Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-10-11
CHAPTER Viii.
DonaId's DIVING Party.

Donald took a match from his silver
box and struck it. The water had not
penetrated-it burst into flame. He
looked at his watch and saw that 1t
was half past eight.
ut must be growing daylight above, "
he said to Davies. II am sure that
the beasts are gone. I think I'll go
up and see whether I can start the en-
gines."
Let me go, sir" said the MILDLY.
you will remain here In charge"
said Donald. "Give me your back,
CIOuts!''
Hosting himself upon the shoulders
of the sailor, Donald clambered up the
pipe and reached the passage above.
There was a stencil of fishy bodies, but
he was certain that the monsters were
gone.
He assembled the ladder into the con-
ming tower and threw off the hatch.
Instantly a gust of fresh air, driving
in. made him reel diZZily. He realized
that he had been breathing the de-
pleted, Initiated atmosphere of the tor
pedo room all night.
He waited till he had recovered
then he unfastened the door and clam
bered out upon the deck, which lay al
most level with the surface of the
ocean.
He found that the F55 was strand
ed upon q shelving beach that extend
ed from the Fair island rocks. The
tide was rising, and they would soon
his heart as he realized that the hor-
rors of the night were past.
From the electric engines he went
to the petrol motors. These appeared
to be in good order. The oil fuel was
low, but there seemed to be a sufh.
cheney to take the F55 to Lerwick
without the necessity of delaying In
order to search for q deposit on the
island. The run would be of q few
hours only, and Donald was anxious
not to delay. Davies and he and
ClOutS could manage the boat during
the brief Journey and there would be
no need of the electric engines, since
no danger was apprehended which
might necessitate their submerging.
During his journey about the boat
he convinced himself that the sailors
had been dragged overheard. This was
more merciful for the survivors. There
was not a trace of any of the sever
who had died.
Donald went back to the torpedo
room escape hatch.
You can all come up" he called
'The coasts clear and the sun is shin
ing"
The people below needed no SECOND
invitation. One by one they came
scrambling out-Clouts and Davies
helping Ida between them. She seemed
bewildered by the day, and advanced
unsteadily toward Donald.
"What was it, dear?" she asked. q
don't know whether l have been deli
| riouS since my rescue, but / though,
| the most dreadful thing had hap
| pened. Tell me truly, Donald"
1T is not necessary, DEAR" he an
| swered. 1--WE shall be in Lerwick thii
uIl6IHOOu. anu SUu u6tu never tttluf
| about yesterday all your life
! You need not tell me, of course,
| she answered. But | thought some
| sea-beasts, something unknown before
something half human, attacked US Ii
| the boat, and afterward the sailor:
| here"
| She saw by his face that she hat
guessed correctly.
And invisible, DonaldT"
| Transparent, dear. Nothing tina
we cannot cope with, now that ",
have taken measures against surprise
| And they have gone now"
| Il am not afraid of them If 70,
are with me, Donald" she answered
| stepping out brayely beside him.
Donald turned to the MILDLY.
Davies" he said, II am going t,
try to make the run to Lerwick a
| Cnce. l think that 1T Will be best TO
| Miss Kennedy to remain IN the con
ming tower, where she will be safest
Clouts will run the engines, and vol
will take up your post at the divini
station to look after the vertical rud
ders. We are awash now, and shall
haze to rise q little UoIa"