Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-11-22
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an engineer proposed that diver o.
some renown should make one of 0
party OF three to explore the rock ol
the Island Of Hyercs, in the Meditcr
ranean off tho French coast. He &C,
cepted the engagement.
A boat and the necessary diving
dresses were hired, and in due course
of time the three divers found them
selves exploring the unknown depths
Of the ocean. IL was arranged that
they should all keep close together, SC
as to be able TO communicate with
each other, which could bo done by
approaching the helmets so that they
touched, when the sound Of the voice
vibrated through with sufficient dis.
tinctncss to be understood They found
mussels in great variety among sea
flowers and plants Of the most lovely
and varied colors, sprouting out in all
directions from creviccs in tho rocks,
such as they had never seen before.
They saw numbers of fish differing
strangely in form and size, some OF
which approached and eyed them curl
ously, and vanished as il by magic at
the slightest sound or movement.
About q quarter Of an hour after
their descent the diver Tho was in ad-
vance, suddenly stopped and motioned
the Others TO stop. He then neared
them and said IA sword fish" A sud
den shiycr ran through them at the
word, as the strength and viciousness
of these creatures are well understood,
and the one they saw approaching was
about six feet and half in length, with
sword which measured about three
and half feet. After moments
doubt and hesitation they drew the
daggers with which they had happily
provided themselves and awaited the
fish, planting thoir feet firmly apart,
watchiul, aud terribly anxious. Fight
was quite impossible.
The creature, too appeared undecid-
cd, and for moment seemed intent up
on making away from them. Then be
halted, and momentarily looked at
them with his small dark eyes, where
upon he turned half round and made Il
dart at them. lie missed his aim, and
that was his ruin.
The diver, who had been anxiously
watching his movements, turned lit
tie to one side as the fish came shoot
ing past, and with n strong hand seiz-
ed hold Of his sword which was point
ed at him, while with the other hand
he dealt the creature a heavy blow on
the side of the head, infiicting q wound
Of no small Dimensions. Tho blood
shot out in streams, and was at once
carried away by the sea water. A
second and third blow with the knife
followed IN quick succession, the diver
twisting and turning in all manner of
ways, but never losing his hold of the
sword, while the fish was plunging
about in every direction. Recovering
from their dismay, the divers compan-
ions all fell upon the fish, and admins.
tered blows on the head, back, belly,
and wherever possible. Still the
strength of the animal did not seem in
the least 10 abate, until well directed
blow ripped open his abdomen, when
the body turned on its back and slowly
asccnded to the surface of the water,
All these actions were, of course, ac-
complishcd with extreme rapidity, or
the result would probably have been
much less satisfactory.
None of the men thus happily freed
of this terrible danger, felt in the least
inclined TO encounter o similar hunting
advcutureso orders weregiven through
the speaking tube TO raise them as
quickly as possible. W
After taking off their dresses they
looked for the body of the sword fish,
which was eventually found, and tho
sailors cut it up to divide among them
selves, the engineer claiming the skin,
which he had stuffed and placed in
his study in commcmoration of q start
ling submarine adventure. f