The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-06-07
CHAPTER ".
CONTINUED.


piled rather warmly. "Why, his ugly
face hasn't been out of my sight since
I saw it. Would I know him? Well
lust let me get my fingers on his &C,
cursed throat. His own father would
not know him then!'
Mr.. Snell's little eyes opened at my
warmth. He was about to reply, when
Ralston returned. Mr.. Smell skill
fully changed the subject.
On January 9th we saw in the dis
tance a long, shadowy fringe on the
horizon. It looked like land. asked
the captain if it was such. He re-
piled:
Eyes, that is land. It is the ISL
and of Formosa We are now enter
ing the China Sea-
The China Sea interested me only
as the stretch of water that then sepa'
ated US from Hong Kong. AS we be-
Gan to drew so near to the end of our
tourney, felt feverish anxiety 10
hasten through with our affair.
It had become my habit of late to
mediate on deck at night. Some
times Langston and Ralston went.
Sometimes only one or the other
would be with me. Sometimes went
alone.
On the night of the day we passed
Formosa, T went on deck as usual.
Ralston was reading, and Langston
was busily engaged in conversation
with an Indian army officer. They
said they would be up later. 1 did
not object to being alone. My
thoughts kept me company. I liked
to stand by the rail and muse over
the possibilities of what was before
us. knew they were wide and vari-
ous. Knowing that my two friends
were coming to join me, I did not turn
when I heard footstep behind me.
"Fine evening, thees," said the
voice of Mr.. Gsmbok Smell. care
you enjoying that moonlight, Meester
Creekmore?"
IT am enjoying the prospects Of
landing much more," I replied.
"Vary good. But have you notis,
Creekmore, what queer light comes
from the China. Sea: when the moon
dance in it's leetle waves?"
Ihad not noticed. Ilea2ed over the
rail, and there surely was peculiarly
in the emerald sheen that was re-
fiected from the water. I bent low,
admiring the pretty effect.
In an instant was seized from be-
hind in an iron grip. 1 turned quick
~, but was at disadvantage. Be-
fore could cry out, Ireceived stun
ming blow on the head. Only half
conscious, I felt myself lifted and
showed over the rails.
A hateful voice sounded in my ears:
"Now you can't identify. anybody,
can you, Crickmore9"
The wind whistled past my face; I
fell. I felt the waters close over me.
I had been thrown overheard by Gam.
box Smell.
Twas powerless to utter sound as
1 went down. I struck the water
head first as clean as though I had
taken dive for sport.
The momentum OF the ship and the
height from which I had fallen sent
me deep into the sea. Downtown
Iwent, until in half-conscious way
I wondered if I was ever going to
stop. I do not know how far down I
went or how long it took me to get
there-probably not many seconds
when I felt rush of cold water. The
coldness of the water restored my
senses, but I was absolutely power
less. The rush of the water was
tremendous. It whirled me and
turned me upside down, rolled me
over and over and swept me away like
piece of paper. It flashed over me
that I was in one of those swift sub
marine currents so common in the
south seas. Some OF these indie
pendent currents are said to travel at
greater rate of speed than mile q
minute. The one that had me in its
grasp was not the slowest of its kind.
What has ever since seemed to me
most remarkable thing, but which
did not seem at all strange then, was
the fact that did not lose my pres
ence of mind. I could 90 nothing, it
is true. was helpless in the grasp
of the waters. But so fully realized
this that held MY breath and let the
great force sweep me along unresist-
ing.
Since boyhood I had been a good
swimmer. Hours and hours I had
spent in the water, floating, diving,
swimming under water, and had, in
my library in San Francisco, several
medals that I had taken in college
aquatic contests. This training now
stood me in good stead.
It was possible for me to hold my
breath under water for some minutes.
But it seemed like five years to me
shooting along under the China Sea.
1t was probably just about five min
utes before that icy current let go its
grasp. Feeling the warmer and calmer
waters around me, shot upward with
mighty stroke. I felt, rather than
saw the light through the rapidly shall
lowing water as I neared the surface.
I also felt the decrease in the pres
sure. A few more strokes AID ]
breathed again.
I looked around me.
The good ship City of Rio de Jane,
iro-or what supposed to be her
was visible in the far distance, just q
dark streak and cloud of smoke
marking her course. 1t was plain that
no help could be expected from her.