Brentwood College School - Brentonian Yearbook (Mill Bay, British Columbia Canada)

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Brentwood College Magazine Kismet FAR to the north, beyond all reach of civilization, lies a tiny valley. Above it towers a vast, conical mountain which predominates all the surrounding country, and as the stranger — if strangers there could be in such a desolate spot — draws nearer, he is filled with a vague dread, as though the mighty pile is warning the rash oncomer to venture no farther. Scarce a trace of vegetation covers the bleak expanse of rock outside the valley, and within it little is seen save for straggling caribou moss and a sparse summer growth that would barely support animal life. Wolves and caribou there are in plenty, with occasional flocks of ptarmigan and even a few foxes, but no other life of any description may be seen. The entire country bears a deserted, uninviting look that has turned back all would-be settlers. Towards this spot mushed Emar Kremlar over the fast disappearing snows of early spring. For days he had headed steadily northward over an unknown trail, and the dogs, although bearing up valiantly under the strain, were slowly weakening. It was afternoon ; the setting sun was putting an end to the short- lived spring day and soon night would be upon the struggling little caravan. A few miles ahead loomed the cone-shaped peak and, as he repressed an involuntary shudder, Kremlar resolved to make it his base for the night ; with a cry of encouragement, he urged the dogs to further effort and with a quickened pace he pushed bravely on. Soon he had gained the entrance to the valley ; onward he mushed, surprised at the comparative mildness of its appearance after the desolation outside, and he encamped at the base of the mountain. After feeding the dogs and cooking his evening meal, he sat dreaming and wondered what kind of home the valley would make. After all, had he not sought such a spot? Had he not longed for a secluded kingdom in which to trap the much-needed furs? Here he could live and be happy while he earned enough to keep in comfort the woman he loved, and then he could return to her and all would be well. Wherefore he settled beneath the huge mount and built himself a cabin with such wood as he could find. He lived on caribou and ptarmigan and trapped many wolves and foxes ; the dogs flourished and increased, the wild animals showed no signs of decrease, and everything seemed perfect. His mind was full of rosy dreams for the future. One day, however, as he roamed beneath the huge cliff that lifted itself far above his cabin, he chanced to glance upward, and upon the face of the rock above he could distinguish faint characters which were invisible at a distance. Coming as near as possible, he could barely see the faint letters, but on close scrutiny they appeared to be written in an ancient Mongolian dialect with which he was vaguely familiar, for in bygone years he had been a keen student of all things Oriental, being of Oriental descent himself. As nearly as he could make out, it ran: He who enters the Sacred Vale shall die. The Great King hath spoken and His word is the supreme law. His curse and that of His sacred ancestors be upon the intruder ! Page Twenty-nine

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Brentwood College Magazine Speech Day THE third annual Speech Day, which took place on June 26th, was a splendid success. Fully three hundred visitors were present, and after witnessing the various aquatic sports everyone assembled in the gymnasium to see the presentation of prizes and to hear the speeches. Mr. P. F. Curtis, Chairman of the Board of Governors, presented the prizes and gave a short address in which he spoke of the pride and satisfaction all felt in reviewing the position of the school at the end of its third year. Mr. Norman Yarrow, a member of the Board of Governors, emphasized five points in the college life which have helped to make Brentwood the great success that it has been: the Headmaster, the support of parents and friends, the Staff, the location of the school, and the boys. At the end of the first year he had felt that Brentwood College had done well ; at the end of the second year their position was wonderful, and now, at the end of the third year, their success was marvellous. Already the boys were distinguishing themselves at Oxford, Cam- bridge, Toronto, McGill, Washington and other universities. Mr. Yarrow specially thanked the two house masters, Mr. Round and Mr. Cocks, and Mr. Williams for his help with the finances. Mr. Hope gave a short address, in which he spoke of the difficulties met with in establishing the College. He said he was very satisfied with the way in which the boys had conducted themselves and with the high standard they had set them- selves, both in class and in games. One boy last year stood third in the Province, another fourth and another seventh. Their achievements in athletics were also noted as at the present they held the Island League Championship in Rugby. After tea, visitors were given an opportunity of seeing the college buildings and equipment. School Prizes FORM PRIZES— Remove Form. 1st, Ricardo; 2nd, Rigby. Upper IV Form. 1st, Deane mi.; 2nd, Bishop. Lower IV and Shell. 1st, McGaw; 2nd, McCormick. HEADMASTER ' S PRIZE for Reading in Chapel. Symons ma. LEEDER PRIZE for Progress in Music. Young. WILLIAMS PRIZE for Conspicuous Ability in Languages. Gray mi. CREASE PRIZE for Encouragement of Art — an Original Painting, Drawing or Etching. Catlin. CURTIS PRIZE for Conspicuous Ability in Mathematics. Beevor-Potts. SCOTT-MO NCRIEFF PRIZE for English Literature. Brock. ANGUS PRIZE for Conspicuous Ability in Natural Sciences. Lamprey. ONE EXHIBITION of $100 for the Best School Spirit during the year. Divided between Campbell ma. and Coleman mi. THE YARROW CHALLENGE SHIELD AND MEDAL for Athletics and Scholastic Attainments. Farrer. THE HON. W. C. NICHOLS MEDAL for General Progress. Coleman mi. Page Twenty-eight

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Brentwood College Magazine For a few brief moments Kremlar stood aghast, his heart frozen and his whole body petrified by the sheer terror inspired by the curse. He was super- stitious to an acute degree, but soon he recovered his strength and with a forced laugh he attempted to quell the forebodings that rose within him. He hastened back to the cabin and there brooded over his discovery. After a restless night he felt much better and in a few days almost completely forgot the characters. As winter spread its icy pall over the Northland, he began to long for home, but he wished to get a few more foxes. At length, however, he resolved to wait no longer ; one more trip over his long line of traps, which stretched far beyond the valley into the north, and then — home ! He set off at once and his catch was greater than ever before. After a few days hard going he reached the last trap and there he camped to rest. During the night the ground shook several times, but thinking little of it he turned over and fell asleep. In the morning he suddenly awoke with that strange sense that something is amiss. He looked about and found the ground strewn with ash ; the air, too, was full of it and it blew from the south. With a grim fear, mingled with doubting anxiety, he mushed southward as fast as possible, the ash growing thicker each mile. When he was within ten miles of the valley he beheld the mountain through the thickening mist of ash. The whole top of the peak seemed blown off and thick columns of smoke, with a few jagged flames, poured forth! His spirit groaned at the sight ; what of his cabin and furs ? Choking, he sprang forward and almost ran the rest of the way. What a sight met his panic-stricken gaze. Half the valley lay buried; above the mass of cooling lava nothing appeared ! His cabin and all his wealth of furs lay buried for ever within the cruel stream of rock. With a breathless sob he sank, fainting, in the pass and for an hour he was unconscious. When at length he recovered he stumbled back through the pass and trudged along through the snow to the southward. Half-stunned by the blow, he murmured incoherent words of grief as he went. With no thought of the future, he faltered on, ever south, until at last, through utter weariness, he halted and dreamily finished his supplies. After a short sleep, he mushed on again, but within an hour he fell with a choking cry. He knew that his inevitable hour had come and patiently he awaited Death, his sole friend amid that great wilderness of enemies. At last the strain became too great and with a smile of infinite compassion he blew a kiss to his beloved. Quickly he prepared for the now thrice-welcome Reaper and the merciful bullet did its work. That night the wolves removed all traces of the tragedy and over the vast expanses of ash-covered snow the mountain seemed to send a terrible, heart- wringing smile. D. H. Brock. Page Thirty