Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-08-01

it back against the waters, and reso-
lutely entered. Aa awful silence
was upon everything-a silence as
of death. | was alone. at the bot
tom OF the sea, in the saloon of the
Conqueror, and close about me we're
postured, like grim sentinels to
watch me in my work, the Officers
and crew of two hundred
'sYes, there were the Inflated men,
as they stood when death overlook
them on that awful night, when they
we're sinking. Before they could
reach the stairway, the mighty water
had rushed in upon them, and they
died where it met them, at the thres-
hold.
1.-THE eddying waters carried them
here and there through the cabin,
but still, so close were they TO one
another. that / had to part them now
and then to reach the after cabin,
and more than one turned ss / slow
| ly passed along, and followed in the
wake I made behind me. Their faces
were often close against my helmet,
and it Mortified me to notice that
they all wore still upon their faces
the impress of the terror that bad
come upon them in death.
"You mustn't think me heartless
if say I went at once to my work
for We divers constantly go through
such scenes; and knew well enough
before | went down, that they were
waiting me there. | felt it IS keen
ly as you would, sir, but was sent
down to do certain things, and |
had to start about it at once. Still,
l was glad enough when l stood
again on the deck, ready to go above
with my first report, and l gave a,
good strong pull on the signal rope.
"a moment passed, and was ter
rified at receiving no response from
a second or third signal
II pulled the rope again, violently
-waited--still no reply
"Great heaven what did it all
mean? Had they forgotten me ?
Were they to leave me there at the
bottom of the sea, with that awful
crew? / no sooner realized my
helplessness than an uncomfortable
terror took possession of me, while
horrible doubts and fears came
crowding into my brain. Surely
they would not desert me--surely
they had not forgotten me- | pull
ed madly at the cord once more, and
glancing up, perceived that there
was something steadily resisting my
efforts from the masthead above.
aWas it some monster who was
playing with my rope ?--some great
fish that was holding 1t in its jaws ?
In my desperation I threw my whole
weight on it, and-it gave way, and
fell slowly, silently on the deck at
my feet 7! The ragged, frayed ends,
which he'd become entangled in the
rigging, were in my hands, and the
upper half of the ropes had foated
far away with the tide.
II was alone at the bottom Of the
sea, with no means of signaling my
distress The india.rubbor tube,
which was my only means Of breath
ing, was yet fast to me, but as soon
as they should begin to wind in the
ropes and tube, on some supposed
signal from me, it would snap in two
and the waters would come In upon
me.
II need not tell you of the wild
terror which took possession of me /;
you could not appreciate it. ! knew
the men were close to me--only 80
yards above me-yet ! must die be-
cause could not reach them /
raved like mailman, and tried to
tear my armor from me, but its iron
rivets held me fast. / shouted pite-
ously, uselessly, through the silent
waters, my cry going no further than
the wall Of my helmet. | was be-
side myself in my awful terror. |
tried to pray but | could rot con-
troll MY maddened brain.
~ fell upon the deck at last, ex-
hausted-in an ominous stupor-a
sullen despair-and sank into uncon-
| seriousness. When / recovered, l
was calm-prayer came to my lips,
and with it a peace and resignation
to my heart.
| II closed my eyes quietly and
waited for the death was powerless
to defer. Waited for it with my
head on my arms as used to sleep
in the dear old days at home.
Waited quietly for its coming, pray
ing God that it might come upon
me gently, and asking that ! might
fall into Inconsistencies when it was
close at hand.
"Was crazed ? Was l mad, or
was this new torture for me in my
last moments2 ! had lain quiet but
moment, when started up in ter
ror, nttering cry-a weak, miscra-
BILE cry, which died on my lips as
sank again on the deck and closed
my eyes to terrible sight before
me.
II had left the cabin door open
and freed the imprisoned dead men,
One of the dead sailors had fioated