Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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35 At last the lock clicked back, and I was about to begin my duties. How proud I felt when the pupils came in and gazed at me, pointed their fingers at me, and remarked that I was the most useful object in the school. It was then that I realized how important I was; for if I were slow, the whole school .would be late. If I were fast, the whole school would get out ahead of the set time. At first my works were stiff and new, and I was always slow. Instead of looks of praise, I received looks of anger. However, in a short time my works were worn smooth, and then I lost no more time. Years rolled by, and the boys I first saw vanished. New faces appeared, taking the places of the old ones. I heard them talking of a great war in some foreign country. Soon they began to talk of peace, called the Armis- tice. Then ' — how well I can remember that day — great white tablet was placed on the opposite wall. A great ceremony was attached to the placing of this tablet, and all eyes were on it. No one noticed me, ticking the minutes faithfully. How jealous I felt to think I was no longer the centre of attraction; but my pride was saved, when, after a few weeks, I was again the centre of all eyes. For years I ticked faithfully on, never losing a minute. Then a new addition was built to the school. At first I heard a great knocking, and then I heard a number of boys talking about the new school. By this time I was no longer a new and beautiful clock, but worn and old-fashioned. However many years have passed, and now two workmen took me down, because they were going to rebuild the whole building. I fondly hoped to be put back in my old place of honour, but, alas, a new clock was brought to take my place. It was one of these new fangled clocks, and instead of a good loud ring to its chimes, it had a very musical running note. However, I wish the new clock luck in its long life, for I realize that the new must ever replace the old. R. L. Ferguson, VI. We regret to announce the sudden illness of Mr. Loyns, who is now in the Hospital. As soon as he is stronger, Mr. Loyns will be returning to England, where we wish him a complete and speedy recovery. His good work in the School, and his keenness in the School Scouts cause us to regret deeply his departure from our midst. H. C. C.

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34 go and get three men to help me do this job. I managed to get two; the others openly refused to leave the forecastle. I and my two helpers tied ropes around ourselves in case we were washed overboard. Then began the long and dangerous job of cutting away the ropes. Twice I was washed overboard, but each time managed to climb back by the rope to the deck, cut and bruised, but nevertheless more determined to finish the job. At last the job was done, and I returned to the captain, tired, half-drowned, but happy in the knowledge that I helped save the ship. Thus for many hours we were buffeted about by the storm-lashed sea and wind. With great clouds shutting out the heavens, ringing us in a little world of our own, and so low that they seemed to be touching our three remaining masts. Then the mate, stationed in the bow, cried Breakers ahead! With these words he scrambled aft, across our wave-washed deck. A few seconds before we struck, I saw the breakers, a great foam covered mass, that seemed as soft as cotton-wool, but was as hard as iron, and as sharp as swords. We struck. Two of the remaining masts went overboard, snapped off at the deck, but the mizzen mast tottered back and forth, and remained standing, held only by the stays. We struck with such force, that the boat was driven half way up the reef. The sailors in the forecastle must have been instantaneously killed, for where they were was now a mass of splintered wreckage. Nevertheless the captain tried to cut his way down to them, but the ship was fast breaking up. Our life-boats had been reduced to kindling wood, but we cut a mast loose, and tying ourselves to it, tried to reach shore. Before we managed to get away from the ship the mizzen mast came tumbling down, and hit the mate, breaking his arm and leg. The last I can remember was being lifted by a huge wave over the reefs. Something hit me on the head and I lost consciousness. I regained my senses a week later, and discovered we were wrecked on the north reefs of Bermuda. The captain and I were the only survivors. He was uninjured, but I was cut and bruised, and sore all over. The mate had reached the shore alive, only to die in hospital, of internal injuries, received by the falling mast. The captain was given another ship, and I sailed on her as his mate. R. L. Ferguson, VI. THE SCHOOL CLOCK ' S LAMENT Bong! Bong! Heigh-ho! Another day started. That new-fangled clock is striking eight. I can imagine its face, its proud ticking, waiting for the key of the school door to click in the lock. I can remember my first day. I can remember when two workmen put me up on the wall facing the door. I ticked away proudly and pati- ently waited for morning to come.

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36 CHICAGO ? He thrust his deadly weapon deep And drew it red with gore. He pulled it out with fiendish sweep, To plunge it in once more. And then he paused, his grim work done, As if in doubt, looked round: I beg your pardon, sir, he said, Did you say half a pound? S. R. Doe, V- THE SCHOOLMASTER ' S LOT When Bobby fails to pass Exams, The master is to blame. When Billy is not up to par. The reason is the same. But when with E ' s report ' s adorned, With here and there a G, Each parent says complacently: The boy takes after me. S. E. H. V BROWN ' S DAY The school ' s ninth batsman had been bowled When Brown came to the wicket, Determined that the crowd should see A grand display of cricket. Fifty runs were needed yet, But never did Brown falter. For if they ' d only wait a bit. This stae of things he ' d alter. The first ball Brown whacked far for two, The next he cut for double. And soon the fielding side perceived That they were in for trouble.