The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-01-25
CHAPTER vlIt.---consinasd.


10
New, my plan In tislss We must
leave the airlock one by one, with
rather light weight OF metal on our
tees, calculated 20 enable as 10 walk,
and jet not 10 keep as down. We
shall then simply climb the slopes OF
Fair island under The water
II think Il Is the only feasible plan,
air, said Davies briskiy.
How 90 you feel about It. Ida7"
asked Donald In low tone.
Ida put her hand into HIS. II am
ready % 90 anything you wish, Don.
aid dear" she answered.
FIJI answer for the lady with my
own life. sir, said clopts heartily.
Then we're decided said Donald.
Now, follow me IN single die, banda
% the shoulders 81 The one Ia front
u you, All readyT'
lie led the way through the dark.
ncks down the ladder NJ the base Of
the counting tower toward the storage
room II which the diving apparatus
was kept. Then be III candle.
The slehert apparatus possesses the
merit of simplicity. Donald. ns he
adjusted X on each with the aid OF
Davies, did not think IL necessary 10
explain the mechanism. 1t consisted,
Brst, of waterproof uniform. then Of
9 glass mask and copper cylinder. the
latter covering the upper part Of the
body and fastening about the shout
aets + contained supply Of COM
pressed oxygen for several hours The
curbonle acid exhaled passed into a
receptacle containing cansiic soda,
which purified H. thus liberating the
oxygen. while the nitrogen could be
inhaled over and over again.
There was also a single sleeve at
tached BY wIreasto little storage hnt.
terry ~orn on the neck, IA which. when
the apparatus had been properly nd.
justcd d small electric light could be
made 20 burn by the pressure Of a
button.
They waited moment while Ida
pai GA the waterproof uniform; then
all followed suit, Donald aud Davies
dressed themselves after Clouts, and
attached the weights about the feet
~ each ana 10 Their own. Finally.
WHEN al were Ia readiness Donald
snnlIed the candle and lit his electric
lamp, which was Enclosed ia specially
devised glass, calculated TO resist a
great pressure.
Each ~ the party was now sealed
from all sound. They saw each others
faces very dirnly through the glass
masks.
Donald indicated 20 Davies that he
was 70 hiring up the rear, his hands
upon the shoulders Of Sam Clouts IN
front II him. He placed Ida In front
~ Csouts, and, raising her hands, put
them upon his own shoulders, himself
leading the procession.
he made his way into the coming
tower again. He opened the inner
chamher ~ the alrlock. admitting Ida
aud himself. aud closed Il again. He
knew that Clnuts aud Davies could
take ears Of themselves.
The alrloek, built 10 be used for
escape Ia just such an emergency. was
meant Tor one temporary tenant alone.
But TIVE could iust manage 10 squeeze
ID, and Ida could not have undertaken
the plange alone.
They were breathing the stored oxy-
gen within tae copper cylinders They
were safe fer the present The transit
was noi especially perilous III itself,
but there WeFs dangers 20 facct the
possibility II being too heavily weight
"a and sinking lnto the oOxe; that ~
belug too light and losing balance.
These had p be- met.
Through the glass mask Donald saw
idaa face She was composed. and. IN
spite ~ the distorting medium, he was
sure ghai be saw look u trustful
l0ys Ia iieF eyes
lie started the eumpgessed-air Rpps'
rat0s 10 ktsp the sen water out Of the
lock. and opened tie outer door, They
looked Into the nothlngness % IN,
ocean bottom. The sail Of iuky water
was hardly lllumlaed by the faint ilEhi
that shoRe from their sleeve-iamps.
Donald pressed fdR's hand. lie fei
her fingers hutter 10 his She under
fs0ad SHAT she was 10 do, She places
her head and shoulders within th'
spertare
uouald Fsiaed her feet and pushe,
her isto the sea. he saw the night o
water swallow her.
Add. choosing down bis fears. b
plunged Ia after her.
CHAPTER X.