Scituate High School - Chimes Yearbook (Scituate, MA)

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18 THE CHIMES could see those fifty-three happy youths winding their way into the darkness of the cave. About two years after my visit to the cave I found myself in a small out-of-the-way station in Texas. I had about two hours to wait before my train came and I had nothing to do. Finally in desperation I removed from a crack under the door an old newspaper, which had been placed there to keep the air out. In an obscure corner I noticed a paragraph which said that Thunder Cave had been at last explored by means of an opening made by a thunder storm. In it were found many skeletons which were believed to belong to the party of youths which were lost in this cave over forty years ago. It was thought that they might have been killed by fragments of rock dislodged by thunder or devoured by the huge vampire bats. It added that the entrance was to be sealed up to prevent similar tragedies from happening. Catherine Healy, '30. AVIATION The May morning of a year in the twentieth century dawned clear and bright. The sun rose in all its glory from the crest of the Atlantic and bathed the shore for miles with its rosy glow. Not so far away sat a figure on the top of a hill watch- ing the sunrise. What was that person doing at that time and in that place? Reaching for the most unattainable thing in the world ; that is, trying to understand herself. Many were the times when that person had tried to understand herself but without success. Suddenly her heart skipped a beat and she sprang to her feet. Nothing was in sight, but instinctively she turned her eyes to the western horizon. Soon the sound of a motor was heard and a tiny speck appeared. She fol- lowed the flight of the huge silver-winged biplane with her eyes until it once again was hidden in the morning mist.- Another may glance upward and shiver, saying to himself, ''Those things will never be satisfactory. How could he say a thing like that ! Aviation is romance, chance ; the progress of the ages depends on aviation. Already it has been used as a device for the quick transportation of mail. To be sure it has not been perfected ; nothing can be made perfect over night. But it is certain that someday flying will be as com- mon as riding in automobiles. It must be; an invention like flying was not discovered to be forgotten. Perhaps the desire to fly has been expressed by some of the younger generation. It is doubtful if it has been met with willing consent. Maybe the answer received was similar to this: ''What! Are you foolish! You'd be killed. Airplanes are not safe. Don't you dare go up in one of those things ! Disappointed and down- cast he turns away with the meek answer, But I want to fly. What is the romance in flying? Serious arguments may be

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THE CHIMES 17 motionless in a dazed manner. Then he glanced about and his eyes fell on the bundle of torches. He seized one, and while he dipped it into the flame of the fire, his hand trembled. He tied a piece of strong light cord about a tree which grew near the mouth of the cave and looped the other end about his wrist. By this time I had regained my senses. I took a small bundle of the tapers and after lighting one I followed the guide into the darkness of the cave. He said we would go only the length of the rope. I asked in a shaken voice if he thought our comrades were safe. He said that they might be, but his voice did not convince me. The light of our tapers frightened the huge vampire bats which were hanging in multitudes from the cracks and crevices. From then on we walked in silence. Our footsteps echoed and died away. We heard nothing but a few low rumbles of the storm outside. We found no trace of those who had gone before us. When we reached the end of the rope, we retraced our steps. After extinguishing the fire, we returned to the villa with heavy hearts. ''Many of the parents of the youths had come to the villa to await the return of the party. They feared something might have befallen the young adventurers in the storm. Some of the mothers fainted, and the fathers' faces grew white at our awful news. ''As soon as the first ray of light arrived the next morning, a large crowd of the villagers made its way to the cave. The same guide and I, and the father of the count were to go again into the cave. We spoke not a word but labored on over the slimy rocks, through the stagnant pools, now stumbling over some ob- stacle in our path and falling against the damp moss-covered walls. On every side I imagined horrible demons to be looking and every shadow seemed alive. I longed to return to the cool fresh air. After a long time our path was suddenly blocked. A large piece of the wall had been dislodged by the storm and had fallen directly in our path. We stood stock still; the father's hand was raised and pointed as if he were a statue. We realized only too well the fate of those for whom we searched. Without moving, hardly daring to think, we stood there being slowly overcome by the tainted air. Then the guide commanded us to follow him, and he searched in vain for a passage by the rock. After a while we returned to the waiting crowd. When we told them what had happened, an awful silence fell over them. My guide's voice trembled as he said, I shall never forget for one moment the effect of that news. Many attempts were niade, but in vain. For many years no one has tried to ex- plore it. By this time we had reached the cave and it seemed that I SCiTUATE. MASS.

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THE CHIMES 19 encountered here, as few people have the same ideas on a subject like this. There is romance in anything a person likes, — romance in the sense of a greater enjoyment than can be expressed. Romance of aviation is the desire to study areo- nautics, to enjoy watching the graceful silver birds, and to fly. Man has always wanted to fly. Do you remember in myth- ology the story of Daedalus and Icarus? That story expresses most vividly some of the recent attempts. Icarus failed by being too adventurous. However, that attempt was not in vain, nor has any attempt been made in vain ; something has been learned from all, — 'To him who attempted and to him who conquered. Both are equally important. Experience is the greatest teacher and aviation will be a success ! A great success ! HOW ABOUT A FOOTBALL GAME? Football ! How tempting that word sounds to the ears of a football fan. As soon as the football season opens, all other work and forms of amusements are suspended. What does the football fan care for a day's joy ride through the country, when he can hop into his car and go to the football field and feast his eyes on that game we call ''footbalF'? What does he care for rain, snow, sleet, or hail, or for the blustering wind? None of these can keep him home. Even the youngest gener- ation is there, pouring forth as loudly as the older people. Probably most of them do not know which side are the oppon- ents, but still they must make some noise. First we see the opposing teams bending over. One of the fellows from one side is giving the signals. He gives the number. They start to run, but they clash. Nothing is gained. One fellow kicks the ball ; another fellow on the opposing team gets it. He fumbles. A cheer arises from the crowd who are against his team. Then they start again. This time one of the men on the opposite team gets the ball. He runs. The goal post is a few yards away. He runs faster, his antag- onists at his heels, trying to ''tackle him. He is just a little way ahead of them. His eyes are hard upon the goal and his hands hard upon the ball. The crowd is cheering and scream- ing. This is the exciting moment ! Ah ! he stumbles and slides past the goal post. A touchdown ! A touchdown ! The crowd is about exhausted from screaming, but the game is won! Victory for one side. Defeat for the other. Then the cheering squad gets together, and with their yells and cheers plus the fans' shouting, the game is at an end. The teams walk from the field, happiness on the faces of half the crowd, and the noise subsides. If you once go to a football game and see how interesting and thrilling the game really is, you will forget about every- thing, excepting to cheer and shout for the team you wish would win. And eventually you too will become one of those creatures, called a football fan. Priscilla Dunbar, '31.