The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-09-09
CHAPTER XXI.
DE PRoFUNDIs.

II was now so dark that the sky showed
but family through the hole in the boats
bottom As time advanced and there be-
came great danger that the wind might rise,
thereby rendering my attempt abortive, /
sank myself into the water and came TO the
surface clear Of my late shelter. The tide
or some unknown force had drawn the
wreck from the schooner's side, and found
had been slowly drifting south, being now
some ten or a dozen rods off the vessels
starboard bow. BY the most intense lis
tening ] could hear a subdued sound of
voices, but from what part of the deck it
proceeded | was too far away to determine
All around me was black water, with moth
ing in sight saving the shadowy hull of the
Phantom and a guiding light, evidently
swinging over the stern of the Sprite, though
that craft was swallowed by the distance
and general gloom. Not star was in sight,
not breath broke the glassiness of the ST.
lent swell as it rolled northward. The ocean
never seemed so vast nor its depths so re-
pulsive as now, when in the darkness it
chung to me with its chilly fingers. The
fathoms below gaped like an open pit, and
il was with convulsve horror that let 60
my hold on the dngy and struck out for
the schooner, resolute, come what might,
TO rid myself of the frightful loneliness
which all az once was magniied before me.
Indeed, felt that my time had come. For
good or evil there would be sharp turn
of affairs, but il evil, would die by shot or
sword not to the black element about me
would give myself.
Like a frightened child fleeing from the
dark, at first swan boldly, but, as my
vigor sent before me a small surf that roared
through the silence, ! abated my speed,
and with slow and noiseless stroke headed
myself toward the schooner's bow, that
/ might approach her as | did when drifting
through the fog. The gold in my pockets
dragged on me, but not once did think
of Kidding myself of the burden, for the
swim was short, and / had won the money
hardly. However, it seemed an age ere
saw the Phantom's bowsprit outlined against
the sky over my head, and by the time /
felt the firmness Of her bobstay in my hand
something like confidence came back TO
me, and my momentary horror of the deep
was past The touch OF the rigging put
strength in me, and / slowly drew myself
out OF the water, that the torrent from my
clothing might not attract attention from
the deck. / could now hear the sound OF
voices plainly, and knew il came from for
ward, but il was too mufiled for me TO make
head or tail OF the conversation. IL would
guide my actions in measure, for, so long
as it continued, my presence would be I'M
suspected.
Carefully dragged myself up until came
within reaching distance of the bowsprit,
and then brought my head TO the level Of
the deck The jb and staysail hung mo-
tionless from their riggngs, but from be-
meath the latter | marked the figure of
man leaning against the larboard fore
shrouds and smoking pipe as he looked
over the water He was partly turned to-
ward me, and as long as he held this POI
sition / could not advance. As far aft as /
could see the deck was otherwise deserted,
/ though light, hitherto concealed by the
rail. cleaned from the cabin window. "A
slight yellow haze spread from the open
hatch OF the forecastle, and from there came
the voices heard.
Putting myself astride the bowsprit, sat
concealed from the larboard side by the
schooner's head cloths, though by bending
my body could peer beneath the sails and
zee the figure that blocked my further prog
ress. The talking from the open hatch
drowned the drip Of the small streams still
flowing from my clothing, though IL seemed
4, accentuate the mournful creak that
,fom the top hamper occasionally answered
the heavier rolls OF the sea. was now mo-
mentarily at my wits end, for neither Tor
ward nor backward could / 90. Had
wished TO return to the wreck, 4 could have
found that spcck in the darkness, and my
plans had not extended beyond getting on to
the vessel, and this had been accomplished.
But had not remained passvey seated
.stride the bowsprit many minutes before a
scheme opened before me. II was born Of ne
ccssity. and unless he should soon move, de
manded the life Of the fellow standing by the
shrouds / had barely come TO this conclu-
sion when, as though he read my thoughts
and felt the sinister threat they contained, ne
knocked the ashes from his pipe ana turned
himself Toward his companions below.