The Boy Chums in the Gulf of Mexico / or, On a Dangerous Cruise with the Greek Spongers

. From the hundred schooners strung out two or three hun

were up and away

an. Don't give any orders unless they are absolutely needed. But if you have to give them an order make them obey it, do

They had both taken a great dis

left the schooner and the young officers had but little to do but

as their craft was a quarter of a mile from the schooner, Cha

ladders over the sides. The divers put on their headpieces last of all, these were large globe-shaped coverings of metal with two heavy glasses in front through which to see. But two divers were to descend at a time. Their places would be taken by two others at the end of two hours, which is about as long as one can safely work at a time beneath the surface. Those in reserve assisted their companions in adjusting the heavy headpieces. As soon as the helmets were on

ard. One took charge of the tub in which the air hose was coiled and paid it out carefully as the diver sank, the other held the life-line instantl

this is a dangerous bus

nly takes nerve to descend like those divers have, knowing that there is nothing between them and death but that little air

rs drove him away with menacing gestures and upraised fists. He moved over near the coiled air hose but the diver in charge of that met hi

seems to be hated by the whole c

is chum replied. "He will likely know, or be able to find out quickly f

ding it called to one of the crew who seized the line that had been at

of their future cargo. When the basket came into view the

which they were familiar, the basket was heape

nts out on deck and lowe

wn if we had stopped to think, that sponges have to be cleaned and cured before they look like those

two hour spell below expired. As soon as their time was up they were

ed as noon time drew near, "and we came off fro

but it would hardly seem right to eat now before these hungry fellows. I guess we can stand it to go without dinner of they can stand it to

of sponges on deck. Adhering to them were multitudes of muscles a

nything but a bed of roses," Walter laughed. "It's ea

for their teacher. He was a young fellow with an intelligent, good-humored face and seemed to take great interest in their efforts. Touching different parts of the boat and engine the bo

and pleasantly and the lads were deli

guage a little in a week's time," Charley decl

ies that brought the lad

fascinated over the side, while the diver holding one o

e surface One glance, and they understood the reason for the sudden com

cut away, but his eyes were closed and his face purple-he was dead. A long, weird, prolonged wailing

each other with pale,

out like a candle in a gale. Alive one minute

eplied, sadly. "Well, I guess it means the last of our sponging, the other dive

hant ceased, one of the remaining divers began

ut he stopped the man as he began to put on his diving suit and by

k and we have had enough for one da

or burial. The body was sewed up in stout canvas and a piece of iron fastened t

scanty belongings were brought forth and auctioned off to the various bidders, and a

, and a game for rough, fearless men only," W