Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

Page 31 text:

24 vocal encouiiagement, had by now lost both his voice and his dig- nity. Fortunately, it was at this precise moment that representa- tives of the non-intervention committee intervened and a truce was called. SCOUTS AND CUBS. It has become a commonplace in the last few years for this article to lament our lack of la boat. This year, to provide variety, we have been tantalised with hopes, the constant failure of which has at least made it plain that there is no hope at all except from our own efforts; and that hope merely waits for fulfilment on the discovery of a suitable boat within the means of our limited resources. Yet the Scouts have shown the proper spirit in not being dis- courage by disappointment, and there has been no failure of keen- ness ' . Our strength is now twenty-four, and could easily be larger, but for the fact that any considerable increase in the size of the Troop would make it unwieldy to manlage, as long as: our meetings are confined to Friday evenings in the School. The new half of the field is now almost ready for use, and next year we shall be able to have alternate meetings, at any rate, on the field after school. Dast summer, through the kindness of Miss Mary Tucker, we were able to camp on Trunk Island again. Various causes combined to delay the camp until the begining of August, and, as a result, only a dozen scouts were able to attend, but the camp was very suc- cessful and was enjoyed by all, so much so, in fact, that we de- layed breaking camp for a couple of days, and did not leave until the arrival of another camping party forced usi to go. During the winter term two parties went out one week end to spend a night under canvias for the Scout Journey test. One of these stayed out an extra night. On the first evening this party en- deavoured to find the other, but as it was after dark when the ef- fort was made, the signs left by the others in liberal profusion over the sandy tracks of the district were missed. Actulally they came within a few hundred yards of their objective and called and shout- ed until every dog for miles around was frantic, but ' Big Chief Sleepyhead ' was living up to his name, and having put lights out lat about seven o ' clock, was so soundly asleep that the trump of Doom would scarcely have waked him. On Sunday, May 2 2nd. the Troop took part in the Empire Day Service in the Cathedral and in the subsequent march past H. E. The Governor. It was the largest pariade which has yet taken place, and by spectators it was considered also the smartest.

Page 30 text:

23 and by means of some rather nasty enfilade fire from a concealed position to the left of the road he received sufficient covering for two rifle sections to be able to approach over open ground and look as if they might have done an assault had the enemy section re- mained. This movement wlas carried out not without casualty and not without dismay for, in spite of the activities of non-intervention committees, Whitney had been receiving supplies from outside, one form of which he used at this juncture, niamely containers which, when ignited, belched forth volumes of horrid yellow smoke which Saltus found most unpleasing. Somewhat shocked at the underhand methods of his foe, h© reorganized his: forces, putting his rear platoon in front under one of his hired generals. This plan availed him little, however, for shortly his two platoons were to be separated, the latter being enticed well off the road to the right over a ridge where they only just escaped an ambush with a full measure of treachery. Meanwhile, anxious for the speedy fulfilment of his mission, Saltus continued his advance with his: main platoon. Endeavour- ing not to be surprised again, he sent iahead sections on either side of the road. Hoping to have things his own way for a bit, he was not a little aggravated when he was fired on again. Incensed by this time, he flung caution to the winds and determined to have at Whitney now and finish him once and for lall — a decision which he was bitterly to rue in a moment, for it was: not until after he had cast the die that he discovered that Whitney was occupying what looked to him to be as good as an impregnable position, on top of one of Bermuda ' s highest peaks. Well did he realise thiat he was vulnerable now and how he wished that, instead of being halved, he had been doubled, for only under those circumstances did he feel that he could get them down. He had posted his sections and there was nothing for it but to go through with it now. Taking what cover he could in a clump of bananas, he gave the signal for his men to start up the acclivity. Their cover was good to begin with. Then, after occupying his final position, his men by now heavily under fire, he had his bugler blow a succession of sounds which was the signal for the assault. His men went well for five yards, and then, whether in anticipation of more yellow unpleasantness or not, they stopped. Whitney had cleverly taken his men back a little, and were evidently having excellent sport at stationary targets at unusually close range. Chief Saltus, disappointed at the discovery that the zest with which his braves moved was inversely proportionate to that with which he gave his

Page 32 text:

25 When the weather has permitted, our evening meetings have been varied by ' night-ops ' on the field. Th«se have proved very successful and a most welcome change from the limited number of activities possible in the School building. Great credit must be given to Sixers King, Booker, Cox, Hallett, and Tatem 2 for the efficient way in which they have taken over the leadership of the Cub Pack, since the beginning of the year. With no exception the standard of discipline, smartness, and attendance of their Sixes ' has been fully maintiained. Grey and Brown Sixes respectively succeeded in winning th-e Pack competition for the last two terms, the former Six being re- warded by la visit to Scaur Hill Fort, followed by a Camp fire sup- per in the grounds of Bridge House. Recently Proficiency Badge Tests have been tightened up by the authorities, so it is to their praise that the following have at- tained badges: King — Collector, Artist, House Orderly: Cox — Team- player: Tatem 2 — House Orderly: Booker — House Orderly: Mot- yer — House Orderly: Athlete Badges have been earned by Vesey» Chiappa, Bridge, and Spurling 2. On April 23rd. St. George ' s Day, The Saltus Cub Pack was well represented when the Scouts and Cubs Associations were enter- tained at St. George ' s by the Mayor and Corporation. The Pack took part in an enjoyable and instructive trip, and were entirely responsible fOT enlivening an otherwise torpid railway journey by their enthusiastic rendering of numerous part-songs. CULT. A. (Extracts from the minutes of the Society.) On Thursday, October 21st, 193 7, the Society visited Darrell ' s Island to see the Air-base. We were met by Mr. M. Stuart-Shaw, Station Superintendent, who conducted us around. In his office, Mr. Stuart-Shaw explained how the Base kept in constant communication with the planes. We were shown speci- mens of weather foreca ts obtained from Meteorological Station and then proceded to the store room and saw multitudes of individual parts kept as spares for the machines. The Cavalier occupies about half the space in the huge hangar which has been built to withstand gales of well over hurricane force. We viewed the engines with interest, but unfortunately, at that time, the interior had been laid bare for the installation of a heating system.