ortal woman could be expected to remember. All
the cars were on steel-runners. The one behind the engine contained
fuel; the second was the living car, while the third held supplies.

Everything was packed and loaded ready for the hour of starting before
the builders had tested the machine. All Edmonton was assembled to see
the sight, while scores of Indians squatted around and stared like
gargoyles. The workmen, with an air of high concern, twisted a bolt
here, or a belt there; oiled a hub, or did one of the hundred things a
mechanic does to an engine and boiler when he would have you believe he
is earning his pay.

It was a proud moment when one of the builders stepped forward and
touched his hat to a blue-uniformed official--a moment, too, that was
fraught with serious issues, for the blue-uniform said, "_Let her go_!"
All Edmonton ceased to breathe and the Indians looked almost pale.

There was a vast creaking; a shudder as if the caverns of the deep were
opened; the wheels turned--and turned--and turned, and with each turn
buried the machine deeper into the earth, there to remain till the day
that Kenneth Macleod bought the marine boiler and engine for his
sawmill. They say he bought it for a song, but no one ever heard the
song. Ah! but those were right royal days for the Old-Timers, the like
of which can never be.

I nearly forgot about the three cabooses. These stampeders who did not
die of scurvy, hardship, starvation, or accident, and who returned via
Edmonton, used the cabooses for shelter while they wrote home for money.

It was a long time before they were free of occupants.

CHAPTER XXVI

A SONG OF THIS LAND

Out of the North comes tumult, say they who are poets, and clangorous
challenge to battle.

True, O Poets! And out of the North come men of robust mood who will
keep our nation's honour, for this is a country where courage and truth
are inborn; a land which sways the souls of its citizens unto high
endeavour. From this country where, of old, dwelt the bow-bearers who
were eaters of strong meat, will come high-hearted men of loyal temper,
for this is the world's House of Youth. This shall be its nurse of
heroes.

Money-flingers and careless, are these Northmen, says another, and
wasters of wealth.

True, O Sir Time Lock, but when the gods would be thrifty they give
their money away. The Gods are master-spenders and have learned the
wide wisdom of being foolish. Do you fo