Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-02-01

strokes of the air pumps seemed to beat
ON my brain like sledge-hammers. |
writhed and twisted and tore at my fast
enings with the strength Of a desperate
and the fury of mad man. The agony
became intense. All of sudden felt !
held some hard substance in my hand.
1t was the knife had picked up. | had
instinctIy gripped it hard, even in my strug-
gle with BIcggs, But it was closed
Still the pressure increased; | felt as ifmy
hand would burst; my cyeballs seemed
filled with fire; my breath was choked
my brain began to swim.
Now or never thought /. After some
vain struggling | managed to hold the
knife against the timber with the back OF
one hand, and with the other open its
blade. Directly it was open and thrust
into my diving-dress, which, with the pres
sure of the air was distsnded like a bal
LOOM With the bubbling sound that de-
noted the escape Of the air through the
hole thus made came an immediate sense
of relief. The hope of escape from such
imminent peril gave me new courage and
fresh strength and l speedily released
myself from my bonds, and was saved.
The hole made was in the leg of my
trousers. | took some of the cord that
had bound me, and after tying it as tight
as | could round my leg above the hole,
was able to turn on my regular escape
valve and breathe with comparative free
dom.
In a few moments had gained the deck,
aad, closing the valve was rapidly borne
to the surface. came up just under the
quarter, and as | lad my hand on the rope
ladder to climb up the side, heard Bleggs
voice:
Governors long time down. Some
thing queer there; wouldn't let me stay
down-signaicd me to 60 up at once.
Found the swag, p'r'aps, and wants it for
himself | wonder when he means COM
ing up?"
"Now" said |, climbing up, and show
ing myself over the bulwarks. Bleggs fell
back as if he had been shot.
"Seizc him, and bind him hand and
foot !" said | to the men, who obeyed me
with some wonder, and very readily. Luck
lily he was too surprised toresist. WhenI
told the story of his villiany the crew
were tor throwing him overheard then and
there, but this | positively forbade
At this moment looking in the direction
OF our fisher friend, saw him preparing
to slip his cable and make for shore.
| Immediately ordered three of the crew
into the boat and give chase. They caught
him after smart race.
TO make long story short we traced
the stolen treasure to this mans hut on
the opposite side Of the island to ours, and
he and Bieggs were taken before the near
est magistrate, and the whole case laid
before him.
Then learned the manner of Blegg's
rapid return. Apparently guessing my
he had gone to the island in
stead of going to the main-land-had broken
into the stores, and found the paper. This
he showed to the man who was with him,
saying he tancied he had seen some, and
so Of course there was no need to go on
shore.
Inc magistrate discharged B!egg's ac-
complete. The treasme-ships were not
our property, and the man was not in our
employ, so that there was no case against
him.
But with Bleggs it was quite another
affair, said the justice though it was I'M
necessary to 20 INTO that part of the ques-
ton, as he should commit him for trial on
the charge of attempting murder.
As he said this my overpent feelings
gave way, and turning round giddly as if
Ill search of support, fell all in a heap on
the floor.
From that time there was long blank
until | came to myself, and found | was
lying in bed, attended by nurse, who
seemed very glad to find was sensible
as well she might, poor woman, for had
been raging with brain-iever. But was
forbidden to talk, and, indeed, scarcely
cared to do SO, was so weak.
My recovery was very; very slow. At
last, when | was strong enough, they told
me that had been laid up for long time,
during which my enemy had been kept in
prison, until growing weary Of confne-
ment he had confessed all to Mr.. Turton,
and being allowcd to plead guilty, had been
asked what time of the year it was,
for saw through my bedroom window
that the branches OF the trees were bare.
! was told it was October.
Then came back to me the bitter thought
that the year was nearly run out. and |
was as badly off as at the commencement
of it. saw ! had lost all chance OF Win
ming Polly. Nay, my long silence might
have led her to think me faithless.
The worry and disappointment brought
on relapse, and for another month lay
at deaths door, and was another three
weeks ere | could muster strength to rise
from my bed.
Then | wrote to Mr.. Turton to ask him
for the wages that were due at the time
of my illness, and to thank him for his
kindness in providing me, as learned he
had done, with nursing and medical attend
ance.
Ina couple of days received a letter
from him inclosing me check Tor thou
sand pounds, with the thanks the COM
pany for my fidelity aud vigilance in their
interests. They had raised an immense
quantity OF treasure.
| need hardly say how grateful was, Or
how soon | gained health and strength
then. made my way up to town as soon
as could, and went straight to Polly.
1t was the day before ChriStmas-day,
and she was putting upthe holly. | saw
her through the window; so slipped in
quietly by the back door, and crept up and
caught Der in my arms. 1t was foolish
trick, for she just gave me one look, and
then tainted dead Off
But no harm came of it, and--Well, Sir,
the thousand pounds satisfied the farmer,
snd we were married. And better vile
a man couldn't have.