Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-12-20

got nef across Jno tunnel, so tnat neaQ
and stern were wedged, and as the
next rush of water came, it smote the
boat heavily, and made her a fixture,
so that, in spite Of my efforts, | could
not move her either way.
Wash came the water again and
again, and at every dash a portion
came into the boat, drenching me to
the skin; while | now became aware
that Harry Hodson, my companion,
was lying stupefied across the kegs,
and breathing heavily.
| made one more effort to move the
boat, but it was tighter than ever ;
and after conquering an insane desire
to dive out, and try and swim to the
mouth, I let myself cautiously down
on the inner side, and stood with the
water breast high, clinging to the gun
vale of the boat. The next moment
it rose above my mouth, lifting me
from my feet, aud as it rushed back,
sucked my legs beneath the boat; but
| gained my feet again, and began to
wade inward.
ct strong upon me as was the de-
sire for life, | could not leave my com.
panion to his fate in SO cowardly a
way; so turned back, and this time
swimming, | reached the boat, now
nearly full of water; and half drag
ging, half lifting, | got his body over
the side, and holding on by his collar
tried once more for bottom. But il
was a horrible time there in the dense
black darkness,-a darkness that, in
my distempered brain, seemed to be
peopled with hideous forms, swimming
crawling, and waiting to devour us, OF
fold Us in their Shiny coils. The drip
ping water sounded hollow and echo,
ing; strange whispers and cries seem
ed floating around the musselS ratified
together: and even louder and louder
came the "lap, lap, tapping" of the
water as it rushed in and dashed ag
ainst the sides and ceiling of the hor
rible place.
was now clinging with one hand
to the boats side, while with the other
| held tightly by Hodson's s collar; but
though | waited till the wave receded
before | tried the bott ON, it was not
to be touched; so, shuddering and
horror stricken, [ waited the coming
wave, and struck off, swimming witt
all my might. 1t was only minutes
task; but when after twice trying, my
feet touched the bottom, | was painting
heavily, and so nervous that had tC
lean, trembling and shaking, against
the side. But | had a tight hold of
Hodson, whose head | managed tc
keep above water; and it was not un
til warned of my danger by the rising
tide, aud the difficulty | found in keep
ing my feet, that l again essayed tC
press forward.
Just then something cold and we
swept across my face, and dashing ou
my arms to keep off some monster of
the deep, my hands came in contac
with round body which had bea
against my breast, and in my horror
as | dashed away, was some PAGES
ere the dragging at my limb told M
that | had lett my comrade to bis fate
The next moment, however, he wa
swept up to me; and once more clutch
ing his collar, and keeping his heaC
above water, waded slowly along th,
tunnel, when again | nearly lost IN,
hold, for the same wet Shiny bod
swept across my face; but raising IN.
hand, | only dashed away one of tn
long strands of bladder weed whicI
hung thickly from the cross timber
of the roof.
1t was no hard matter to bear no
companion along with me, for | ha,
only to keep his head up, his bod
floating along the surface, but my foot
hold was uncertain, for now the bot
tom was Shiny and my feet sunk in tn
ooze deeper and deeper, for wa
nearing the gates through which tn
fresh water OF the marshes was let in
and though the water was now only t
my middle, | made my way with diff
Guilty, for there was perceptible cul
rent against me. ..
Breathing would have been easy, ha
it not been for my excitement; an
now a horrid dread seemed to chec
the very act, for all at once heard
heavy reverberating noise, and tn
thought struck me that they were oper
ing the gates and in another instan
the fearful rush of fresh water woul
come bearing all before it-even ou
lives.
In the agony of the moment | utter
ed d wild unearthly shriek-so fearfu
a cry, that | sank against the side a
terwards and clung to a Shiny pos
trembling to hear the strange whisper
ing echoes, as the cry reverberate
along the place and mingled with th
tapping rush of the water, the driE
ping from the roof and a loud soun
as of little waterfall in front.
Now came again the shape of some
thing round swimming up against me
and as it struck my side | beat at
savagely, though smiled at my FOOLS
fear the next moment, for it was on
of the brandy kegs washed out OF tn
boat. But horror still seemed to hol
me, as | waded on farther and farthe
till once more the water began
deepen, and the ooZe at the bottol
grew softer; so stopped, listenin
to the heavy rushing of water in from
where the drainage escaped and wasl
ed heavily down, deepening the tul
mel at the foot of the doors while
, that hollow cavernOus place, CROWN