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 the suit and helmet and lowered me—not kicking, for my soles were too heavy with lead, but dreadfully afraid—over the side. Down I went, and down, till I became blind; for it is only the skilled—the blase divers—that can see at real depths; my feet touched bottom—I swear they did, though the men say I was only half way down. My head split right down the middle—it's grown together again, somehow. I yelled with fright, and begged to be taken out. Then I remembered how to signal—or else did it by accident—and up I went, very slowly. Then they got the things off, and I lay about the rest of the day and bled at the nose, and everybody laughed at me.

Man delighteth to speak of himself, and I, delighting therein more than other men, have forgot my troubles. But a steamer toots in the offing and recalls them, for mayhap my draft is on board and my pearls are to remain mine, and perhaps there is a letter from you. Do you know if there were to be only one of the two, and I could choose which—I