138 MEMOIR OF FLEEMING JENKIN 



got off the boat, after we had been some hours 

 aground. The carpenter reported that she had 

 made only two inches of water in one compartment ; 

 the cable was still uninjured astern, and our spirits 

 rose ; when — will you believe it ? — after going a 

 short distance astern, the pilot ran us once more 

 fast aground on what seemed to me nearly the same 

 spot. The very same scene was gone through as 

 on the first occasion, and dark came on whilst the 

 wind shifted, and we were still aground. Dinner 

 was served up, but poor Mr. Liddell could eat very 

 little ; and bump, bump, grind, grind, went the 

 ship fifteen or sixteen times as we sat at dinner. 

 The slight sea however did enable us to bump off. 

 This morning we appear not to have suffered in any 

 way ; but a sea is rolling in, which a few hours ago 

 would have settled the poor old Elba. 



' June — . 

 ' The Alexandria cable has again failed ; after 

 paying out two thirds of the distance successfully, 

 an unlucky touch in deep water snapped the line. 

 Luckily the accident occurred in Mr. Liddell's 

 watch. Though personally it may not really con- 

 cern me, the accident weighs like a personal mis- 

 fortune. Still I am glad I was present : a failure 

 is probably more instructive than a success ; and 

 this experience may enable us to avoid misfortune 

 in still greater undertakings. 



