The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-09-04


then, dim black object arose, which our
experienced eyes knew to be lofty rock.
I mentioned to Rimmer that we should
proceed. .....
cannot tell the strangeness Of the sem
sation felt by one who first walks the bot
tom OF the sea.
There are a thousand objects, fitted to
excite establishment, even in the mind of
him who has dared to do the deed hundred
times. All around us lay the plain, covered
by water; but here the eye could not per-
ceive far away, as in the upper air, for the
water in the distance grew opaque, and
seemed to fade away in misty darkness
There was no sound, except the gurgle
which was produced by the escape of air
from the breast valve, and the Hash caused
by our passage through the waters. We
walked on at a good pace, for the armor,
which seems clumsy up above, is excellent
below, and offers little inconvenience to the
practicCd eye.
Fishes IN crowds were around US. Fish
es of every shupe and size met our eyes, no
matter where they turned. They swan
swiftly by us; they raced and chased one
another, in every direction. Here shoal
of porpolses tumbled along in clumsy gam
bols, there grOmpus 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, float
ed in the water lazly. Sometimes three or
four placed themselves directly before as,
staring at US and soleinnly working their
gils. There they would remain, till we
came up close to them, and then with start
they would dart away. ... .. ...
All this time we were walking onward
along the bottom of the sea, while above Us,
ike black cloud in the sky, we could see
our boat moving slowly onward upon the
surface of the water, and now not more than
hundred yards before us, we could see the
towering form of that ebony rock which had
at first greeted our eyes from afar. AS yet
we could not be certain that this was the
place where the Marmion had struck. But
soon the object became disernable, as we
glanced at the rocky base.
Rimmcr struck my arm and pointed.
signed assent, and we moved onward more
quickly.
A few moments elapsed, we had come
nearer. The black object now looked like
the stern of vessel whose hull lay there.
Suddenly, Rimmer struck me again, and
pointed upward. Following the direction Of
his hand, I looked up and saw the surface
of the writer all foamy and in notion
There was momentary thrill through my
heart, but it passed. We were in danger.
GUS condition. A storm was coming on
But should we turn back now, when we
were so near the object OF our search! AL.
ready i, lay before us. We were close be.
side it. No, would not. signalized tc
Rimmcr to 90 forward, and we still kept oul
course.
Now the rock rose up before US, black
rugged and 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 clambered over spur, which jut.
ted from the cliffs and there lay the steamer
There she lay upright, with everything
standing She had gone right down, and
had settled in such a position among the
rocks, that she stood upright, just as though
she lay at her wharf. We rushed eagerly and
clambered up her side. There was low
moan in the water, which sounded warning
lv in our ears, and told us of a swift ap.
proaching danger. What was TO be done
must be done speedily. We rushed forward
Rimmer rushed to the cabin. I went for
ward to descend into the hold. | descended
the ladder. walked into the engineers
room. All was empty here, all was water.
The waves of the ocean had entered, ant
were sporting ith the works of man.
went into the freight room. Suddenly was
startled by I'm appalling noise on deck
rhe heavy footsteps of some one, running
as though in mortal fear, or most dreadful
haste, sounded in my ears. Then my hear
throbbed wildly, for it is fearful thing tt
hear, far down in the silent depths of the
ocean.
Pshaw ! it's only Rimmer.
I hurridly ascended the deck by the frs
outlet that appeared. When speak Of hur
ry, speak Of the quickest movement pos
sible, when covered with SO much armor.-
But this movement OF mine was quick;
rushed upwards. Isprang out on deck.
1t was Rimmer. ..l.r ,l... a..e.
He stepped forward and c!lutched my arm
He pressed it with convulsive grasp, ant
pointed to the cabin. | attempted to gt
there. ,...
He stamped his foot and tried to hold mt
back He pointed to the boat and miplore'
me, with frantic gestures, to go up:
It's appalling to witness the horror 'strucl
soul trying to express itself by signs. 1t il
awful to see these signs when no face i
, plainly visible and no voice is heard.
could not see his face plainly, but his eyes