The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-05
Walking Under Water.

nl3-my divlng apparatus"
- ~ iftsa ii~lightly. It looked like
the breast-plate that In the days OF
chivalry took the place of overcoat,
except there was helmet attachment.
1t was made of copper, about as long
and as wide, but larger, as the trunk of
an ordinary man. Made to be put Gil
over the head, the bottom and arm OPEN
ings were fitted with thick rubber.
The helmet differed only slightly, and
that in snaps, from the ordinary Divers
helmet. There was a small valve at the
top, evidently to allow air to escape.
To the back of the apparatus was fas-
tened an attachment like soldiers
knapsaok. From either end of this a
wire protruded.
"This, explained the host. handling
1t proudly and turning 1t about with
ease that indicated its small weight,
''this is my diving apparatus. With it
L con walk In the deepest water as long
as can walk on land"
The visitor suggested the need of
abundant oxygen to successful walking
In any element.
'This supplies the air need aud the
light also," quietly responded the cap
tain, touching the knapsack at the back
of the armor.
The knapsaok covered light piece
OF mechanism which ratified slightly at
the touch. There were two minute
valves in its outer surface, or ut the top.
and one below, wire protruding, and
few small holes were punched in it
inside the armor jacket.
"This supplies mo with air and with
light. A drop Of water is admitted
through this valve. The air within it is
separated from the other elements and
breathe 1t. What remains serves to
keep alive my electric lamp, and the
small residue is discharged through thus
valve"
From a large box near at hand he
produced another helmet and Jacket,
the exact duplicate of the first. Then
two suits of clothing made of a thick
rubber like material, two pair of Divers
shoes with leaden soles, and two small,
ordinary looking lanterns were brought
forth.
| Wblle the captain was rapidly cloth
ing himself in his rubber-iike suit, the
visitor examined the lantern. Its globe
was secured by brass mountings, and
was evidently Theoretically sealed. In
the place of wick were two wires, the
ends nearly touching. His host attached
to 1T the wire protruding from the KNAPP
sack, remarking as he did so that it was
cable with two strands.
Now" he said, "before you get into
your armor Ill test mine before you and
show you its safety"
| He lifted o trap.door In one corner of
the room. A Hight of steps led down
into cistern of evidently considera BILE
extent
"Iu go down there" continued the
host, ''and remain long enough to re-
move your doubts. You shall see the
operation Of this little knapsack"
He lifted the jacket over his head, and
drew it down over his body. Tighten
ing the screws that gathered the rubber
band, which closed it about his waist,
he picked up the lantern, and walked
down the steps into the cistern. rt'le
instant his shoulders were immersed the
lantern blazed out, illuminating every
part Of the oistern. 1t was about eight
feet deep. Capt. Ebbitt moved about
in it with no apparent discomfort for
fifteen minutes. Then he came up the
steps, his lantern being extinguished as
his shoulders rose above the water.
Removing the glass front from his
helmet, he inquired if his guest was
satisfied
| With the captains assistance he was
in few moments clothed for his watery
adventure, and stood, lantern III hand, a
taller aud rather simmer in the legs
counterfeit presentment of that indi-
vIdual. About midnight the two gro-
tesque-looking figures emerged from
the house and headed for the lake. It
was scarcely q hundred feet distant.
The leaden soles of their shoes made
standing upright difficult, and Walking
more so. Steadying each other they
slowly approached the waters edge.
Nearly every trace of the tempest had
disappeared. The waves, which three
days before howled and ragged like hun
CRY tigers, were now kissing the sands
and softl yrippl,ng in among the rocks
with musical gurglo, and lamb like
innocence. The moon hoated In All
undimned heaven and shed its effulgence
over the sheet of water, stretching far
into the distance till 1t met and mingled
with the horizon.
| Capt. Ebbitt screwed on the glass
front of his own and companions he'll
met and beokoned him on. They waded
in slowly till the water was up to tho
breasts, to the necks. till their heads
were under, in eight feet of water.
| The instant the knapsaok OF the novice
was immersed, lie heard faint click,
soft, continuous burr, as OF some deli
cate machinery IN operation, and was
sensible OF a renewal of the air within
his armor. At the same time, the lamp
he was carrying blazed forth in o small
but most brilliant light. He felt no
dlscomfort-the contrary, in fact.
Nothing Of dampness or ohlll permeated
his heavy clothing, and his feet felt as
light as they usually did while on land.
He paused several minutes, heard the
burning OF hidden wheels In the KNAPP
sack, felt the fresh air circulating about
his head. The captain had kept his
word, and shown hlm great invention.
He felt confident, and ready to follow
his guide. That parsonage lot ked
enormous, such was the. magnlfying
power Of the water. He seemed to fairly
tower into the gigantic.
"How do you feell" the visitor heard
a voice, apparently inside his helmet,
say.
He muteiy looked at the glass front
Of Capt. Ebbltt's helmet for an explana-
tion. That wizard touched small wire