was
regained and we took leave of the gallant old gentleman and Captain
Rudlin, who informed us that the _Beaver_ will be taken alongside
of Dickson, Campbell & Co.'s wharf to-day to undergo the important
changes necessary to the new trade in which she will henceforth be
employed."

CHAPTER XXVII.

COLONEL WOLFENDEN--IN MEMORIAM.

When I look back over my soldiering days the figure that I first
remember is Colonel Wolfenden, then a sergeant in the volunteers, and
I a full private. It was not, I think, until I was twenty years old
and a member for two years, that I remember him, when he was elected
captain from sergeant. I might say that the volunteers were a
different organization from the militia. You enlisted for a term, the
same as in the latter organization, and officers were elected from
the company. Uniforms were paid for by each member, the cost being
$26 for everything complete. Dues had to be paid also, fifty cents a
month, and ammunition for target practice had also to be paid for. It
was a good deal like the volunteer firemen of that day, who had to
pay dues and buy their uniform.

[Portrait: Colonel Wolfenden.]

If ever there was an enthusiastic volunteer it was Captain Wolfenden,
and under the most trying circumstances. In those days (forty-four
years ago) soldiering was not as popular as it was when it was merged
into the Canadian militia, when uniform was free, ammunition was free
and there were no fees to pay. It was therefore hard work to get a
company together and keep them together under the circumstances.
Captain Wolfenden having the matter at heart did his best, and more
than his best, if that were possible, to make a good showing, and he
encouraged me to get members and raised me to corporal, and
later to sergeant and finally on our merging into the Canadian
militia he made me senior sergeant. I must honestly confess I did not
think I deserved this at the time, for I was a nervous subject and
got rattled at times, but for his sake, who showed a partiality for
me, I did my best and was always at drill as he was, no matter what
the weather was. It was as captain of volunteers that he joined the
Canadian militia, and soon after was appointed colonel in charge,
which high position he worked for and earned by faithful service. I
think what made us such good friends was our early comradeship in the
volunteers. We used to have march-outs to Esquimalt, to Cadboro Bay
or to Beacon Hill and