The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-03-21

in this tank more than in any,"
he went on meditatively, adjust
ing the helmet valves. 81 remem-
Der the last time we had to send
a man down, one of the great
|morays had squirmed through the
inflow pipe and nearly killed him.
The new hand had seen them.
Ferocious green cells, of the size
of boat constructors, they seemed
to him the most horrible of all
forms of sea life as they lay gap
ing in the pipes that had been laid
for them at the bottom of their
tank, with mead and tail protrud-
ing. "Ferocious and bloodthirsty, +"
read the legend in front of their
apartment.
well, here goes, Hank" said
his companion, fastening the he'll
met over the mans head, and the
new hand descended into the
depths of the great tank. Twelve
feet below the surface a semi-twi-
light prevailed, a green and semi
Opaque world of silence and mys-
terry. The man made his way to
the outlet pipe at the far end,
walking with difficulty on account
of the water pressure and the
heavy diving suit. TO his surprise
he found the outlet free. The
water was running out with a
slight suction that drew his hand
against the pipe. Plainly there
had been some mistake. There was
nothing to be done; the pipe was
working normally. The man re-
traced his steps in the direction
OF the small patch of light, hardly
discernible, which showed where
the iron ladder entered the rooted
tank at the exit. The way seemed
difficult, the distance enormous.
Suddenly, through the glass in
his helmet, he perceived a spec
tacle that froze the blood in his
veins. Three feet in front of him
gliding snake-wise through the
water, was one of the ferocious
green morays. Six feet long al
least, the color of the greer
water, it was distinguishable only
as an undulating streak below the
Surface, level with his throat
1.-THE monster had evidently scent.
led him from its lair in the adj
joining tank, and, with incredible
cunning, had wormed it's way
Through the narrow inflow pipe.
The diver could not hear the
|shriek that burst from his lips
He stumbled backward, clinging
desperately against the smooth
slippery wall, and remained thus
motionless one instant, watching.
Above his head the monster float
ed; 1t had apparently lost sight OF
him. Then, straight as a sword
1t darted downward toward him.
A moment later the man was
scrambling blindly through the
great, green wilderness of water,
lost to all sense of direction, now
caroming against a wall, now bat
Ting among the depths, while in
Imagination he felt those Shiny
coils encircle him and the sharp
teeth close in his flesh. He felt
the airpipe that connected him
with the world above strainins
and Jerking. The tank seemed tn
stretch out immeasurably, and
walls sprang up and buffeted him
where no walls should have been
His feet slipped on the smooth
bottom, and he fell PROSTATE upon
his face in a dead faint.
When he opened his eyes the
tank was empty. He was lying on
the bottom, propped up against a
wall, his helmet had been re-
moved, and he felt the taste of
brandy in his throat. The chief
of the staff knelt at his side, and
the others were gathered around
him with sheepish expressions up
on their faces. The tank, which
had appeared SO large, was bare
ly the size of a hall bedroom.
Too bad to scare you like
that" said the chief. Boys, this
is the last time we play that trick
on a newcomer"
!. "Trick?" gasped the diver
Wasn't it moray"
The chief reached down to his
lside and took up a fishing rod. At
the end of the line, impaled on
the hook, was large angleworm.
Put on your helmet, Hank"
he said.
The man did so and pulled It off
again with a cry of disgust.
I'm blamed IL you haven't
fitted It with opera glasses" he
muttered.