And on the morrow mirabile dictu he secured them both.
So the colonel answered: "The horses are here, and ready, sir."
Ready for what? There was a tenseness in the air—a sense of mystery that could not be explained. We listened again, but could only catch scraps of the conversation, such as "Transport officer," "Nine a.m." "Don't take the mess tent or any tents but hospital marquees."
Something was brewing and brewing very fast. At length the colonel saluted, and the general left.
"What news, Colonel?", we cried breathlessly, as soon as discretion allowed. And he let fall these magic words:
"We are under orders to move. We shall be the first Canadians in France!"
CHAPTER III
It was exactly 10 p.m. as Bill Barker and Huxford, with the heavy team and wagon, drove up to the colonel's tent.
"Do you think you can find your way to Southampton in the dark?" the colonel asked Barker somewhat anxiously.
"Yes, sir. I've never been lost in my life—sober." The afterthought was delivered with a reminiscent grin.