The Placer herald., 1873-05-10


water; but here the eye could not pierce
far away, as in the upper air, for the water
in the distance grew Opaque, and seemed tc
fade away in misty darkness. There was
no sound, except the incessant gurgle which
was produced by the escape Of air from the
breast-valve, and the splash caused by oul
passage through the waters. We walked
on at good pace; for this armor, which
seems SO clumsy up above, is excellent be.
low, and offers very little Inconvenience tc
the experienced wearer.
Fishes in crowds we've around us. Fishes
Of every shape and size met our eye, no
matter where we turned. They swan
swiftly by us-they gamboled in the water
above us-they raced and chased one another
in every direction. Here shoal of por-
poises tumbled along in clumsy gambols,
there grampus 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, staring
at us, and solemnly working their gills.
There they would remain till we came close
up to them, and then, with start, they
would dart away.
All this time we were walking onward,
along the bottom Of the sea. We could see
our boat slowly moving onward upon the
surface of the water, like black cloud in
the sky. And now, not more than a hundred
yards before us, we could see the towering
form of that ebony rock which had 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
a round, black object became discernable as
we glanced at the rocky base.
Rimmer struck my arm and pointed. l
signed assent, and we moved onward more
quickly.
A few moments elapsed; We had come
nearer to the rock. 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, | looked up and saw the surface
of the water all foamy. There was mo-
mentary thrill through my heart, but it
passed over. We were in a dangerous po-
But should we turn back now, when we
were so near the object of our search? Al
ready it lay before us. We were close be-
side it. No, would not. l signalized to
Rimmer to goforward land still kept our course.
Now the rock rose before us, black, rug
ged 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 and clambered over spur which jutted
out from the cliff, and there lay the steamer.
The Marmion-there she lay upright,
with everything still standing. She had
settled in such position among the rocks,
that she stood upright, just as though she
lay at the 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 swift
approaching danger. We hurried forward.
Rimmer rushed to the cabin. l went for
ward to descend into the hold, l descended
the ladder, and walked to the engineers
room. All was empty here-all was water.
The waves of the ocean had entered, and
were sporting with the works of man. l
went into the freight room. Suddenly was
startled by an appalling noise upon the deck.
The heavy footsteps as Of some one running,
as though in mortal fear, sounded in my
ears. Then my heart throbbed wildly, for
it was fearful thing to bear, far down in
the silent depths of the ocean.
Pshaw! it's only Rimmer.
hurriedly assembled to the deck by the
first outlet that appeared. rushed up
wards; sprang out on the deck.
1t was Rimmer.
He stepped forward and clutched my
arm. He pressed it with convulsive grasp,
and pointed to the cabin.
started to go there.
He stamped his foot and tried to hold me
back. He pointed to the boat, and implored
me, with frantic GESTURES, to go up.
1t is appalling to witness the horror-struck
soul trying to express itself by signs. 1t is
awful to see these signs when no face is
plainly visible, and no voice is heard.
could not see bis face plainly, but his eyes,
through his heavy mask, glowed like Goals
Of fire.
81 will go!" exclaimed.
! sprang from him. He clasped his hands
together, but dared not follow.
Good heavens! thought, what fearful
thing is here? What scene can be so dread
full as to paralyze the soul Of a practiced
diver? 1 will see for myself.
l walked forward. / came to the cabin
door. l entered the forward saloon, but saw
nothing. A feeling of contempt came over
me. Rimmer shall not come with me again,
thought. Yet l was awe-struck. Down
in the depths Of the sea there is only silence
oh, how solemn l paced the long saloon,
which had echoed with the shrieks of the
drowning passengers. All! there are thoughts
which sometimes fill the soul, which are only
felt by those to whom scenes of sublimity
are familiar. Thus thinking, l walked to
the after cabin and entered.
Oh, God Of heavenl
Had not my hand clenched the door with
graap which mortal terror had made con.