I find W- has nothing for me to do; and that in fact no
one has anything to do. Some instruments for testing have stuck at
Lyons, some at Cagliari; and nothing can be done - or at any rate,
is done. I wander about, thinking of you and staring at big, green
grasshoppers - locusts, some people call them - and smelling the
rich brushwood. There was nothing for a pencil to sketch, and I
soon got tired of this work, though I have paid willingly much
money for far less strange and lovely sights.
'Off Cape Spartivento: June 8.
'At two this morning, we left Cagliari; at five cast anchor here.
I got up and began preparing for the final trial; and shortly
afterwards everyone else of note on board went ashore to make
experiments on the state of the cable, leaving me with the prospect
of beginning to lift at 12 o'clock. I was not ready by that time;
but the experiments were not concluded and moreover the cable was
found to be imbedded some four or five feet in sand, so that the
boat could not bring off the end.
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