Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-09-09


titanic fish. started out to sea. The
airship had been captured by the sub
marine. The mechanical devilfish was
not running very deep; her round deck
rose awash sometimes. but with the
manholes closed. and with no sign save
the erection of her periscope that she
was more than an inert mass OF steel
she swan on.
Still seated where Theodore had
placed her. Virginia looked at him In
questioning terror. He was white and
Mortified. At this moment he was de-
pressing her I'm her flight so as to get
all possible slack I'm the chain, so that
by sudden upward rush he might
break the tether Once, twice. thrice
he did this. but the chain held.
What is 1t. Theodore? What is It'll"
said She.
II don't know" said he. "but think
It's the end"
Carson was not looking ut her. He
was looking upward. like a man seek
Ing for some sort of inspiration. She
stood hooking out over the great desc
late sen and hack TO the re"eding shore.
on which she saw Il group of forms
the forms of their friends. Nothing
could seem more helpless They were
chninpd to their faie--n dark tiend OF
n machine that was taking them ouI
to sea. 10 dtplS profound enough to
Al, i,slf .hn ~
might he IT," n"yt hinrirnt.
Carson stood over her with piston
I'm his hand.
"Vir; 'nia, can You shoot?" he asked.
She took the pistol and nodded at
trmatively.
"I shall have to ask you to protect
me." said be. while try to cut that
chain. They can see with their perl
scope what I'm doing. and when 1t Is
necessary they will come up into the
open aud fire. BY pulling out to sea
can get her AT an angle that will force
them into the open TO shoot. When
the manhOle opens shoot into II. III
you should hit one of them don't let 1t
trouble yOu."
81 shalt kill one of them II cam"
said she Never mind that! Tell me
the things 10 do"
II shall take the pliers and file."'
said ne. IL don't think the pliers will
cut 1t. may be too weak to climb
back. don't know that can do it
anyhow. You must take US back to
land If | cut her free"
Never fear. know every lever"
There's another thing" said he.
I'VE came out with only little gas.
If we go much farther we haven't
enough to get ashore with. think
could soar her In with the aeroplane
set of the blades. think we had bet
ter fly low going back and not waste
fuel. Keep her gliding about q hum
dred feet from the water. but II you
want the aerOplane set this Is the way
to fix it,
With a swift movement he showed
her the way to manage the mechan-
ism. He dashed pair of pliers about
his neck with a lanyard. thrust cOu-
pie Of files into his pockets, took off
his boots. his coat and waistcoat and
stepped to the side.
"You may get ashore" said he,
while ! may not. If so gOOdby, and
God bless you, dearest?
She threw her arms about his neck
and kissed him over and over again.
He felt her warm tears on his lips.
Don't cry!" said he. Clear your
eyes and shoot straight. Goodby!"
She stepped to the rail and looked
lxedly at the black shadow like a gi-
gantic fish that represented the sub
marine. Carson had disappeared over
the side in a terrifying hand under
hand descent until he reached the
trusswork Of the nacelle. The black
shadow grew more distinct. the round
deck broke water. and as the manhole
opened Wilmer appeared and aimed
at Carson coolly as at a target Too
hastily Virginia fred. The bullet
struck the edge Of the deck with
vicious spat Winners pistol spoke;
his bullet, striking metal, flew singing
away, and the girl replied with the
third shot of this strange duel She
braced herself against the rail, aimed
cOnscientiously at the middle of the
mark presented by the villain below
and fired-fired with the curious certi-
tude the markSman feels when he Is
making q good shot. Wilmer had just
lifted his arm to fire again. but his
hand fell as II struck down by a
giants blow. He dropped back into
the darkness like shot woodchuck.
the manhole closed. and the submarine
went on toward deep water as grimly
as before.
Good" said Theodore. "But watch
the manhole just the same. ] shall
have to file the chain. The pliers
won't do"
Suddenly she heard Carson calling.
They've hove to-" said he. II think
they're going to try drowning us here.
Don't lose control of yourself. Re
member this is fight. and we aren't
whipped yet Do you hear"
EYES," said she. but It's so AWFUL
so awful. If you were only up here
where you could Tell me what to
do! Tell me what to dor
do you see how the chain short
ems" asked Carson. shes going
down. If the waters deep enough she
can drown US unless we can overcome
her gravity. Turn the index so as to
show a dead down thrust of the blades
and then full power on the last speed.
IL ELL taIo fual hut it'S the only XQY.