The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-01-04

iney were rn,nKing. rnas was ..s
chance if ever, and before L knew it
I'd spoken.
"sYes, there is! Mr. Truman, I'll
go down and welcome. If you think
there's anything underhanded, leave
it to me.
"'Your They'd never noticed mo.
who are you. then9' asked the SEN
ior DULY. What might you know
about ita'
"A good deal, sir-that's to say,
I haven't done any deep sea work to
speak of, but l was five years over
in Sunderland going down and stop
ping leaks and strains before they
had the drydock built. That's some
thin. sir. was here to ask for work,
and there it is. If the silk can be
saved-or that e8,000-Tm your
man. Try me-.
"'Well, if this ism a coincidence,
says he, incredulous like. Will, what
do you thinka There's no time to
lose, that's certain. We must ar
range to have our man down with
theirs, you know. Come. I'll take
you at your word, Mr.-er-Wilder-
spin. Iwant that fore hold quietly
inspected, you understand. After
that the cargo. Got an outfit Then
we'll see to that. Come in here, will
yous I hardly know what I'm
about.
"It seemed past believing one way
and another. Ileft that Office, mates.
with my full Instructions and q cou-
pie Of sinners as well and just sailed
home on air. And, would any one
believe it, when I'd blurted out the
mornings tale to Jess she hangs
round my neck; didn't.want me to
do it. There's woman all over for
you. can see her poor, pinched
face, white and gloomerous as any,.
thing, just as if it was against my
shoulder this very minute. But.
there, mustn't talk. / came nigh
never seeing it again in this world
"Dead minute was down
at the docks next morning ready for
anything. Lacy Truman-he'd been
on his feet all night / could tell
had made all the arrangements, and
he meant business. SO did the other
party, IL was plain. Saunders and I,
it was agreed, were to go down
together and report afterward.
They d hired a small cutter between
them, and appeared to be friendly
enough ON the outside. But there
was something in the ali: right
enough. Oh, ayel
well, tie moment the tide had
turned off we started, with the sal
wage boat a1d dozen others after
us to see what there might be to see.
] knew Mr.. Lacy had an idea the
other party meant to hamper US if
possible, but it didn't appear So In
less than an hour they'd made the
spot. Saunders and some of the
Witch's crew were straining their
eyes over the side.
There she lies, mate, in ten
fathoms or / m a Dutchman, hesays
quietly to me. Can ye go thedepth9
Right. Nothing like pluck, eha
Well soon know all about her cargo
now. Getyour things on.
Down below / goes and was
ready as soon as he. Course, being
what be was, he had the sneer Of
me the minute he knew was no
expert. But he seemed affable
enough, and even q little friendly.
just before we stuck our headgear
on and Mr.. Truman was seeing my
tube extra fast to the pumper he
pulls out a brandy bottle and offers
me q rnouthful offhand. ! had it to
my lips when somehow ! Icaught his
eyes and that maxwell, he flinched.
Have some yourself, says ]
handing it back.
&; r.. 81 always do-well, no, j won't
just yet, he says. with, laugh, and
tossesI the bottle overheard.
81 couldn't quite get the grip Of
that, and perhaps it was this action
that gave me a nasty sinking sensa-
ton when / stood ready, with the
helmet on and 80 pounds OF solid
lead onn, my boots, watching him go
down the ladder and coolly slide in
to that green ten fathoms. It was
lot over my old dock depths, and !
felt bit dreamy, SO to speak, when
I heard the engine start pumping
away from me. But there it was.
had no notion of backing out then.
Down l stepped, let myself go, and
knew not thing more till found
myself standing still on the bottom,
dizzy with the depth, sick after the
suspense, and with a noise in my
head as if hundred throats had
started screeching. That lasted
about half minute. Then / pulled
myself together, took another ki1ik
of the life line and knew was all
right for Lacy Truman's JOB.
"Where was Saunderss
81 looked round. 1t wasn't like