Part 66 (1/2)
”Say, figger that out, will yuh?” continued Mr. Cadwaller. ”Allowed four times the territory, about the same number of Indians and about one-eighth the number of police. Say, General, I take off my hat again.
Put it there! You Canucks have got the trick sure!”
”Easier to care for 'em than kill 'em, I guess,” said Mr. Raimes casually.
”But, say, General,” continued Mr. Cadwaller, ”you ain't goin' to send for them hosses with no three men?”
”I'm afraid we cannot spare any more.”
”Jeerupiter, General!” exclaimed Mr. Cadwaller. ”I'll wait outside the reserve till this picnic's over. Say, General, let's have twenty-five men at least.”
”What do you say, Inspector d.i.c.kson? Will two men be sufficient?”
”We'll try, Sir,” replied the Inspector.
”How soon can you be ready?”
”In a quarter of an hour.”
”Jeerupiter!” muttered Mr. Cadwaller to himself, as he followed the Inspector out of the room.
”I say, Commissioner, will you let me in on this thing?” said Cameron.
”Do you mean that you want to join the force?” enquired the Commissioner, letting his eye run approvingly up and down Cameron's figure.
”There is McIvor, Sir--” began Cameron.
”Oh, I could fix that all right,” replied the Commissioner. ”We want men, and we want men like you. We have no vacancy among the officers, but you could enlist as a constable and there is always opportunity to advance.”
”It is a great service!” exclaimed Cameron. ”I'd like awfully to join.”
”Very well,” said the Commissioner promptly, ”we will take you. You are physically sound, wind, limb, eye-sight, and so forth?”
”As far as I know, perfectly fit,” replied Cameron.
Once more Inspector d.i.c.kson was summoned.
”Inspector d.i.c.kson, Mr. Cameron wishes to join the force. We will have his application taken and filled in later, and we will waive examination for the present. Will you administer the oath?”
”Cameron, stand up!” commanded the Inspector sharply.
With a little thrill at his heart Cameron stood up, took the Bible in his hand and repeated after the Inspector the words of the oath,
”I, Allan Cameron, solemnly swear that I will faithfully, diligently, and impartially execute and perform the duties required of me as a member of the North West Mounted Police Force, and will well and truly obey and perform all lawful orders and instructions which I shall receive as such, without fear, favour, or affection of or toward any person. So help me, G.o.d.”
”Now then, Cameron, I congratulate you upon your new profession.
The Inspector will see about your outfit and later you will receive instructions as to your duties. Meantime, take him along with you, Inspector, and get those horses.”
It was a somewhat irregular mode of procedure, but men were sorely needed at the Macleod post and the Commissioner had an eye that took in not only the lines of a man's figure but the qualities of his soul.
”That chap will make good, or I am greatly mistaken,” he said to the Inspector as Cameron went off with the orderly to select his uniform.
”Well set up chap,” said the Inspector. ”We'll try him out to-night.”