous patrols. Sergeant Hayter, 700 miles return
journey from Fullerton along the West Coast of Hudson Bay to Rankin
Inlet, to meet Sergeant Borden, who went up from Fort Churchill,
carrying mail and taking a census of the Esquimaux; Sergeant Walker from
Fort Churchill to York Factory and return; Sergeant Nicholls from Norway
House to Fort Churchill and return to Gimli; Sergean