9:50 p.m.
Night descended , but still the cable was coming in slowly , unwillingly , -- now jerkily , as if half inclined to yield , anon painfully , as if changing its mind , until the strain was equal to two and a half tons . A row of lanterns lighted it , and the men employed watched and handled it carefully to detect the `` fault , '' while the clattering wheels played harsh music . `` We 'll never find it , '' growled an impatient young electrician . As if to rebuke him for his want of faith , the `` fault '' came in then and there -- at 9:50 p.m. , ship 's time . `` Ah ! '' said Mr Field , whose chief characteristic was an unwavering faith in ultimate success , `` I knew we should find it are long . I have often known cables to stop working for two hours , no one knew why , and then begin again . ''