the rear. At last there was fighting ground within reach where he might find the odds as small as three or four to one, and the heart of the Cree beat high, for his great moment was at hand.
But at dusk, something was in the air on the front of the —d Battalion. Officers talking in low tones hurried up and down the trench. Then support battalions from the rear began pouring out of the communicating trenches, and from man to man sped the news that brigade headquarters had ordered a surprise attack at midnight.
Joe Lecroix lifted clenched fists to the skies and cursed his luck in French, English, and Cree. These officers in the rear at headquarters were going to spoil his little personal affair out in front, and it was sure to be a night of nights, for the darkness was closing in black as a spruce swamp. He had promised himself a call with a knife in either hand on that listening post, and now it was to be a general attack.
Shortly the order was read to the men in groups along the trench.
"At one o'clock the —d Battalion will rush the enemy's first line with the bayonet. At one-fifteen, the artillery will shell the enemy's support trenches to check counter-attack. The advanced trench in front of —d Battalion will first be taken by surprise by a special detail to prevent drawing enemy's fire on main attacking force following."
To a grim group crowded in a dusk-filled bomb-proof. Captain Booth repeated the order for the night's work. As they listened to the call which
