‘*A DIEU VAT!” 227

it may almost be called unlimited ; and in any case it is
thousands of times superior to the innumerable explo-
sives now known.

Under these conditions, it is plain that the tunnelling,
although the rock is so hard and thick, will be finished in
about a week,

September 19th.—For some time I have observed that
the phenomenon of the tide, which may be observed very
accurately through the submarine tunnel, produces currents
in a contrary direction twice in the twenty-four hours.
It is therefore not to be doubted that a floating object
thrown on the surface of the lagoon would be carried out
by the ebb tide, if the upper part of the aperture were
disclosed.

Now, does not this disclosure take place during the
lowest stage of the equinoctial tides ? Ishallsoon beable
to ascertain, as we are precisely at that period. The day
after to-morrow will be the 21st of September, and to-day
is the 19th. I could distinguish the upper part of the
aperture beneath the water at low tide.

Well, although I cannot myself attempt to get through
the tunnel, why could not a bottle thrown upon the water
have the luck to do so during the last few minutes of the
ebb tide? And why should not an accident—ultra-
providential, I admit—cause the bottle to be picked up
by some ship passing Backcup? The currents even
might cast it on one of the Bermuda coasts. And if that
bottle were to contain a statement—

This idea engrosses my mind; but there are objections

Q 2