Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-01-23
Diver Feigned Death That He Might
Escape With His Life.

Lechpe " Abh Ailcs
Some years ago, upon the coast of
France, there occurred one of those ro-
mantle episodes that seem to belong to
the realm Of fiction. A vessel had found
cred within sight Of port-gone down
with all her cargo Two divers were
sent to report upon the cause Of the dis
aster and the prospect of raising the
goods One of these represented the in
surance brokers, who had instituted the
investigation, and the other the captain
and owners of the vessel
The brokers man touched bottom first
and found himself on bed Of white
sand. He was fortunate enough almost
Immediately to discover the wreck and
at once climbed the crags upon which
the vessel rested. Investigation showed
him that there had been foul play, for
an auger hole was plainly visible i'll the
hull of the ship.
He had turned to point out his discov-
cry to the other diver, who was now by
his side, when he felt himself suddenly
clutched by the waist and dragged down
upon the sand. Here his assailant muir
derously attempted to break the glass
of his helmet, but the assailed man
fought desperately for his life.
He firmly believed himself to be in
the clutch Of a mailman, and for a few
minutes the water was thick with sand
that flew up around the combatants. In
the end the first diver was worsted and
his assailant forced him to lose hold
upon his line.
Death seemed imminent, but the div
er's wits did not forsake him. Finding
that he was no match for his adversary,
he fell back and apparently swooned,
and in this condition the other man pre-
pared to leave him, cut off from COM
munication with the upper world. He
gave the signal to be drawn up, but as
he began to ascend the apparently swoon-
ing man sprang to his feet and clutched
the rising mans legs with a firm grip,
and the two were hauled to the surface
together.
Then, indeed, the ready witted diver
tainted i'll earnest, and before he regain
ed consciousness his enemy had escaped
to land and when captured was attempt
ing to leave the country. At tho trial he
explained the reason of his conduct.
1t was the old story of greed leading
to unlawful deed and of the resulting
danger inciting to fresh crime-an over
insured cargo, scuttled ship and then
frantic effort on the part of the ship.
owners to avoid disgrace and punish
ment by offering to the diver share of
the profits on condition that the discov-
cry, sure to be made by his rival, should
never be heard of.-Youth's 8 Companion.
As to Bullets.
A Bridgeport (Conn.) inventor has
patented a 'mushrooming bullet. This
is designed to fill IA very important want
in modern warfare, the new styled rifle
projectile having proved too humane.
The trouble with the latter is that, hav-
ing only the diameter of "a lead pencil
and travelling with Il velocity of half
mile second, it is apt to pass clean
through man without disabling him.
1t lacks what is technically called "stop-
ping power. The bullet devised by the
Bridgeport man has cavity near the
point, which causes it to mushroom
i. e., spread-on striking, so as "to
pAoouCC @ AoLS anu 1G1CCIabSN "oull3
accompanied by great shock" In time
of peace it may be employed for killing
lions, tigers and elephants.
The very newest thing in this line,
however, is the aluminium bullet OF
course it is very light, aluminium being
only about as heavy as chalk. 1t is not
intended for use in war, but for hunting
and shooting at targets. Ordinary bull
lets have an excess of force for such
purposes, travelling unnecessarily far.
Those of aluminium, on the other hand,
have about the same force for short dis
tances, but their velocity diminishes
rapidly beyond 800 yards. For small
game person fond of shooting may
avail himself Of the novel idea of an
other inventor, who suggests that tin
plate shot would be preferable to the
kind now in use. These latter are coat.
ed with graphite, to blacken and polish
them, and this is alleged to be objec-
tionable because the graphite fouls the
gun. Furthermore, the lead is acted
upon chemically by the animal juices
so as to be injurious to the eater of the
flesh. This is obviated by the coating
of tin.-Boston Transcript