The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-02-11

the gdiltOn, or lnAI ne tulukh TIC llut~
ter anything more than a church Sc
cret which his regulations would for
bid him 10 reveal. In that case, posi-
bly, two other priests besides himself
may know OF the facts; but IL isn't
likely that they have disturbed the old
trays coffin TO verify them. On the
other hand, there is a chance that his
reason for leaving the island where he
has remained so long may be deter
mination 10 consult nautical authori-
ties in Manila and figure out the prac-
ticability of locating the wreck"
Then, even IL we should consider
the matter seriously, there would be
no time TO procure diving-apparatus
from Yokohama or elsewhere? If the
padre really has anything of the kind
in view he might complete his prepare
tions and return by the next steamer
at the latest, mightn't hep"
Easily. That would give him six
months away-time enough 10 get Ill
most anything he wanted. But, old
chap-it is the strangest coincidence 1
ever knew-there are complete div
ing-suit and equipments on this very
steamer, now, in the after hold"
WHAT You don't mean il! Why,
how the dew" We were glaring at
each other excitedly and with an al
most superstitious feeling. From
mere speculation, the subject was as
Stunning tangible reality that was
fairly startling.
Eyes, do mean it. 1t seems as If
the fairy godmother had determined
10 shake our skepticism just when we
were denying her existence. Old APP
pleby, in Singapore, had an idea a
year ago that he wanted one Of the
best and latest improved diving-suits
that money could buy. Whether he in
tended 10 go hunting for treasure him
self or not, don't know-the Malay
pirates lost hundreds Of their luggers
IN the strait-but when we were load
ing for London he handed me so SOW
ereigns 10 buy one for him, and on
reaching port l got the finest thing OF
the kind 10 be had. IL can be used
either with or without an air-pump.
There is knapsack chamber which is
provided with chemical arrangements
for renewing the oxygen and can be
charged with compressed air by means
of a geared pump so that the wenrer
may stay under water for three hours;
believe it's an improvement on the
Rouquayrol idea. Well, | was quite
pleased with the thing, and knew APP
pleby would like it; but when ! made
Singapore again they told me the
cholera had been too much for the
poor fellow, and his executors refused
TO accept the package. There was no
mention Of II in his accounts, and no
one wanted TO buy the suit; so, as
seemed to have fallen heir to il,
slowed the thing away in the lazareet,
and have lugged II around ever since"
"Well, I'll be-! Say, Dick, this
seems to pretty effectually dispose of
your biggest if:' how about the
others? See here, old fellow; you and
| may 60 TO cur graves without ever
seeing a million Of money, or the
hundredth part of IL; yet | don't be-
lieye there are two men on earth who
could enjoy life more il they had such
sum. At this moment / don't know
where to turn for an immediate in
come. IL you should get into difficult
ties with your owners you might be
pretty short for awhile, yourself.
Now, the whole combination OF cir
cumstances since yesterday afternoon
seems proyidential to me, and / feel
like making a determined attempt to
get that money. Why suppose we
should have the luck 20 recover mill
lion each, Do you know what such n
sum would mean in London or New
York;"
do II Welt BY the great horn
spoon, I'm with you, Harryl But how
in? can't leave the ship you know.
And it would be folly to depend upon
being sent out here next trip. The
Countess is only chartered, and they
hate like the mischief 10 employ any
thing but Spanish bottoms"
"Well, now, hold on; one thing at n
time, and Wen get ahead faster How
long before you expect TO get through
the islands this trip? There may be
time enough TO do something"
about II or is days, from the time
we arrive at Zap TO the day we leave
Guajan. But, don't you see, that won't
help us any. Guajan is the last stop;
go straight back to Manila from
there. You might get from zap TO
Guajnn on one of the catamarans, but
the natives are no navigators, and II
would be pretty risky business"
1T would be out OF the question to
make Guajan first, suppose?"
Rather. OF course ii might be
done, but at the risk OF losing my com
mission and getting into hot water be-
sides. You see, the regular trip for
years has been TO make zap first. be-
cause the Caroline and Pelew govern
ments there include two lieutenant
colonies as gobernadors, against one
In the Ladrones. From zap the ship
goes TO Pouynipete, or Ponape. the
largest island In the Carolines, aud
from there 10 Guaian. This trip. az II
happens, I'm instructed TO take In
Kusaie also, at the east end OF the