Bloomington High School, The Gothic, 1915, Page 10

Description:	TenThe GothicThe Cry of the WildernessA Tale of the Brazilian ForestsBy Dorothy RomiserAs the waves of the Atlantic drifted in and licked theburning shores of northern Brazil, they touched the bodyof a half-clad man, lying flat upon his back on the beach.His eyes were closed, but the short rise and fall of his nakedchest told that he still lived.There was a movement in the brushes a short distanceaway and a black figure stepped from the thicket thatfringed the endless jungle beyond. He was clothed onlyin a light-colored pair of breeches which contrasted oddlywith his black skin. A rifle lay in the crotch of his shiny,black arm. His name was Kapiz; he was a native of theBrazilian forests.He gazed out at the sea and up and down the beach,then his eyes fell upon the figure stretched in -the sand.He walked a few steps forward-then halted. He noticedthe man wore the yellow khakis of the United States Army.Kapiz grunted and muttered in his native gutteral,Americano, deserter. Then he advanced and raised theman to a sitting posture.The man opened his eyes and gazed at Kapiz, but hisparched lips could whisper only one word-water.Kapiz did not understood and shook his head. The manopened his mouth again, and with a half conscious glare inhis eye, fell back again upon the sand.Kapiz understood now, and placed the man upon hisshoulders, then he mounted the beach and entered the for-est from whence he had come.When in the depths of the forest, he stopped to rest amoment, laying his unconscious burden at his feet and hisrifle beside it. He stood with his hands on his hips, breath-ing hard, his black nostrils dilating and perspiration tric-kling from his shoulders.Then a strange cry came from somewhere in the forest,a scream like that of a woman. Kapiz knew what it wasand picked up his rifle. The cry came nearer, this timenearer, and echoed through the jungle. Kapiz was ready,and soon the rustle of the underbrush nearby caused himto turn quickly. He lifted his rifle and aimed it betweentwo fiery eyes in the thicket. The animal growled deeply,but with the report of the rifle, the growl ended in a gurgle.Kapiz again picked up his silent burden and went onthrough the silent forest.II.The small cleared region in which stood the home ofKapiz was surrounded on all sides by the deep forest inwhich dwelt a strange animal of the tropics.The little house set high upon stilts, looked like a hugetarantula ready to strike. Two ladders of bamboo stood atfront and back entrances.All the night long the white man lay upon the couch inthe house, muttering deliriously in a strange tongue. Andall night long Kapiz sat by the couch and watched over him.It was not until the early tropical sun began to lift theheavy dew that Kapiz ceased his long vigil and called theblack-haired Mela, his wife, to watch over the Americano.Then Kapiz lay upon his own couch and was soon sleepingsoundly.Mela was sitting before the white man when he againbegan talking in his delirium.They cant find me now, he muttered. If I can onlyreach the shore. Water! Water! Give me water! No,theyll never get me. Ive had enough of it. They neverB. H. S. 1915Know thyself and you know everybody.
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloom/id/1532
Collection:	Bloomington High School

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