This custom, however, had been
discontinued upon this trip. They had no time for meals. They had "just
grabbed their grub and run," as Harry Hobbs said.
While they ate, Duff kept a full tide of conversation going in regard to
the causes of the war and its progress, as reported in the papers. Barry
noticed that McCuaig's comments, though few, revealed a unique knowledge
of European political affairs during the last quarter of a century. He
noticed too that his manners at the table were those of a gentleman.
After supper they packed their stuff over the long portage, leaving
their tent and sleeping gear, with their food, however, to be taken in
the morning. For a long time they sat over the fire, Barry reading, for
McCuaig's benefit, the newspaper accounts of the Belgian atrocities, the
story of the smashing drive of the German hosts, and the retreat of the
British army from Mons.
"What," exclaimed McCuaig, "the British soldiers goin' back! Runnin'
away from them Germans!"
"Well, the Germans are only about ten to one, not only in men but in
guns, and in this war it's guns that count.
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