Appleby College - Argus Yearbook (Oakville, Ontario Canada)

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same thrill twice; each time he felt better. It was this fact that worried him. How long would this go on? Would he not soon become bored? The last year had been spent turning these questions over and over in his mind until he had come to his decision. He would make one last at- tempt at the staircase to quench his thirst. If he made it, he could get to work on all those things he had wanted to do, and if he didn ' t make it, he wouldn ' t have to worry about anything. It took him a month to choose his course through the maze of rocks above and below the water line. He would stick to the left bank for the first hundred yards and from there on, it would be a tangled mass of cuts and turns. If he forgot a single turn, he would be in waters he knew nothing about, and if that happened, he would certainly be battered to death, with no defence against the force of the water .... Jim rose with the sun to prepare for his attempt. After a hearty breakfast and last minute details, he slid his canoe into the water. Laying his pad- dle over the gunnels he skillfully guided himself into a comfortable kneeling position and then pushed himself into the open water. His strokes were smooth and his balance was true. He was ready. When he reached the staircase he was surprised to see only eight people there. He didn ' t talk to anyone as he tightened his life jacket, and secured his spare paddle. It took only one hard stroke to set the canoe into the centre of the current. He stuck to the left bank, expertly weaving in and out of the jagged edges of the rock that lurked below the surface of the water. Before he knew it, he was into the difficult part where every ounce of skill he had was needed. The spray flew up and blocked his vision while he managed to veer to the right or left, ac- cording to where the V ' s led him. Boulders flashed by with a background of green as Jim ' s speed increased. Suddenly his paddle struck an unseen rock which caused a loss of control. The bow of the canoe glanced off a rock and was forced into the air, with half the keel out of the water the stern spun with the current, only to stop suddenly when it smashed into a sunken tree stump. Jim was thrown out of the canoe and into the cold white water without any chance of keeping con- trol. He was dragged down the rapids bouncing from rock to rock trying to grab something. His body was bruised and beaten yet his feet still searched for support while his arms reached for nothing. But the worst was over and he was still alive. He could see the end of the staircase when he hit the rock, then all was black. I think he ' s okay , said Mr. Lafete cradling Jim ' s head. He seems to be coming around. Thank God , murmured the small group kneeling around Jim ' s bat- tered body. Jim ' s eyes slowly opened and the faint twinkle was seen by all. I ' m going to do it again , he muttered with some authority. Sure, sure, Jim , cooed Lafete, just get some sleep, we ' ll carry you back . . . . It is too bad that no one saw the pride in Jim ' s eyes when he looked up the staircase two months later. He had done it! Ross Large

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Wind twice before passing judgment on the film. Is he active in his community? Last year, he served as a cubscout pack councellor, and he shows promise as a Lad ' s Leader in the future. In fact, he is presently leading a drive aimed at replacing the tattered and faded STOP sign at the corner of Main and Walnut. Does he keep physically fit? Why, he ' s a regular sportsman. As a member of the South Vally bowling team, he knocks down more beer than pins every Friday night. When John Jr. is a little older, he will buy the boy a rod and reel, and teach him how to nab the big ones . Is Mr. Doe a God-fearing man? A dedicated servant of the Lord, he at- tends church -services every second Sunday, and thanks God for His generosity and prays for every respectable human being who has crossed his path in the previous two weeks. Is he happy? Of course! He has a sound family, a steady job, good friends, excellent health, a car, a full-paid up house, and a television. A beautiful cheek - to - cheek smile covers his face for at least three- quarters of his waking hours. But is he really happy? What is his purpose in life? What are his ideals? His purpose is to do what he does, and to get it done. He is not bothered by ideals. He is an element of the system that created and directs him. When he is dead, John Doe will be a name on a small tombstone among many other small tombstones, covered for a month with a wreath of flowers, and sprinkled for a week by Mary ' s tears. How does he persevere? Why is he content? These are the essential questions, questions that not even John Doe himself can answer. He is indeed a most unusual person. Stephen Roloff THE STAIRCASE Jim had been living in the small log cabin at the side of Donald Lake for the past ten years. He had had plenty of time to explore the area and was consequently known widely for his knowledge. He was a tall man, in his late thirties, with sandy brown hair and a twinkle that never left his eyes. His features were strong yet gentle in motion as would be ex- pected from long years of hard labour. He wasn ' t known for his daring; that ' s why everyone was surprised when he said he would shoot the staircase. Of course, attempts had been made before but all had ended in failure and most of them, in death. To Jim, rapids weren ' t an obstacle to be portaged around; they were a means of getting from one spot to another in a very short time. He loved the feeling being in control of the small canoe that darted for an opening between the rocks. Everytime he finished a set, no matter how small, there was a thrill of accomplishment in his heart. It was never the

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