"LOOK OUT NOW, MEN." 637 



gratifying intelligence for us that it was ' all right again.' The 

 machinery was once more set in motion, the cable was soon going 

 out at the rate of six miles an hour, and the electrical signals 

 were passing between the ships as regularly as if nothing had 

 occurred to interfere with or interrupt the continuity." 



The change of the wire from the forward main-deck coil to 

 that on the deck immediately below, on the third day, is thus 

 described, the operation being a most delicate and perilous 

 one : — " At least an hour before the change was made, the 

 outer boundaries of the circle in which the cable lay was literally 

 crowded with men ; and never was greater interest manifested 

 in any spectacle than that which they exhibited in the proceed- 

 ings before them. There were serious doubts and misgivings 

 as to the successful performance of this important part of the 

 work ; and these only served to increase the feelirtg of anxiety 

 aAid suspense with which they silently and breathlessly await 

 tIJte critical moment. The last flake has been reached, and as 

 turn after turn leaves the circle every eye is intently fixed on 

 t] le cable. Now there are but thirty turns remaining ; and, as 

 the first of these is unwound, Mr. Everett, who has been in the 

 circle during the last half-hour, gives the order to the engineer 

 on duty to c slow down.' In a few moments there is a perceptible 

 diminution in the speed, which continues diminishing till it has 

 reached the rate of about two miles an hour. 



" 'Look out now, men,' says Mr. Everett, in his usual quiet, 

 self-possessed way. The men are as thoroughly wide-£,vake as 

 they can be, and are waiting eagerly for the moment when they 

 shall lift the bight, or bend, of the cable and deliver it out safely. 

 One of the planks in the side of the cone has been loosened, 

 and, just as they are about taking the cable in their hands, it is 

 removed altogether ; so that, as the last yard passes out of the 

 now empty circle, the line commences paying out from the 

 circle below, or the 'orlop' deck, as it is called. The men — 

 who are no other than the coilers, or c Knights of the Black 



