The Mena star., 1899-05-25
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK


 I put the suit on, piece by piece, obeying the printed instructions to the letter and fastening every clamp myself; for I knew assistance would be unobtainab ble when l came to actual 1y use it. The screws at the back of the helmet collar were the most difficult to tighten, but finally adjusted them 10 even Halstead's satisfaction. For tunately, I had not screwed on the front lens of the helmet until the last, else I think 1 should have been sui located before the compressed air in the reservoir began to work. The sick ening nervousness I felt at being shut up in such a rig made me dread the att tempt to go under water with it, but the captain assured me that, having had the thing on, it wouldn't trouble me as much next time. Then we packed it carefully away in the chest, together with several dynamite cart ridges, two light but powerful steel bars, a couple of strong hatchets, and some saws and knives.
 From another locker Halstead took a square mahogany box, covered with rubber and having lens in one side. Ii looked something like kodak, but proved to be a powerful refecting light, the electricity for which was supplied by q chemical cartridge that lasted six hours and produced bril- liant illumination. He said he had used it when mate of an oil tank rum ming to Batoum, the insurance regula- lions prohibiting anything in the shape of an open lantern on board. A small but reliable compass, 1000 feet of half inch braided linen line, spare sex fant, the taffrail log then towing astern, and chart of the two archi- pelagoes, completed the equipment. The chart we spread upon the table, but the other articles were securely locked in the chest. Then we sat down to figure the exact position of the reef.
 ITO begin with" said the captain, e'we took that first sounding a square jy upon that charted position as it would be possible for ship to strike jt. 1 got the sun at six bells in the forenoon watch and calculated back wards, so I'm dead sure of it. Then, under half speed, we made just about a mile further eas'-those two sound ings I've marked with crosses, as you see. After that, three miles due sou, to this other cross, and six miles due moth, to this one. No bottom any where at 300 fathom. While you were telling me about those clouds, we made about half q mile before we turned; then, as closely as I can figure it, just about six miles to where l took that first cast. We'll, you know how much water she's drawing, don't you?"
 Fifteen feet?"
 Sixteen and half aft; and the lead struck rock at an even three fathom, first heavel I saw the line jerk as the leather strips went under, and every hair of my head felt as though it were standing on end. It scared me so that I dropped the whole coil from my arm 1uckily-and I had a mighty hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. Dur ing the next 60 seconds I did more thinking than I ever did in an hour of my life. 1 knew you were watching me, and l was afraid others might be, too. By every law of prudence and seamanship I should have signaled you: Stop her! Hard astern!'-but if did, knew we'd have the deck full of people in a few seconds. Diaz and Moreno would have been up in two jumps, and what we knew about the reef everyone would know. Sebastiano would have sufficient data to chase you down there the first time you started. But l remembered that Dam pier and the other old nayigators who found the place gave an average depth of four fathoms. The galleon that struck in avoiding Dampier's ships was undoubtedly loaded down to her chan nei plates, and probably hit an iso- lated spot. So there seemed to me an even chance of steaming across the ledge in safety and without giving the snap away. On the other hand, if we struck, there would be an eid of my business prospects for a good many years to come. It was fighter spot than l ever care to be in again. but inside of two minutes decided to risk it. At the second cast got quarter less four Five minutes after. struck bottom at half three;' then deep four and at the last heave the calico was just above the water when she touched"
 -.But. how the devil. I'll swear saw you pulling mp the whole length of line euch tinre"
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