George Marsh

“ However, one night a commotion in the bunk-room brought a sergeant cursing to the door, to find an enraged Cree holding off two privates with the remnants of a heavy bench as he stood over the insensible bodies of three of their comrades. Blood welling from a cut made by the butt of a Ross rifle, smearing his thick black hair, heightened the fierceness of the narrow eyes blazing with the fighting lust of his race. The Cree had swung the bench back over his head for a rush at the last of his assailants, who brandished clubbed guns, when the sergeant sprang between them. ”

“ This is the job of A Company. If we get them without a racket, the —d Battalion will see the sunrise from the German's first line. If we make a mess of it, dawn will find most of us out there stiff in the mud. I want single men, for it's desperate work."
For an instant the men stood motionless, silent, as the officer waited, then the tall figure of Private Lecroix pushed forward from the rear and saluted.
"I weel get dem trench, seer," said the Cree, his eyes glittering with excitement, for he knew now that he had not ground the edge of that second knife in vain. ”

“ The sergeant turned to the others, whose faces pictured the impression the physique and story of the Cree had made.
"I don't know whether they've enlisted any Indians yet, Joe; but I'll take you to an officer."
The Indian's face fell. Almost fiercely he repeated: "I am good man—can shoot, run wid dog-team, bow-man on Company beeg canoe. I can fight strong for de Great Fader!"
"I believe your story, my boy! You sure look like a rough customer in a mix-up, and any man who comes clear from Rupert Land to enlist deserves recognition. I wish we had a hundred like you in our regiment. ”

“ But Joe Lecroix was pining for the war in France and the weeks were slipping by. Then, one morning, when the reserve unit of the —th was ordered to Halifax, the heart of the Cree was made light. At last they were going—crossing the Big Water to the great fight.
But at Halifax they were assigned to the barracks of the —d Infantry which was about to sail and the Indian gave himself up to despair. He should never see the war, never have the chance to fight the hated Germans. ”

“ At first there were those among the white recruits with whom Joe Lecroix was quartered who resented the idea of comradeship with a wild Cree from the Rupert Land "bush." But the big Indian who talked little and smoked much in barracks, apart from his comrades, was patently too dangerous a subject for the practical jokes or hectoring of any but the most reckless. ”

“ Then quieting his restless dogs he continued: "I cum from de nord countree, Rupert Lan', to fight for de Great Fader."
The Canadian stared at the wind-blackened face, caribou capote with its gaudy Hudson's Bay sash, and embroidered leggings of the voyageur.
"Good Gawd! Rupert Land? You've travelled some to enlist," he said. "Come up to the sentry-box. I'll turn you over to the sergeant."
Leaving the Cree in the road, the soldier entered the neighboring shack.
"Sergeant, there's a wild Injun outside, with a team of man-eatin' dogs, who wants to enlist. He's mushed a long way from the bush." ”

“ They wanted fighting men, and here he was, known as a hunter and voyageur from Whale River down to Grand Lac Victoria, offering his services to the Great Father, and yet these soldiers seemed unwilling to take him.
"He'd make a smashing man in khaki, captain. He's the timber we want—look at his neck and shoulders. It would be shameful after the hardship he's endured in getting here to refuse to enlist him."
"We may have trouble with Ottawa over it, sir, but I'll give him a chance. These wild ones take a lot of drilling; they don't like discipline. ”

“ Then, after days of toil in the deep snow, the spent dog-team floundered into the post at Lost Lake.
There the factor raised his hands in protest at the purpose of the voyageur to push south in the bitter weather. "There's two feet of new snow. You'll be weeks making Kickendache; wait until the cold lets up and the wind eases the trail."
But the call of the Big Chief still rang in the ears of the Cree, and when his dogs were rested he pushed on. So he journeyed south, harassed by the stinging January winds which cut the faces of dogs and driver like a knife-edge ”

“ In the two days he spent at Half-Way-House he had learned what the factor had gathered from newspapers and letters brought by the Christmas-mail team, and it had been sufficient for Joe Lecroix.
The fur trade stagnant and no one depending on his efforts for support, the news of the fighting in France had fired the imagination of the Cree, The Big Chief was calling for men. Thousands of white Canadians had gone and more were going. Should the red man be found wanting? ”

“ Where you from?" answered the Ontario man, using the Ojibway salutation. "You look like the end of a long trail over the snow."
"Oua, yes! My name ees Joe Lecroix. I travel one moon from Half-Way-House, four sleeps from Mistassini Lac."
"Well, I'll be damned! So you've been on the trail a month and want to enlist?"
"Oua! Fur no good! I cum to fight for de Beeg Chief. I am good man. Strong as bull moose, run lak de wolf."
The Cree squared his shoulders, shifting his gaze from one to another of his hearers as if challenging them to disprove his words. ”

“ Finally, one day there came an end to the impatience of Private Lecroix, for the Canadians were ordered to France. At last the men from the Selkirks and the Saguenay, from the ranches of the Saskatchewan and the forests of Ontario and Quebec—cowboys, miners, and city men, farmers, trappers, and lumberjacks—were to have their chance to strike for England and Our Lady of the Snows. ”

“ Um!" Again the stubby fingers sought the square chin. "To be sure, you have deserted for the front. Um!" Another pause. "Still you will be sent back to your command and severely punished. Um!" More rubbing of the chin followed; then:
"Captain Booth, enroll and quarter this man temporarily with your company and report immediately to Halifax by wireless. On landing I will turn him over to the authorities for deportation."
But somehow the case of Joe Lecroix was not reported to the authorities when the regiment landed and went to the great camp at Salisbury Plain. ”

“ M'rees water and follow riviere trail. I cum more fas' but de blizzard ketch me."
Then the Cree, wondering, if men were wanted to fight, why they hesitated to accept him, impetuously burst out with:
"I am strong man! I mak' beeg fight! I can shoot goose in de air wid rifle. I show you I am good man!"
The earnestness of the Indian had its effect. While the gray-haired officer talked with his junior in low tones, Joe Lecroix, perplexity and fear written plainly on his rugged features, awaited the verdict. ”

“ He had long credit at the post; in fact, had never been in debt since he swung out for himself as a youth, and so could hold his fur.
One morning he drove his team of half-breed Ungava huskies, loaded with his outfit and fur pack, up to the trade-house. Entering the store he asked for provisions for three weeks.
"What, Joe, you ain't goin' back before Christmas?" asked Nicholson in surprise.
"No, I travel sout'. No good hunt fur dees long snows," answered the Indian dryly.
"South? What do you mean?"
"Fur too cheap! I got no woman to feed. I t'ink I go to Kebec and see de sojer." ”