pective
companies, and during the day received their kits and clothing. Shortly
after our arrival I was appointed garrison sergeant-major, which
position I held till the battalion was disbanded two years later.
Lieutenant Hayter Reed was the adjutant. I now had to work with Mr.
Reed in putting the battalion in the best possible order. Quite a
change in the drill had taken place but had not been put into practice.
This had to be done and other reforms were necessary, and with the
permission of the commanding officer, I commenced to put the corps in a
better state of discipline and drill. After a few months the regiment
was a credit to the Dominion forces.

I found, however, they had never been instructed in musketry, and a
soldier is useless if he can't shoot. I asked the colonel's permission
to put them through a course of musketry, which he was pleased to
grant, and selected a site for the ranges a few miles outside of St.
Boniface. I put the battalion through up to 600 yards; the course was
carried out according to the school of musketry regulations, and I
rendered all the returns in manuscript, the report showing fair average
shooting. There was a band of twenty under Bandmaster Harry Walker,
late of the Imperial 7th Fusiliers. It was in good shape and kept busy,
for bands were scarce in the city at that time. We gave entertainments
at the fort occasionally. There was excellent talent among the men and
it was always put to good use. The bandmaster was always ready to help
us in every way possible. A most pleasing incident took place during
the winter. Sergeant-Major Steele, N.W.M.P., returning from leave of
absence, and passing through Winnipeg, called on his friend Adjutant
Reed, and during their conversation asked Mr. Reed who his
sergeant-major was. Mr. Reed replied that it was ex-Color-Sergeant
Rundle.

"Why," said Sergeant-Major Steele, "that's my old drill instructor;
please send for him."

An orderly came to my room and said that Mr. Reed would like to see me.
I went to the adjutant's quarters, where I met an old pupil of the
Military School, Toronto, 1867. We were both pleased to meet and had a
good old chat about the times past and future. The sergeant-major
obtained a first class certificate at this time, and we all know what
brilliant services Colonel Steele has rendered to the Empire,
especially in South Africa.

Some months later I received an offer to become musketry instructor to
the Mounted Poli