Calaveras High School - Skull Yearbook (San Andreas, CA)

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j A DAY IN THE MOUNTAINS. l One spring morning, just as day began to break over the distant mountains, I started from home intending to wander into the forest, wherever my footsteps led me. Suddenly the woods seemed to ring with the wild, free, joyous notes of thousands of birds, awakened by the first morning light. I startled- a blue-jay and he fiew screaming into the distance. A tiny linnet, perched on aslender bough which swayed up and down, fluffed his red breast, threw back his little head, and set forth a burst of thrilling, warbling notes. He seemed to bubble over with happiness. After his song was finished, he put his saucy little head on one side, fastened his bright beady eyes upon me, and said, Parrot, parrot. His mate came fiying along just then, and they chattercd together awhile, then fiew away. I tho't maybe she had founda place for the new nest, and was going to show it to him. I was walking through a rather open forest of pines and oaks. The sun was just coming, up when, climbing over a little hill, I came upon seven half grown squirrels. They were play- ing on an old limb, which was lying on the ground close beside a large yellow pine. One of them sat up with his tail over his head, and seemed to be lecturing the others: Chic ting! Chic tung, but they paid no attention. Cautiously I moved to get nearer, but immedi- ately they went scurrying down the hillside, making the queerest noises. One of them ran could hear him falling. I was straight up a big pine. I climbing, and see the bark sorryl had frightened themgl should have liked to watch them longer. My attention was presently drawn toahawk above the tree flying swiftly over head, just tops. He sent down his death cry, f'Perodee, and in an instant the birds werb silent and hidden. I could see him turn his ugly head from side to side, his fierce eyes trying to pierce the thick foliage. I screamed at him, jumping up and down, for he was so high up I could not throw at him. My voice rang out with such startling clearness in that still wood, that I think it scared himg for he fiappcd his wings and fiew straight away over the blue hills, until he was a ma-re speck in the sky. I Walked on, crushing blooming fiowers and tender green grass at every step. Spring was in the air and found its way into my blood. Everything was very fresh, very sweet, very beautiful. Suddenly a long-eared jack rabbit came leaping past. I did not think much of it until a dog came yipping after him. It was funny to see the dog go faster when he tho't the scent was fresher. He was several minutes behind the rabbit, so I him. Wondering about the walked on enjoying the every side. There was serenity. All at once hissing sound from some weeds on my right sent cold shivers up and down my spine. I stood still in horror and stared, my muscles refused to act. I could see the shiny coils, the uplifted square head, the glittering eyes, the cruel blunt nose, with its forked tongue running in and out at me, and the quivering rattles, buzzing their challenge to battle. Iknew it was the deadly poisonous rattlesnake. It seemed so out of place in that beautiful forest, that my first thought was to kill it. I picked up a large dead limb and struck. I in- jured it and the rattles fairly sung as it crawled into the grass. I followed carefully witha rock. Soon I saw my chance and threw, crushing its ugly head. There it lay squirming and twisting at my feet. The sight made me sick and I walked quickly away. I could hear the buzzing for a long time afterwards, andI imagined I was going to meet one at every step. It was now near noong so I started for a green spot near a little brook. I ate my lunch and then lay down to rest. The birds had ceased their singing, but the brook still gurgled and splashed. I gazed up into the blue sky and saw a white cloud drifting aim- lessly about. Far otl' in the hills,I heard the soft coo of a dove. The warm sun fil- tered down through the trees and it was so quiet and peaceful, I drifted ofi' to sleep. I woke with a start and sat up. The sun was going down and it was getting chilly. hope he never caught fate of the rabbit, I thousand beauties on nothing to mar the I stopped short. A gin,

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ing sharply down the forest aisles, lest some unseen marksman pick me out along his rifle barrel. No fire had been built and my compan- ions lay rolled in their blankets side by side, motionless and silent, save when some one would utter a troubled groan or a sigh as he slept. It was time to change watch, and I had called one of the boys when my eyes detected a slight movement in the gloom of the forest. I watched and saw a dark shadow creep closer and closer, then separate. It was time to arouse the camp. We all lay quiet with rifies at half cock, waiting for a signal. When the silent shadows began to creep in on us, we opened fire and charged them. Taken by sur- prise, they were easily captured. One was dead, one lay wounded, and two others were trussed up to a tree when we were again pre- pared for sleep. The next day the wounded man died in spite of what we could do, and we buried him and his companion beneath the pines, with the great white mountains stand- ing guard. The two survivors appeared stoical enough, although I knew the parting was sad. But where was the fifth? Where was Jack? Where's the other one? I asked one of the outlaws. 'tHe cashed in a day ago, we left him on Injun Creek, they was running us clost. Dead! I could not believe it. Still it was better, perhaps, for the little girl whose picture stood on the dresser. I saw it was up to me to write her a letter, and tell her a lie, and it did not suit me inthe least. At any rate I would give him a heroic death. We reached town and hurried our prisoners by a back way to the jail so that the over- zealous citizens would not see them and treat them roughly. We were received like conquer- ing heroes, and many invitations had to be refused before I reached my own door. What was the noise in my rooms? Voices and laughter came to me on the stairs. Iloosened my six-gun in the holster, pushed my door open softly with my foot, and stepped quickly in. Such a sight met my eyes. The rooms were elaborately decorated, and acrowd of happy looking people were making merry. I was seized and hustled around. There was Jack, Shorty, Duncan with his head in a band- age, and many others, one of whom, a little stranger, Jack led blushing up to me. I started in amazement, for she was the original of the little picture on the dresser. Well, it was all cleared up. He had gone to meet the girl and had brought her home while I was off in the mountains on a wild goose chase. The man on Indian Creek cer- tainly was a dead ringer of Jack when it came to looks. The note Jack left me, Ihad used as a torch. In my hurry to make things fit my ideas I had gone a tride too fast. Jack and Florence settled down in asnug little home, as happy as two kids. This left me running loose. I began to realize that I was getting to be an old bachelor, almost thirty- seven. I found myself frequently examining a little picture on the inside of my watch case, and digging up her letters. The die was cast. I would go back. Shorty caught me packing my things, and asked me what I was doing. t'People gettin too soft and sentimental around these diggins. I pull out to-morrow, I replied. Goin to get married yourself, old scout. Can't tell me, I know em, he said, all fools ain't dead yet. Good-by, he slammed the door. A minute later he poked his head in and said, 'AAs a parting bit of advice, let 'er have her way in little things, but be boss, that's my experience. Shorty closed the door just in time to avert a catastrophe to his face. ROBERT McCONNELL, '15.

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Before me stood a large buck, his ears forward, his soft eyes looking at me questioninglyg two beautiful moss horns branched out above his small, well shaped head, his arched neck and sleek brownish body were perfect, his slender legs were in the brook, from which he had been drinking. For a full minute we looked at each other, then he whirled and bounded away. I could hear the plunk, plunk, of his feet and the crack of brush after he had dis- appeared. It was growing late, soI scrambled down the hill, around the road, and home. BEATRICE DANIELSON. TRUE TO HIS PROMISE. I Swish, swish the wind whizzed as the snow came down in large Hakes. The beautiful view was blotted out as if by magic, and all around, large clouds of fine snow were driven down by a cold, fierce wind, which seemed to cut the flesh like needles. Nearly two hours had elapsed since the rush of the blizzard began. Now all the moun- tains from one side to the other were covered with this soft stinging snow. In this cold blizzard two lonely men were struggling along with weary steps. Their coats were pulled up to their ears, and their gloves drawn tightly over their hands, while they slapped them together to induce warmth. Can't you see the path, Conrad? spoke Gerald anxiously. We must find the path. I must be home tonight, for tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I promised Melba I would be homef' As he spoke, he could hear his wife's voice ringing in his ears from the night before: 'Gerald, dear, promise me you will come back from the village tomorrow, for the next day is Thanksgiving, and we want to be together on the anniversary of our wedding, He had promised, and intended to keep his promise, for once. Are you sure we are lost? he asked again of Conrad. his servant. There are-n't a single thing around here that I recognize. I.et's travel a little east now. I'e-rliaips we will hit on St. lit-rnard's path: though I have my doubts about it. Yes, we must push on t'onrad, to remain is tll'2l.lll,v5l.1I't1lj',N exclaimed Gerald, uncasily. Uh, this is terriblell' he gasped, between his teeth, as the blizzard raged furiously around them. I can hardly see two yards ahead of me. XVhaI are we to llo', ' Conrad thought a minute, while he pulled his coat around him tighter. I guess we will have to keep a moving. If we could only hit on one of them paths we would be all right, for I think I could get you out of this here place. If I had known it was going to storm so, I would have brought my compass with me. That is a good deal of help, you know. My God! YVhat is this! shouted Gerald, as he cought sight of marks on the snow. We are on the track of a dozen wolves! WVe must turn back. If we don't, we shall soon be upon them, and then f He left his sentence unrinished. Conrad stood there a minute speechless. At last he said, t I'urn back we must. and in a hurry. They may come this way again and smell our tracks. Ilurry, we must gt back! Go back where 'V' exclaimed Gerald. You know we are lost! Yes, I know we are lostg but come on, we must go back as far as the cave, anyway, he shouted over his shoulder as lit hurried on. They had not gone more than a quarter ot' a mile, when they heard a sound that turned their blooil cold and made their hearts almost stop beating. They knew the wolves were on their tracks. What shall we do, t'onrad'Z they are coming nearer and nearer, spoke Gerald in a whisper. Sure enough they were coming nearer and their howls was becoming more distinct. The two men nearer. Th- sourill ot' watched and listened. Now they could hear the patter ot' their feet and there they were just coming over the knoll, the largest grey wolf in the lead yelling back to the rest. The tlll