opular Irish sport and that her boy
would have been safer in Germany, Mesopotamia, or even Russia. Willie,
who looked forward to some hunting with a famous Irish pack, laughed at
his mother. It was his turn to be nervous and anxious when, three weeks
after joining his battalion, he received an independent command. He
was a cheerful boy and he was not in the least afraid that anyone would
shoot him or his men. But the way the Colonel talked to him made him
uncomfortable.

"There's your village," said the Colonel.

William peered at the map spread on the orderly-room table, and saw, in
very small print, the name Dunedin. It stood at a place where many roads
met, where there was a bridge across a large river.

"You'll billet the men in your Court House," said the Colonel, "and
you'll search every motor that goes through that village to cross the
bridge."

"For arms, sir?" said Willie.

"For arms or ammunition," said the Colonel. "And you'll have to keep your
eyes open, Thornton. These fellows are as cute as foxes. There isn't a
trick they're not up to and they'll tell you stories plausible enough to
deceive the devil himself."

That was what made Willie Thornton nervous. He would have faced the
prospects of a straight fight with perfect self-confidence. He was by no
means so sure of himself when it was a matter of outwitting men who
were as cute as foxes; and "these fellows" was an unpleasantly vague
description. It meant, no doubt, the Irish enemy, who, indeed, neither
the Colonel nor Willie could manage to regard as an enemy at all. But it
gave him very little idea of the form in which the enemy might present
himself.

On the evening of Good Friday Willie marched his men into Dunedin and
took possession of the Court House. That day was chosen because Easter
is the recognized season for Irish rebellions, just as Christmas is the
season for plum puddings in England, and May Day the time for Labour
riots on the Continent. It is very convenient for everybody concerned to
have these things fixed. People know what to expect and preparations can
be properly made. The weather was abominably wet. The village of Dunedin
was muddy and looked miserable. The Court House, which seldom had fires
in it, was damp and uncomfortable. Willie unloaded the two wagons which
brought his men, kit, and rations, and tried to make the best of things.

The next day was also wet, but Willie, weighted by a sense of
responsibility, got up ear