The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-22

| the shadow, and knew that thefe were
more behind. When would they, too,
spring upon me? Where would they
fix their hold? ] stood expectant of
what was TO como next; my eyes
searched In the darkness for the face
of my enemy. think the silence was
the worst of ~ A roar, a triumphant
scream, even hiss would have been o
relief. It was tho utter silence that
was terrible. Tt could only have been
for n minute or two at the most, for
when cast my, eyes down could see
that the little river of yellow coins
was stin trickling down and losing it
self in the shadows. I didn't try to
reach II now. Somehow my interest,
which had been so keen and overIower-
ing only a few minutes before, seemed
to have ceased. looked at it vaguely,
but scarcely had more than faint
curiosity about The coins, and they
no longer connected themselves with
my future. AS looked, I moved my
foot, and something that rested against
il fell off-tbe tomahawk. The acci-
dent brought me back from the half
unconscious state into which was fall
ing. 1 was not quite defenseless, then,
after all. / stopped 70 seize IL, and at
the same moment another slender hand
darted at me from the darkness and
clutched me by the arm. 1t held me,
yet il did not paralyze as the others
had done. I had grown accustomed
TO the idea, which was much, and
now had CLEAN of hope, which was
still more. bent forwards and down.
wards in spite OF the clinging hands
that heli me back. At last reached
IL, and as my fingers closed clumsily
on the handle, felt as il were sud-
denly restored to my self-confidence
once more.
and l was surprised TO feel myself so
cool and prepared. ! had always heard
that men were quickly exhausted in
the tolls of the devil fish. and for few
moments failed to understand why 1
should be an exception to the rule.
Then It dawned upon me. II was my
diving suit that preserved me SO far.
his suckers were fixed only on the thick
leather suit that covered me from head
to foot. Even through that strong pro-
lection ] could feel the force of that
deadly suction, for my flesh seemed to
creep and rise to meet the grip of these
leathery looking bands, but it was with
q new hope that recognized the fact
that most of their deadly power was
wasted Oh me. Helpless as was in that
grasp, the struggle might not after all
be a hopeless one. The very thought
was half the battle gained.
My assailant was in no hurry. Sec
ond after second passed, and they
seemed more than minutes to me, yet
he made no farther movement. / faced
tho shadow; strained my eyes to fol-
low these deadly arms to the place
they came from; gazed into the dark
ness in the hope of seeing some vulner-
able point at which to strike. More
than once tried the edge of my weapon
ON the long. sinewy bands that grasped
me, but IL was vain--I could make no
Then another stole out
Of the darkness and alighted on my
thigh. "Four!" i said to myself, as
I eyed the snaky lima darker shadow
in the dim water. I waited for what
was to come. felt grim pleasure in
the thought that my armor was all the
time deceiving the devil fish. He was
waiting till should be helpless in his
grip. Well, also could waiti St..L
TO BE CONCLUDED. ltfs,.