which they let him down.

Such boots! Stout leather, with soles of lead, securely strapped on, and
weighing at least twenty pounds each. A band fitted about his waist is
kept in place by strong braces.

Then his helmet! Tinned copper, and full of screws, pipes, and hooks. On
the face part were three openings as in a lantern, in which were screwed
plate-glasses, or bull's-eyes. These, of course, were to see through,
and stood out like little telescopes, or half-tumblers, with brass
frames around them called "guards" which protect the glass, that is
thick and strong.

There were also queer valves, or tubes, in the helmet for letting out
bad air, yet so contrived that no water could get in. A hook was on
either side, through which ropes must pass.

The diver can breathe while under water by means of an air-pipe, and by
pulling on a life-line, can make his wants known to those above.

When the diver is all ready to descend, a man at the pump begins
supplying him with air, and down he goes, first on an iron ladder at
the vessel's side, then on long ladders of rope, with heavy weights at
the ends.

I peeped from midst great weed-pads, and saw the diver as he reached the
bottom of the sea. Do you wonder I trembled, yet was amused at what I
saw? In his hands this time--for I saw him more than once after
this--was a great hook and a light bag with a wide-open mouth. And what
do you think? He had come to get sponges from the blue sea. Of course