Though the Cornish miners had been full of doubts as to the successful working of Watt’s engine, they could not dispute the evidence of their senses after it had been erected and was fairly at work. There it was, “forking water” as never engine before had been known to “fork.” It had completely mastered the water at Wheal Busy; and if it could send the workmen down that mine, it could in like manner send them down elsewhere. Wheal Virgin was on the point of stopping work, in which case some two thousand persons would be thrown out of bread. Bonze’s new atmospheric engine had proved a failure, and the mine continued flooded. It had also failed at Poldice, which was drowned out. “Notwithstanding the violence and prejudice against us,” wrote Watt, “nothing can save the mines but our engines.... _Even the infidels of Dalcoath_ are now obliquely inquiring after our terms! Cook’s Kitchen, which communicates with it, has been drowned out some time.” Watt, accordingly, had many applications about engines; and on that account he entreated his partner to come to his help. He continued to hate all negotiating about terms, and it did not seem as if he would ever learn to like it. He had neither the patience to endure, nor the business tact to conduct a negotiation. He wanted confidence in himself, and did not feel equal to make a bargain. He would almost as soon have wrestled with the Cornish miners as higgled with them. They were shrewd, practical men, rough in manner and speech, yet honest withal;[169] but Watt would not encounter them when he could avoid it. Hence his repeated calls to Boulton to come and help him. Writing to him about the proposed Wheal Virgin engine, he said, “Before I make any bargain with these people, I must have you here.” A few days after, when communicating the probability of obtaining an order for the Poldice engine, he wrote,--“I wish you would dispose yourself for a journey here, and strike while this iron is hot.” A fortnight later he said, “Poldice people are now welding hot, and must not be suffered to cool. They are exceedingly impatient, as they lose 150_l._ a month until our engine is going.... I hope this will find you ready to come away. At Redruth, inquire for Plengwarry Green, where you will find me.” [169] “With all the faults of the Cornish people, I think we have a better chance for tolerable honesty here than elsewhere, as, their meetings being public, they will not choose to expose themselves any further than strict dealing may justify; and besides, there are generally too many to cabal.”--Watt to Boulton, 29th August, 1778. Boulton MSS.