d bold fronts, there was heart searching of the ultimate depths
and there was purging of souls. In every office, in every shop, men went
about their work resolute to keep minds sane, faces calm, and voices
steady, but haunted by a secret something which they refused to call
fear--which was not fear--but which as yet they were unwilling to
acknowledge and which they were unable to name. With every bulletin from
across the sea the uncertainty deepened. Every hour they waited for news
of a great victory for the fleet. The second day of the war a rumour of
such a victory had come across the wires and had raised hopes for a
day which next day were dashed to despair. One ray of light, thin but
marvellously bright, came from Belgium. For these six breathless days
that gallant little people had barred the way against the onrushing
multitudes of Germany's military hosts. The story of the defence of
Liege was to the Allies like a big drink of wine to a fainting man. But
Belgium could not last. And what of France? What France would do no man
could say. It was exceedingly doubtful whether there was in the French
soul that enduring quality, whether in the army or in the nation, that
would be steadfast in the face of disaster. The British navy was fit,
thank God! But as to the army, months must elapse before a British army
of any size could be on the fighting line.

Another agonising week passed and still there was no sure word of hope
from the Front. In Canada one strong, heartening note had been sounded.
The Canadian Parliament had met and with splendid unhesitating unanimity
had approved all the steps the Government had taken, had voted large
sums for the prosecution of the war, and had pledged Canada to the
Empire to the limit of her power. That fearless challenge flung out into
the cloud wrapped field of war was like a clear bugle call in the
night. It rallied and steadied the young nation, touched her pride,
and breathed serene resolve into the Canadian heart. Canadians of all
classes drew a long, deep breath of relief as they heard of the action
of their Parliament. Doubts, uncertainties vanished like morning mists
blown by the prairie breeze. They knew not as yet the magnitude of the
task that lay before them, but they knew that whatever it might be, they
would not go back from it.

At the end of the second week the last fort in Liege had fallen;
Brussels, too, was gone; Antwerp threatened. Belgium was lost. From
Belgian vil