Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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16 The Branksome Slogan his station — the ship was expected to pass very near the submarine ' s position, sometime around 5.00 A.M. Success would mean the rank of a commander, and, mayibe a captaincy, for this was no ordinary mission. He lay down, his mind pondering over success, then failure, until he fell into a fitful sleep. Some hours later, he awoke hearing a knock upon the door; it was the mate with the information that the time was 4.30 A.M. ' ' Thanks, Kramer. I ' d better look through the periscope, even if it is a bit early. Start to surface; I ' ll be right with you. ' ' Yes, sir. Oh, Kramer, how is the weather? Stander says its choppy, sir, and a slight wind is blowing. Very good; the periscope won ' t show so much. I only hope we ' ll get a good view of them. That ' s all. Yes, sir. The lieutenant splashed some water on his face, straightened his uniform, and went outside. He instructed the mate to call the crew, who awoke readily glad that the time for action was near. Out of the water rose the periscope; the lieutenant eagerly looked through it. The horizon was clear in the early morning light, but, as the small waves rose and fell, something was discernable in the west. He felt cold and numb. Was this it? Was this the heavy cruiser? Was this the target that meant so much to him? The crew sensed something of what he was feeling and (became silent. The periscope was turned twice, taking in the whole horizon for a second time. Then the lieuten- ant ordered the mate to fix a certain position and look for himself. After dbserving the object, he turned around. It appears to be a heavy cruiser, sir, travelling unescorted. Here, I ' ll look again. He looked. Yes, Kramer, you ' re right. He turned to his crew. Men, this is our target. I don ' t want any mis- takes made, for if we complete this mission successfully there ' ll be bon- uses for all. It ' s a big job ; I ' ve got to have all of you behind me. Now, get to your places. The air was electrified; the quiet commands were given. The tor- pedo crews could be heard while the mechanical work of sighting, aim- ing, checking depth, and position went on. At five minutes of five o ' clock the cruiser was in range and the submarine ready. The lieutenant had a low voiced conversation with the mate. If they ' ve heard our engines, they ' ve not had time to chart our position. If they haven ' t, then they ' re totally unawares. Either way, they ' re unprepared. This is a great mistake of their commanders; a ship of that size cannot safely travel unescorted in these waters. All right, find out if the crew is ready and proceed.

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The Branksome Slogan 15 The importance, either conscious or subconscious, given to the legends finds expression even in the present day. The Indian farmer still keeps his Inca holidays although the object of veneration is no longer the sun. The Peruvian child begins the history of his country at an early age by learning about his traditional forbears. Even when he reaches the higher studies of Peruvian literature, he is brought back to the Inca classics. In his studies of more recent works, his chief book will be ' ' Peruvian Traditions, by Ricardo Palma, a collection of stories which have come down through the ages. Surely Peru is really built on tradition. It forms a chain which binds all Peruvians together with a feeling of pride and unity. MARION DUGDALE, Form V. The Douvenir The night was clear and cool, the sea slightly choppy due to a ris- ing wind. As the stars appeared, they twinkled approvingly while look- ing down upon the barren waters, but, had they been able to see below the waves, a different sight would have met their eyes. Fathoms down, in the midst of strange fishes and other marine life, a huge, dark o bject lay, slim in outline and too motionless to ibe alive. It was a submarine. Inside it was hot and oppressive, for the craft had not surfaced for some hours and the crew was restless. They were clean-cut, average looking young men, alert, and trained to the peak. The mate came on with a message from the lieutenant, their senior officer. Get a good rest, men; our target won ' t be along until dawn, and the lieutenant doesn ' t want a tired crew. In about half an hour coffee will be ready. Try to relax. There was a small buzz of conversation following the announcement and the sailors went to their bunks. A game of cards started, but the players were unenthusiastic and soon they, too, went to the bunks. A few desultory remarks were made and, after drinking the promised coffee, all were still. A few slept. Alone in his quarters the lieutenant was nervous and unsettled. Before his men he had kept up a bold front, yet he was anything but their calm and collected commander. It was his first duty in charge of a sub . He paced the floor, his mind racing over the possibilities that dawn might bring. The target was an unconvoyed enemy ship, pre- sumably a heavy cr ' uiser. Head-quarters had briefed him concerning

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The Branksome Slogan 17 The orders, and their repetitions, by the non-commissioned officers, could be heard echoing. The lieutenant was tense; the torpedo men sweating. ' ' Check your aim! ' ' Check your aim! Ready! Ready! Torpedo 1,2,3! Torpedo 1, 2, eS! Fire! Fire! Through the periscope, the lieutenant watched the proud, arrogant cruiser making her stately way through the waves, when, suddenly, an explosion rocked both sub and ship — then another, and another Three towering flames shot into the sky; superstructure crumpled, wreckage was hurled into the air, and the mighty ship sank. Ojf for a Canter With less excitement, the command to surface was given and the thin craft rose through the waves. Boats were launched to pick up any survivors, although the undersea craft had completed its task so thor- oughly that the procedure was hardly necessary. Be quick aibout the business, for you never know what might come along, said the lieutenant. He turned to Kramer. War is hell ; what if that were us? Enough, it is kill or ' be killed. Look! There ' s the ship ' s flag. However did it escape being blown to shreds? Get it; a souvenir like that isn ' t found every day. Kramer pulled the flag over the side, the flag of the torpedoed enemy ship— the Stars and Stripes. GRETCHEN GAEBELEIN, Form V.