Hurry
and adjust the hydroscope!"
I sighted the powerful instrument for two thousand feet, altering it from
minute to minute as Brown excitedly announced the amazing depth of the
lake. When he called out four thousand feet, I stared at him.
"There's something wrong--" I began.
"There's _nothing_ wrong!" he interrupted. "Four thousand five hundred!
Five thousand! Five thousand five hundred--"
"Are you squatting there and trying to tell me that this lake is over a
mile deep!"
"Look for yourself!" he said in an unsteady voice. "Here is the tape! You
can read, can't you? Six thousand feet--and running evenly. Six thousand
five hundred!... Seven thousand! Seven thousand five--"
"It _can't_ be!" I protested.
But it was true. Astounded, I continued to adjust the hydroscope to a
range incredible, turning the screw to focus at a mile and a half, at two
miles, at two and a quarter, a half, three-quarters, three miles, three
miles and a quarter--click!
"Good Heavens!" he whispered. "This lake is three miles and a quarter
deep!"
Mechanically I set the lachet, screwed the hood firm, drew out the black
eye-mask, locked it, then, kneeling on the raft I rested my face in the
mask, felt for the lever, and switched on the electric light.
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