168 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE 



naked eye, from naked eye back to finder, from finder 

 to telescope, abandoning the instrument finally to observe 

 tbe retreating shadow. All this we went over twenty 

 times, while looking at the actual sun, and keeping him 

 in the middle of the field. It was my object to render 

 the repetition of the lesson so mechanical as to leave no 

 room for flurry, forgetfulness, or excitement. Volition 

 was not to be called upon, nor judgment exercised, but 

 a well- beaten path of routine was to be followed. Had 

 the opportunity occurred, I think the programme would 

 have been strictly carried out. 



But the opportunity did not occur. For several days 

 the weather had been ill-natured. We had wind so strong 

 as to render the hawsers at the stern of the ' ' Urgent' ' as 

 rigid as iron, and to destroy the navigating lieutenant's 

 sleep. We had clouds, a thunder-storm, and some rain. 

 Still the hope was held out' that the atmosphere would 

 cleanse itself, and if it did we were promised air of ex- 

 traordinary limpidity. Early on the 22d we were all at 

 our posts. Spaces of blue in the early morning gave us 

 some encouragement, but all depended on the relation 

 of these spaces to the surrounding clouds. Which of 

 them were to grow as the day advanced? The wind 

 was high, and to secure the steadiness of my instru- 

 ment I was forced to retreat behind a projection of the 

 bastionet, place stones upon its stand, and, further, to 

 avail myself of the shelter of a sail. My practiced men 

 fastened the sail at the top, and loaded it with bowlders 

 at the bottom. It was tried severely, but it stood firm. 



The clouds and blue spaces fought for a time with 

 varying success. The sun was hidden and revealed at 

 intervals, hope oscillating in synchronism with the changes 



