Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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THE SPECTATQOR 7 placed a large stone, unearthing a nest of rattlesnakes. The warning rattle and the angry hiss set their nerves on edge. Striking a match, Roy discovered at least seven large snakes disentangling themselves from the mass and crawling about. The boys became terror-stricken. Run- ning water could be heard below them, and there, per- haps, a grewsome death awaited them, while here a ter- rible fate threatened them. Both started to climb over the shelving when Roy uttered several screams, losing his hold on the shelve and carrying Wilbur with him. The snakes had began to wind themselves about his arms. Neither will ever forget that terrible drop. Down, down they went into the black, chilly waters below. There the half-senseless boys were washed against a large rock. On this Roy climbed and barely caught Wilbur as he was drifting by. Wilbur's head was bleeding pro- fusely, and to this Roy turned his attention, unmindful of the cold blasts which chilled him to the bone. There, on this rock, afraid to move for fear that it was only an- other shelving, the two boys huddled. They decided to remain quiet awhile and rest before doing anything. Roy stretched himself out on his side cautiously to rest, when his hand came in contact with some bones. Feeling fur- ther, he found it to be a skeleton of a man. Cold beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. Then this was death for them to encounter in another form! Just then a groan came to them out of the inky darkness, and Wilbur jumped up in wild alarm. Terror of all terrors! was this a ghost, a man, or a monster seeking them? A dark object floated against the rock with a gurgling sound, and both grasped it. lt proved to be a man in the last throes of his strength. One min- ute longer and he would have sank to rise no more. They set about to revive him, and after a short rest he gradually came to his senses. He appeared surprised at seeing the two boys, and inquired of them how he got there. They told him, and in turn asked what this place was. T This is the Cavern of Hell, he said between groans and gasps for breath. It is the headquarters of a band of thieves, murderers, and kidnappers. They are the ones

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6 THIE SPECTATOR 'Dre Cavern HE TOWN of Corkinton was cast into great excite- ment by stories of bears having been seen in the Washocton mountains. The result of these reports was to intimidate many small boys and girls and tire the ad- venturous spirit in the breast of many larger boys, to the manifest alarm of anxious parents. Of these latter, Roy and Wilbur Laberton were unusually excited. They had been discussing the matter of bear-hunting for some time, secured guns, ammunition, etc., and here was the very chance. ' They started out early on a Wednesday morning without warning their parents. They walked for miles to reach the wilder parts of the mountains so as to be sure to meet some big game. lt was not till late in the after- noon that they ran across traces of any bears. They came to a berry patch which showed unmistakable signs of having been the dining place of at least three bears. They became very much excited now, and set out with hearty goodwill on the trail of their game, which, appa- rently, had only a few hours start. Their clothing and flesh were torn by the brambles and low-hanging branches, fallen trees and large rocks must be climbed overg but they hurried on undaunted. They kept to the trail stead- ily, and soon the afternoon waned. They becamehungry and ate the last of their provisions. Then dusk overtook them, but they had lost all track of their circumstances in the mighty spirit of the hunt. Together they were righting their way thru a clump of bushes when the earth gave way and they were launched into space. They dropped their guns and in- stinctively clutched for something to save themselves, when they were suddenly deposited on a narrow shelv- ing. Pulling themselves upon the small place more se- curely, they thanked their stars it was no worse and set about taking a look at their surroundings. The sky could be seen thru the bushes overhanging the pit, but the sides were so steep that no footoold could be gained to climb out. Wilbur began to stir about restlessly and dis-

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8 THE SPECTATOR who kidnapped Nlr. James Harrington and foully murdered him because his friends failed to pay his ransom by the prescribed time. This is a natural cavern, the existence of which was known only to them, and for which l have hunted these three long years. ll desired to get revenge for the cruel death of Nlr. Harrington, my father, and l have' got most of it. l traced them and found the way in. l killed three of the Hve and wounded the other two. They wounded me and, taking me for dead, pushed me into this underground stream. The water, however, re- vived me, and l swam along until my strength deserted me, and then you boys saved me from a watery grave only to die here. l am too far gone to liveg l avenged my father's death. Oh ! he exclaimed as he touched one of the bones. Here are the bones of a poor mortal who probably met death at their hands. The boys shuddered. Suddenly a thought struck the dying man. Quick, boys! he yelled, look and see if you can find a heavy-plated ring on one of the hands. The boys reluctantly complied with his request. At last Wil- bur uttered an exclamation. He had found it. Taking it, the stranger fondled it tenderly in his palms, and then handed it to Roy. These are the bones of my father, he uttered, for this is mother's family ring, which he always wore. l'm glad my bones will rest with his. He was still for some time. Boys, take that ring to my mother and tell her of my death Che gave instructions as to where to find herj. Tell her to be kind to sister Bess, it was for her l kept up my hunt. You can get out of this place by swimming along the ledge till you reach the robbers' abode. There you must get past the two wounded men. l wounded them badly, so think they will give you no trouble. ln a short time he expired with the name of Bessie on his lips, and gently the boys laid him beside the bones of his father. Then they began their chilly swim to the bandits' retreat. The swift current almost carried them away several times. Bats howling thru the dark passages