The bottom was as white as snow drift and the powerful
sun lit lip the water so That he could distinctly see all objects
within twelve or fifteen feet of him. He signaled "all right" to Scott
with the line and started to walk around. The signal line and hose were
played out to him, so that he could take a wide scope around and under
the sloop. Notwithstanding the enormous weight of lead attached to the
diving dress, Paul found that he had to walk as easily and lightly as if
there were egg shells under his feet; the least little pressure on the
bottom had the tendency to send him up. After a half-hour below, during
which he thoroughly enjoyed his novel surroundings, he felt an
oppression on his chest and signaled "to haul up." The strong arms of
the crew helped him regain deck, the helmet was removed and his
flushed and eager face exposed. He remarked to Tom that "diving was
glorious." After a rest of two hours, the sloop having been shifted
to another anchorage, he again descended. This time the bottom had a
different aspect. It was full of dark rocks over which grow great masses
ofsea weeds. A few feet from where he descended, sprang up a reef of
branch coral which extended as far as he could see on either side. This
coral grew like shrubbery.
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