The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-12-17
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Block. The helpers made fast around
mis- waist the hundred pound belt OF
lead that would presently sink him to
the bottom. and under his arms they
fixed the life line moose. Then they
brought the copper helmet with its
three google eyes and screwed it fast
Co the collar. leaving the face glass
out for Il last word.
Here's your knife" said the helper,
holding out q leathern sheath to
Philip.
look sharp now" he ordered
"'And when you get the signal to lift,
lift fast. Ready
As he spoke two men began turning
ut wheeling air pump, while third
screwed on the face glass which cuts
of diver from the outer world.
He sank with q roar In his ears,
sank with his total weight of nearly
2 400 pounds. and presently landed safe
on the deck Of the sunken barge. He
CROPPED along the deck, searching for
the hole In the barge's side.
y
sank quickly! Side and deck ripped
open to her middle. He made out a
line Of silver bubbles yonder, steadily
ascending. Atkinson must be there,
down on the bottom.
Philip lowered himself over the side
and sank until his iron feet touched
the river bed. Then carefully he made
his way toward Atkinson and in a
moment saw what had happened
There was much soft mud in the riv-
CT here. and the barge, heavily laden,
had sunk deep In it. A risky job OF
tunneling. this--a very risky job!
All. there was Atkinson now. half
sitting. half lying, against a mud bank!
But he did not move! Stepping for
ward. Philip took the hand In encour-
aging grasp as IL to say. "Old CON-
rade. I'm herev' A faint pressure
was returned, but Atkinson lay quite
still.
his hose, the precious way Of air and
Hfe, was caught under shattered
timber Of the barge. which must have
lurched over suddenly us Atkinson
tanneled under 1t. And In turning 1t
dad caught the rubber pipe before the
old diver could escape, and now the
end Of the timber. hooked over the
hose, was imbedded in the mud and
the hose was held in massive v that
pressed down upon 1t with the whole
weight of the barge and its load. He
felt Atkinson's hand drawing him
closer, and. bending over, he heard
this message tapped on his copper he'll
met in the Morse alphabet: Wife
ehildren-love."
Heavens! The man was dying!
He forced back the tight rubber
wristbands and felt for the pulse.
There was feeble futtering, a spark
OF life, still.
What could he do? Surely he must
save this man!
Then in a fash he recalled the theory
that If diver in trouble like this were
to cut his hose and instantly press his
thumb over the opening he might live
on the air inside his suit until they
could lift him to the surface with the
hfe line and get his helmet of.
He remembered hearing the question
argued and doubt expressed whether q
diver would be able to cut his own
hose, for the diver himself might have
trouble in getting at 1t. But this case
WAS different. He could get at Akin
sons hose well enough.
The master diver drew his knife and,
bracing himself firmly with Atkinson's
hose held tight between his knees,
made ready to cut.
But wait! Where were the life lines?
He must be quick with the signals to
fift after the thing was done! Ahl
There they were swaying beside him,
two good ropes reaching up through
the yellow water, his own and Atkin-
aen's. Three quick Jerks on each. and
the boys overhead would do the rest.
As Phillip gripped bis knife again .