Year: 1870

n


follow very hazardous calling, or,
ct all events, a calling in which, if you
choose to face dangers for the sake oi
higher remuneration, perilous adventures
are common enough. am not too
presumtuous when say am as brave as
most men, naturally, and my sense of fear
has been further blunted by constant
companionship with danger. The adven-
ture am about to narrate was horrible
enough to me when | was principal
actor in it, and to this day an involuntary
shudder of horror accompanies the reccol.
lections of it.


Some years ago large vessel laden
with mixed cargo, was bound to New
York from South America. Striking O
sunken reef Of the dangerous shore Of
Florida, she was wrecked, and very few
of the passengers or seamen escaped.
The owner, who was also captain, was
drowned. His heirs lived in New York.
1t appears the vessel had settled down in
the ocean, having escaped the attack Of
any storm, so as might be supposed her
cargo would be pretty well recoverable,
Tut it was useless and foolish attempt ia
try 10 get anything from her in lonely
sea, and on dangerous coast. However.
one Of those men whom nature has form
ed for the out.of-the-way modes Of getting
money in this world, having obtained the
consent Of the heirs in New York, fitted
out large yacht, and promising money
only on condition of success, was promp.
ted to hazard the spec-it agreed with my
adventurous disposition, and signed ar.
ticles, and shipped myself, After deal
of trouble we picked up another diver, a
coarse, brutal, drunken rascal, whose con-
duct, as hereafter seen, will sufficiently
justify these remarks. From the beginning
l had kind Of antipathy against the
fellow, and shrank from his society as Of
some loathsome reptile. Ills profile was
that Of baboon; his eyes, pearing from
under his heavy brows, twinkled with a
satanic wickedness, and seemed to be
looking all ways ut once and when he
laughed, his satanic majesty himself might
have envicd his ugly grin. My employer
Stunned him, and would have gladly
parted with him, but no other could he
get to engage in such foolhardy scheme


Having got the diving bell and other
apparatus on board, we at last set sail on
this novel pursuit of lucre. The voyage
was fine, and having nothing to do, en-
joyed it very much, and was even soften>
ing towards my feliow diver, when we
reached that part OF the coast Of Florida
where the snnken wreck lay, and where
our fortunes were buried beneath the
waves.


We were considerable time in discov-
ering the wreck, but we found it at last
far down in the depths of the still blue
sea. where troops Of sharks were pursuing
each other about and through it for want
of better prey. No pleasant sight, can
assure YOU. My fellow diver gave them q
fearful curse, and took an extra long pull
at his brandy flask. As for myself, the
affair seemed more dangerous than ever.
The vessel would have to be moored above
a bed of reefs, and if storm were to
arise, i'll fate would catch US, for there is
little mercy to be expected for ship from
the cruel and jagged coral. However, l
plucked up the very best heart. saying to
myself, MY dear fellow, the more danger
the more money" Jim Crow-that was
the divers name-gave utterance to a
nowise pleasant oath, about having been
swindled, muttering at the end, "but I'll
pay them off deuccd sharp. or I'm not
- concluding his sentence very sus-
piciously, which did not tend to increase
my confidence respecting his intentions.
We pulled back to the ship, after plac-
ing buoy to mark the spot. The two
next days Jim Crow and were busy n
preparing our things for the attack on the
sunken wreck. The tide Of my thoughts
was checked by my work. but still motto
ed that Crow was in an evil mood. After
about four days were spent, the ship was
anchored. The bell was swung for the
plunge, and Grow and went below and
dressed. My suspicious seemed now on
the increase, and my readers may think
was very fearful, but provided myself
with long and sharp knife, which stuck
unobserved down my long leathern boot.
Crow stuck one in his belt, saying with
rather diabolical laugh, II think it is
better being prepared for water sharks. .
and l almost think he added, "land
sharks" This opened my eyes little,
and some rather curious speculations Ait
ted through my brain. lie was man to
be feared, being hugely big and strong,
and wicked withal.


With many such reflections took my
place in the bell, and amidst the hurrahs
Of the crew and the excitement of the
master, we dipped int the sea. Common
life had passed away, and, to novice q
new world opens to his eyes beneath the
waves, ani even to me the scene was fresh.
The coral reefs, like grand architectural
structures, covered Wit. weeds and shells
of the deep, of every possible variety of
color; the Ash, large and small, darting
about the water, and flying at tha approach
Of the bell as befole the sweep Of the
sharks, and even they grinned with their
long inXs and fed unon our annroach