Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECTOR Eileen. He pushed his way through heavy underbrush, yelling, Eileen, Eileen, where are you?', Here, over here. Breathlessly breaking through the dense wood he came upon herg she was sprawled and enmeshed in the parachute. He immediately set about disentangling her, crying Are you hurt? Do you feel all right? Are you frightened?', She looked up at his worried face and laughed. It was contagious, he began to grin. She tried to catch her breath, laughed, and managed to gasp, Oh, you look so funny! Oh-. And she began all over again, laughing uproariously. He felt just a trifle sheepish, and said: Well, I did wonder for a moment if you were safe. But come on, cut the laughing, and get up. He helped her to her feet, and she leaned heavily upon him, still weak from her efforts. There they stood, two young people in the heart of the jungle. Around them was nothing but trees and underbrush, the trees reach- ing far overhead, the plant life, tall and powerful. All animal life had been frightened away, because of the fall of the plane. Now, isn't this lovely? Yes, Eileen, I guess it is. They certainly were skeptical, but then, who wouldn't be? Ralph was the first to stir. K Let,s look for the plane, or whatis left of it. We may just as wellf' All right, let's.,' Her voice was as his, light and steady. Evidently it was daytime, and they felt the courage which comes with it. But when night would fall, then courage would find itself a thing to be prayed for. With energetic strides they pushed through the heavy foliage. They kept their eyes open for any signs of the wreck. The jungle had, by now, leaped upon them for fair. The sky was hidden with the intense growth of trees and plants, and already the silence had broken. Animal life was beginning to make so bold as to investigate the cause of the noise. The little, small-faced monkeys chattered down in derision from the trees above. Some even dared to swing before the two and dangle there a brief moment. Once or twice, the girl was startled and threw her com- panion a look of apprehension. But, nevertheless, it wasn't long before she was as free with the monkeys as they were with her. This ceaseless flow of nonsensical words seemed to be the best air of pretention she could assume. But soon pretention found itself to be actual glee. The warm breezes fanned her hair to the back of her head, and she held her face to meet them, they were so refreshing. The green bushes and palms waved a striking effect, the sun peeped in from above, as did monkeys from the trees, and it was all so new. She felt she could live this dream for years. Ralph, fearing that she would shrink from the jungle's depths, watched her sharply. It was his fear that she would be frightened. But instead, her head was held erect, her eyes danced with merriment, she Eleven

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gg THE Rnrrmcfron And, I accept the dare! The little gathering sensed the tenseness of the situation, and all re- mained silent. The experiment would be as thrilling as it was risky. Thrills were their aims in life, it seemed. Perhaps that was why they allowed the couple to take the hazardous flight. Ralph, however, was far from being optimistic. The affair might be adventurous, and all that, but he felt greatly dubious about it all. But then, the girl was willing, so why shouldn't he shrug his shoulders as well? It was a week later. Preparations had been made, and all was in readiness. It was five in the morning, and the African sky was coating the sun, which was already beginning to waken to its daily task. With an effort old man Sun began to stretch, and immediately long gray streaks appeared in the east. Last minute good-byes were said, and the plane was sent off into the sky, its nose pointed far over the jungle. The little group watched it pass from sight. Betty was stamping her feet and say- ing, The fool, the foollv It wasn't long before Ralph had ascertained that the wind would be of great aid to him, it being at his back. Hours passed. Eileen looked up and smiled at the sun, which was trying its hardest to blind her. But she giggled delightfully, it was all so thrilling. She turned around and waved her hand at Linton, who responded by waving back, as he, too, was enjoying the novel experience. He couldn't imagine what he had worried for, there wasn't anything to worry about. They were well, the plane was running smoothly, they had plenty of fuel, and were hav- ing loads of fun. His feelings were so high that he instinctively felt a desire to adjust the altitude accordingly. Down to the joy-stick went his hand, and up rushed the plane. The girl's head went dizzy with the sudden change, and she gasped. XV hat in the world was happening? She looked behind and saw Ralph grinning mischievously. Oh, so it was a trick of his! Oh, well, it was all in fun. Linton, in order to do the thing up brown, sent the plane's nose up higher and higher. The grade was frightfully steep. The motor responded hesitatingly and coughed. It sputtered, while Linton frantically clutched at the controls. The engine had gone dead. The plane slipped back into a tailspin. It was suicide to remain a moment longer! Ralph screamed at the top of his lungs: Out! Quick! The parachute! They both jumped, opened their parachutes, and sank slowly to the jungle underneath. They had been in the air only a few seconds, when darting and screeching the plane rushed past them. Far below the sound of the crash came to them. Ralph looked down, and then to Eileen. She was a little above him, and as far as he could see, she was delighted with something. He had no idea with what. The ground was close now, and they prepared to meet it. They landed with a bump, Ralph quickly untying himself and running to Ten

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THE REFLECTOR giggled with each succeeding monkey's antics, and Ralph too smiled, but now in relief. The situation was serious, decidedly more so than he dared admit. But he, too, must keep his spirits high, and manner flip- pant. Oh, Ralph, Ralph, I have found it. Look! Look--there! ' Indeed, she had found it, it was the plane. It was in a million and one pieces, of course, but at that, it was in its entirety. They rushed to- ward it, at the same time noticing one of the wings hanging still, in a nearby tree. Excitedly, they encircled the wreck, merely looking. Shaking himself from his daze, Ralph strode toward the remains of what was once a plane, and sought to find something, he didnit say what. Finally he pulled out two sandwiches, and then, from far underneath the debris, a cushion. Linton, without even looking up, handed the sand- wiches to the girl, who had by now reached his side and was watching him expectantly. He ripped a bit of the overstuffed pillow, and dug his hand inside. What he pulled forth was an automatic. He, evidently, had been wisely precautious. He further disclosed a number of cartridges. We may need this. She looked at him, her look was a quizzical one. It was as though she were mentally asking, What's the idea?,' He was still muttering to himself. You never can tell, we may need this, and desperatelyf' Once again he shook himself and laughed, a true enough laugh. It Was reassuring, and Eileen smiled up at him, he was so easy to smile with. The sun had become weary, and was reluctantly succumbing to the beckoning call of the west. Her head was bending slowly in the direc- tion, and she seemed to be closing her eyes, allowing the jungle shadows to cast their ominous threats in long ghostly shapes. The breeze of the afternoon had become biting and chilled, the cool, refreshing atmosphere had taken on a cold, harsh aspect. It was all so oppressive. Gone was the feeling of joy and elation. Eileen smiled wanly at Ralph, and glanc- ing around slowly she groped for his hand. She found it and held it tightly. It was so nice and warm, the only thing warm around her, it seemed. It was getting darker and darker, quite suddenly, too. Ralph looked up into the tree, looked down at the now shivering Eileen, and decided to risk the carrying out of a plan which he had been forming. There wouldnit be much comfort, but the tree would keep them secure and out of reach of wild animals. She was willing to try anything once, and the next minute they were climbing the limbs of the tree. And there, in the branches, they doubled up and endeavored to find rest. They reclined uncomfortably for a while, neither wishing to express his or her unhappy thoughts. They were seeking oblivion in sleep, while the jungle had at last awakened. Below could be heard the slow, padded walking of giant cats, of the ferocious, fierce type. Low rumbling came up to the tensely listening Twelve