In writing to his mother on October 31, 1835, Mr. Field said: "Brother Timothy sailed the day that I got back from Southwick; I received a letter from him a few days ago. He sent his love to you, father, and all friends, but had time to write only a few words as they passed a vessel. He says the captain is a pious man, and that they have prayers morning and evening." Later in the year came the news that Timothy had sailed from New Orleans in the ship _Two Brothers_, and that vessel was never heard from. For many years the family entertained the hope that he would return, and his brother Cyrus spent "hundreds of dollars" advertising in newspapers and offering a reward for tidings of him. About 1847 or 1848 a captain reported that he had had a shipmate named Field, whose father was a clergyman, and who had many brothers who were not sailors. He also said that his shipmate had married in South America, and was living there a very wealthy planter. He gave these particulars to relieve the anxiety felt by the family, and refused to take any reward. The news caused great excitement among the brothers, and had a steamer sailed that day one of them would probably have gone in her. But, failing that, they consulted together and agreed to write. They not only sent letters to their brother, but to the officials of the place. The letters were returned, and the officials made answer that no such person lived there. It was, however, with the same end in view that when rest was ordered for Mr. Field, South America was chosen to be the country visited. The search was a fruitless one, and no tidings were obtained. His mother did not give up all hope of hearing from her son Timothy until she was told that her son Cyrus had come home and had brought no news of him. After Mr. Field's return to New York in November, 1853, he tried to interest himself in work outside of his old business, and for one week succeeded in staying away from his office in Cliff Street. It was of this time that one of his brother's wrote, "I never saw Cyrus so uneasy as when he was trying to keep still." CHAPTER V THE FIRST CABLE (1853-1857)