Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-10-01
THE DIVERS DRAMA.

L lily Ill IlG ~ LIMA NJ IA
''It was almost enough to craze
man outright, said the old diver.
"Aye, it was tight fix-that in the
Conqueror. She was coming in from the
Mediterranean after a three years
cruise with the 'middies,' and went
down in a gale in sight Of home with
every soul on board. I was young then
and anxious to be the first sent down
into her for the sake Of the reputation
it would give me, for reputation meant
money, and money, you see, was the
only reason why Hettie and were de-
ferring our marriage.
"The sea was running high as was
carried down in my heavy armor from
the deck Of the steamer to the float
alongside, where the ropes by which to
haul me up again were fastened on.
The india rubber tube, through which I
was to be supplied with air, was ad-
justed.
"'Now, dear boy, said my old friend
and instructor, Lott, the famous deep
sea diver, who came forward to close
the little glass window in my helmet,
take good care of yourself and don't
stay long below. The currents are
swift.
II dropped into the waves with a
splash, sinking swiftly down through
the brilliant sunlit waters, which,
though rough and boisterous at their
surface, suddenly grew calm as I passed
below. I glanced up at the sun, which
appeared as great ball Of fire. but,
growing smaller and smaller as sank
lower, it finally seemed like the tiny
red spark Of candle and then faded
from sight.
II cleared bank Of thick seaweed
and stood at last upon the bright sandy
bottom.
Passing around reef Of rocks fan
cifully honeycombed, I came upon q
mass Of tangled rigging, and few
steps brought me to the man-of-war
half buried where she lay in the sand.
"Great caution was necessary lest I
should become entangled among the
ropes or caught under the shifting tim
bers, and making my way slowly to the
companionway sent up the signals:
II am about to enter the vessel'-I
shall be in danger'-'Play out rope free
ly, and give me plenty of air.
II made my way to the lower deck
and found myself in the forward cabin.
CROPPED about for the doorway, know
ing that once in the main saloon the
deck lights would enable me to see more
distinctly.
Clearing the rubbish and drifted
sand from about the doorway, put my
shoulder to the door, showed it back
against the waters and resolutely en-
tered. An awful silence was upon every
thing-a silence az Of death. was
alone, at the bottom Of the sea, in the
saloon Of the Conqueror. and close about
me were postured, like grim sentinels
set to watch me in my work, the officers
and crew Of 200l
eyes, there were the i'll fated men
as they stood when death overlook them
on that awful night, when they were
sinking. Before they could reach the
stairway the mighty water had rushed
in upon them and they died where it
had met them, at the threshold.
1.-The eddying waters carried them
here and there through the cabin, but
still go close were they to one another
that I had to part them now and then
to reach the after cabin, and more than
one turned, as slowly 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 had come
upon them with death.
"A moment passed and I was terrified
at receiving no response from a second
or third signal
II pulled the rope again violently
waited-still no reply.
Great heavens! What did it all
mean? Had they forgotten mel We're
they to leave me there at the bottom Of
the sea with that awful crew. I no
sooner realized my helplessness than AN
uncomfortable terror took possession Of
me- Surely they would not desert mel
Surely they had not forgotten mel l
pulled madly at the cord once more, and
glancing up perceived that there was
something steadily resisting my efforts
from the masthead above.
Twas it some monster who was play
ing with my rope some great fish that
was holding it in his jawsl In my des.
peration I threw my whole weight on
IL, and-it gave way and fell slowly,
silently, on the deck at my feet The
ragged, frayed ends, which had become
entangled in the rigging, were in my
hands and the upper half Of the ropes
| had doated away with the tide.
II was alone at the bottom Of the
sea, with no means Of signaling my dis.
tressl The india rubber tube. which
was my only means Of breathing, was
yet fast to me, but ~ aoon a. they
should begin to wind In the ropes and
tube, ON some supposed signal from me,
1t would snap in two and the waters
would come In upon me.
my terror grew wilder. I knew the
men were close to me-only 80 yards
above me-yet must die because I
could not reach them. I raved like .
J mailman and tried to tear my armor