Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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THE AEGIS 23 Then clouds began to accumulate in the sky and soon the sun disappeared behind them. On we glided down the silent, glassy river, winding among mountains covered with soft and feathery bamboo. There was not a sound. Everything wasistill save the gentle lapping of the waves against the side of the raft. It began to rain, a soft pitter-patter and the fresh, green banks seemed to give out a quieter radiance of their own. Here and there were brilliant hanging vines, spreading up the mountain side in their gorgeous array of colors. We passed a score of little black Jamaican boys swimming near the shore. As we sat there in a reverie silently drinking in the beauty of it all, we little noticed our increasing speed or the gurgling of the water as it rushed over the rocks. All of a sudden 1 came to the realization that we were dashing swiftly down, down another rapids and a pleasant little thrill of anticipation ran through me. However, this thrill soon gave place to fear for in an instant we began to whirl. Our raft wheeled completely around and then struck a rock with a terrible crash and splintering. The corner of our raft against the rock acted as a pivot and as the treacherous, whirling water struck against us, over the whole thing turned and i11 almost a moment we were all three of us in the water. As we went over I had the feeling that we were in rather deep water and I was greatly relieved when I felt bottom. Notwithstanding the shallow water it seemed to me as if l would never reach the surface and in my mad scramble to get my head above water it came into rather violent contact with the raft. The shock was so great that I gulped, swallowing about a quart of water, more or less, and sank down only to 1'ise immediately quite free from the raft. I clung to the side of the raft, gulping and spluttering, with water streaming out of my nose and mouth. As soon as I could regain my senses and strength, I tugged at the raft, but it was stuck fast. At the other end a black face emerged with gleaming white teeth. I sup- pose this Hdriver to destruction was in his element but not I. l am very fond of swimming but not this kind. Then Mr. -l arose holding a camera high in his right hand. We all pulled together and finally turned over the raft, Init the poor chap lost his balance and fell in again losing his fine camera. So in- stead of saving me, the purpose for which he had been sent, I had to turn life- saver and grab hold of his hand and help him upon the raft. Once more we started 011 talking and laughing about our unusual exper- ience. lt was still raining, Init we didn't take the trouble to put up our um- brella as before. After that we went over six more rapids very successfully. When we finally came to the end of our three miles, every one was waiting anxiously for us. They evidently thought that something must have happened, because they were just going to send some one back after us. However, I found that we were not the only ones that got a ducking-which was really a consolation. It causes me much mirth when I think of how they sent Mr. -l along with me for protection. I can 't help but think that if I had stayed with my or- iginal partner, our craft would have been more evenly balanced and our acci- dent would never have occurred.

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22 THE AEGIS Along the roadside were little children with huge bouquets of flowers which they threw into our machine as we passed by. All too soon lunch time arrived and by the time we returned to the hotel, I felt as if I had seen enough strange sights to fill a book. Rafting on the Rio Grande Rafting is rather unusual sport, to a new-comer from the 'States and the Jamaican rafts are no less curious. When I learned that seventy-five were going on this trip I thought, of course, that there would be about seven or eight rafts provided for the whole party and that each raft fprobably made of rough hewn logsj would accom- odate ten or more people. But what was my surprise and wonder to sec the shore simply lined with little light bamboo crafts, about thirty feet long and three feet wide. The bamboo used in making these were very large, perhaps five inches in diameter, and running across underneath were several poles of bamboo bound securely to the upper part by thongs. At the very end of the raft was a raised seat of the same material, to keep the water from washing up over us. On this strange craft only three persons were allowed, the two passen- gers and a guide. Soon all had chosen partners and our guides were pushing us off shore. No sooner had the raft, on which I was placed, reached mid-stream, than I heard someone calling and on turning around saw that we were being signalled from land. I guessed what they wanted before we landed again. The girl who was with me was only seventeen and they thought we each should have the protection of a man. Much to our disgust, we were separated, starting again with our new companions. The guide on my raft was a mere boy, black as all the rest, and only looked to be about eight or nine, so they exchanged him for his grandfather, a gentleman of some years. Once again we were off, the last ones to leave. We sat at the rear end and our guide stood at the very front steering us with a long pole of bamboo. The current swung us along at a great rate and we soon rounded the bend and saw many rafters ahead of us. In about five minutes we came to the first rapids. As we approached them the raft went faster and faster and in a moment we were shooting gaily over the bubbling, foaming surface. The water must have been rather shallow there because we could hear the rocks scraping against the bottom. At the foot of the rapids was a huge rock and our guide gave the raft a sharp turn, but the strong current soon caught. us and carried us in our old path, heading right for it. Just as it seemed we were about to strike it, he struck his pole against the rock. Only a moment we lingered, and then swung on down-stream. lt was great fun and quite a sensation, nevertheless I took a deep breath of relief when we were once more on our way. The second rapids were more exciting than the first and on the third ones I really thought for a moment that we were gone. The raft gave a terrible lunge and we both got a good dousing of water. But that was all and we were soon wishing for more rapids.

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T H E A E G I S INTERRUPTIONS HELEN H Anmsox When we all came to school at the first of the year, And started our classes anew, Things continued as smoothly as if well in gear, And we acted quite calm, for us, too. VVhen the teachers arrived on the morn of each day And they started their classes with spirit, There appeared on their faces expressions quite gay, ' But lo and behold -- There was hustle and bustle-no one was cool, For in line and according to size, Two by two we marched over to our new high school And we waved at the camera's eyes. - After this great event, we had hardly calmed down, When confused but slightly elated, Since the germ of a smallpox had sailed into town, We were sent up to be vaccinated. Then- It was awful, and terrible, quite vexing, too, And created a shocking sensation. How we fussed and we fumed till we felt mighty blue, They compelled us to take spring vacation! VVhcn we came back to school, I truly believe That you might have seen curious things, Such as limping on crutches, and empty coat sleeves, Also arms that were bound up in slings. But 't is now almost over, and no one seems ailing, So perhaps we shall have pretty soon, Just a short little stretch of some quieter sailing From this uproarious time until June.