The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-10

and give me plenty Of air.,
IL made my way to the lower deck, and
found myself in the forward cabin. 1t was
very dark, and CROPPED about for the door
way, knowing that once in the main saloon
the deck lights would enable me to see more
distinctly
Clearing the rubbish and drifting sand
from about the doorway, burst it open. and
was about to enter when l paused, to SUN
mon courage before entering, A moment,
and my nervousness was over; l put my
shoulder to the door, showed it back against
the waters, and 1esolutely entered. An
awful silence was upon everything a sill
ence as Of death. was alone, at the bot
tom of the sea, in the saloon OF the Conquer
err, and close about me were postured, like
grim sentinels set to watch me in my work,
the officers and crew Of two hundred:
"Yes, there were the Inflated men, as
they stood when death overlook them on
that awful night, when they were hurried
were sinking. Before they could reach the
stairway, the mighty water had rushed in
upon them, and they died where it had met
them, at the threshold.
THE eddying waters carried them here
and there through the cabin, but still, so
close were they one to another, that had
to part them now and then to reach the after
cabin, and more than one turned, as l slow
ly passed ahead, and followed in the wake |
made behind me. Their faces were often
close against my helmet, and it Mortified me
to notice that they all wore still upon their
features the impression of the terror that
had come upon them in death.
"You mustn't think me heartless if | say
| went at once to my work, for we divers
constantly 60 through such scenes; and |
knew well enough, before went down, that
they were awaiting me there. Il fei, it as
keenly as you would sir; but l was sent
down TO do certain things, and had to
start alb out it at once. Still, l was glad
| enough when l stood again on deck, ready
to 60 above with my first report, and l gave
a good strong pull on the signal rope.
"A moment passed. and was terrified at
receiving no response from o second or third
signal!
IL pulled the rope again violently-wait-
ed-still no reply!
Great Heaven. what did it oil mean.
Had they forgotten me! We're they to leave
ME there at the bottom of the sea with that
awful crew? no sooner realized my help
lessness than an uncomfortable terror took
possession Of me, while horrible doubt and
fears came crowding into my brain. Surely
they would net desert me.-surely they had
no, forgotten me. pulled n,adly at the cord
once more, and glancing mp perceived that
there was sometime steadily resisting my
efforts from the mast head above.
WAS it some monster who was playing
with the rope?-some great fish who was
holding in in his jaws? In my desperation I
t. rev my whole weight on it, and it gave
way, aud fell slowly, silently on the deck at
my feet. The ragged, frayed ends, which
had become entangled in the rigging, were
in my hands, and the upper half OF the rope
had fOated far away with the tide,
Il was alone on the bottom of the sea,
with no means of signaling my distres! The
india rubber tube, which was my only
means Of breathing, was yet left to me;
but as soon as they should began to wind in
the rope and tube, on some supposed signal
ter would come in upon me
Il need not tell you of the wild terror
which took possession Of me; you could not
appreciate it. l knew the men were close
to me-only thirty yards above-buf must
ule OeCause COuiu uot reach tHctIl. l. raw I'll
like a mailman, and tried to tear my armor
from me, but its iron rivets held me fast
shouted piteously. uselessly, through the
silent waters. my cry going no further than
the wall of my helmet. was beside my
self in my awful terror. l tried to pray.
but could not control my maddened brain.
Il fell upon the deck at last exhaust ed In
an ominious stupor-a sulien despalr-and
into Inconsistencies. WhenI recovered
was calm-prayer came TO my lips, and with
il peace and resignnent TO my heart,
Il closed my eyes quietly, and awaited
for the death was powerless 20 defer.
Waited for it with my head laid on my arm
as used to sleep in the dear old days At
home. Waiting quietly for its coming,
praying God tina, i, might come upon me
gently, and asking that might fall into
Inconsistencies when it was close at hand
WAS crazedy Was l mad. or was this
a new torture for me in my last momonfs. l
had laid quiet but a moment, when start
ed up in terror. utiering . cry-a weak
miserable cry, which died on my lips as |
sank again on the deck aud closed my eyes
to q terrible sight before me.
Il had left the cabin door open, and freed
the imprisoned dead man. One of the dead
sailors had foased up to the deck, and, by
some horrible chance. the tide bore him di-
rec.ly toward me. Was to die surrounded
once more by those CHASTITY scntinels as
death watch.
He was borne slowly along on the cur.
rent, his eyes wide open in an awful stare,
his arms outs:retched, - though to embrace
me, welcoming ne TO the unknown world l.
fell PROSTATE on the deck in ny terror. but
he hoaied on slowly, the tide casting him
against me, whsa he fell 1t my side
Il caught him in my desperation, to fling
him from me, bat his arms closed tight
about me in an iron embrace, and his face
was close to mine-the face Of old Lott, the
diver, who had come down through the
waters 10 save me- and in whose STOUT arms
was borne up, and carried inseusible to
the oeais above
= .
I'VE saw wha: WAS wrong right away,
dear boy" he said to me Afterwards, when
the ragged ends Of rope foated 70 the sur
face There vas only one way Of reaching
you. old fellow, and can tell you We aew
around lively. We had NO sbelf to 10 dovp