The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-01-26
Nov you must tell me what it is |"
with a "Inl see YOU dead first I"

NNF wv NS Ak~ ~ 50
with "I'll see you dead first !"
The young man recognized the
mighty strength and desperate reckless
ness of his antagonist, but he relied on
his sense Of what was right in face OF
all danger, and thought if worse came
to worse, he was the more sEillful and
agile Of the two.
Presently Turner said in a conf
Dental, wheeling way, his whole de-
meanor changing. Say, mate. this ERE
is q bag Of gold I found in yon cabin,
and if yell hold yer Jaw 1 shall gle ye
one-third O. it."
"Never!" answered Dudley. reso.
lutely. You'll never tempt me to lie
Let the reader imagine the scene, in a
bell fathoms deep under the water,
where it would take at least twenty
minutes to pull up. A fierce fight might
ensue in death. Suspicion could be
averted by flinging the body to the raw
enous sharks, and the murderer get of
cost free.
But the young man f1inched.
The two stood cycling each other, the
one for attack, the other for resistance.
Once Dudley offered to pull the alarm
bell. but Turner clutched it from him.
After q pause, which seemed a century
to Dudley. the other said:
"Will ye 60 shates?"
"Neveri" was the firm reply.
perhaps it's not large enough. I'll
give half"
The whole of it is too small"
Eye won't give in?"
mot on in III" .
"Tlen to death--" screamed
Turner, springing nj his courageous adj
verSary.
Quick as thought Dudley caught at
the upturned arm, poised in the air for
a shot, at the same moment making q
lunge ut the other, his blood boiling
with indignation at the icndish at
tempt on his life.
The lunge was parted by Turner and
caught on his shoulder, the foam burst
ing from his bloodless lips and his face
black with evil passions.
Amid oaths and curses he attempted
to free his arm, held as in a wise by the
Younger man; but be could not. And
so they wrenched and swayed, facing
each other, n.ither giving an inch. and
no sound save the muttered curses OF
the one and the painting of both, as their
excited chests heaved and swelled WITT
deadly intent.
At last Dudley succeeded in loosing
the others grasp and stsbbing him in
the hand. The villains knife fell, but
with a yell, he grasped the younger
msn in his gigantic clasp, and, strug-
Cling and shifting against the bars of
wood, they gave way, while, locked IN
a deadly grip, the two drivers plunged
into the sea beneath.
Down, down! they sank, no effort be-
ing made by either to loos N the hold
on the other. Tighter and tighter they
grippcd, till they fell on q coral reef.
Death seemed but a trife where pas
SION anC hate were the consummation
of both hearts; and, under the influence
Of the demoniacal struggle. the strength
Of a Hercules was exerted on either
side.
But the want of air beganto make itself
felt. Dudley heard a roaring and surging
as of a mighty cataract in his ears; fires
flashed betore his eyes; the disk Of un-
consciousness crept over him; and, as
his antagonist lucsened his hold, his
nerveless fingers also unclasped them
selves, and he had but one thought
that Of reaching the surface.
With a dying effort he struck out,
being a splendid swimmer. He was
choking, sitting. strangling.
The water whizzed past him, and
reaching the surface, he gasped ir he
revivifying air. and, shrieking: Help
help ~ tainted away.
It was several days before he regained
consciousness, after being rescued and
tenderly cared for by his companions
aboard the yacht; then he asked tor
Turner. -
He had been drawn dp Il Sne bell
hnta0o lar gone 70 resuscita!e. He was
found lying against its bars, grasping
the bag of eold in both hands-the ILL
gotten wealth that had been the cause
of his death.
John Dudley was handsomely paid
for his honest toll, and further remu-
nerated and commended for his honest
resistance; but he never forgot the
deadly struggle that so nearly cost him
his life beneath the blue waves of the
coral-formed shores Of Florida.