We have stripped that country bare already, so he's up
against it. He wants Wapiti men, he says. They are no better than any
other, but he thinks they are. You get out there to-night, Duff, and get
in on that thing. You will get a commission, too. Now hike! Hike! Go!
Honest to God, Duff, I want you with my battalion, and if I can work it
afterwards, I'll get you exchanged, but your only chance now is Wapiti.
Go, for God's sake, go quick!"
"What do you say, boys?" asked Duff, wheeling upon his men.
"I say, go!" said Knight.
In this decision they all agreed.
"Go it is," said Duff. "Right about turn. Good luck, Kavanagh, damn you.
I see you have got a good sergeant there."
"Who? McDowell? None better. You couldn't beat him, eh?" said the
colonel with a grin.
The sergeant stood at attention, with a wooden face.
"He's the kind of man they want in the front lines," said Duff. "The
devil himself couldn't break through where he is."
"That's why I have him. Good luck. Good-bye!"
Throughout the night they marched, now and then receiving a lift from a
ranch wagon, and in the grey of the morning, weary, hungry, but resolute
for a place in the Wapiti company, they made the village.
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