The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-01-14
CLARENCE HER8eRr nEM.
copyright, 1907, BY J. B. L,ppineou Col

copyright. 1907. BY
pressure increased l was better uble
to use my arms. My strength was 60
ing fast, however, and nothing but the
animal instinct to fight for life saved
me. Approaching the surface, 1 be-
came weaker-or it required more
strength to haul the extra weight
and when finally got my arms across
the gunwale and outrigger it was i'm
possible to move another inch. The
supply of air had given out, and my
last conscious motion was to unscrew
the helmet lens.
In few moments the fresh air re-
vived me, and I succeeded in crawling
into the proa. Then got out of the
diving suit, took a strong pull at the
brandy flask, and hauled in my line.
1t had run out SO rapidly, after fetch
ing loose from the mast, that q snarl
had caught the other steel bar and
damned it under the outrigger: Other
wisc-well, didn't like to think of
that.
1t is curious what an affection one
will sometimes feel for inanimate OBJ
jects. I petted that coquina anchor
us if it had been living creature. You
see, we had gone down into the valley
of the shadow together, and but for
direct interposition of Providence
would have been likely to remain
there. must have been altogether up
set by the experience, for, after haul
ing the rock on board, held it in my
lap and almost cried over it.
The position of the proa, over deep
water, was explained by the light
pu1fs of wind, which for an hour or two
had shifted to the west'ard, as it will
sometimes do shortly before the
change of monsoon. But in half an
hour it was again blowing steadily
from the northeast, and l started on
my return to Agana.
1t was then two o'clock. Having
the breeze we'll forward, I calculated
that it would take me at least six
hours to get back; but the witch of
boat made good Roadway within five
points of the wind, and 1 sighted Tin
iquio, bearing little north of east,
ut four o'clock. Holding on the same
course for half an hour, Agana then
lay to the southeast'ard; and I put the
proa about for straight run in.
When about ten miles off shore, how
ever discovered that had company;
for bearing down from the north'ard
was the biggest catamaran ever saw.
The hull must have been at least a
hundred feet long, and the sail looked
like a gigantic balloon. The instant
Noticed it, two words flashed through
my mind-"Padre Sebastiano"-and1
was convinced that my oleaginous
shipmatc was coming to pay Guajan
visit.
Now, any companions, native or
Spanish, who might accompany the
padre were likely to be either in his
confidence or under his influence; and
it struck me that the sea chest might
excite more curiosity than was really
safe. So I did considerable hard think
ing over what had been told me about
the sparsely settled portions of the is
land, in the effort to decide upon
safe place for the concealment of both
chest and treasure If it should become
necessary. There was but one spot
that I felt sure about-Port Tarofofo,
on the southeast coast. This was
land-locked bay, surrounded by bold,
rocky bluffs, and was uninhabited.
In an air line, it was 9H miles south of
Agana; but, as the islanders never
walked or rode that distance when
they could travel in proas, there was
but one chance in thousand of any
boats being seen beating in-especial-
ly as the place had the unsavory repu-
tation of being haunted. On the land
side there had been an old sugar plan
tation known as Mount Tarofofo farm,
but the gobernador had mentioned It
as being aband oned; and the noun
tain, or bluff, shut out all view of the
sea.
The more I thought of it, the more
1t seemed exactly the place wanted.
1t needed but the falling off few
points to head for the Cocos island in
stead Of Agana, and by half-past six
passed it as close in shore as it was
safe to 60. By seven o'clock had
reached sufficiently to the BASTARD for
a straight run into Tarofofo, and, go
ing about, rounded Point Paicpouc
just at dusk. AS the depth of the wa
ter and the exact bearing of the bluffs
were accurately shown upon my chart,
had no difficulty in running ashore
at the westerly head of Paicpouc cove,
which judged to be completely shell.
tered from observation on the land
side. After lowering the sail, noticed
that the rocks descended abruptly into
the water at the spot had selected,
and was on the point of running along
to where the chart showed small
creek. when slight opening attracted
my attention. The precipice was so
close that could have tossed pebble
against it, and the spot so perfectly
sheltered that felt safe in using my
lantern. Outlines were becoming in
distinct in the gathering darkness, but
the moment turned on the currentit
revealed a assure, about four feet
wide, which led dingonally into the
face of the rock. There was good
three feet of water right up to the
opening, and upon throwing the light
inside could see that it ended in cul
dc sac with perpendicular walls.
If l had searched the entire archi-
pelago it would have been difficult to
find place more perfectly suited to
my requirements; when came again,
in broad daylight, the fissurc was in
visible 100 feet away. II was something
Of task o unload the contents of the
big chest, but in short time l had