Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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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

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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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THE REFLECTOR couple. The long, dreary night was nothing short of a nightmare, a horrible, vivid nightmare. But the dawn again brought with it courage, and Ralph and Eileen climbed down from their awkward positions. Both were stiff from the night's quarters. They had now to think of finding a way home. Surely it was ridiculous to hope to be able to walk back to civilization, but it was just as silly to expect aid to drop from the clouds. Clouds-they themselves had dropped from the clouds. The two looked up, and there they were-white, immense, low. But they were African clouds, and part of the secrets of the jungle. Secrets! What else was there but secrets? There was a secret behind the next tree, a secret in the rustle of the leaves, a menace in unseen, growling beasts. Nothing was in sight--everything was concealed, hidden, waiting. A lion was angrily pushing his way through the brush. There was no effort at quiet, the lion, snarling and abusive, just boldly thrust him- self upon the day. He threw his head from side to side in a sullen, biting mood. A twig snapped, and on a limb of a tree not far away, a rolled up, yellow ball uncurled. It was a crouched panther. The giant leaves swayed over him, camouflaging his tense presence-another phase of the jungle's secrets. The boy and girl wandered. Where? Even they did not know. They could not stand still, so they wandered, hand in hand, quietly, re- signedly. They would face the jungle, defy it, expose it. They would breathe, live, fight every inch of the Way. A sleepy jungle found itself deserted. Long shadows were now play- ing in and among the trees. Lazy ponds and lakes lay calmly awaiting the moon. Then only could they awaken and reflect the brilliance of the dancing moonbeams, glittering beautifully in the dark of the night. The sky had become dark, the treetops were completely lost far above. The day had ended, night had begun. The moon rose slowly. Louis Gnoss, June 1932. The Swan O, beautiful swan, I see you there, In a beautifully gardened pond. O, graceful swan I picture you, There among the gently spraying fountain. O, delicate swan adrifting, Drifting as though moved by dainty breezes. O, dark blue sky, you, too, are there, With your little sparkling eyes. O, quiet sky, you lend beauty there, There, with the gardened pond, and the gliding swan. ROY TEETSELL, June 1932. Thirteen