Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-02-22
CHAPTER Vlll.-Contlnued.
ID

SHAF XIV
-tC-
"Now, my Plan is this: We must
leave the airloc& one by one, with
rather q light weight of metal on our
feet. calculated to enable Us to walk,
and yet not 10 keep US down. We
shall then simply climb the slopes Of
Fair island under the water"
II think it is the only feasible plan,
sir" said Davies briskly.
How do you feel about It, Ida?'
asked Donald In a low tone.
Ida put her hand into his, ~ am
ready to do anything you wish, Don
aid, dear" she answered.
"I1l answer for the lady with my
own life, sir" said Clouts heartily.
Then we're decided" said Donald.
"Now, follow me in single file, hands
on the shoulders of the one in front
Of you. All ready?"
He led the way through the dark
ness, down the ladder at the base Of
the coming tower toward the storage
Dor In which the diving apparatus
was kept. Then he lit q candle.
The Siebert apparatus possesses the
merit Of simplicity. Donald, as he
adjusted 1t on each with the aid of
Davies, did not think 1t necessary to
explain the mechanism. 1t consisted,
first, Of q waterproof uniform, then Of
Il glass mask and copper cylinder, the
latter covering the upper part Of the
body and fastening about the Shout
ders. It contained a supply of COM
pressed oxygen for several hours. The
carbonic acid eXhaled passed into Il
receptacle containing caustic soda,
which purified it. thus liberating the
oxygen, while the nitrogen could be
inhaled over and over again.
There was also a single sleeve at
tached by wires to a little storage bat
terry worn on the neck, in which, when
the apparatus had been properly ad-
justed, a small electric light could be
made to burn by the pressure of a
button.
They waited a moment while Ida
put on the waterproof uniform; then
ali followed suit. Donald and Davies
dressed themselves after Clouts, and
attached the weights about the feet
Of each and to their own. Finally,
when all were in readiness, Donald
cp,,fnl thn npn11n nnI Jt hic nlnotr ri n
lamp, which was inclosed in a specially
devised glass, calculated to resist a
great pressure.
Each Of the party was now sealed
from all sound. They saw each others
faces very dimly through the glass
masks.
Donald indicated to Davies that he
was to bring up the rear, his hands
upon the shoulders Of Sam Clouts in
front Of him. He placed Ida in front
of Clouts, 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
chamber of the airlock, admitting Ida
and himself, and closed 1t again. He
knew that Clouts and Davies could
take care Of themselves.
The airlock, built to be used fol
escape In just such an emergency, was
meant for one temporary tenant alone
But two could just manage TO squeeze
in, and Ida could not have undertaken
the plunge alone.
They were breathing the stored oxy
gen within the copper cylinders. They
were safe for the present. The transi'
vas not especially perilous In itself
but there were dangers to face-tht
possibility of being too heavily weight
ed and sinking into the ooze; that Of
being too light and losing balance
These had to be met.
Through the glass mask Donald saw
Ida's face. She was composed, and, IL
spite Of the distorting medium, he wal
: sure that he saw q look Of trustfu
; love In her eyes.
lie started the compreSsed-air appa
rntus to keep the sea water out of thu
! lock, and opened the outer door. The.
. looked into the nothingness Of tn
ocean bottom. The wall of inky waite
: was hardly illumined by the faint ligh
: that shOne from their Sleeve-lampS.
Donald pressed Ida's hand. He fel
I hnr Gnnnpe Anttor l., IT. CT. 81.
, stood what she was to do. She place.
her head and shoulders within tn
, aperture.
: Donald raised her feet and pushe,
= her into the sea. He saw the night O
water swallow her.
, And, choking down his fears, h
plunged in after her.
CHAPTER ~