Chapter 3

           Heshallrulethemwitharodofiron.

           RevelationsII:25

           IdidBasicatCampArthurCurrieonthenorthernprairies,alongwithacoupleofthousandothervictims—andIdomean"Camp,"astheonlypermanentbuildingsthereweretoshelterequipment.Wesleptandateintents;welivedoutdoors—ifyoucallthat"living,"whichIdidn’t,atthetime.Iwasusedtoawarmclimate;itseemedtomethattheNorthPolewasjustfivemilesnorthofcampandgettingcloser.IceAgereturning,nodoubt.

           Butexercisewillkeepyouwarmandtheysawtoitthatwegotplentyofthat.

           Thefirstmorningweweretheretheywokeusupbeforedaybreak.IhadhadtroubleadjustingtothechangeintimezonesanditseemedtomethatIhadjustgottosleep;Icouldn’tbelievethatanyoneseriouslyintendedthatIshouldgetupinthemiddleofthenight.

           Buttheydidmeanit.Aspeakersomewherewasblaringoutamilitarymarch,fittowakethedead,andahairynuisancewhohadcomechargingdownthecompanystreetyelling,"Everybodyout!Showaleg!Onthebounce!"camemaraudingbackagainjustasIhadpulledthecoversovermyhead,tippedovermycotanddumpedmeonthecoldhardground.

           Itwasanimpersonalattention;hedidn’tevenwaittoseeifIhit.

           Tenminuteslater,dressedintrousers,undershirt,andshoes,Iwaslinedupwiththeothersinraggedranksforsetting-upexercisesjustastheSunlookedovertheeasternhorizon.