cvi MEMOIR 



breaking ropes : actually breaking grapnels. It was always an 

 hour or more before we could get the grapnel down again. At 

 last we had to give up the place, though we knew we were close 

 to the cable, and go further to sea in much deeper water ; to my 

 great fear, as I knew the cable was much eaten away and would 

 stand but little strain. Well, we hooked the cable first dredge 

 this time, and pulled it slowly and gently to the top, with much 

 trepidation. Was it the cable ? was there any weight on ? it 

 was evidently too small. Imagine my dismay when the cable 

 did come up, but hanging loosely, thus 



instead of taut, thus 



showing certain signs of a break close by. For a moment I felt 

 provoked, as I thought (< Here we are in deep water, and the 

 cable will not stand lifting ! " I tested at once, and by the very 

 first wire found it had broken towards shore and was good 

 towards sea. This was of course very pleasant ; but from that 

 time to this, though the wires test very well, not a signal has 

 come from Spartivento. I got the cable into a boat, and a 

 gutta-percha line from the ship to the boat, and we signalled 

 away at a great rate but no signs of life. The tests however 

 make me pretty sure one wire at least is good ; so I determined 

 to lay down cable from where we were to the shore, and go to 

 Spartivento to see what had happened there. I fear my men 

 are ill. The night was lovely, perfectly calm ; so we lay close 

 to the boat and signals were continually sent, but with no 

 result. This morning I laid the cable down to Fort Genois in 

 style ; and now we are picking up odds and ends of cable be- 

 tween the different breaks, and getting our buoys on board, &c. 

 To-morrow I expect to leave for Spartivento.' 



