It was ten o'clock at night as Reggy and I, crossing the tracks at theGare Maritimein Boulogne, saw a battalion which had just disembarked from the cross-channel boat drawn up on the quay, ready to entrain for the front.We walked toward them in a spirit of idle curiosity—for the sight was one to which we were well accustomed—when, under the dim light of a partly shaded street lamp, we noticed that they were from home. We approached a little group of officers who were chatting animatedly together, and among them found several whom we knew."What's the truth about this big show the Canadians are in at the front?" one cried. "There are all sorts of rumours in England. Some say eight hundred casualties; some say eightthousand.""I'm afraid eight thousand is nearer the mark," I replied hesitatingly, fearing to discourage them."Eight thousand!" he echoed; and then an eager cry went up from the little group:"By Jove! Hope they'll hurry us on to the front!"And I was afraid of discouraging them! How little I understood my own countrymen!"All aboard!" came the call a moment later, and the enthusiastic Tommies eagerly clambered into the waiting coaches. As the train clank-clanked along the street and left us standing there alone in the darkness, back to our ears came the familiar but ribald strain of "Hail, hail, the gang's all here!"No matter in what strange words it may find vent, the care-free spirit of song is the true spirit of the army."You can't discourage men like that," said Reggy with a smile half amusement and half unconscious pride.And each occupied with his own thoughts we turned and walked silently down the quay.THE END*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOKTHE FIRST CANADIANS IN FRANCE***
It was ten o'clock at night as Reggy and I, crossing the tracks at theGare Maritimein Boulogne, saw a battalion which had just disembarked from the cross-channel boat drawn up on the quay, ready to entrain for the front.
We walked toward them in a spirit of idle curiosity—for the sight was one to which we were well accustomed—when, under the dim light of a partly shaded street lamp, we noticed that they were from home. We approached a little group of officers who were chatting animatedly together, and among them found several whom we knew.
"What's the truth about this big show the Canadians are in at the front?" one cried. "There are all sorts of rumours in England. Some say eight hundred casualties; some say eightthousand."
"I'm afraid eight thousand is nearer the mark," I replied hesitatingly, fearing to discourage them.
"Eight thousand!" he echoed; and then an eager cry went up from the little group:
"By Jove! Hope they'll hurry us on to the front!"
And I was afraid of discouraging them! How little I understood my own countrymen!
"All aboard!" came the call a moment later, and the enthusiastic Tommies eagerly clambered into the waiting coaches. As the train clank-clanked along the street and left us standing there alone in the darkness, back to our ears came the familiar but ribald strain of "Hail, hail, the gang's all here!"
No matter in what strange words it may find vent, the care-free spirit of song is the true spirit of the army.
"You can't discourage men like that," said Reggy with a smile half amusement and half unconscious pride.
And each occupied with his own thoughts we turned and walked silently down the quay.
THE END
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOKTHE FIRST CANADIANS IN FRANCE***