Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-04-24

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Something Was Pulling Him Away
overheard with the first sea and had
caught the upper gear to be lifted eas
the craft righted, were coming down.
while searched for the az and the
professor searched into the depths un-
der the main hatch for signs Of his
menagerie the remnant Of the crew
lowered the foresail and jibs.
II found the az as the professor ap-
preached.
"'You'd better 60 below and clean
up your Instruments I suggested, or
you'll find them ruined by salt water
"He started to wade aft, but he
halted at the forward companion and
| turned, for scream Of agony rang out
from the forecastle deck, where the
men were coming in from the jibs, and
I saw one of them writhing on his
back. apparently in fit. The scream
ing man slid along the break and
plunged into the water on the main
deck.
II scrambled forward, still carrying
the ak, the men after me. We could
see him under water, feebly moving,
but not swimming, and yet he shot
this way and that faster than a man
ever swan, and once as he passed near
me I noticed gaping wound in his
neck, from which the blood was flow
ing stream and chich did not mia
soith the 1oater to discolor 1t.
II waded toward him, but he shot
swiftly away, and something cold.
shiny and firm touched my hand
something which could not see.
"I foundered back, still holding the
ak, and sang out to the men to keep
away from the dead man, for he was
surely dead by now. He lay close to
the break of the topgallant forecastle
on the starboard side, and as the men
mustered around me gave one my
az, told the rest to secure others and
to chop away the useless wreck of
spars pounding our port side.
II secured long pike pole from its
beckets and, Joined by the professor.
cautiously approached the body, prod
ding ahead of me. Suddenly the pike
pole was torn from my grasp. One
end sank to the deck, while the other
raised above the water. Then 1t Slid
upward, fell and foated. I seized 1t
and turned to the professor.
"'What do you make Of thlsT ask
ed. There is something down there
that we cannot see-something that
killed that man!
"He peered closely at the dead man,
who looked curiously shrunken. The
blood. no longer a thin stream issuing
/; from his neck, was gathered into a
misshapen mass about two feet from
his neck.
"'Nonsensev he answered. Some
thing alive which we cannot see Is
contrary to all laws Of physics. Mine
Gott! What iss?'
"He suddenly went under water him.
self, and, dropping the pike pole, I
grabbed him by the collar. Something
was pulling him away.
"'Helpl Something haf my right
footp
"'Lend hand herer yelled to the
men, and a few joined me, grabbing
him by his clothing. We wrested him
free. Then I distinctly saw the mass
Of red move slowly forward and dis
appear under the forecastle deck.
"'You were rightv cried the pro-
fessor. 'Dere is something invisible In
der water-something dangerous, some
thing which violates all laws Of phys
les und optics. Oh, mine foot! How
1t hurtsp
II grabbed the pike pole again, eau
tiously hooked the barb into the dead
mans clothing and, assisted by the
men, pulled him aft to the poop, where
the professor had preceded and was
examining him.
Frank. the dead man, had been
strong, robust and full blooded. But
he bore no resemblance to his living
self. He lay there, shrunken, short
ened and changed, look of agony on
his emaciated face.
"'He was sucked dry, like lemon
said Herr Smidt. Perhaps In his
whole body there is not an ounce of
blood nor fluid Of any kind
II secured an iron Delaying pin, tuck
ed It inside his shirt, and we hove him
overheard at once, for, in the presence
of this horror, we were not in the
mood for burial service. There we
were, eleven men on waterlogged
hulk, adrift on heaving, greasy sea,
and an invisible thing forward that
might seize any Of US at any moment
It chose, in the water or out, for Frank
had been caught and dragged down.
"Sdll, ordered the men to remain
on the poop and to expect no hot
meals. as we could subsist for time
on the canned food in the storeroom
and lazaret. While the professor went
down into his flooded room to doctor
his ankle, I armed every man Of US
with a sheath knife and belt while
the sky grew muddier and the sun
darker. It was the Java earthquake.
but we did not know 1t for long time.
"Soon the professor appeared and
announced that his instruments were
In good condition.
"T must resensitize my plates, how
ever he said. Der salt water has
spoiled them. but the rest uf my things
are dry
"Well,' I answered, that's all right
But what are they In the face Of this
emergency? Are you thinking Of pho
tographing anything nowy
"'Perhaps. I hat been thinking
"'Have you thought out what that
creature Ia forward, therer
"'Partly. It is some creature thrown
up from der bottom Of der sea und
washed on board BY der wave. Light,
IKE wave motion, ends at 9 certain