Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-06-25
HIS WITS SAVED HIM.

HIS WITS SAVED HIM.
Tho Diver Feigned Death That He Might
Escape with His Life.
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, aud the other the captain
and owners of the vessel.
The brokers man touched bottom first
and found himself on a 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 tecn foul play, for
an auger hole was plainly visible in the
hull of the ship.
He had turned topoint out his discov-
cry to the other diver, who was now by
his side, when he felt himself suddenly
clutohed by the waist and dragged down
upon the sand. Here his assailant mur-
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 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 tho 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 the trial he
explained the reason of his conduct.
1t was the old story Of. greed leading
to unlawful deed and of tho resulting
danger melting to fresh crime-an over
insured cargo, - scuttled ship and then
a frantic effort OH the part of the ship.
owners to avoid disgrace and punish
ment by Offering to the diver share of
the profits ca condition that tho discov-
cry, sure to be made by his rival, should
never be heard of.-Youth'sC Companion.
rs to Bullets.
A Bridgeport (Conn.) inventor has
patented I. "inushlooming bullet" This
is designed to fill avery important want
in modern warfare, the new styled rife
projectile having proved too humane.
The trouble with the latter is that, hav-
ing cHly the diameter of q lead pencil
and travelling with II velocity of half q
mile IL second, it is apt to pass clean
through a 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 "lnushroom"
ii. e., spread-on striking, so as "to
produce IL large and lacerated wound,
accompanied by great shock" In time
of peace it may be employed for killing
lions, tigers and elephants.
Tho very newest thing in this line,
| 81
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 300 yards. For small
game person fond Of shooting may
avail himself Of the novel idea of an
other inventor, who suggests that tin
plato shot 'uld be preferable to the
kind now in use. These latter are coat
ed with grs phite, 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.
Still Chance For business.
Tho monotonous voice of the trainboy
broke in upon the meditations of the
sleepy traveller.
GAIL papers, any Of tho sporting or
comic publications., books by popular
authors''-
"Not any," drowsily answered the
traveller.
In % few moments the boy came back
and spoke to him again:
"Bananas. oranges. ap''-
"NoH'
Again the boy went away, and again
he camo back.
"Figs, chocolate caramels''-
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