Winthrop High School - Winthrop Winner Yearbook (Winthrop, ME)

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XYINTHROP HIGH SCHOOL .ii Indians preparing to attack us so unload the ammunition, get the older men and women with the children into the rein- forced wagon and block the spaces be- tween and under the other wagons with boxes. There was no fear in the hearts of these sturdy pioneers, for they had often with- stood attacks of other Indian tribes. Before the In'dians could be seen, their shrill war whoops were heard ringing through the air. Then around the bend they galloped to be greeted by a volley of rifle shots' from within the circle of wagons. The air was rent by shrieks from dying braves and the squeal of wounded horses. But within the wagon circle all was quiet except for the sound of gun fire and the whistle and thud of arrows. Each man knew his life de- pended on driving the Indians off and no unnecessary chances were taken. The women also played an important part in defending the band. As fast as the rifles were emptied the women rehlled them. At last the Indians retreated but, as the pioneers knew, only to plan another at- tack. Soon they came again, this time at- tacking from all sides. Many braves were killed and some women in the pioneer group lost their husbands. This only served to make each remaining man and woman fight harder for his life. This hghting was kept up till dark, and then the Indians retreated. Scouts were posted around the wagons to keep watch throughout the night and those who could, slept. The day dawned, clear and bright, with no signs of the Indians. Breakfast was prepared and preparations made for starting. Soon all was in readiness and the little band started off. Some rode on horse- back others road in the wagons, each to his own liking. The scouts were sent ahead to pick the trail and to watch for any signs of danger. About noon they reached the desert. Here they ate their meal and each one prayed to the good God in heaven to let them pass safely through this land of barren sand. .Xs night drew on they saw signs that put fear in the hearts of even the bravest. Human skulls and here and there the remnants of other wagon trains showed the misfortune of other trains before them. However, after their evening meal they gathered around the Hre to tell jokes and talk about everything in general. But there were two who sat in a spot outside the outside of the view of the others. One was Don and the other a daughter of one of the men killed in the recent Indian raid. This was Mary Blake, a strong, healthy, good looking woman who would make any man happy, or so thought Don. You know, Maryf' said Don look- ing at her, K' I am wondering if the land in Oregon is really as good as the stories we hear about it and if there will be plenty of land for all of us. You never can tellf' answered Mary, but anyway it can't be any worse than starving back home. Then they sat silent for a while gaz- ing at the sky and the wide empty space ahead of them. Maryf, whispered Don, leaning near her, did you ever want to tell someone something and yet couldn't End the words or the way to say it ?'I VVhy, Don, I don't ever remember that I havef, she answered with a twin- kle in her eye. Tell me what it is and maybe I can help youf' Mary, would it surprise you if I told you I loved you?U 'K No, Don, I have been hoping you would say that for a long time. I re- member when we were just kids, how I always wanted to be with you and play the same games you did. Ch! darling if it wasn't for poor dad. I could be so happyff

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36 Wil NTHRO I' WINNER Y I don't like the sound of closing doors Of security, peace and a home, I, want to be out with the wind in my face And all the whole world to roam. I love the sound of rain, I-'attering on the ground I liketo hear the thunder And see lightning flying round. l want to be where l can smell Green grass and blooming clover I want no ties to pen me down l fear my heart was for a rover. XVhy can I not Iind it NVhat I'm looking for? And, while I'm about it, What am I looking for? Neala VVhitney, '39 Transport tion 1743 Irlaye you ever thought how other people before your time had to travel? .Xs you speed along a wonderful highway in a thousand dollar limousine do you wonder how it would be if you were late to an important football game and had to depend on a buckboard and mud-filled roads to get there? In the early days of America a man thinking ahead to such things as men- tioned above would be chased out of the country. The best means of transporta- tion any man had was a horse or a car- riage. The roads were rough, dirty, muddy, and narrow. Suppose you had an important letter to send. You would leave it at the post office for the post rider to collect and trust to luck that he would get through with it. lf it was going a long ways several stops would be made. lf it was going to a thinly settled place a hold up would be the biggest worry. Compare sea traveling to-day with the crude way of 1743. Now you go to a big office where tickets are bought and you are assured of a room. In those days you just asked the captain if he had any room for you. You do not have to worry about eat- ing while on to-day's liners but in early sailing you had to take your own food supply. lVhere it took forty days to cross in 1711-3 it only takes from four to six now. All ships sail at the stated time to-day but a fair-wind was the excuse for the boats fitted with sails. Now, when the car is broken down, or the train is always late, or the bus isn't good enough to ride on any- way,'i just stop and think of the nice times your ancestors had while riding to church in a buckboard. James Hinds, '40, The Pioneer Crack! Crack! spoke a rifle high on the peak of a mountain overlooking a stretch of plain. Below, Don Sawyer, the leader of a band of pioneers, turned in the saddle of his mount and, shading the sun from his eyes, looked toward the peak from which the shot had been fired. He saw Hawk- eye, so called for his keenness of sight, waving his hat slowly back' and forth This meant trouble. Turning his mount, Don raced back to the wagon train. 'K jim, said Don to ,his younger brother, You have the wagons formed in a circle while I ride up and meet Hawk- eye. With this Don rode off. VVhen Hawkeye saw Don approach- ing he pointed in the direction ahead of the wagon train. Looking, Don saw a band of Indian warriors in a conference. XVhat do you think will be their next move and have they sited us yet ? asked Don of Hawkeye. 4' They have seen usf' replied Hawk- eye. lt is a band of Shawnee In- dians, and planning an attack. We had better go back to the train and prepare. After reaching the caravan Don said. addressing them all, 'K There is a band of

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38 W'lNTl-IROI' VVINNER You know, Mary, said Don ten- derly, I will take care of your mother and you, if you will only let me. Yes, Don, but still, daddy was so good to me, and poor mother loved him soy You will have to forget, dear, and let me try to cheer your life for you. It is getting late and we must go in now. There will be a hard day ahead of us to- morrow, but we must be brave. Good- night, Mary.', Goodnight, Don, I'll do my best to cheer mother and try to make her forgetf' As the sun began to rise and cast its rays over the desert the caravan moved on. Don, riding in the lead, was ap- proached by his brother. We'll have to plan to do most of our traveling before the sun gets too high or the heat will overcome us,'! said Jim. You're right, Jim, answered Don, and we have got to send scouts ahead to find water holes or none of us will reach Oregon. As they journeyed into the desert the water holes came at longer intervals un- til one night Hawkeye came back to re- port that he couldn't locate a waterholeg so, camp was prepared without the sight of a nearby waterhole. As days Went by without water being found the pioneers began to grow uneasy. Finally the last water was rationed out. Don said, I think it would be better to make camp here and let some of us ride ahead and search for water. It will take less time, and will be easier on the horsesf' Naming eight men to go with him Don started off. As they searched the sun grew hotter. Finally one horse then two and three were overcome by heat and lack of water. The men were becoming almost insane with heat and thirst. His men slowly dwindled away until Don and his brother were the only men remaining. Their mounts were nearly spent and they were growing weak when at last they found water. It was only by the ut- most will power they could keep from drinking their fill. However, both knew the danger of drinking too much. After watering the horses they Hlled some water pouches and started back for the wagons. In the hearts of both was the fear that they would not find their friends alive. Coming in site of the train they were welcomed by a faint shout of hope from the others. Many were dead and others being too weak to take care of them. Out of the band of fifty who left for Oregon, only thirty saw the fertile land of Oregon. Here they cleared the land and made their farms. Don and Mary are now married and live on a large farm and have a son, who is destined to become, like his father, a great pioneer. Lyle Worster, '39 p Bread Returned CHARACTERS Rex and Molly Moffat: American children going to a Shanghai American School in China. Bandits: Rob rich people and hold people for ransom. Chinese Innkeeper: of a Tearoom in Shanghai, China. Coolie: Stands guard at tearoom. Farmer: W'orks in rice fields. SCENE In a Chinese Tearoom in Shanghai, China. SETTING Molly and Rex entering the Tearoom. Rex: Let's go in and have a cup of tea. Cthey sit down to a table next to streetj Molly: There was a rumor that the bandits are near Po Yang Lake. That is not far away is it? Rex: Not very far, but the govern- ment troops have come out so there probably isn't any danger here.