Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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S P E C T A T O R 15 black bulk was descried approaching down the center garden path. There they are! There they are! Where's Bill? came in an excited whisper. Suddenly a black shape sprang between them and the approaching body. , Halt! rang out Bill's voice, sharp and clear. Who says so? came a gruff voice. I say so, in the name of the Knighlets of King Ar- thur. 46 K4 Come on, boys! said the same gruff voice followed by a taunting laugh. The black bulk moved forward. Back! I say! and Bill's pistol gleamed in the moonlight. It isn't loaded, boys. Come on! All at once now! Bill fell back quickly on his waiting comrades who stepped out from their hiding place as the Pirates came on at a trot. But the on-comers paused when they saw the Knights form in a solid circle and confront them with an unbroken front of gleaming pistols. Again Bill spoke. I know you, Grayson, he said, adddressing the leader of the opposite gang. You've been in our gardens several times, and tonight you've come to steal our pump- kins. I would not advise you to try it. We've all got water pistols loaded with ammonia,, anda good supply of pep- per. Were you to get either in your face you couldn't see for awhile. We'll stay here all night if we have to, but those pumpkins aren't ripe yet and you aren't going to get them. Do you understand? An angry hum arose from the Pirates. They waver- ed an instant. Grayson growled, We'll get it back on them! Then they slunk away into the shadows. The Knights waited an hour longer and then departed for their homes. That was the last time the Pirates ever molested the

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14 SPECTATOR for the purchase of one dozen water pistols, a bottle of ammonia, and several boxes of pepper. Then the mem- bers of the Round Table went home excited and happy. This promised to be an exciting affair. The Pirates were a lawless crowd of young rascals. Their body had never been organized as had the Knights of King Arthur. They ran together merely for the pur- pose of causing mischief and lately they had turned their attention to the Black Street gardens. For several even- ings, however, after the meeting of the Knights the Pirates left the younger boys unmolested. But the even- ing before Tick-tack, Harry Murdock, the sentinel, came home about ten o'clock with two black eyes and a bloody nose. The anger of the Knights knew no bounds. A special indignation meeting of the Round Table was call- ed the next evening after school. The water pistols, am- monia and pepper were distributed, and sundry furious orations were delivered against the Pirates by Sir Geraint. Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad and other valiant Sirs, Harry Murdock was set up as a shining example of bravery for the other Knights. Then the assembly was dismissed to meet again at half past eight in the school gardens. At a quarter after ten there was no sign of the Pirates. It was a moonlight night, and the boys crouch- ing among the corn stalks were very watchful, their vigi- lance being rewarded several times by false alarms. I'll go this way and you go the other way. We'll scout around. I'm sure the Pirates are about here some- where, whispered Murdock. No, I'll go in your place, said Jimmie Fleming. So Bill and Jimmy crept off in opposite directions through the garden. Jim had not been out long before he returned and reported nothing stirring that way. The group of boys waited. They fidgeted nervously. The wind caused the corn stalks to scrape and rustle mys- teriously over their heads. Bill did not return. Then a

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16 S P E C T A T O R Black Street gradens. Their teachers found out about the affair and gave the boys a sound rating. The Knights exhibited their pistols proudly to the smaller boy's and told thrilling tales of their night adventure. Talk about adventures of the real Knights of King Arthur! What were they compared with the deeds of modern day boys? An Island of Wonders Clyde Knepper, '16 I WENTY-FIVE miles off the coast of Los Angeles county, in southern California, lies the little island of Santa Catilina. This small stretch of land nestled in the ocean is graced by many unique forms of animals and vegetable life, both on land and in the deep. This little island is twenty-two miles in length and from eight to one-half miles in breadth. It resembles a pear in shapeg to the northeast is the narrow strip of land known as The Isthmus, to the southwest a width of the land cut by mountains, canyons and large corroded rocks towering upward like pinnacles. This wonderful place is interesting on account of its unique history. Ac- cording to tradition, the island was discovered in 1542 by the Spanish navigator Calrillo, who found it densely populated by savage natives. Later in 1602, Viscaino visited it and in the early days it was frequented by ad- venturers, freebooters, and pirates, who preyed upon the rich galleons in the Philippine trade. The approach to the island is made by boat from Los Angeles Harbor fSan Pedrol. From this place, where the Federal Government has spent millions of dol- lars in erecting a harbor and breakwater, the little steam- er carries the traveler in a southwest direction to Santa Catilina Island. As the little steamer crosses the blue waters of the channel, rare species of flying fish dash into the air and glide over the water. Besides, quaint little