Trinity College School - Record Yearbook (Port Hope, Ontario Canada)

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was ludicrous to attempt to wield it against an entire ship! That was gtits spelled s-t-u-p-i-d. His iuind flashed back to the hold. lt was safely battened down, wasn't it? Much too late to check it now. it would give him away. Thoughts of his mother kept running through his mind as he raced over his few alternatives with his whole body trembling uncontrollably, lt certainly was cold, he thought stupidly. What could he do. WHAT WAS HE TO D0 NOW? Stay calm, he berated himself. He could not out-run them and reach England. He could not fight a shipload of Germans single-handedly armed only with a knife. They could blow his ship out of the water and he was powerless to prevent them from inspecting the hold. If they found the Jews then they would kill him. There was no escapeg he was a rat in a trap. Hans stared at his tormentors. Now only a hundred yards away, and tears of rage and utter frustration fell from his eyes. He would die like a dog and helwas helpless. There was one last hope and he jeered at himself 'as he employed it, desperately murmuring to the sky Oh Lord, Front out of the Land of Egypt deliver thy chosen people, Israel. Their ship drew alongside and seven of theni boarded. Using all of his willpower Hans maintained control of himself though his hands were sweating and trembling. So he had thrust them into his pockets. One of the Germans approached him anti saluted, and he returned the salute. It was probably the Captainfof the shipg he was wearing the Knight's Cross with Diamondsf I-Ige spoke.: You are Danish? What are you doing in these waters??'l fs- 1 - 't I am a Danish fisherman answered Hans. It was hopelesssf. - ,N H' What are you doing in these waters? the German answered again. Fishing Hans replied. lt was best to answer in simple sentences to conceal his terror. . . You are a long way from home the man observed. I follow the fish fThat one had been easy!! And the fish are around here? he politely inquired in his monotonous tone. Lately. stay simple. And where is it, may I inquire that you keep your fish? Oh sweet Jesus Christ he knows realized Hans with fear of extinction. He knows! Where any other fisherman keeps his fish of course. God it sounded lame! The german walked over to the hatch of the hold which was tightly battened down. Hans followed him, his heart exploding in his throat and the blood in him roaring dovtn lits arms and snitishiut at the ends of his fingers with such force he was sure his nail- would be popped off. The lllilll tcstcd the hold and looked up at Hans. There are fish in this hold? he asked. Hans suppressed at dcsirt I0 query as to whether or not the Pope was a Catholic, and an swered dully - Yes, fish. Open the hold, please requested the man and Hans bent to hi: last task. He was totally helpless, he had failed ui his mission, their bloodnwas on his hands. He threw the hatch open viciously, the las bellow of dying elephant. The German switched on his flashlight Shone it downwards and peered inside. Beneath him thirty-twt Jews glanced up and blinked at their first light in several hours The world had ended for Hans and he stood there numbly Mindless and oblivious to the deliberations of the German. A pause of a few seconds brought him back to earth and he wa- surprised to see that the man hadn't acted yet. He stared at tht German and saw the tremendous conflict in his mind written on hi: face. The man shifted his feet and stared down once again. Han: saw that he was unsure and his heart leapt. Was there a chance? The Captain pulled a slip of paper with writing on it out of hif pocket and crumpled it. He seemed to have decided. Hans had fel' that he was dead. Would this man bring him back to life? Hi: entire body flooded with tension and the German finally looked ur at him and made a simple statement. Fish, Qy2 . replied Hans as the Captain turned to his men am orde 1 ein back onto their ship. May you enjoy good fishing, my friend, and my congratulation' on your sedman's courage. Thanks, sir, the same to you. choked Hans as the Germar reboarded his own ship and they parted ways: one bound for England and one for the Second World War. We are the Danish and we won't allow the madman to kill ou Jews he said out loud as he reset the sails and headed fo' England, having once checked the halyards and finding them to bt all right. . . . R. Win tFirst Prize Story, Gavin lnce Langmui Writing Competitior 23

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The Cargo he ship sailed. Hans set the sails to the wind, stood - back and looked at the effect. lt wasn't good enough so he set them again, then for a third time until ne was satisfied at their efficiency. He walked to the rail to look down into the water, then snapped himself out of it. Hans had never acted in this manner before. The font of nervous energy welled up inside him remained unabated, but there was nothing left for him to do once the sails were set. The ship would sail itself, He paced furiously around the deck examining everything though there was nothing left to check. The halyards seemed fine, but that was ridiculous - what could ever go wrong with the halyards? He had forgotten the hold, so now he ensured that it was battened down, pulling at it with all his strength. lt was okay so the cargo must be okay. All that he could do now was hold onto the wheel and hope for the best. Soon it was raining and the waves broke over the bow into his face. Just standing there on deck made one cold very quickly and his hands were numb with the water pouring over them. He cursed himself for forgetting his gloves, but he had left in a great hurry. It was the first time in his life that he had worked at night and he was beat like a drum. That damn war and those damn Germans! Christ the boat creaked a lot! Was it leaking at all below? How much? The pumps would have to take care of it. As long as the cargo didn't get damaged in any way he would be happy. He had never carried this type of cargo before. He had never wanted to carry it, he wished he wasn't carrying it now, and he hoped to God he would never have to carry it again. They had to find some dumb-son-of-a-bitch and he was elected. A wave of hatred flooded through his body for the men who had sent him away with this cargo but he remembered that he had been willing enough then, so he had better face up to it now, His mind raced . . . l'd better check that hold again, you never know, it's okay. lt's all because they are Jews and I can't see what's the difference. Yet apparently Hitler has discovered a reason. lt's always the Jews and he'll kill them, he will actually kill them! Hitler is insane and these Jews are my responsibility - their lives are in my hands! He checked the hold again and found it to be secure. This ship on the seas, loaded with Jews and bound for England is here because the armies of Hitler have taken Denmark. Hitler hates Jews and Hitler is in power so all the Jews have to run. lt's a naked way to run though, cowering in the hold of my ship while l sail them to safety. The madman had ordered all Danish Jews rounded up like steers in a slaughterhouse but we would not stand around 22 to watch him murder innocent people - never! The Danes are conquered but we will fight for the lives of our Jews. That's why l'm here on the water letting the waves of the North Sea batter my boat, we won't let the Germans kill our Jews. lt was still raining hard but all the thinking had warmed Hans up a bit. Only about 9 minutes to go now. Barring catastrophe, all the early tension and apprehension of Hans had been wiped away by two new elements - cold and confidence. There were thirty-two Jews in the hold, packed very tightly with barely enough room for one of them to lie down. It would be a rough ride for them but nothing would be intolerable if they were granted their freedom and there seemed a good chance for that now. Just as long as the Germans didn't hear about the sudden evacuation quickly enough to send ships to intercept. Fear rose again in him. lf the Germans stop this ship then I won't be very popular with them when they see the contents of my hold. What would they do to him? Shoot him? Or would he be treated as any other Jew. For all of his life he had wanted to be in a dangerous position and now he dearly wished that he was back home in his bed: he wished he was safe from the Germans. He knew but refused to admit to himself that his position was more than precarious, it was inextricable. lt was then that he saw the ship. lt was a big one and it was straight off the port side, on a collision course with his ship. Butterflies danced madly in the pit of his stomach and his heart beat savagely against his chest. He was only able to discern through the fog and driving rain of early morning an approximate estimate of its size. It was a big one. Was it possible that it was a ship from England of the home fleet? Hans unconsciously crossed his numbed fingers as he clutched the wheel. lt wasn't a British shipg he saw its colours. He remembered a line from Byron Like the Wolf on the Fold - well, the wolf had taken its time about it but it was here now and only he, a nearly defenseless shepherd, could fend off the wolves from their quarry. It was a ship of the German Navy. The sense of certain doom spurred Hans to a rush of action. He hustled to the east end of the ship where they wouldn't be able to see him cast out the two main fishing lines. If the Germans are stupid enough to believe this, l'll tell them the one about the flying pig. He thought, but it was no longer funny. Would they just ask him a few questions or did they know? He saw about five sailors milling around the deck, but the number was increasing steadily. How many would he be able to shoot if he had his gun? That didn't really matter, his gun was at home. He had a knife but it

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TRANSITION People eome people go IIIILIILIS I vt known The mrnds I ve blown Never staved Though we ve played The grass has grown a brt you know Some I vc. loved have ehanged like me And all we hold are memorres And though I try to stop and stand To make my footprmt tn the sand Agatn I sltp The wrnds have blown M Stevenson QFIFSI Prtze Poem equal Gavtn Inee Langmurr Wrrtrng Competrttonj WHERE DOI STAND9 Where do I stand? Am I the man I seem to be What has ltfe got planned for me Where do I stand? Who wlll I love Wlll she be the one who s rtght for me Wrll I have chlldren who ll wonder luke me Who w1llIlove'I What can I do Mv hfe has dtsappornted me Whv can t I be like others I see What Lan I do9 The answers I know My God wtll not show I wonder too mueh Oflrfe and of suth G Davtes Qlelonorable Mentron, Gavm Inee Langmurr Wrrtrng Competttronl ,v mf, ' ,' ' t , . 9 I 7 The grass has grown a bit. . . you know. , 1 ' ' I . , . I Y