New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-30

fastened IN tine sand, ABOUT seven lee&
deep, and gave myself up as lost. 1t nap.
pened in this way: On reaching the local
i.y of the treasure would sit down, hold.
ing the nozzle, pointing down, between
my legs, and signal for the steam pump
to start the water. As soon as hole was
cut under me I would enter it feet fore.
most. The water would drill hole about
the size of barrel. At this time de-
scended to plate of boiler iron, and in
turning the stream of water in front Of
me, to work my way off the boiler
plate, became fastened by the sand
closing around me from behind, which
it did almost instantly. My arms were
buried so lar as the wrists, my hands
being the only part of me not buried, az
solid as if in mold and metal run around
me. The nozzle had jumped out of my
hands and was swinging at the end OF the
rope which was tied to me. The under.
tow carried it back over my head, the
stream of water passing over my head and
pointing in shore. / was in an easy posi-
ton, but being packed SO solid could
not make an effort to clear myself or make
signal or receive one, expecting every
moment that the escape of air would DO
stopped, thus bursting the air-hose, which
would be the end OF all. 1 remained
in that position over two hours lit seemed
ages), as I learned on coming up. for when
at work under water q person has no idea
of time whatever, and perhaps I would
be there now had not huge roller come
crashing in, Strengthening the water hose,
kedge anchor, and all in shore beyond
me, and pointing the stream of water d.
rectly against me, thus washing me out
After that took the two and q half-inch
water hose and tied it to my back, the
nozzle discharging near the calf of my leg.
I always called that my pet, and never
again went without it. 1t kept the water
coming up behind in such manner that
the sand could not settle, thus giving me
the large stream to work with.
In making examination with the feet, II
anything was found containing square
corners, long steel hook, which carried
tied to my dress, was forced down beside
it. If it should prove to be box of gold,
1 would come to the surface Of the sand
and signal for set of long steel-spring
hooks, which had invented for the pur-
pose, to be sent to me. Then the surf
boat would be sent in as near me as pos
sible, and the hooks would be thrown to-
ward me until I felt them strike my
helmet Then I would descend again.,
with the hooks in one hand and the other
manipulating the hose to cut my way
down to the box. After finding it and
spinging the hooks down on it, would
signal to the surf boat to pull on the
hook line. Then by drawing the
nozzle up gradually, letting the sand
settle under the box as fast as the boat
lifted, it was brought to within two Or
three feet Of the surface of the sand with
out great trouble. But just there would.
come the tug of war. The boat could not
lift it out of the. hole because it lay too,
far of. I would be about knee deep in
the sand just where the breakers would
break over me. One would hurl me down
head to shore, and perhaps jerk the water
hose out of my hands. Then the sand.
would close around my legs instantly
more firmly than wise. At last, after from.
one CT two hours work of that kind, the
BOX would be landed and signal sent to
stop the steam pump. After making an
to see that all was right, I
would signal for the surf boat to haul up,
md the box would disappear in the direc--
ion of the boat. with q godspeed and
hearty good-by from me.
Sometimes Mexican divers would come.
lown and hold on to my dress, two or
hree at q time, and try to take the bars
rom me. would simply hold on untik
hey would have to leave to get air. But.
vhen one let 60 another was there to.
AXE h;s :c..ace. l finally became enraged
nd punched one of them with the noz--
lie, making round, circular wound on
is ribs. He gave me violent kick as
70 left me. and I was soon hauled up.
lfter this all work had to stop, as the
Iexicans threatened to stab any diver
hat went under water belonging to
ur expedition. We remained idle
few days, but getting unhappy
yer such state of affairs, I pro-
osed working by night. johnson would
ct consent l, however, persuaded
portion Of the crew to volunteer trial
f one night; SO we went to work thus in.
be dark, confident of success, and re-
overed two boxes the first dive. I came
p somewhat exhausted and went on
GARD the small vessel, took a lunch and
ested couple of hours. Then l made
mother dive and recovered one more box,
'hich proved night work great success,
nd ever afterward anything was possible
D the crew that would undertake. We
'orked eight or ten nights, or until the
Iexicans lett, and then resumed work by
ay.
On night when came up the men told
he huge devil fish had come along and.
'as settling down upon me, when an car
'as thrown, striking him on the back,
ausing him to leave. I felt thankful to-
hat oar, for nothing could have saved me
rom being sliced up had he once got his
rms around me. I recovered Captain.
ludson,s dumb bells, and afterward pre-
ented them to him, and also some mutila--
ed Oregon State bonds, some photo
raphs. and an elegant ivory card case,
Inch have now in my possession.
1 often came out of the sand with the
BET OF the dress all worn out by paving
nd digging in the Goals and sand with
~ toes. My feet became so sore and
ably cut as to almost cripple me. My
ails became worn SO thin by the sand as.
} bleed from being touched, and my
ands and feet were constantly swollen to.
vice their natural size. The sand pene--
ated through my clothes from the holes
! the feet. Both knees were chafed raw.
~ shoulders, from which so much weight
as suspended, were always as raw as
iece of beef, and bled freely when L
merged from the water. l used to rub
lem with balsam. / occasionally met
ther divers in the sand, and once washed,
ne of them out The poor fellow was
most gone when they hauled him up.
oubtless there are many places where
loney can be recovered by the use Of
alter if it was more generally understood.
San Francisco Chronicle.