58 A SAGA OF THE SEAS 
zling mystery. Probably the break was at the bottom of the 
sea. There was even another failure near the Agamemnon 
as the brakes were applied. These were discouraging condi- 
tions. 
Their enthusiasm spoiled, the officials resolved to keep try- 
ing and to take the utmost precaution in every way. Once 
more the ships met, spliced ends, and sailed apart, proceed- 
ing slowly and carefully. Everyone on board was by this time 
in a chastened mood. Men went quietly about their duties 
with sober faces and measured steps. The fuel supplies were 
getting low, and the stale beef to which the meals were re- 
duced was almost inedible. 
On this attempt, conditions seemed more favorable. The 
weather was mild, and the machinery ran smoothly. But sud- 
denly, when the ships were over two hundred miles apart and 
there was only a small load on the Agamemnon’s end, the 
cable broke close to the ship. There apparently had been 
some injury to the cable, due to the disturbances in the storm. 
Despite qualms and fears, the distressed Agamemnon and 
the Valorous headed gamely once more for the place of ren- 
dezvous, after twenty days at sea. Through high seas and 
thick fogs, the two British ships sought for the others. It 
finally became evident that these had returned to Ireland; so 
the search was abandoned. ‘The Niagara reached Queenstown 
on July 5, a week before the Agamemnon. Thus ended a dif- 
ficult expedition against dangerous odds. 
The most heroic of efforts had been made. The best tech- 
nical authorities had cooperated. Knowledge, skill, and hard 
work had been contributed without stint; money had been 
spent freely. The result, after repeated trials, was failure. 
Most men would have recognized defeat and have admitted 
that the problem was too much for them. Cyrus Field was 
saddened, but not convinced that he was beaten. 
