Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

Page 18 text:

The next morning was a beautiful one. The sun made an early appearance and edged the blue hills in gold. Its light was reflected in every dew-drop, and the lake was one great mirror of reflected beauty. The others were already on the old raft for an early dip when 1 proposed the thrilling ascent for that very afternoon. Enthusiastic whoops echoed in agreement, and plans were immediately discussed. The easiest way to settle the parent problem, we decided, was to keep the project to ourselves. Before the blazing sun reached the noon mark overhead, we were well on our way along the difficult trail and had already experienced some of its obstacles. Our chief worry was the faintness of the path, but by hacking away at some old trees in these less distinct spots, we were certain to find our way back. Of course, all of us had done a lot of climbing before, but this was really difficult; nevertheless, we loved every exciting minute of it. On we went — crossing rushing brooks on rotten logs, scaling the vertical face of scratched granite, holding on for dear life to bushes and moss, until we came to a small shaded plateau where violets, trilliums, and even the rare lady ' s slipper grew in profusion. The view was magnificent: there were mountains both near and far surrounding us, countless patches of blue water, and a winding toy railroad stretching interminably below. We resumed our arduous march upwards, and as I was scrambling over a boulder, imagine my surprise when I faced two beady eyes and a flashing red tongue between deadly white fangs. Before the copperhead even coiled up to strike, I was flat on my back at the foot of the rock. In an instant, I was telling the rest of the party about the incident. It was our second snake so far, and each of us found a stout stick for protection against fvirther lurking creatures. Suddenly, we stopped climbing and once again our feet trod on a level, moss- covered stretch. The trees were left behind and I, breathing deeply of the wine-like air, glowed at our achievement. Now we knew what Devil ' s Peak signified — danger and hardship, but after it all, the joy of standing on top of the world. Claudine Laberge, Form Va, Gumming House. [16]

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DEVIL ' S PEAK SL MMER in tlie Adirondacks is everything: they say it is. The cool lakes and the dusky mountains form an ideal hack jround for the rustic but snu ; cabins where wearv citv folks and lovers of the vild find peace and contentment. For as long as 1 can remember. June has been, for our family, a time of last minute preparation to reach our summer luiven. Our camp is set farther back than most of the others at Rugged Lake, being at the foot of the mountain having the same name. We had arrived in the afternoon and after the long trip over irregular roads, everyone was glad to retire early. As the smell of the pines drifted into my room that first night, and the eerie wails of the owls and the loons began a serenade to which I had grown accustomed with the years, a plan came to my mind. I thought of Devil ' s Peak and its treacherous slope which only a few had climbed successfully. My brother and I, as well as some of our neighbours, dearly loved an adventure, but our pleading requests for permission to explore even a half of the mysterious peak were met by firm refusals. But each year, the desire to attempt the climb became stronger as our curiosity increased and opposition from our parents weakened because of our nearly thorough knowledge of the surrounding mountains. I decided that, as far as I was concerned, the time for our hazardous venture had now come. [15]

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FOR THOSE WHO FELL On a cold (lark, day in autumn, hen the leaves are whitened with frost. Mourners. lo ingl laden with (lowers [• or the bra e younji man whom the) lost, alk solemnly up to the nuuuunent Kexerently n urmurini; a prayer. To pay jrreat respect to their lo ed ones, W ho sleep in the fields. o er there. Tl»e sleep in a rave ot lory. In a field where poppies jrrow . here the sun beats do vn on llu- face of the earth And the ripplin-r rivers Hov . rhe sleep iii a land ol freedom. Forgotten the terrors of war. Forgotten the black and war-torn nights. Forgotten for e t rmore. oinig men bra el fought for this freedom. Their generous deed was done. 1 he fought to bind nations together. Make the East and the S est as one. Long shall they be remembered. Long the picture of crude crosses stay, in the minds of gratefid people On this. Remembrance Day. Mar J OKIE Cunningham, Form Vb, Barclay House. THE EXERCISE OF THE PURSE (W ith apologies to Mr. Addison) Madam Editor, omen are armed with purses as men w ith canes. To the end, therefore, that ladies may be entire mistresses of the weapon which they bear, I have created an academy for the training of young women in the exercise of the Purse, according to the most fash- ionable airs and motions that are now practised at court. The ladies who carry purses under me are drawn up twice a day in my great hall, where they are exercised by the following words of command: Handle your purse. Open your purse. Search your purse. Close your purse. hen my female regiment is drawn up in array, with everyone her weapon in her hand, upon my giving the word to handle their purses, each one of them shakes her [17]