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
[Picture]
instead of taut, thus
[Picture]
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.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210