another nervous
operation. Fifteen miles are safely in; but no one knows better than I
do that nothing is done till all is done.

"_June 11._

"9 A.M.--We have reached the splice supposed to be faulty, and no
fault has been found. The two men learned in electricity, L---- and
W----, squabble where the fault is.

"_Evening._--A weary day in a hot broiling sun; no air. After the
experiments, L---- said the fault might be ten miles ahead; by that
time we should be, according to a chart, in about a thousand fathoms
of water--rather more than a mile. It was most difficult to decide
whether to go on or not. I made preparations for a heavy pull, set
small things to rights and went to sleep. About four in the afternoon,
Mr. Liddell decided to proceed, and we are now (at seven) grinding in
at the rate of a mile and three-quarters per hour, which appears a
grand speed to us. If the paying-out only works well. I have just
thought of a great improvement in it; I can't apply it this time,
however.--The sea is of an oily calm, and a perfect fleet of brigs and
ships surrounds us, their sails hardly filling in the lazy breeze. The
sun sets behind the dim coast of the Isola San Pietro, the coast of
Sardinia high and rugged becomes softer and softer in the distance,
while to the westward still the isolated rock of Toro springs from the
horizon.--It would amuse you to see how cool (in head) and jolly
everybody is. A testy word now and then shows the wires are strained a
little, but every one laughs and makes his little jokes as if it were
all in fun: yet we are all as much in earnest as the most earnest of
the earnest bastard German school or demonstrative of Frenchmen. I
enjoy it very much.

"_June 12._

"5.30 A.M.--Out of sight of land: about thirty nautical miles in the
hold; the wind rising a little; experiments being made for a fault,
while the engine slowly revolves to keep us hanging at the same spot:
depth supposed about a mile. The machinery has behaved admirably. O
that the paying-out were over! The new machinery there is but rough,
meant for an experiment in shallow water, and here we are in a mile of
water.

"6.30.--I have made my calculations and find the new paying-out gear
cannot possibly answer at this depth, some portion would give way.
Luckily, I have brought the old things with me and am getting them
rigged up as fast as may b