Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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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

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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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S P E C T A T 0 R 17 oysters boats greet the eye during the trip. As the boat approaches the island, its beauties become more appar- ent. Lofty peaks rise from it and deep canyons and abrupt precipices are plainly seen. Passing the big rock sentinel, the traveller suddenly catches his first glimpse of the tiny village of Avalon, cradled with its hotels and cottages in the lap of the volcanic hills, Stepping from the boat, one is refreshed by breath- ing the clear air of the sea. Santa Catilina is an island of pleasure, where sports of all kinds are greatly patroniz- ed. Winding up the mountains, one finds roads for coach- ing parties. Tourist parties are conducted every day from the village of Avalon to the Isthmus , a long neck, lying immediately to the northeast, and through canyons, mountains, and cliffs, from which one gains a marvelous panoramic view. To the southwest of the island are Seal Rocks. Here can be seen those shiny little animals, from which the rocks take their name, in their natural haunts. As many as thirty of these shiny creatures can be seen at one time basking in the sunshine. Probably one of the best known and most unique wonders of Santa Catilina's attractions, which most visitors to the island never miss seeing, is the view of the submarine gardens and aquatic life, through the glass-bottomed boats. These wonder- ful gardens of the deep are a marvelous sample of na- ture's handiwork. Floating over the green and blue waters in a glass-bottomed boat, one sees the comings and goings of aquatic life. Here are shell-encrusted rocks, fishes of varied colors, red, green, and gold, zigzagging sinuously among the submarine foliage. The giant Cali- fornia star-fish and the jelly fish are plainly seen lying prone and motionless in the rocks. The giant sea octu- pus, with its long tentacles reaches out in search of crabs and other prey, and the peculiar Garibaldi fish, which resembles the angel fish of Florida, lies as if on its side in a bed of vari-colored sea foliage. The kelp forms a