Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-05-29
PORT TOBACCO, MARYLAND. MAY 30, 1891.

my hand, and could feel the tiny.
soft explosions
/ had walked thirty or forty pace
when shouted again AMI !, ain. Ny
voice seemed very low, but | could
hear million bubbles quivcring round
me and above me. Whenever | was
sure the ground was lcTel walked on
rapidly, ilingiug my arms about me.
But in spite of the air in the bub-
Dles, the sensations Inexperienced were
not agreeable, and dull pain came
into my head. The light had noticed
on opening my eyes was DINNER, and
| supposed | was near the chil at the
back of the cove. So | turned about
TO go back, having hal my very novel
experience, and taking. as near as
could judge, the way by which | had
come. Walking as rapidly as possible
for three or four minutes, | supposed
that | must be close to the spot where
| had entered. But evidently | was
not for the hard face of the cliff
stopped me.
Then turned and walked along the
edge of the cliff toward the opening;
but presently a great rock rose in my
way. In my confusion and cropping
to feel for the cliff | inhaled numerous
bubbles, 50 that salt, Shiny paste be-
gan to firm in my mouth. 1t did not
take me long to realize that | had lost
my way, and that my predicament was
one not to be envied.
So, with my left hand over my
mouth and my right hand extended,
| crossed and moved iii every direction
that thougt likely to bring me out.
Several times l fell by stumbling
against large stones, and my knees
and arms were badly bruised. The
pain in my head. meantime, grew
worse, and there was strange buzz
zing in my cars.
After had been in the place about
fifteen minutes, the wearincss grew
SO great that was obliged to sit upon
stone. now thrashcd the pressing
bubbles from my face with both my
hards and found some relief in the
larger quantity Of air that l was able
to inhale.
But how was TO get out of it? 1t
was only too certain that if found
the place of egrcss it could only be by
accident.
What were they saying, all those
thousands of bubbles, that pressed
around and above me, so soft, so eva
sive, but SO persistent and SO numer-
Gus? For there came into my cars
the strangest din Of small sounds that
the ear of mortal ever heard.
Sometimes it was like the crying
music that you hear in sea shell
again, it seemed as if a myriad voices
were whispering mockeries in resent
mcnt of my intrusion upon their
domain. flung up my hands and
dispersed the crowding tormentors,
but they settled down upon me imme-
dately.
Though my senses were becoming
dull and benumbed, and it was very
clear to ME that my situation was
serious. 1t occurred to me that some
of the coast people might have dropped
around this way and that, having seen
my dog and gun, they would make
search for me. So once more l cried
out.
As before, the sound seemed moth
ing, though ii made the mass all about
me culver and tremble violently.
There was no hnpan voice in re-
sponsc; but once thought | heard
the faint barking of my dog. Inervcd
myself for another trial, counting my
chances of success. Alas, they were
SMALL
The thought came burning through
me. Would it not be awful TO die in
this way? After a time the storm
would cease and foam would not
drift across. My body would be
be found there, and the people never
could guess the cause of my death.
stumbled on and on, and as usual,
went against the cliff. Turning again,
l set ont in the opposite direction. be-
coming more confused all the while.
My heart was beginning to sink and
longed to lie down, with this va>t
covering above me, and go to sleep.
Nevertheless | stumbled on and OIL,
not knowing whittier. Then my foot
touched something soft, which moved.
Then the thing whatever it was, rose
and touched me upon the body. Then
it barked. 1t was my dog.
The dear brute jumped about in the
widest excitement, continually dart
ing away from me and then return
ing, STOPPING, I laid my hand UPON
the dogs neck and said as loudly as l
could, "Home, Jack! On, boy!"
This was just what he needed. He
set off at once at a rapid walk, still
feeling him with my hand. He led
me, as it seemed, by the most devious
ways, around great rocks, gently
across great holes, over level places,
till it seemed to me as if l had trav-
elled miles.
Then a great flash came upon my