Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School - Grumbler Yearbook (Kitchener, Ontario Canada)

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had rowed steadily for almost two hours. Eric had stretched himself out in the stern, one leg crooked languidly over the tiller, as he examined the diving equipment. two pulls, you'll pull me up. Every- thing clear '? The Captain and the negro. the latter as sad a looking individual a- the Captain, both nodded, in assent. - fl il c. Janette Mahatfey. A XI I' Un flu' oppo.w1'lc .wlopv he :ras 111:10 lo IIIANIIKIIHIIIINII the 1'r1d1'stir1rt fornz uf I1 ship. long Nllllft' rotted . This consisted of a helmet with an air tank of half an hour's supply, a pump for recharging, a watertight- iitting vest to which the helmet fastened, a pair of lead weights for the feet and, last but not least, sev- eral hundred feet of rope as lifeline. Since there was no suit, Eric wore a bathing suit and a pair of heavy rubber shoes. At the Captain's announcement that they had arrived, Eric glanced up to see, scarcely a hundred yards distant, the menacing mass of rock that was de Ferma's Point, bane of shipping in these waters. Legend had it that many a trader had found his doom on this jagged pinnacle of a submerged ridge. Might as well start 'ere, said the Captain. Eric rose and prepared to don the equipment. If I find a ship on the bottom I'll give one pull on the rope and then you'll give me plenty of slack so I can move freely. If I give Here , said the Captain hand- ing Eric a heavy knife, ye might have need 0' this, An' if ye meet any devil-fish ye pull the rope twice an' we'll yank ye up mighty quick. quick. Eric laughed as he was wont when warned of peril. If I have nc- fear of the devil, why should I fear the devil-fish '? Taking the proffer- ed weapon, he stuck it in his belt. Then donning the helmet, securing the lead weights and the rope. he dropped over the side. The water was crystal clear and warm. He dropped swiftly. soon reaching the bottom. Looking up. he could clearly see the bottom of the boat. Then he looked about him. He was in a world of beauty such as he had never seen before. A sunset from the top of Mount Blanc, the Temple Garden of a Chinese Monastery, the Grand Canyon, the vibrant verdance of the flfnntinlzrff on page 301 I6 THE GRUMBLER

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knows where there's millions, only I can't g'et 'em. Gotta dive for 'em an' I'm too old. Down fourteen fa- thoms they is off de Ferma's Point in the hull o' the Santa Miguel. Why, that's not so deep. I don't see why you couldn't go after it, interposed Eric. Nobody'll go after it! empha- sized the Captain. cause everybo- dy's afeerd. The seas here 'bouts Devil-fish. Everybody afraid. This should be worth while. He made his decision, leaned forward and an- nounced, I'll dive for you. The old man jumped as though stuck with a hot poker. Wha-wha- what d-d-did ye say '? he faltered. I said I'll dive for you, repeat- ed Eric gazing evenly into the Cap- tain's eyes. I don't want any part of the treasure, I'll just do the div- 'F Hand me Capfn Gflllfll airft is infested with devil-fish, and big crabs and all sorts o' other blamed critters as would make a guy's hair stand on end. I asked lots o' fellers to do it fo' me, but they're all sceerd, an' all them millions is jess layin' there for the fish, and me Capt'n Gabr'l ain't got a farthin, tu m' name. This ti1'ade seemed to exhaust the Captain and he sank into gloomy silence again, shifting unsteadily in his chair. For a few minutes Eric sat and pondered over what the old man had said. Treasure. Sunken ship. Q gut ll farthin,' tu nz. name Z .W lil Len Miller. A X D ing, he continued in level tones. I'll give you the money to hire a boat and some diving equipment and I'll meet you on the dock at seven o'clock tomorrow morning. Whereupon Eric rose, handed some bills to the Captain, paid the waiter and left. The Captain stared dumb- ly at the money in his hand and then after the retreating figure who had just made such an unbe- lievable statement. It was nine o'clock before the boat reached de Ferma's Point. Captain Gabrill and a hired negro THE GRUMBLER 15

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gang lit Awyl72flA7OlZy GRACE HALL. A XIII B The winds one evening all agree To play a special symphonyg The stage is setg each instrument is tuned with anxious care The muffled bass of thunder throbs. And through the pines the tvest wind sobs. As gusts of rain discordant heat upon the lisfning air. And then the overture is heard: The silver fluting of a bird. The careless whisparing of the wind amid the rippling grass The drum of rain drops louder grows. While golden-fingered lightning shows The lashing sheets of angry drops that sparlfle as they pass Then ,neath the leaden dome of slfies The thundefs great crescendo dies. But though upon the limpid air the sound no longer sings. The music takes on form and hue: Sajron and rose. translucent blue- And steaming sun triumphant bows his exit to the wings. So in the rain-fresh western shy The ling'ring echoes fade and die. And changing colours mingle in a paling violet bar. Then softly. as the concert ends. The curtain of the night descends To be securely fastened by the silver evening star. Cgu funzrz ood Lois BLACK, A XIII B The trees stretch their barren limbs To touch the sombre sky. The still air throbs with the raucous call Of wild geese passing by. The happy children frisl: and play Among the fallen leavesg The north wind sighing through the pines A spell of magic weaves. The gay squirrels scamper to and fro To gather winter foodg The sluggish movement of the broolf Adds to the Autumn mood. THE GRUMBLER