Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-04-10

upon Wnat seemed q Ooard plaln, blOplhg
downward, toward the SOUTH and rising slight
ly, toward the north. Looking forward then
dim, black object arose, which our expert
enced eyes knew to be lofty rock.
motioned to Rimmer that we should pro-
ceed there.
| cannot tell the strangcness of the sensa-
ton felt by one who first walks the bottom
OF the sea.
There are thousand objects, fitted 10 ex-
cite astonishment, even in The mind If him
who has dared the deed hundred times. All
around us lay the plain, covered by water;
but there the eye could not pierce far away,
as in the upper air, for the water, ir the dis
tance, grew Opaque, and seemed to fade away
into misty darkness There was no sound,
except the incessant gurgle which was pro-
duced by the escape of air from the breast
valve, and the plash caused by our passage
through the waters. We walked on at
good pace for this armor, (which seems so
clumsy up above, is excellent below, and Of
fefs little inconvenience to the practiced
wearer.
| Fishes in crowds were around us. Fishes
of every shape and size met our ey es,no mat
ter where they turned. They swan swiftly
by US, they sported in the water above US;
they raced and chased one another, in every
direction. Here Ia shoal of porpoises tum-
bled along in clumsy gambols, there gramp-
us might be seen rising slowly to the surface;
here an immense number of smaller fish
flashed past us, there some huge ones, with
ponderous forms, foated in the water lazily.
Sometimes three or four placed themselves
directly before us, starting at US, and solemn
ly working their gills. There they would
remain, till we came close up ito them, and
then, with a start they would dart away.
All this time we were walking onward,
alOng the bottom of the sea, while above us,
like a black cloud in the sky, we could see
our boat slowly moving onward upon the sur
face of the water. And now, not more than
hundei yards before us, we could see the
towering form Of that ebony rock which had
at first greeted our eyes from atar. AS yet,
we could not be certain that this was the
place where the Marmion had struck. But
soon round, black object became discerni-
BILE, as we glanced at the rock base.
| Rmmer struck my arm, and pointed. !
signed assent, and we moved onu ard more
quickly.
a few moments elapsed: we had come
nearer to the rock. The black object 70 "
looked like the stern of vessel whose hull
lay they.
Suddenly, Rimmer struck mo again, and
pointed upward. Following the direction of
his hand, looked up, and saw the upper SIR
face of the water all foamy aud in NOTION
There was momentary thrill through my
heart, but it passed over. We were in
dangerous condition. A storm was coming
on
But should we turn back now, when we
were 80 near the object of our search! AL
ready it Icy before US. We were close be-
side it. No, would not. sgnalized to
Rmmer to 90 forward, and we still kept our
course.
Now the rock lose> up before US, black,
rugged, dismal, Its rough sides were worn
by the action OF the water, and, in some
places, were covered by marine plants. and
nameless ocean vegetation. We passed on.
ward, we cambered over a spur, which jutted
from the cliff, and there lay the steamer.
The Marmion--there she lay upright, with
everything stil! standing. She had gone right
|
mong the rocks, that she stood upright here,
just as though she lay at her wharf We
rushed eagerly along and clambered up her
side. There was low moan in the water,
which sounded warningly in our ears, and
told us of a swiit-approaching danger. What
was to be done, mus: be doue speedily, We
hurried forward. Rimmer rushed to the
cabin. went forward, to descend into the
hold. descended the ladder. walked in
to the engineers room. All was empty here,
all was water. The waves of the ocean had
entered, and were sporting with works o
man. went into the freight-room. Sud:
denly, was startled by appalling noise upon
the deck The heavy footsteps of some one
running, as though in mortal tear, or mos
dreadful haste, sounded in my ears. Their
: my heart throbbed wildly; for it was fear
tul thing to hear, far down in the silent
depths of the ocean.
Pshaw! it's only Rmmer.
l hurriedly uscc nded the deck by the frs
outlet that appeared. When | speak o
D hurry, / speak of the quickest movemen
l possible. when numbered with SO much ar
NOR. But this movement of mine was quick
TuSheu uP"oiusj oP' ohS ous va sAS NSS'-
: 1t was Rimmerl
}, He stepped forward and clutched my arm
r He pressed it with convulsive grasp, an
:, pointed to the cabin.
It | attempted to 60 there.
= He stamped his foot, and tried to hold m
back. He pointed to the boat, and implore
II me, with frantic gestures, to go up.
o 1t is appalling to witness the horror-struc
l. soul trying to express itself by signs. 1t
e awful to see these signs when no face
'f plainly visible, and no voice is heard.
IT could not see his face plainly, but his eye
Z through his heavy mask, glowed like Goals {
L fire.
e 81 will go!" l exclaimed. sprang fro'
e him He claspeG his hands together, b'
dared not follow.
I'd Good heavens thought, what fearf
thing is here! What sceEe can be SO drea
lie ful as to paralyze the soul of a practice
diver. | will see for myself.
NJ walked forward ,came to the cab
US door entered the forward saloon, but sa
nothing. A feeling OF contempt came