Watsonville High School - Manzanita Yearbook (Watsonville, CA)

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2 2 THE MANZANITA Stealthily he made l1is way to the edge of the clump of trees where he could see the blaze of the great fire, lighting the sky. All too well he knew its significance. Many a time he had seen these lights and heard the dreadful war whoops of these people. His plan was definite. There was but one thing for him to do. It was indeed dangerous and daring, but his two sons must be saved. He crept silently across the open space toward the fire. Slowly a11d unnoticed he carrie to the clump of' trees. The whooping had ceased. He listened intently. It was the chief who was speaking. He was urging his braves to make an attack on the pale-face intruders. Their hunger for the sight of blood was aroused, murder gleamed and burn- ed in their dark eyes. They were ready to kill. Utter-ing a silent prayer, the noble and strong-hearted white man sprang into the circle and knelt before the great chief, then arose and in a passion-frought voice began his plea. Oh, mighty chief, oh, powerful warrior, leader of a great tribe, noble and true! Would it not be cowardly for you, so great and strong, to attack this group of weak and unprotected men? VVould it not be worthless? Only three sealps! Of what value are they to you? You are too brave, too noble, too power- ful and mighty to do this deed. We are your friends! Grunts and jeers came from the group about the blazing fire, but the chief was much moved by pale- face 's words. He stood silently in meditation, his great arms folded across his mighty breast. The plea was continued, honoring the chief, and heaping fliattery upon him, and telling him of his greatness. The derisive Warriors were quieted by the silence of their leader. The mighty head of the chief bowed. Slowly in deep and meaning tones he spoke the word of freedom to the white man. His gratitude expressed, Baird slipped quietly from the circle. Back to the camp he made his Way to bear the welcome and triumphant news to his awaiting sons. Days of travel followed. The journey was completed and a new home built in that wild but fertile valley of the north. is 'QW ds f.J O no Qwyh , - 0 ..... - K y I X P ' I fl

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THE MANZANITA. The Plea for Life RUTH ROSE, '16 nerr Up to the time of our story, hr. had spent all his i life near l1is rude home by OIINX Baird was a hardy pio- old Fort Steilieoom, on the coast of that beautiful body of water, Puget Sound. Often when but a child he had found refuge in the fort. He could remember the days, when the great wooden doors l1ad shut groups of terrified settlers away from the fierce attacks of the savage Indians: and the guard had locked the heavy door with that huge iron key, with which he had so often longed to play. So he had grown to manhood strong and brave, possessing almost unlimited knowledge of the modes of frontier life Ztlld Indian warfare. At last glowing reports of interior lands were brought to him. These so exeited his long silent desire to roam that after a time, he, with his two sons, husky young lads in their twenties, made ready to leave their little cabin on the eoast. They eros- scd the Cascade mountains and were pressing on into the fertile valley of the Yakima. Travel was not easy in those days. Flach day had its hardships. Trails were to be made, beasts of the forest overcome, game to be killed, and often suffering from hunger to be cndured. There were many hard- ships of whieh travelers today know nothing. It was evening, after a particular- ly hard and trying day. The three weary travelers, having found a lovely spot by a mountain stream. had made eamp for the night. They had cooked their seanty evening meal over a fire built of dry fir boughs. The fire still faintly glow- ed, throwing a pale light on the three sleeping men wrapped warmly i11 their blankets. All was silent. Only the tiny stream, rushing on to the sea, ripplcd over its roeky bed, singing a restful lullabye. The bright moon shone through the trees, shed- dillg its silver light upon the water. Now and then a gentle breeze whis- pered among the leaves, then pas- sed on into silence. The tired men had forgotten their hard-ships and a peaceful quiet filled ther minds. The whole world seemed at rest. But hark! A sudden series of shrill shrieks broke forth upon the still night air, growing louder and morepiercing and shrill. Again and again they came. The startled men sprang up together, anxiety written i11 every line of their swarthy faees. From the peace of the beautiful night they had been plunged into this dreadful chaos. A terrified gleam of understanding erept into the older man's eyes. 'Tis the Indians, he said in quiet tones. We are discovered! For a moment he stood in pensive silenee, then spoke again. VVait here in hiding, sonsg I shall return. Trust in God. Fear not, all will be well. With these words of parting he was gone, leaving his sons in quiet anxiety, awaiting his return.

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THE MANZANITA A Near-Elopement l was a belted knight i' faith, With name and title grand, The fairest lady of our court, Had promised me her hand. But to her father I was naught, He bade her count me out, And swore by all he held most dear She'll marry no such lO11t. Wliat should an ardent suitor do? This problem me perplexed, I could not run her father through, 'Twere bound to make her vexed. Some plan we must eontrive, my fair, Elope this e'ex1, by note. Alaek a day! her answer came, l'm prisoned next the moat. By pigeon then I gave her elew, And said, Be of good hope, This very night l'll be below And pass you up a rope. The evening came, and I, beneath Her window in the wall, Did cast my line up on the sill And held it lest she fall. The burdened line did sway and pull I greater effort made, l felt a tugging at my head And woke-I held my braid! DELO RIDER, '18. 3