The diving dress, too, was exceptionally strong, to withstand
the awful pressure of water at more than five hundred feet below
the surface. The usual rubber was supplemented by thin,
reinforced sheets of steel, and this feature, together with an
auxiliary air pressure, kept the wearer safe.
Thus Ned and Koku could leave the submarine, walk about on the
floor of the ocean as they pleased, and return, unhampered by an
air hose or life line. In dangerous waters, infested by sea
monsters, weapons could be carried that were effective under
water. The diving suit was also provided with a powerful electric
light operated by a new form of storage current, compact and
lasting.
"Well, I think we're all ready," announced Ned, as he and Koku
were helped into their suits and they waited for the glass-
windowed helmets to be put on. Once these were fastened in place
talk would have to be carried on with the outside world by means
of small telephones or by signals.
"Give me axe!" exclaimed Koku, as some of the sailors were
about to put his helmet in place.
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