inca.gold-第7部分

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ng　sluggish。　Although　Giordino's　voice　still　came　through　the　earphones　as　clearly　as　if　Pitt　was　standing　next　to　him；　the　words　seemed　less　distinct。　Pitt　switched　his　mind　off　automatic　and　put　it　on　full　control；　sending　out　instructions　to　check　data　gauges；　safety　line；　and　buoyancy　pensator　as　if　there　were　another　Pitt　inside　his　head。
　　　　He　mentally　sharpened　his　senses　and　forced　himself　to　be　alert。　If　the　bodies　were　swept　into　a　side　passage；　he　thought；　he　could　easily　pass　them　by　and　never　notice。　But　a　quick　search　turned　up　nothing　but　a　pair　of　discarded　swim　fins。　Pitt　aimed　the　dive　light　upward　and　saw　the　reflective　glitter　of　surface　water　that　indicated　the　upper　dome　of　the　chamber　contained　an　air　pocket。
　　　　He　also　glimpsed　a　pair　of　white　feet。

　　　　Trapped　far　from　the　outside　world　in　a　prison　of　perpetual　silence；　breathing　in　a　small　pocket　of　air　millions　of　years　old　and　lying　smothered　in　total　blackness　deep　under　the　earth　is　too　alien；　too　terrible　to　imagine。　The　horror　of　dying　under　such　terrifying　conditions　can　provide　nightmares　on　a　par　with　being　locked　in　a　closet　full　of　snakes。
　　　　After　initial　panic　had　passed　and　a　small　degree　of　rationality　was　retrieved；　any　hope　that　Shannon　and　Rodgers　had　of　surviving　vanished　when　the　air　in　their　tanks　became　exhausted　and　the　final　spark　of　life　in　the　batteries　of　their　dive　lights　gave　out。　The　air　in　the　small　pocket　soon　became　foul　and　stale　from　their　own　breathing。　Dazed　and　lightheaded　from　lack　of　oxygen；　they　knew　their　suffering　would　only　end　when　the　watery　chamber　became　their　tomb。
　　　　The　underground　current　had　sucked　them　into　the　cavern　after　Shannon　had　excitedly　dived　to　the　bottom　of　the　sinkhole　after　glimpsing　the　field　of　bones。　Rodgers　had　faithfully　followed　and　exhausted　himself　in　a　frantic　effort　to　escape　the　surge。　The　last　of　their　air　had　been　used　up　in　a　vain　attempt　to　find　another　passage　leading　out　of　the　chamber。　There　was　no　exit；　no　escape。　They　could　only　drift　in　the　blackness；　held　afloat　by　their　buoyancy　pensators；　and　wait　to　die。
　　　　Rodgers；　for　all　his　guts；　was　in　a　bad　way；　and　Shannon　was　just　hanging　on　by　a　thread　when　suddenly　she　noticed　a　flickering　light　in　the　forbidding　water　below。　Then　it　became　a　bright；　yellow　beam　stabbing　the　blackness　in　her　direction。　Was　her　numbed　mind　playing　tricks？　Did　she　dare　entertain　a　glimmer　of　hope？
　　　　〃They've　found　us；〃　she　finally　gasped　as　the　light　moved　toward　her。
　　　　Rodgers；　his　face　etched　and　gray　with　fatigue　and　despair；　stared　blankly　down　at　the　approaching　light　beam　without　reaction。　The　lack　of　breathable　air　and　the　crushing　blackness　had　left　him　in　a　near　atose　state。　His　eyes　were　open　and　he　was　still　breathing；　and；　incredibly；　he　still　tightly　grasped　his　camera。　He　felt　a　vague　awareness　that　he　was　entering　the　tunnel　of　light　described　by　people　who　returned　from　death。
　　　　Shannon　felt　a　hand　grab　her　foot；　and　then　a　head　popped　out　of　the　water　less　than　an　arm's　length　away。　The　dive　light　was　beamed　into　her　eyes；　momentarily　blinding　her。　Then　it　moved　onto　Rodgers's　face。　Instantly　recognizing　who　was　the　worse　off；　Pitt　reached　under　one　arm　and　took　hold　of　an　auxiliary　air　regulator　that　was　connected　to　the　dual　valve　manifold　of　his　air　tanks。　He　quickly　slipped　the　mouthpiece　of　the　regulator　between　Rodgers's　lips。　Then　he　passed　Shannon　a　reserve　pony　bottle　and　air　regulator　that　was　attached　to　his　waist　belt。
　　　　Several　deep　breaths　later；　the　revival　in　mood　and　physical　well…being　was　nothing　short　of　miraculous。　Shannon　gave　Pitt　a　big　bear　hug　as　a　renewed　Rodgers　pumped　his　hand　so　vigorously　he　nearly　sprained　Pitt's　wrist。　There　were　moments　of　speechless　joy　as　all　three　were　swept　away　in　a　euphoria　of　relief　and　excitement。
　　　　Only　when　Pitt　realized　that　Giordino　was　shouting　through　his　earphones；　demanding　a　situation　report；　did　he　announce；　〃Tell　Doc　Miller　I've　found　his　lost　lambs。　They　are　alive；　repeat；　they　are　alive　and　well。〃
　　　　〃You　have　them？〃　Giordino　burst　through　Pitt's　earphones。　〃They're　not　dead？〃
　　　　〃A　little　pale　around　the　gills　but　otherwise　in　good　shape。〃
　　　　〃How　is　it　possible？〃　muttered　a　disbelieving　Miller。
　　　　Giordino　nodded。　〃The　Doc　wants　to　know　how　they　stayed　alive。〃
　　　　〃The　current　swept　them　into　a　chamber　with　an　air　pocket　in　its　dome。　Lucky　I　arrived　when　I　did。　They　were　minutes　away　from　using　up　the　oxygen。〃
　　　　The　crowd　grouped　around　the　amplifier　was　stunned　by　the　announcement。　But　as　the　news　sank　in；　relief　spread　across　every　face；　and　the　ancient　stone　city　echoed　with　cheers　and　applause。　Miller　turned　away　as　if　wiping　tears　from　his　eyes　while　Giordino　smiled　and　smiled。
　　　　Down　in　the　chamber　Pitt　motioned　that　he　could　not　remove　his　full　face　mask　and　converse。　He　indicated　they　would　have　to　municate　through　hand　signals。　Shannon　and　Rodgers　nodded；　and　then　Pitt　began　to　describe　visually　the　procedure　for　their　escape。
　　　　Since　the　lost　divers　had　dropped　all　of　their　useless　dive　gear；　except　for　face　masks　and　buoyancy　pensators；　Pitt　felt　confident　the　three　of　them　could　be　pulled　back　through　the　narrow　shaft　against　the　current　and　into　the　main　pool　by　his　phone　and　safety　line　without　plications。　According　to　the　manufacturers'　specs；　the　nylon　line　and　phone　cable　could　support　up　to　almost　six　thousand　pounds。
　　　　He　signaled　Shannon　to　wrap　one　leg　and　one　arm　around　the　line　and　lead　off；　breathing　through　her　pony　bottle。　Rodgers　would　repeat　the　step　and　follow；　with　Pitt　bringing　up　the　rear　close　enough　for　the　spare　regulator　to　reach　Rodgers's　mouth。　When　Pitt　was　sure　they　were　stable　and　breathing　easy；　he　alerted　Giordino。
　　　　〃We're　positioned　and　ready　for　escape。〃
　　　　Giordino　paused　and　stared　at　the　young　archaeology　students；　their　hands　gripping　the　safety　line；　poised　as　if　ready　for　a　tug…of…war。　He　studied　their　impatient　expressions　and　quickly　realized　he　would　have　to　keep　their　enthusiasm　and　excitement　in　check　or　they　might　haul　the　divers　through　the　rock　passageway　like　so　much　meat　through　a　jagged　pipe。　〃Stand　by。　Give　me　your　depth。〃
　　　　〃I　read　slightly　over　seventeen　meters。　Much　higher　than　the　bottom　of　the　sinkhole。　We　were　sucked　into　a　passage　that　sloped　upward　for　twenty　meters。〃
　　　　〃You're　borderline；〃　Giordino　informed　him；　〃but　the　others　have　exceeded　their　time　and　pressure　limits。　I'll　pute　and　advise　you　of　depression　stops。〃
　　　　〃Don't　make　them　too　long。　Once　the　pony　bottle　is　empty；　it　won't　take　long　for　the　three　of　us　to　use　up　what　air　I　have　left　in　my　twin　tanks。〃
　　　　〃Perish　the　thought。　If　I　don't　hold　these　kids　by　the　collar；　they'll　jerk　you　out　of　there　so　fast　you'll　feel　like　you　were　fired　from　a　cannonball。〃
　　　　〃Try　to　keep　it　civilized。〃
　　　　Giordino　held　up　his　hand　as　a　signal　for　the　students　to　begin　pulling。　〃Here　we　go。〃
　　　　〃Bring　on　the　jugglers　and　the　clowns；〃　Pitt　answered　in　good　humor。
　　　　The　safety　line　became　taut　and　the　long；　slow　haul　began。　The　rush　of　the　surge　through　the　shaft　was　matched　by　the　gurgling　of　their　exhaust　bubbles　from　the　air　regulators。　With　nothing　to　do　now　but　grip　the　line；　Pitt　relaxed　and　went　limp；　allowing　his　body　to　be　drawn　against　the　flow　of　the　underground　current　that　gushed　through　the　narrow　slot　like　air　through　a　venturi　tube。　The　lighter　silt…clouded　water　in　the　pool　at　the　end　of　the　passage　seemed　miles　away。　Time　had　no　meaning；　and　he　felt　as　if　he'd　been　immersed　for　an　age。　Only　Giordino's　steady　voice　helped　Pitt　keep　his　grip　on　reality。
　　　　〃Cry　out　if　we　haul　too　fast；〃　ordered　Giordino。
　　　　〃Looking　good；〃　Pitt　replied；　hearing　his　air　tanks　grinding　against　the　ceiling　of　the　shaft。
　　　　What　is　your　estimate　of　the　current's　rate　of　speed？〃
　　　　〃Close　to　eight　knots。〃
　　　　Small　wonder　your　bodies　are　causing　severe　resistance。　I've　got　ten　kids　up　here；　pulling　their　hearts　out。〃
　　　　〃Six　more　meters　and　we're　out　of　here；〃　Pitt　informed　him。
　　　　And　then　a　minute；　probably　a　minute　and　a　half；　struggling　to　hold　on　to　the　safety　line　as　they　were　buffeted　by　the　diminishing　force　of　the　torrent；　and　they　broke　free　of　the　shaft　into　the　cloud　of　silt　swirling　around　the　floor　of　the　sacrificial　pool。　Another　minute　and　they　were　pulled　upward　and　clear　from　the　drag　of　the　current　and　into　transparent；　unclouded　water。　Pitt　looked　up；　saw　the　light　filtering　through　the　green　slime；　and　felt　a　wondrous　sense　of　relief。
　　　　Giordino　knew　they　were　free　of　the　suction　when　the　tension　on　the　safety　line　suddenly　diminished。　He　ordered　a　halt　to　the　ascent　operation　as　he　rechecked　his　depression　data　on　a　laptop　puter。　One　stop　of　eight　minutes　would　take　Pitt　out　of　any　danger　of　depression　sickness；　but　the　archaeology　project　divers　would　need　stops　of　far　longer　duration。　They　had　been　down　over　two　hours　at　depths　ranging　from　17　to　37　meters　（67　to　122　feet）。　They　would　require　at　least　two　stops　lasting　over　an　hour。　How　much　air　was　left　in　Pitt's　tanks　to　sustain　them？　That　was　the　life…or…death　dilemma。　Enough　for　ten　minutes？　Fifteen？　Twenty？
　　　　At　sea　level；　or　one　atmosphere；　the　normal　human　body　contains　about　one　liter　of　dissolved　nitrogen。　Breathing　larger　quantities　of　air　under　the　pressure　of　water　depth　increases　the　absorption　of　nitrogen　to　two　liters　at　two　atmospheres　（10　meters；　or　30　feet　of　water　depth）；　three　liters　at　three　atmospheres　（30　meters；　or　90　feet）；　and　so　on。　During　diving　the　excess　nitrogen　is　rapidly　dissolved　in　the　blood；　carried　throughout　the　body；　and　stored　in　the　tissues。　When　a　diver　begins　to　ascend；　the　situation　is　reversed；　only　this　time　far　more　slowly。　As　the　water　pressure　decreases；　the　overabundance　of　nitrogen　travels　to　the　lungs　and　is　eliminated　by　respiration。　If　the　diver　rises　too　quickly；　normal　breathing　can't　cope　and　bubbles　of　nitrogen　form　in　the　blood；　body　tissue；　and　joints；　causing　depression　sickness；　better　known　as　the　bends；　a　condition　that　has　crippled　or　killed　thousands　of　divers　over　the　past　century。
　　　　Finally；　Giordino　set　aside　the　puter　and　called　Pitt。　〃Dirk？〃
　　　　〃I　hear　you。〃
　　　　〃Bad　news。　There　isn't　enough　air　left　in　your　tanks　for　the　lady　and　her　friend　to　make　the　necessary　depression　stops。〃
　　　　〃Tell　me　something　I　don't　know；〃　Pitt　came　back。　〃What　about　backup　tanks　in　the　chopper？〃
　　　　〃No　such　luck；〃　moaned　Giordino。　〃In　our　rush　to　leave　the　ship　the　crew　threw　on　an　air　pressor　but　forgot　to　load　extra　air　tanks。〃
　　　　Pitt　stared　through　his　face　mask　at　Rodgers；　still　clutching　his　camera　and　shooting　pictures。　The　photographer　gave　him　a　thumbs　up　sign　as　though　he'd　just　cleared　the　pool　table　at　the　neighborhood　saloon。　Pitt's　gaze　moved　to　Shannon。　Her　hazel　eyes　stared　back　at　him　through　her　face　mask；　wide　and　content　as　if　she　thought　the　nightmare　was　over　and　her　hero　was　going　to　sweep　her　off　to　his　castle。　She　had　not　realized　the　worst　was　far　from　over。　For　the　first　time　he　noticed　that　she　had　blond　hair；　and　Pitt　found　himself　wondering　what　she　looked　like　in　only　her　swim　suit　without　the　diving　equipment。
　　　　The　daydream　was　over　almost　as　soon　as　it　was　begun。　His　mind　came　back　on　an　even　keel