Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-17

ally. letting the sand settle under the
box rs fast as the boat lifted, it was
brought to within two or three feet Of
the surface Of the sand without 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 a wise.
At last, after from one or two hours
work OF that kind, the box would be
landcl |, and signal sent to stop the
steam pump. After making an ex-
amin1tion to see that all was right, I
woull signal for the surf boat to haul
up, and the box would disappear
in the direction OF the boat, with o
God-specd and hearty good-by from
nc.
Sometimes Mexican divers would
come down and hold on TO my dress,
two or three at a time, and try to take
the hlrs from me. l would simply
hold Oh until they would have TO
leave - gct air. But when one let so
another was there to take his place. l
finally became cnraged and punched
one oi them with the nozzle, making
a round, circular wound on his ribs.
He gave me violent kick as he left
me, and l was soon hauled up.
After this all work had to stop, as
the Mcxicans threatened to stab any
diver who went under water belong
ing - our expedition. We remained
idle few days, but getting unhappy
over such a state OF affairs, | proposed
working by night Johnson would
not consent. !, however, persuaded
portion OF the crew tovolunteer O trial
OF one night; 80 we went TO work thus
In the dark. confident OF success, and
recovered two boxes the first dive. l
came up somewhat exhausted and
went on board the small vessel, took q
lunch, and rested couple OF hours.
Then | made another dive and re-
covered one more box, which proved
night work a great success, and ever
afterward anything was possible TO
the crew that | would undertake.
We worked eight or ten nights, or
until the Mexicans left, and then re-
sumed work by day.
One night when came up the men
told me u huge devil fish had come
along and was settling down upon me,
when an oar was thrown, striking him
on the back, causing him to leave. L
felt thankful 10 that oar, FOR nothing
could have saved me from being sliced
UP had he once got his arms around
me.
recovered Capt. Hudson's dumb
bells, and afterward presented them
10 him, and also some mutilated Ore
gon State bonds, some photographs,
and an elegant ivory card case, which
| have now in my possession.
often came out Of the sand with
the feet OF my dress all worn out by
paving and digging in the Goals and
sand with my toes. Ny feet became
so sore and badly cut as 10 almost
cripple me. Ny nails became worn
50 thin by the sand as to bleed from
being touched, and my hands and feet
were constantly swollen to twice their
natural size.
The sand penetrated through my
clothes from the holes in the feet.
Both knees were chafed raw. My
shoulders, from which so much weight
was suspended, were always as raw as
a piece OF beef, and bled freely when l
emerged from the water. L used to
rub them with balsam. / occasionally
met other divers in the sand, and once
washed one OF them out. The poor fell
low was almost gone when they hauled
him up.
Doubtless there are many places
where money can be recovered by the
use OF water if it was more generally
understood.