TO THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 18 February 1915, Page 8

TO THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

WITH THE HOME DEFENDERS. :(By Alpenstock). F-y-c-s Front! F-o.r-ui Fours! Q-U-i-c-k March! and tiie route march disfranchised oi' military tactics) of the Home Defence Corps had begun. Tiirough the bright morning sunshine of Broadway, they wended their way niouutai'nwards. 1 Step uy step, shoulder to shoulder, these boys of ■ the young brigade (.formed in these days of Chauvinism) marched as befitted the sons of their lighting forbears. With "Fortis cadere, cerdere non potest," as their motto—(which if my crestomathy does not ■ misguide me signifies—The brave man may fall, ho cannot yield)—arid the veteran warscarred Captain McMillan (0.C.) and Col. Sergt. Richardson in command, the martial bearing of this lighting force is explained, as knowledge comes of learning welh retained, unfruitful else. L-e-f-t wheel! and Pembroke Road is faced, the wind blowing great guns, an almost impenetrable dust forces itself through the ranks; still onward they marched with rhythmic swing of arm and ,steps. Many urchins now- accompanied the gallant defenders of hearth and Home, and two of them were nearly coming to blows. "Why don't yer go to Hegipt," said one to the other, "Who's afraid to go to Hegibed?" remarked the accused one," You are, said his friend. "No I aiut" came the reply. "Then why do yer go?" "Well, 'cause I'm afraidT won't come back!" '■■■ The test of the marching power of the troops has now begun, as the nine miles to the Stratford Mountain House is a very severe up'grade, the House nestling some 3700 feet.up the Mountain's . side. A' steady walking pa,ce is set-by the officers, who, no doubt, realise that, there is plenty time to-run when the obvious occurs. Steadily the ..mileage.was being reduced, and as assuredly the dreaded enemy, (thirst) of troops Jon the march was being felt. Judge of their agreeable surprise • when, passing the smiling? homestead oiMr'S. H. Wicksteed, the. force was welcomed "a bras inverts" by the homesteader, and invited to partake of delicious tea,cakes, and other edibles. An unequal battle 'ensued, - and eventually theiu■lier mail suffered -defeat. The officer, ■in/thanking Mr and Mrs Wicksteed, ;said:. "I am really too full for words,: but on' behalf of myself: and men,. I wish to state that it is indeed a pleasure,'to ■lis' who. are to lay 4o\yii. diir lives. (but not our swords) for ohr,kith, kin,,and country, to know that those who: are compelled to till the land, are with us in thought, word and deed," Three non-sound absorbing'cheers were heartily given for the thoughtful and generous act, and the!.Defence force of tnoble, warriors moved on. The wooded nature of the •country now called , for extreme care against surprise by enemies lurking meat'. , A, screen ,wja,;s" thrown.,out,- and two men from both fore and aft debouched, from the.main body, separating themselves some.., two hundred yards' distant. 'For. many miles all went well with the battle seekers, and 6ne felt a wave of pity invade him, for those, on whom they execute the vengeance of their wrath; JToot, toot, "and'ti beautiful motor car appears, and seated amidst luxuriant furnishings is Mr W. H. H. Young, whose arrival is apparently expected, as, all superfluous equipment and other accoutrements notfwahted on the voyage when a'battalion is going into action was hastily bundled into the' car, and a 1 machine gun mounted overall. Sud- • dehly the'thunder of galloping hoofs is. heard, and,'amidst a cloud of dust; a horseman fast approaches, reining his. horse up on its haunches, and informs tlie officer commanding that a small body" of- probable enemy are close at hand.- Quickly the order to seek cover is given • and., executed with' the most marvellous rapidity. The ditches on | both' sides of "the unmetalied* part of 'Pembroke Road are speedily availed i of. I doubted ihuehdf the enemy were abroad. Silence: reigned supreme! Suddenly the; harsh call of the caw caw is heard in the distant wood, and a tone, resembling emanates From the officer's' throat and is thrice answered by the forest ranger forming the screen announcing, "All: is well." At'the voice authoritative of he in command the: force is reformed. :

MNTtt-m-li-jOrl l off!" N 0.36 :is missing! Careful, search by the Col.-Sergt. reveals him in a post hole. "Come out of that," ordered the Sergeant. "Not me, I found, it, first," -bewails the hidden one. Then did the Sergeant chide with warrantable zeal the coneealability of the man, and inferred that if, free from hindrance,' he ; would have never come out.

"Q-u-i-c-k,march!" and the defenders are again in, motion. Bpunding a corner, the supposed enemy are now in view, Surely, the- enemy were never mdre welcome, comprising as they did Mr and Mrs Bull and an attendant young. Bull, and joy of joys rattlingtea cups, Was pver sound of melody so sweet, and .anticipative.of ,tlie feast to Come'the pace progressed! Was ever tea, sandwiches, and doughboys so nice! To myself never so! Captain McMillan, while heartily thanking Mr and Mrs Bull for-their true heartiness, towards' those who for their country's sake were prepared to lay down their lives, apparently' much sooner than their knives—and I must add their that probably they had many valuable lives. This being assented to by the men, three hearty cheers were called for and given with gusto; and one for little Bull, who did good work in handing round. "Q-u-ii-c r k,,piarcl]!" and up, steadily

up the magnificent National Park, they go. A voyaging breeze ruffled, the many-colored leaves': Transported one conld hardly ken the place, no dust, no wind, but delicious odour breathed; in truth a terrestial ?ara-! disc, where first the mountain cast his shade, and amidst the.lively greenness [the feathered quiristers- applied theirj 'wonted art, and with full joy welcomed! the troops. And when, though slowj their steps far into that ancient-wood' had transplanted them, the call of a motor horn is heard fast'approaching. Two riders were beheld alike in raiment, but in port and gesture dissimilar. "To sanctuary," they cried> and the sound of battle rang through' the luminous air. "Men of the Home Defence," cried the officers, "pro patria," and the war cry was taken up by the Mcßrocklebanks, O'Jacksons and MoLanders as into the thicket they charged. Backwards and forwards the combatants surged, victory swaying in the balance, until by a strategical handling of his men, Captain McMillan who was "deus ex machina," and by strength of numbers the Mountain Club's Forest Rangers, were vanquished after what must go clown in history as the most sanguinary' battle ever fought on the Mountain. First aid being rendered to the wounded, the march progressed. Rhymetic tread and voices subdued', rendered sweet harmony amongst the flowering of Nature, with which they were enclosed, and most beautiful sight of all to the tired fighters, "The Mountain House," and a hearty British cheer of welcome from its keeper. Measures were quickly set afoot to appease-their hungerings, and the captured "rangers" of the Mountain Club were compelled to do the "waitressing." Soups, many meats, and divers sweets, were but a few of the tempting dishes• contributed by Host Williams, and the 7 meal effectively restored ' the soldiers to their pristine vigour.' Several hours were spent in "dolee far niente" (Italian for sweet state of doing nothing) by some; others, wishing to see for themselves the wondrous beauties of the mountain, roamed amidst the forest's dells; and these excursions made -hy members of the force- compelled recognition of the fatefc that .this ; alluring wonderland needs seeing to be believed. The trumpet call ' 'fall in'' reverberates across the gorge. The homeward march is about to begin. It is.' in such-times as these one reflects that in the love of home, the love of country has its rise, and would they not to a man for their country die? "Has not their captain told you so?"

Q-u-i-e-k march! And down the Mountain side they go, a gallant band, Through forest, through farm, past factory, like a huge dark serpent they wend.: their, way, little dreaming that Mr, Wicksteecl again awaits them with delicious edibles and tea.

F-o Tr-ward! And nearer they approach their base, whereat in the morning they had been minutely inspected—all but their water-bottles! A striking characteristic is the idolatrous,loyalty'■] to their officers', and : when the , country, calls,, one feels sure they would be found fighting valiantly N side by side. As into Broadway they swung (every man of them who had started in the morning) they presented a gladsomej sight. Travelled, stained, yet sturdy and strong, and no fountain from'its rocky cave* e'e.r tripped so free. No marshal music is theirs, as the 19-mile-famous route march nears its end.

"Halt!" and it is o'er. E-y-e-s Front! A-t-t-erii Shun. Captain McMillan (O.C), addressed the men. "Men, oi- the Stratford Defence Corps -—I am justly proud, of you. I have observed; tliat you are inoculated with a hardihood; and heroism, that will not be. subdued/? and should prove on "the dayV an irresistible force. The march has demonstrated to me that you have advanced to a military proficiency I had little hoped for in so short a time. And, the terrific hand-to-hand encounter amply, illustrated the fighting possibilities of the column, and that you possessed a consumate blend of enthusiasm, comprehension, patience, clash, and invincibility. I feel, confident you will ascend to the loftiest heights of military achievement in the stirring days to come. D-i-s: ■Miss!'*'. ' .'* ✓ , ; -