Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-09-09

marine. Carson had disappeared over
the side in a terrifying hand under
hand descent until he reached the
trussworll 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 target. Too
hastily Virginia fred. The bullet
struck the edge of the deck with a
! vicious spat. Winners pistol spoke;
his bullet. striking metal few singing
away, and the girl replied with the
third shot Of this strange duel. She
braced herself against the rail, Nimed
conscientiously at the middle Of the
mark presented by the villain below
and flred-fired with the curious ccrti-
tude the marksman feels when he is
making good shot. Wilmer had just
lifted his arm to fire again, but his
hand fell as If 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. Il 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?"
"Yes," 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
ens!' asked Carson. "She's going
down. If the waters deep enough she
can drown us unless we can overcome
her gravity. Turn the index so as to
show dead down thrust Of the blades
and then full power on the last speed.
1t will take fuel, but it's the only way.
Hurry"
The airship sank. sank, nearer and
nearer to the water. But without
waiting to learn how the girl was car
rying out his orders Carson again at
tackled the chain, and the shrill
"screek" of the file greeted Virginia's
ears as she turned the indicator and
threw on the power. AS they had
never done before the great engines
purred, the wing blades trod the air
with terrific roar, but with remorse-
less suction-like force the submarine
drew her down closer, closer to the
water. and she seemed lost. The sink
ing was slower now but nevertheless
more and more of the chain disappear
ed in the sea every moment. Virginia
looked and despaired. The waves were
so terrifyingly near. death in their cold
depths seemed so unthinkably horrible,
she bowed her face in her hands.
The "screek. screek, screek." Of the file
kept on with the regularity Of ma
chine. Carson was at work. He might
be drowned But when he went under
he would go fighting. He was a man!
She stepped to the side and called to
him.
II think" said she, ''that we are
doomed. Is there anything I can dor
"You might advance the spark" said
he. Not much. just the least trif1e.
Yes. reckon they've got u.s."
She sprang to the machinery and did
this last thing ordered by her COM
mander-did it with unshaking hands,
as soldier might take up the weapon
Of his comrade killed at his post. BY
the faintest trifie she advanced the
spark and went to the side to see the
effect. They were lower now. and the
trusswork in which Carson hung must
be in or near the crest of the swells,
but the ''screek" of the file went on,
not so strong perhaps. but steadily
still. the paean Of the unconQuerable
spirit of the man clinging to the truss
work beneath her 1t was grand. 1t
was immense. Her spirit rose to the
occasion. rose TO the prosaic "screek.
screek" Of file in hand that was
dabbled in the waves at every lifting
swell Of the stolid ocean that rolled on
just the same where its prey dangled
within the tapping Of its tongue. and
out yonder where perhaps no man had
been since creations morn.
Theodore"
The file stopped for minute.
keep her as she is" said he. We've
got the submarine stopped. I've got
the chain about filed through, but I'm
a little tired. Keep her as she Is for
just little while!'