THE LAYING OF THE ATLANTIC CABLE. 231 



he had been offered one thousand pounds if he suc- 

 ceeded in his diabolical attempt. 



At 1 P.M., the splice being made, we again pro- 

 ceeded on our course, but not for long. Half an 

 hour had scarcely elapsed, when, to the surprise and 

 dismay of all, a fresh fault was announced. This 

 time the disaster looked serious, for all communi- 

 cation with the shore was totally lost Patiently 

 we watched the application of continual tests, the 

 very mention of picking up producing a feeling of 

 gloom, and the mere sight of the machine becom- 

 ing hateful. "When at last we were about to have 

 resort to it, suddenly the signals were again per- 

 fect ; and soon after, with much laughter at our fears, 

 we learned that the cause of all our anxiety and 

 despair was the removal of an instrument at Valen- 

 tia, for some purpose best known to those on shore ; 

 and then resuming the satisfactory process of paying 

 out of the Cable, with thankful and merry hearts we 

 again proceeded on our voyage. 



At 8 A.M. on "Wednesday, July 26th, we desired 

 the Sphinx (the only vessel having the proper ap- 

 paratus) to take soundings. Having stopped for that 

 purpose, she was unable to overtake us. Gradually 

 she became less distinct, and on Friday morning we 

 lost sight of her for ever ; and it was supposed that 

 she passed us in a foggy night whilst we were pick- 

 ing up the second fault. From this time up to 

 Saturday the 29th no fresh announcement of disas- 



VOL. IV. Q 



