The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-06-04
IN THE SLIME AND OOzE THE
MEN GRAPPLED WITH
EACH OTHER.
THE SEA-CHEsT
By Harold Carter.

ny haTOlQ CafJef.
Twenty fathoms beneath the
waters of Hawks Gap the Spanish
rested, her side
torn out by the rocks that had
closed their teeth on her within
lsight of the port. The salvage
tug lay anchored above the
wreck, and relays of divers were
being sent down to discover what
she might hold besides her
known cargo of maize.
Briscoe, the second diver, stood
limpatiently upon the deck, await
ing the return of Larson, the big
lSwede, who had been down for
more than his half hour.
The helmet with its glass front
was fastened over the mans neck
and he was lowered into the
depths. AS the water closed over
him the world became a haze of
green. Presently he perceived
the outlines of the wreck. casting
upon the sand some yards away
then his feet rested on the bottom
and he began moving cautiously
among the shattered timbers. A
great, gaping hole in the side of
the vessel, through which a
shoal of little fish swan wildly
away, served as the door of entry.
Now Briscoe was clambering
among the ruins OF the wreck,
seeking for the other diver.
All at once he perceived the
connecting cord, like great
snake, wriggling through the
green water. He followed it
into the vitals of the
vessel. 1t led into the cabin of
the captain. There at the far end
he saw Larsen's shadowy figure,
upright upon its feet, but bending
over omething that lay before
him.
Briscoe crept up behind the
Swede. No sound was audible to
either man, encased as they were
in the strong helmets, and he was
enabled to approach directly be-
hind the giant and to lok over his
Larson was bending
over a small sea chest. But from
is interior, even in that half dark
ness, there flashed streams and
sparkles of light from a magniff-
cent array of diamonds, rubiesI
and other gems, set into bracelets
and necklaces. And hard by was
the skeleton of the captain. Evil
IDENTIFY he had opened the chest to-
secure the jewels when his fate
ovrtook him. Brisco started,
toppled, and fell against Larsen.
The Swede sprang round.
He stood glazing at Briscoe for
one instant: then plunged for his
throat. The sight of the coveted
wealth. whose existence was un-I
suspected by the salvage opera
tors, had evidently affected his
reason; no other man should learn
of that splendid prize. The recog-
milton of the Swede's determine
ton flashed across Briscoe's brain
on the instant. Automatically he
ducked his head to avoid the
crashing blow of his helmet. Once
this was broken, he would be in
stantIy inundated by the waters.
This was the vital point of the
divers organism. The strong air
pipe, fashioned to defy the fray
ing timbers OF ships, could not be
severed without an axe. 1t was
only the glass that Briscoe fear
ed for.
In the slime and ooze the men
grappled with one another like
wild animals. Ali Larson's efforts
were directed TO shattering the
glass of Briscoe's helmet. HIS
giant strength enabled him easily
Ito overpower the lighter man. .
But he could not give his fists
sufficient momentum, in the en-
comprising water. to effect his
purpose. Suddenly. however, his
|eye caught sight OF an iron bolt
that rested almost at the foot OF
the chest. He stretched out one
larm, caught 1t between his fin
gers, and. with an exultant cry
THAT was absolutely inadufble be-
hind the glass of his own helmet.
smashed that Of Briscoe. Then,
cautiously disengagfng himself
from the lain mans body, he pick
ed his way to the outside Of the
vessel and gave the signal to be
pulled up.
suddenly. just a ne began 70