Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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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.

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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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18 The Branksome Slogan THE RO I was dusting, cleaning, sweeping. Working hard from morn till even- ing, On the front door came a rapping. Pausing for a moment only, I left my brooms and left my dusters. Walking to the door, and peering outward, I spied a brazen, shiny figure, Standing, gleaming in the sunlight. Feeling faint, I grabbed the door- knob. And stood amazed at this object. Gathering up my courage slowly Read its dangling, hanging, label, ' ' Hope this saves you time and trouble. On and on I read the message Claiming it a useful Robot, A servant Robot from my mother For to scrub and scour the wood- ■ work. Make the beds and do the cooking. Beat the rugs and wash the win- dows. Clean the cupboards, do the dust- ing. Oh, dear Mother, how I thank you For this badly needed helper! In I brO ' Ug ' ht it from the dooirstep. Wound the handle, set the gadgets So to make my bed and tidy All my room and all my clothing. I lay down upon my divan Waiting, watching o ' er my Robot.. Working hard throughout my bed- room. Resting, dozing, sleeping, dream- ing. 3T MAID A thundering, crashing, rumbling, rolling. Ripping, crushing, bolting, shak- ing. Woke me from my deepest slum- ber. I started, stared, and jumping up- ward, I dashed towards the vicious mon- ster, Tried to stop it from its break- ing And destruction of my vases, Of my pictures; of my tables. Of my clothes and of my wood- work. Picking up my silver hairbrush, I smote the Robot on the forehead. Down it fell — the engine stopped; Out the door I cast the Robot, For the salvage, for the junkman. Oh, dear Mother, if you only Knew how helpful was the Robot (To the salvage, to the junk- man!) I can tell you, I will never Want to use another Robot. Never! Never! Never! Never! BEVERLEY RUSH, Form IV. M. Watson: Hullo, is this the City Bridge Depart- ment? Answer: ' ' Yes. M. Watson : How many points do you get for a little slam?