Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-01-02
CHAPTER VIII.-continued.


"Now, my plan is this: We must
,oore the airlock one by one, with
.otber O light weight Of metal on our
too+ calculated to enable us to walk,
and vet not to keep us down. We
,baII then simply climb the slopes of
ro,r island under the water"
az think it is the only feasible plan,
sirp said Davies briskly.
aHow do you feel about it, Ida?"
asked Donald in low tone.
Tdn nut her hand into his. 81 am
,oady to do anything you wish. Dom
aid. dear" she answered.
"ru answer for the lady with my
own life. sir" said Clouts heartily.
oTben we're decided" said Donald.
aNow, follow me In single file, hands
m 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
tbe coming tower toward the storage
.oom in which the diving apparatus
vas 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
ayDlain the mechanism. 1t consisted,
first of a waterproof uniform, then of
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 a
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 little storage bat
terry worn on the neck, in which, when
the apparatus had been properly adj
justed, q 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
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
snufed the candle and lit his electric
lamp which was inclosed in 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 it again. He
knew that Clouts and Davies could
take care of themselves.
The airl0ck, 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
H. and Ida could not have undertaken
ue plunge alone.
They were breathing the stored oxy-
gen within the copper cylinders. They
were safe for the present. The transit
was not especially perilous in itself,
1H there were dangers to face-tbe
possibility Of being too heavily weight
gu and sinking into the ooZe; that of
UelAg too light and losing balance.
these had to be met.
through the glass mask Donald saw
'ua s face. She was composed, and, in
spNe OF the diStOrting medium, he was
sure that he saw a look of trustful
love in her eyes.
lie started the compassionate appa-
."'uS TO keep the sea water out of the
,VVA' and opened the outer door. They
.UOAeu into the nothingness of the
WeAn bottom. The wall of inky water
way hardly illumined by the faint light
~I' Shone from their sleeve-lamps.
ponaId pressed Ida's hand. He felt
l'' myers futter in his. She under
s'UOa What she was to do. She placed
uS mead and shoulders within the
aperture.
Douald raised her feet and pushed
'uIo the sea. He saw the night of
'S'er swallow her.
,rr ~uu' choking down his fears, he
@ulged in after her.