Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-08-25


his helmet l caught a most malignant look
upon his features but he uttered no threats
aloud.
my companion had scarcely reached thu
bottom ere ] was in the water and rapidly
descending. l had made up my mind tc
give Bill as wide berth as possible dur.
ing the day, and began my labors strip
ping Off the copper from the wreck well
aft while he was amidships
I'VE had been down perhaps half an
hour, and was commencing TO feel lit
tie more at ease, when all at once heard
slight tapping on my copper helmet and
a hand was placed upon my shoulder
had been kneeling, but quickly rose to my
feet, and turning, saw Bill standing before
me; but his aspect sent chill TO my very
heart. He was extending toward me s
knife, the blade Of which he touched with
one finger, and then pointed to my weapon
which hung in its sheath at my belt
81 eomprehended his meaning Ii was
challenge to mortal combat. But what
place for such an encounterl am ashamed
to admit, however. that after the brief first
instant Of surprise / began to feel an in
sane desire to overcome and subdue my
rival. even though it was in Struggle TO
the death.
$50, dropping the short iron bar witt
which ! had been previously working,
drew my knife in turn. On seeing this
move Bill reached forth one hand anC
grasped mine, which he gave convulsiyt
pressure and then waved me back to pre-
pare for action.
NOW began the battle The thrusts, a.
you must know, were somewhat impedeo
by the pressure Of the water, but still they
were given with sufficient force, If they
had not been skillfully parried, for any ons
Of them TO have proved fatal In little
while we found ourselves locked, each with
his left hand grasping the others wrist
while the knives waved to and fro above
our helmets.
Suddenly l began 20 lose my air ant
was Mortified to see a small piece of tn,
rubber hose drop down before my eyes, ano
knew that Bill had severed the pipe-but
still at that moment remember thinking
that it must have been an accident as Bill
even in his anger, would not take such
mean advantage over his adversary.
"Suffocation quickly followed, but be
fore entirely losing consciousness gavt
the signal to be drawn to the surface; and
then knew no more until found myself
lying upon the schooners deck with hel
met Off and my head resting on Bills knee,
wiping the blood and foam from my nos
trils. He was dressed just as he had been
when going into the water, barring the re
moval of the glass face piece in his head
| gear.
"When l opened my eyes and looked
| around / saw him wave the rest Of the
chaps aside, and then he bent down until
| the cold copper Of his helmet touched my
cheek, as he whispered; Thank God, Tom
you're safe. But don't, for the sake Of our
| friendship, say a word Of what's happened
to our shipmates. And oh. IL you can
forgive me yourself
Forgive him2 Why, bless him, Nv,
loved him since that moment. And never
from that day to this has the affair been
| spoken OF TO anyone but ourselves"
How was it that he cut your hose, win
ing TO take your life, yet still did so much
to bring you tor" asked the captain in
credulously.
"Bill was quick tempered, and he was in
an awful rage. He would not have hest
tated to have thrust his knife into my
heart, albeit he would have been sorry fol
it the next instant, but cutting the pipe
was an accident-and when he saw the
terrible death with which | was threat
ened his anger disappeared like the mist.
Of morning before the gentle sea breeze
The boys told me that when ! came Z,
the surface | was in BilPs arms, and il
was his own hands which unlocked th'
helmet from the collar and gave me air
They also told me that he would not stOI
TO have his weights unbuckled, nor hi
head piece removed, but just knelt dow
beside me, calling all the while for me Il
open my eyes, just as though had been
brother"
"How about the young woman who wa
the cause Of all this troubled What be
came OF herr" inquired the captain. will
much interest.
20 Nancyf Poor girl, " said Tom. why
she didn't care nothing for either OF us tw,
fools. All the time we we're thinking tina
/ we might prevail upon her to cruise in on
/ company she had agreed to sign article
3 with young mate OF an East lndiaman
I So when we found that out we both OF Il
took job which lasted ns about tw'
f., years down in Key West. But when W
I got back we heard that Nancy had been
, bride, mother, and was then a widow
! the poor chap whom she married havin
Z been lost at sea on his very next voyage.
l "Then Bill and hunted her up, an
4 when we found her We adopted her for on
\ sister. We came out here to Frisco, wher
business is better than on the Atlanti
i coast, and she came, too, and we've locke
after her ever sinceH
Her child. Did il hveP" impaired tn
q captain, interestedly.
4 well, reckon It did. Leastwise
II was alive a couple o. hours ago when | sa'
Il it going over the rail yooder with
& months pay ia its pocket to gladden.
{ mothers heart" replied the old dive
Is with quiet chuokle
Il "Whatl DO you mean that Neddy, yor
n tender, is Nancy's boy2"
k THAT'S just about the size Of ID, CAPT
n And he's a boy that no woman need
ashamed OF either; and II his mother wi
(, let the lad follow the business into whiC
e he's started-and that's what Bin has goI
"a up to the house TO find out-I'll wager N
< gear and dress that within five yea
"a there won't be diver on the Pacific Goa
It who will dip deeper or work longer und'
$, water than the same boy"
" But Nancygn asked the captain wi
K she never marryf
d Hush, eapp exclaimed the diver in
K. low voice mot until either Bill or ba'
n. sounded for the last time and been Ia
away in our armor Then perhaps 81
X might. True Flag.
The Equitable Lies" business is lii
be IL to the purely mutual System and I
cv he profits Of the concern go to the poll
4
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