Don Warren, born in 1921, writes about what it was like to grow up the son of a lockmaster on the Rideau Canal during the Depression. Don, although born at Newboro lock station, was mainly raised at Chaffey's Lock. The "house on the hill" was the beloved lockmaster's house at Chaffey's. In his recollections, Don also includes information about the nearby village of Elgin where he attended high school, reminisces about his days as a young fishing guide and then writes about his overseas adventures in the Second World War where he was a signals operator. The last chapter of the book includes various pieces of poetry Don has written, some of it 60 years ago.