Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-01-12
CHAPTER vIII.-continued.

10
Now, my plan is this: We mu:
leave the airlock one by one, wit
rather light weight of metal on OF
feet, calculated to enable us to wall
and yet not to keep us down. w
shall then simply climb the slopes 9
Fair island under the water"
Il think it is the only feasible pla1
sir" said Davies briskly.
"HOw do you feel about It, Ida
asked Donald in low tone.
Ida put her hand into his. II an
ready to do anything you wish, Don
aid. DEAR" she answered.
I'll answer for the lady with m,
own life. sir" said Clouts heartily.
"Then we're decided" said Donald
snow, follow me in single file, hand.
on the shoulders of the one in from
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
room in which the diving apparatus
was kept. Then he lit a candle.
The Siebert apparatus possesses the
merit Of simplicity. Donald, as he
adjusted it on each with the aid of
Davies, did not think it necessary to
explain the mechanism. 1t consisted,
hrst, of waterproof uniform, then of
a glass mask and copper cylinder, the
latter covering the upper part of the
body and fastening about the Shout
ders. 1t contained a supply of COM
pressed oxygen for several hours. The
rarbonic acid exhaled passed into n
receptacle containing caustic soda,
which purified it, thus liberating the
oxygen, while the nitrogen could be
inhaled over and over again.
There was also Il single sleeve at
sached by wires to little storage bat
terry worn on the neck in which, when
the apparatus had been properly ad-
justed, small electric light could be
made to burn by the pressure of
button.
They waited moment while Ida
put on the waterproof uniform; then
all 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
snuffed the candle and lit his electric
Damp, which was inclosed in specially
devised glass, calculated to resist
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 it again. He
knew that ClOuts and Davies could
take care Of themselves.
The airlock, built to be used for
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
we're safe for the present. The transit
was not especially perilous in itself,
'ut there were dangers to face-the
Of being too heavily weight
ID and sinking into the ooze; that of
'eing too light and losing balance.
These had to be met.
Through the glass mask Donald saw
da's face. She was composed, and, in
pite of the distorting medium, he was
ure that he saw look of trustful
owe in her eyes.
he started the compassionate appa- t
atus to keep the sea water out Of the t
Ock, and opened the outer door. They
ooked into the nothingness Of the
cean bottom. The wall Of inky water il
7as hardly illumined by the faint light
nat shone from their sleeve-lamps. "
Donald pressed Ida's hand. He felt fl
er fingers 1lutter in his. She under A
TODD what she was to do. She placed b
er head and shoulders withf1 the
perture. s
Donald raised her feet and pushed Il
er into the sea. He saW the night of
alter swallow her. II
And, choking down his fears, he OIL
unged in after her. in
81
CHAPTER TX. 81