Midland Secondary School - Yearbook (Midland, Ontario Canada)

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M. H. S. REVIEW Page Thirty-Three down on the water and say: Put your gun down, Jack. How would those fawns live without their mother, with the winter coming' on ? You're right as usual, Mark. I never stopped to think, dolefully replied Jack. The deer seemed to have been snapped out of their trance by the noise the paddle made on the water. They immediately turned and fled, uttering a shrill whistle. - The boys paddled on, Jack still watching the shore, thinking how foolish he must have seemed when told not to shoot. Oh ! he thought, What wouldn't I give for just one opportunity to show them what I can do 'f The ominous roar of the Ragged Rapids was growing louder. In a few moments they felt the water quicken. Mark told Bert to lay down his paddle and Jack to direct the rays of the light before the canoe. Jack felt a peculiar sinking feeling in his stomach when he saw the rag- ing rapids before the canoe. It meant certain death to be caught in them. Suddenly a large rock appeared to leap into their path. With a dextrous twist of the paddle, Mark brought the canoe to the right of the rock and into quiet water. A moment later the keel of the canoe grated on a sandy beach. Well, boys, here's the portage. Everybody out, called out the oldest brother. They climbed out of the canoe and on to the shore. In a few mom- ents they started over the portage. Mark led the way with the canoe and paddles on his shoulders. Next in line, Bert carried the spotlight, shining it directly in front of Mark's feet, so that he might see the many roots and ,stones which covered the narrow pathway. Jack brought up the rear, carrying the riHe. Here in the forest, all was wrapped in Stygian blackness, the inter- locking tree-tops above them not allowing the moonlight to penetrate to the groond. The hoot of an owl close by, made Jack jump nervously. He was glad that his brothers were in front of him and didn't notice his nervousness. His first night journey through the forest seemed very eerie to him. Suddenly a thump was heard on the canoe, as if a large, heavy body had fallen on it. An ordinary young man would have been borne to the ground under such an impact. But for several years, Mark had spent his time as a guide on the river or a baggageman on his father's boats. The outdoor work had made him strong and agile. Bert immediately directed the rays of the light upon the inverted canoe. There he saw, snarling and spitting, an enormous Canadian wild-cat. For a moment, there was no movement except the twitching of the big cat's tail. In this moment of emergency, Jack realized that at last his chance had come. He made good. Staring into the light, the cat could see nothing behind it, and so did not see Jack raise his riHe. The boy realized that if he did not instantly kill the beast, it would likely leap upon Bert. If he missed, he might send the bullet through the canoe and harm, maybe kill his other brotherj He slowly took aim. Then he pulled the trigger. There was a Hash and a roar. As soon as the expected shot was fired, Mark dropped the canoe, coming out from under it. As he emerged, he pulled his hunting-knife from its sheath, in case the beast was not dead. But there was no need of this precaution, as Jack's shot had penetrated the animal's brain, and it lay quivering on the ground beside the canoe.

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Page Thirty-Four M. H. S. REVIEW Drawing a breath of relief, Mark said, Well, I guess that's enough for one night. I'll skin this lynx and then welll go back to the camp. This suggestion was readily accepted, and a short time later, silence again reigned supreme in the little hunting camp, 'broken only by Mark's snoring and the sighing of the wind in the trees above. On the wall of the cabin, a magnificent wild-cat skin lay stretched on a board, mute evidence that Jack had come through in an emergency. At any time since then, whenever his brothers are inclined to think him morally weak, the memory of that night proves to them, that under the cover of a nervous temperament Jack concealed a bravery and a courage which had withstood the acid-test of a desperate emergency which few men would care to experience. MARCEL BELLEHUMEUR Qthiturs' Qtunhnzntinn. According to appointment by the Executive of the Literary Society, our Editor, Eileen Chew, attended the second annual convention of the Editors of Collegiate Publications held in Toronto in November, 1927. This convention was held under the auspices of Sigma Delta Chi, pro- fessional journalistic fratcrnity of editors of collegiate publications, with the co-operation of Sigma Phi and the Department of University Extension. Over ors assembled in every large town The purpose Convocation Hall. The delegates came from and city in Ontario. two hundred editors, their assistants and staff advis- almost of the Convention was the various problems confront- ing the High School, journalist and the elevation generally of the stand- ards of Collegiate papers in Ontario. , During the Convention, which lasted two days, the delegates were addressed by many -prominent speakers. Their speeches were very interesting, very instructive and very helpful. Dif- ferent groups from time to time visited the down-town press. in which the daily papers are edited. On the last morning of the Con- vention, a general discussion was held. Perhaps this was the most help- ful part of the Convention. During the discussion, it was suggested that a prize be offered for the best edited Year Book in Ontario. We have just been informed that this suggestion has been made a reality. Nor was the social side of the Convention neglected. The first night of the Convention the delegates were tendered a banquet by the down-town press. The last afternoon, they were the guests of the Sponsors of the Convention, at the Royal Winter Fair and Horse Show. In all, the Convention was a commendable success and we under- stand there is to be a third one this year.