te the Citadel of Quebec and
bemoaned the fate that separated us from the twinkling lights of the
Chateau Frontenac and the Dufferin Terrace. Then one evening the throb
of the propeller drew the crowd from the saloons to the decks and we
watched the lights fade away in the night. From the forts long fingers
of light followed us down stream, and blinking lights here and there
sent us farewell greetings. Up on the bridge we could hear the clatter
of the signal lamps, and the sooty odour of petroleum smoke hung in the
calm air around us. Begbie Lyte was on the job and became an important
unit in our little company. Through him alone would we get news of the
outside world for some weeks to come.

Nearing Father Point, below Quebec, where normally the pilot is dropped
or taken on when one is leaving or proceeding to Canada, the ship's
officers pointed out a small twinkling light that marked the grave of
the ill-fated _Empress of Ireland_. We had seen the collier _Storstadt_
that sent her to her doom while at anchor off the Citadel, and were much
impressed.

As night wore on the groups on the deck became smaller until the ship's
officers alone remained, and with darkened port-holes we slipped on
through the night. A distinct freshness in the wind spoke of a change
around us. We were nearing salt water. Next day we anchored in Gaspe
Basin. Already some six or eight ships lay there.

There we lay for some days watching the jellyfish and the gulls while
one by one our number was increased to thirty-two.

At this point a diversion occurred in the form of the last visit by the
Minister of Militia in a noisy tugboat. More important than the printed
copies of his farewell speech that were handed us was the news that now
was our last chance to mail letters. In childish simplicity we handed
down our mail, thinking the "hame folk" would receive these in a few
short days. The sacks were collected and taken to one of the other ships
and journeyed across the Atlantic with us. So our departure was kept
secret from all but a few, for, with a shrewd knowledge of the
"habitant" mind, Captain Gee, the gallant commander of "E" Company, tied
up a few letters in a handkerchief, weighted it with sundry pieces of
silver, and dropped the package into a fishing boat that had come
alongside with a load of fresh meat. The very amount enclosed spoke of
secrecy, and the "habitant" sailor used all due precautions in
forwarding the missives.

[Illust