Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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12 SMiOoth as ever, began to sigh and whisper threateningB against the shore, as long, low swells heaved over the reefs. Throughout these threatening days I rose early to mark the changes that occurred. Then at last tame the real change which I had so long expected. The monster was awakening. All through the night the threatenings of the sea grew louder and louder until they became a dull roar. Now, in the cool of the morning, I could distinctly feel the light- est of breezes. It was no ordinary breeze. It was weak but steady, as though it came from some distant, giant source. As the light in- creased, I could plainly see wisps of low cloud darting across the sky. Occasionally, through a break, I would catch a glimpse of the inass of clouds above, now beginning to thicken under cover of those below. But the sea, the terrible sea, was only now beginning to awaken from its disturbed dreams. It had long been apparent that some terri- ble event was about to take place and the threats had been almost too much for the shorebirds to bear. Together we had waited and won- dered how long we should be tormented and how threatening it would become before all fury was let loose. Now we were almost willing to brave the real thing. Some, who had remained earthbound the pre- vious day, were now flying recklessly over the sea, unable to wait for the storm to break. In fact, it was not until the height of the hurri- cane that I was able to grasp its real violence. Then I suddenly be- came aware that my position was unsafe. True panic gripped me as I realized that the green-eyed monster had all this time been stirring and awakening and was now upon me with its jaws agape. As fast as I moved, the waves seemed to gain upon me, and when at last, shak- ing with fear, I sat down to rest in a safe spot, from which I could see my former vievirpoint awash in a sandy, foaming inferno, I was able to understand the full meaning of those threatening days. The next day was probably as perfect a day as I can Hemenitber. Everything living rejoiced, while the debris and the dead littered t he beaches. D. WINGATE. The Importance of Being a Bermudian Almost every country has some period of glory to which it can look back with pride. Agincourt, Waterloo, Gallipoli, Dunkirk! What patriotic sentiment do these names stir in the hearts of Englishmen? What do the names of Mieitz, Sedan and Tannenberg mean to the Ger- man, or those of Austerlitz and Verdun to the Frenchman? These are the names which cause them to look at their naitional emblems with

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I ' l verandah. The solution finally agreed upon is to chop away the wheel- barrow, but, before this plan can be put into action, the twelve o ' clock siren blows and immediately all hands cease work. The moral effect on the school is incredible. Work continues un- interrupted. Now the master has to deal only with internal competi- tion, and the Upper Sixth can at last return to their beloved History. W. HANLON. The Cruel Sea It was a dazzling summer ' s day and, after having spent an idle morning swimming and diving in the cool of the sea, I came to rest on a small, hot, ibarren island. As I sat, the reflections of the sun on the water danced over my dripping feet and over the sharp, brittle rocks which plunged into deep green water a few feet below me. The dark forms of lazy fish were blurred only occasionally by a minor ripple on the water. Somehow, today was not the same. The spell of summer seemed at last to have been broken. No longer did every little wave seem to laugh. No longer did the squawking tropic birds seem carefree and happy. Suddenly, in fact, they seemed almost urgent. For the first time during my carefree swims, I found myself really observing and wondering. When I dived back into the sea, I did not care to swim about with eyes closed as I usually did. Instead, I swam straight to shore, almost anxious to get out. These whims, of course, soon disappeared when I became immersed once more in everyday affairs but, even so, I did look forward to my next swim with a kind of wonder, uncertain what to expect. Several days later I again went to the same spot. It was early morning and the sea was calm and grey. I did not enjoy my swim at all, though I could see no reason why this should be so. Was it because I was lonely? Possibly it was. Certainly something was lacking. The tropic birds were no longer so noticeable, but it was something more than that. The sea itself seemed to provide the only answer. As it lay so deathly still, it seemed cold and threatening like some sleeping monster. Whilst I sat watching it, the air was suddenly pierced by the pathetic cries of a shorebird — the first of the migrants. I enjoyed its company for the rest of the morning and watched it often. I could not help noticing a certain wariness in the bird ' s actions, as though it were under the in- fluence of some great urge. Could this be the same feeling which I had, on a smaller scale? The next day my shorebird was accompanied by others. The air became electric with their urgency. And the sea, though it was as

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13 fierce pride. But these countries also have humiliations to endure, stains on past history, which time has not effaced and which live on from generation to generation. There is, however, one country which, in the pages of History, has nothing to its name but glory and honour. Whait country is it? Why, Bermuda of course! Was it once said that a perfect people could not exist? This is as far from the truth as the Cross is from the Crescent. There is indeed a country with a perfect people. Where is it? Why, Bermuda of course! True to her policy of splendid isolation , and having no colonies nor outside responsibilities, she can concentrato all her energies on benevolent conS ' truction at home and on good-will abroad. Let us first look at the island itself. Completely self-supporting, with the richest soil in the world, it produces the finest crops that the modern world has ever seen. Richer in oil ithan Maricaibo, richer in gold than South Africa, Bermuda is, without doubt, the most prosperous state in the world- Like the island which he imhabits, the Bermudian is perfect. Fl om his cultured voice to his magnificent physique, he represents the ideal of perfect manhood. He has the high prestige of his country to main tain and will not allow himself to forget this for a single instant. The capital of this island-paradise is Hamilton, famous throughout the world for its architecture, which surpasses even that of old Vienna, with a gaiety greater than that of Paris and with a fascination stronger than that of London. The University of Hamilton is second to none in the arts of Literature, Music and History. Hamilton is indeed the last connection which we have with the glories of the eighteenth century. Last, but by no means least, we should recall the history of Ber- muda, a history unequalled by any other country in the world to-day. Even after being awarded her independence for her splendid part in the Seven Years War (by securing Canada for the British Empire), she still maintained her intimate ties with the mother country and still flies the British flag to-day. Of course, the honours gained by the Ber- mudian Legion at Waterloo and The Bermudian Hussars {Light Bri- gade) at Balaklava need no mention here; the story is too well-known Thus, with every date in Bermudian history one of glory and hon- our, with a country of incredible mineral wealth, a fabulous capital and a perfect people, Sir Thomas Moore ' s book Utopia has come to life. And so, what is the importance of being a Bermudian? Why, being a Bermudian of course! W. HANLON.