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I acknowledge it was several e to slip down into that intense blackness It was not so much fear of men which deterred me, but the oppressive silence, the mystery of what awaitedht or sound It was recollection of that last, trustful look within the dark eyes of Eloise which finally arousedan i off on to the dangling rope, slipping silently doard through the shadows to ht lurk below

It was a confused tangle of ropes I was coress, except to render it slower, and the consequent strain harder upon the arrew bulkier as I descended Suddenly my feet touched the solid deck I discoveredupon hands and knees I crept silently around, hoping thus to gain clearer vieard As I circled the vast butt of theupon the deck and blinking at ravity