fter nightfall. S---- brought a
little dog to amuse them,--such a jolly, ugly little cur without a
tail, but full of fun; he will be better than quinine.

"The wind drove a barque, which had anchored near us for shelter, out
to sea. We started, however, at 2 P.M., and had a quick passage, but a
very rough one, getting to Bona by daylight [on the 11th]. Such a
place as this is for getting anything done! The health boat went away
from us at 7.30 with W---- on board; and we heard nothing of them till
9.30, when W---- came back with two fat Frenchmen, who are to look on
on the part of the Government. They are exactly alike: only one has
four bands and the other three round his cap, and so I know them. Then
I sent a boat round to Fort Genois [Fort Geneva of 1858], where the
cable is landed, with all sorts of things and directions, whilst I
went ashore to see about coals and a room at the fort. We hunted
people in the little square, in their shops and offices, but only
found them in cafes. One amiable gentleman wasn't up at 9.30, was out
at 10, and as soon as he came back the servant said he would go to bed
and not get up till 3: he came however to find us at a cafe, and said
that, on the contrary, two days in the week he did not do so! Then my
two fat friends must have their breakfast after their 'something' at a
cafe; and all the shops shut from 10 to 2; and the post does not open
till 12; and there was a road to Fort Genois, only a bridge had been
carried away, etc. At last I got off, and we rowed round to Fort
Genois, where my men had put up a capital gipsy tent with sails, and
there was my big board and Thomson's number 5 in great glory. I soon
came to the conclusion there was a break. Two of my faithful
Cagliaritans slept all night in the little tent, to guard it and my
precious instruments; and the sea, which was rather rough, silenced my
Frenchmen.

"Next day I went on with my experiments, whilst a boat grappled for
the cable a little way from shore, and buoyed it where the _Elba_
could get hold. I brought all back to the _Elba_, tried my machinery,
and was all ready for a start next morning. But the wretched coal had
not come yet; Government permission from Algiers to be got; lighters,
men, baskets, and I know not what forms to be got or got through--and
everybody asleep! Coals or no coals, I was determined to start next
morning; and start we di