CHAPTER VIDEAN MEETS COLONEL SANDS
FOR two days the fast Canadian Pacific flyer had raced through changing country and towns. To Ted, who had never before been on a railroad train, every moment held fascination. He watched the flying country, the busy stations and the people on the train. Very important people some of them seemed to be.
But the luxuries of the Pullman service and the dining car were his chief interest. It seemed so wonderful to be able to go the distance they were going and still be so comfortable.
Trim and neat was Ted. You would hardly have recognized him as the same boy. He was thoughtful, too. He realized that Mr. and Mrs. Dean liked to be alone, so he passed much of the time in the observation car.
He was sitting out there on the platform, the second morning, when an elderly, military-looking gentleman came and sat down beside him. They were the only people on the platform, for it was a little too cool for most of the passengers. Ted noticed that the man was looking at him and so he smiled in friendly fashion.
“Belong to Canada or United States?” the man asked him.
“United States,” replied Ted.
“It’s a great country you belong to, my boy. Always be proud of it and be ready to do more than just be proud of it.”
“I want to, sir,” Ted answered, “I am a Scout,” the boy added, proudly.
“That’s fine,” answered Colonel Sands. “Ready to do your share for your country, aren’t you? Well, you can’t tell when you will be needed. If I were not an Englishman, I would want to be an American—so be sure to remember to be very proud that you are one. Are you traveling alone?”
“No, sir, I am with Mr. and Mrs. John Dean. We are going to the Double X Ranch near Big Gulch.”
“Is Mr. Dean Canadian or American?” asked Colonel Sands.
“Canadian, sir. He’s a car or two further back. If you would like to meet him—would you like me to take you to him?” he added.
“Yes,” said the colonel, “I should like to meet him.”
Colonel Sands met Mr. and Mrs. Dean upon Ted’s introduction. Mr. Dean and he went to the smoking car and they stayed there for several hours. Mrs. Dean spoke to Ted for a little while, then turned to a magazine.
It suddenly came to Ted, as it had not until then, that his mother and his sister were there in Chicago and he would not see them for a long time. He never would have admitted how near the point of tears he was, as he wistfully peered out of the window. Many things passed his view, flying swiftly past him; but he saw only Chicago, his home and his dear ones. He began to wish he was home. Mrs. Dean looked up and caught the wistful look on his face. She did not interrupt his thoughts, but sat and watched him. Suddenly he looked up and smiled a little shamefacedly, as he saw her watching him.
“Well, Ted, you will have lots of chances to show how much you are the man of the family. You are getting older, you see, and a man’s work lies before you.”
“Yes, I know,” he answered soberly, “I mean to make my way, so that mother and Helen can come out to this country. Isn’t it fine to know that you belong to it—that you are an American—there never was anything like it.” Then he laughed, a little embarrassed. “Of course, being a Canadian is almost the same,” he added loyally.
“Yes, we feel it is,” said Mrs. Dean, smiling.
The two men came back and Ted heard Colonel Sands say:
“We can’t tell when it will happen. But I think you should know. It is likely to come any minute. When it comes Canada must and will do its share. The Germans are prepared, tremendously prepared. I am off to Australia in a week. If you will undertake what I suggest—I can leave with the assurance that the matter is in safe and cautious hands. For I want to tell you, Mr. Dean, it is a big undertaking. I’ll see you again.”
When the colonel left, John Dean explained to his wife. There was the possibility of war, the big European war that has since come, but which then, only a few months before that fateful August, very few people would have believed possible. There were some men in England who knew it would come—but they were being laughed at—so they had to do their work quietly. Colonel Sands was one of these men. He had been in Canada for many months and now was on his way to Australia. They wanted men in Canada, in Australia, in all the provinces, to prepare, to do what they could. As John Dean spoke, there came to Amy Dean a feeling that if war did come, her husband would be marching off to the front. And, with this feeling of fear, there came also a great pride.
Ted listened, wide-eyed and interested. It stirred his fancy, his thoughts. He was, he felt, an American always, but Canada held a close second place. What if he could help?
Early the next morning the train pulled into Big Gulch. A car was waiting for them. Red Mack came sheepishly forward. He stared open-mouthed at Mrs. Dean.
RED CAME SHEEPISHLY FORWARDRED CAME SHEEPISHLY FORWARD
RED CAME SHEEPISHLY FORWARD
RED CAME SHEEPISHLY FORWARD
Things simply had to be explained to him. Ted also had to be explained. Boy and man looked at each other with instant liking.
Still another passenger there was. They brought him from the baggage car and he ran to Ted and kept close to Ted’s heels—the dog which Ted had named Wolf that first day, hoping the name would make the dog.