Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-12

Mace in any mans mind. But he was not
quite quick enough. AS he went to step
back I caught him behind the knees with
one hand. and down he came. Then came
the struggle for life and death, and it
doesn't bear describing.
II had tumbled TO the whole thing in a
fash; he had been offered price not to
lot me go up if by chance found out any
thing black, and it had been big enough
TO make a rogue of him. That was it; and
LET any man here imagine a deadlier po-
sltion. if he can.
II held on to him for a minute or so like
\ vice. but I was undermost, the weight
of him on my chest, and the notion of
what he intended doing suffocating me
almost. Clouds Of the white sand went
whirling up about us. and the red mist in
my eyes made them seem real blood color,
1 recollect.
He knew he'd gone too far to draw back
the mad fool Through the glass I made
out his ak going up, as if he could see no
way for it but to smash in my helmet and
leave the water to do the rest. 1 just had
strength enough TO give one mighty
screech-then 1 was done, closed my eyes
and waited for the thud.
1T never came, mates: but If it wasn't
touch-and-go with death, what was it?
That he was going to do the thing I've
never had a doubt but all of sudden
there was jerk of his lineup he went,
and !. hanging on to his ankles, had SUI
fcient sense not TO let go.
Pup, very slowly, for the line had a
double weight that they didn't know of
above. Up. upland in my dreams I've
often felt the kicks he gave to get free of
me- But heaven wouldn't allow it.
1--WE no recollection of reaching the
blessed surface and being hauled aboard,
but 1t goes without saying, or l wouldn
be telling the tale now.
Mr.. Lacy told me afterwards that. when
they unstrapped my things, was black in
the face and dead to the world. They
thought 1 was going, and put back 10
shore at once: but, however, once in my
bed at home I got back enough sense to
gasp out something that sent him off to the
police hotfoot.
1.-The next thing I knew was that I'd
been i'll for a week, and that they were
waiting for me to give evidence at the trial
Truman Brothers VS.. the Owners and
Captain of the Witch.
1T lasted days and days. and at first
seemed as if 1t was going against US. An
expert diver had gone down and made his
report: but the owners calmly swore that
the auger holes were a revelation to them,
and the crew did the same.
only one thing did it-their captain
wasn't to be found or heard of: and in
the end they got off with the suspicion OF
conspiracy to defraud, and the loss Of the
insurance money and costs.
"Of course it was morally clear as day
light: they'd over-insured the cargo, and
arranged with the captain to scuttle the
old vessel at a certain point. and 1t had
mt turned out quite as they meant; but all
that had to be proved. and it wasn't prop
erly done to the courts satisfaction.
Saunders? Well. there; my blood boils
now at thought of 1.-THE got off scot free.
I see him now. standing up there in the
dock. and persisting that I'd dreamed ii
all-that I'd gone insensible. and really
owed my life to him.
you'll hardly believe that 7 stuck TO
the work after that. but 1 did. And
what's more. mates, I've got the best part
of the s.. 500 that Lacy Truman banked for
me-just put by for the day when have
to give up business as a deep sea diver"
-Tit-Rits