WAITING FOR ORDERS
_January 12th._--It is very possible that on the 16th the fleet will
receive instructions from Petersburg either to return, proceed to
the East, or stay somewhere here until further orders. I wish they
would decide quickly. Uncertainty is worse than anything. It is very
unhealthy, staying here during the rainy season. Fevers, dysentery,
and similar delights are rampant. Europeans cannot stand the climate.
Anchorages like our present one end by having a bad effect on the
spirits of the crew. They deteriorate. The affair in the _Nachimoff_
serves as an example of this.
There has been a signal that we are to have steam up at 6.30 to-morrow
morning, in order to go out to sea for firing. This will be our first
practice since leaving Revel.
I have not been ashore to-day. I was lazy, though the weather was
tolerable. The rain is not incessant. They have brought a puppy on
board, some shellfish, and some hermit crabs. They torment the molluscs
by pouring eau de Cologne over them, puffing tobacco-smoke at them, and
by burning them with matches. A lively occupation, but really it is
excusable; there are no distractions, and they have invented this.
_January 13th._--Weather is pleasant in harbour; probably it will be
calm at sea as well. We are going to fire. We weighed anchor at 8 a.m.
French torpedo-boats have followed us. They brought telegrams from
Mayung. They went into harbour at Nosi Be, and handed over telegrams to
the torpedo-boat _Bodry_. The latter pursued the _Suvaroff_, and passed
the telegrams to the admiral by means of a rope-end. What news do they
contain?
Firing is just beginning. Everything is tightly closed. The mirrors
have been taken down and crockery put away.
6 p.m.--The ships have finished their firing, and we are now going into
the anchorage.
Reuter's telegrams state that Petersburg and Moscow are under martial
law and surrounded by a chain of troops; that the mutiny of sailors at
Sevastopol continues; that they have burnt the barracks and Admiralty
there; that the troops have refused to fire on the mutineers; and that
military disorders are rife throughout Russia. These telegrams must be
read with reserve, but I, at any rate, believe them. During manoeuvres
to-day the _Borodino_ and _Alexander_ nearly collided. Thank God, this
accident was averted. It would have been appalling.
A few days ago they were doing some work in the _Suvaroff_ and opened
a valve. They forgot to shut it, and opened another one yesterday,
not knowing that the first had not been closed. In the night a whole
compartment was flooded, and water poured into the engine-room. How I
cursed that I had come in the fleet! Here you sit chained, seeing the
mistakes of others, and are powerless to do anything. At times I really
fear that I shall go mad.
_January 14th._--The colliers brought news that the _Oleg_ has captured
a steamer which was taking two hundred and sixty field-guns to Japan.
It sounds improbable. This steamer, as far as I know, should have gone
round Africa; and there our auxiliary cruisers awaited her.
I went to a café on shore and played cards. I lost 170 francs (about 64
roubles). Returned on board about seven o'clock, late for dinner, so
dined in my cabin. On shore I saw the man who was suspected of being
a spy. He is very like a Russian, and wears his long red hair like an
artist.
11 p.m.--Wonderfully practical folk, the Germans! They have sent
officers to the colliers to help the captains. These officers are sent
in order that they may watch our cruise and give useful information to
their own navy. Would Russia do anything similar? No, never! This is
why we are paying so dearly now. We are still far from having a fine
navy or army. It is not a question of soldiers, but of organising a
campaign, of constant preparation and of foresight.
What a variety of coinage there was on the card-table--French, English,
Russian, Italian, and Austrian. They play for very high stakes. One
lieutenant in an hour won and lost 5,000 francs.
We are daily expecting the arrival of the _Oleg_, _Isumrud_, and
torpedo-boats. Judging by time, they are near Nosi Be. This is
according to telegraphic agencies. Official news we never receive. It
is always like that with us in Russia.
The mail-steamer from Europe arrives on the 20th and returns on the
24th. We shall evidently wait here for her.
The supposition that we should remain a long time in Madagascar is
amply justified. It is exactly a month to-morrow since the fleet
arrived at this island. That is how time flies. We have lost a whole
month uselessly, and it is still unknown how much longer we shall be
here.
What are they thinking of in Petersburg? There are rumours here that
after Klado's articles the public will demand the return of the fleet
to Russia. Can it be that, even now, they are unable to decide whether
to go backward or forward? The upkeep of the fleet costs large sums.
It cannot become better or stronger, remaining whole weeks at anchor
in Nosi Be. On the contrary, it will do nothing but harm. By wasting
time here we give the Japanese the chance of repairing their ships and
boilers. They are secretly preparing to meet us now. We have no bases.
Can we be trusting to our country or merely to luck? What were they
thinking about in sending the fleet? Our fleet is Russia's last might.
If it is destroyed, we shall have no navy. Every one thinks this--I
am not the only one. All this can scarcely raise the spirits of the
men. Probably something similar is going on in the army. It is bad!
Everything is bad, and there are internal disorders as well. How will
it all end?
_January 15th._--I have again been on shore. I learnt that the steamer
_Vladimir_ of the volunteer fleet is leaking. I will go and look at
her to-morrow. A new signboard has appeared on shore--"Skopolites,
contractor of the fleet," in freshly painted characters.
Shortly before leaving the ship a sailor fell into the water and made
for a native boat. The negro hawkers took five francs from him, and
wanted to row away without him. The sailor was rescued and the negroes
were deprived of his money. The officers buy all sorts of useless
rubbish, which, after they have taken it on board, is thrown aside
and forgotten. I posted a letter to-day, went to the café, and played
macao, winning 250 francs. I went round the shops, but, finding nothing
of interest, returned to the café. I did not play, and afterwards set
out for the quay.
The _Esperanza_ has just come from sea. She leaves the harbour daily
to throw bad meat overboard. She informs us that she saw three large
warships and one small one far away. Perhaps they are Japanese. I
myself saw a Japanese on shore to-day. Many others saw him. At one time
there were not any to be seen.
Cipher telegrams have again been received. They have not yet been
deciphered. It is astonishing that they should inform us in cipher who
has received rewards. The telegraphic agencies relate horrors about
Russia's internal affairs. Among other things they mention serious
disorders in Petersburg. They say that it has come to barricades in
the street--that more than 2,000 men are killed, and more than 7,000
wounded. I fancy they lie, but there is never smoke without fire.
I have to go to the hospital-ship _Orel_ to-morrow. The boats have to
be fitted for the transport of the wounded. What were they thinking of
before? This steamer was fitted out as a hospital and cost a great deal
of money, but the boats were forgotten. Everywhere we make some stupid
mistake.
My beard has grown tremendously, and is very shaggy. I have not trimmed
it. Every one hinted that it was time to have it cut, and at last the
admiral and flag-captain spoke about it. I summoned the sailor Michael,
who cut it so short that, looking in the glass, I did not recognise
myself.
_January 16th._--The _Esperanza's_ news has produced active measures.
Until the moon rises all fighting-lamps are to be lit. They had seen
that the Japanese, whom I mentioned yesterday, was sending telegrams
by heliograph. He attempted to come on board our ships with the
contractors.
The German colliers brought news that newly bought ships are coming
to reinforce us, and are at present at Cape Verde. Probably this is
another canard. We shall soon see if it is true. It is a month's voyage
for them to Nosi Be. This reinforcement would be most welcome. I do not
believe in it. These same Germans assure us that the Black Sea fleet
has left. They spoke about this long ago, and there is no sign of it.
They evidently mistook the _Oleg_ and her companions for the Black Sea
fleet.
I have been on board the _Keiff_ and _Vladimir_ of the volunteer fleet
to-day. Life in them is heavenly compared with life on board ships of
the _Borodino_ type. There is plenty of space and the cabins are large,
clean, and quiet. They live well, have free communication with the
shore, etc. I remained to lunch in the _Vladimir_, and returned to my
ship in her steamboat.
Some sailor in the transport _Jupiter_ out of revenge cast off the
collier's boat from the steamer and it drifted ashore with the
current. Although it was night and the boat was floating away from the
transport, they managed to catch it.
There is a church on shore. Many Roman Catholics took the opportunity
of making their confession. The confession was an empty one--that is,
they did not confess to a priest, as the greater part of them had not
command enough of the French language to speak of their sins.
My servant brought me a letter to be sent to his wife. "My wife,"
he said, "is also called Sophie." He is a curious fellow, but I am
satisfied with him.
I heard various details of the Petersburg disorders in the _Vladimir_.
The Europeans here live in a most extraordinary way. They come to the
colony to make money, and then quickly return to their own countries.
They deprive themselves of everything. They live almost in huts, and
do not spend a sou more than they can help. After a few years of such
life they become fairly well off, and leave the colony for ever. Their
abodes are like a camp. The furniture is bad and broken. There are no
conveniences, and no thought of comfort.
There is no news. Telegrams are sent by heliograph to Diego Suarez.
_January 17th._--A telegram has been received saying the _Rezvy_ has
left her division, and remains at Jibutil owing to breakdown. She will
probably not go to the East at all.
Yesterday the local governor came to the admiral with a complaint that
the officers of the fleet play games of hazard for high stakes at the
café. Play is forbidden or all leave will be stopped. Two or three days
ago the German colliers celebrated Wilhelm's birthday. They dressed
their ship with flags and drank so much that they remained drunk until
to-day.
As the fleet moves forward the number of torpedo-boats grows less and
less. Those that remain with us have damaged boilers, thanks to which
they are unable to attain their full speed.
The captain of the port at Diego Suarez went round our ships. He was
saluted. Evidently this amused him.
To-morrow part of the fleet are going to sea for target-practice.
When shall we leave here? We are losing the best weather. Hurricanes,
cyclones, and storms will begin soon, and with a fleet like ours the
voyage will be very difficult. Before us lies an immense passage--viz.
from Madagascar to the islands of the East Indian Archipelago.
_January 18th._--Owing to high play we are forbidden to go ashore
on weekdays. An order has been given to verify the cash of all the
paymasters in the fleet.
The inhabitants of Nosi Be consider the fleet the cause of there being
so little rain. It generally comes down in bucketfuls every day during
the rainy season. Now the rain is coming at intervals and it is bad
for the crops. The natives are making offerings and have started a
religious procession. Perhaps they are right, and the fleet is the
cause of so little rain. It is necessary for the downpour of tropical
rain that much electricity should collect in the air. It may be that
the masts of our ships conduct the current of electricity into the
water, not allowing it to collect in sufficient quantities in the air
for rain. Doubtless the natives explain it differently.
More and more frequently, at times, there falls on me complete oblivion
to my surroundings. I have become absolutely apathetic. Everything is
quite indistinct. Nothing interests me. My mind is crushed. I have
such attacks of endless despair, such fancies, such horrible thoughts,
that, by God, I do not know what to do, where to hide, or how to forget
myself.
8 p.m.--We have returned and anchored at Nosi Be. To-morrow the fleet
must go to sea again for firing.
Since this morning they have been painting my cabin. How am I to sleep?
It smells strongly of paint and turpentine. It will most probably give
me a headache.
The French torpedo-boats have brought neither telegrams nor news
to-day. I got up early this morning and had no rest during the day, am
fearfully tired, and shall have to get up earlier than ever.
_January 19th._--Since communication with the shore is forbidden, I
have to take every opportunity of sending my letters. I think it will
be difficult for you to read my epistles. They are full of broken,
unconnected sentences and muddled incidents. It will most likely be
difficult for me to make them out myself. You receive several at a
time, and that makes it more confused.
Up till 8 a.m. we were getting up anchor, and then we went out to sea.
Yesterday a projectile ricochetted on to the _Donskoi_. It touched the
bridge, slightly damaged it, and flew further. No one was killed or
wounded, thank God! It might have had a much worse ending.
At five o'clock we returned to Nosi Be, not having hit anything this
time.
The admiral received a letter from the individual whom they suspected
of being a spy, in which he complains of the unjust accusation. He
says that an officer tried to poison him when he went on board the
_Ural_, and that the Governor has offered to send him away from Nosi
Be. Finally, he begs for money for his passage. The contractor with
whom he came on board explained to the Governor about him. Among other
things the contractor says that the man is continually disappearing,
that they had to look for him in the ship, and that once he ate from
the common tub with the crew. Knowing Russian, he was able to hide from
the officers.
Is it not extraordinary? A spy is going about our ships quite
unpunished. It is a marvel! As if anything similar could happen to the
Japanese! I do not think so! It is all so disgusting that I do not
like to speak of it. You know what sort of characters there are in the
fleet. When we were in Russia a man came and begged to be allowed to
join the fleet. He threatened that if they did not take him he would
shoot himself, and appointed a time. They accepted him, promoted him
to the rank of petty officer, and then discovered that he was under
age. However, it was too late; he is now cruising. There are several
indications that the fleet will not leave here soon.
They have brought news from the shore that Kuropatkin is about to take
the initiative. We have already heard this so many times that we do not
believe it.
_January 20th._--To-day the French mail-boat ought to arrive. Many
expect letters. Communication with the shore is allowed. I do not want
to go, and have asked some officers to buy me three mats, three caps,
and some postage stamps. I do not understand how they can go ashore
just as the mail will be brought on board and be sorted. Do they really
not care for the letters or for their contents? No; evidently "we are
not all made of the same dough." Force would not take me out of the
ship just now. It may be that the post we expected to receive from the
_Oleg_ has just been brought by the French mail-steamer.
What a disappointment! Only boots and tobacco, which were ordered and
not sent to Admiral Folkersham through lack of time.
They brought the mail to the _Suvaroff_ and began sorting it. I took an
active part, cutting the bags, sorting the letters, and calling out the
names of the ships. A great many officers helped. Writers came from
all the ships, and surrounded the deck-house where the letters were
being sorted. Sometimes a letter for me fell into my hands. I put it
into my pocket. Sometimes my name was called out and a letter given me.
The sorting ended, I flew to my cabin, and there on the table was
another letter and a large official parcel. The latter was a book on
ship-construction sent by the Committee. The rest of the letters were
from you. I read them, and did not know what to do. I was agitated. I
went and sat in an armchair in the admiral's after-cabin, and gazed and
gazed through the balcony door at the harbour.
An orderly came and said that a cadet from the _Borodino_ was asking
for me. I was surprised. I went out, and he gave me another packet of
letters bound with a ribbon, and said his captain found them among
his letters. I thanked the cadet, and begged him to express my thanks
to the captain. To whom were not letters addressed? To those ships
lying quietly at Libau and Cronstadt, and to the ships that had been
destroyed at Port Arthur. There was a letter for Popoff, who was killed
in the _Ural_, and one for Titoff, who went mad and is in the _Malay_.
Every one, having read their letters, seized the papers and devoured
them greedily, grew heated, and quarrelled.
Dinner to-day was specially lively. Several of the staff received
rewards. Everybody had letters and parcels, and, what was
extraordinary, most of the parcels contained warm clothing. There were
many toasts drunk, and the band played. Two fellows were moved to
tears. They had not had news from home for a long time, and now they
received it all at once. If a torpedo-boat brings me your telegram, I
shall be quite happy.
_January 21st._--A Japanese spy came on board the _Suvaroff_ yesterday
in the guise of a trader. No attempt, even, was made to detain him. The
officials at the post-office are surprised that the Russians send all
their letters registered.
From the post-office I went round the shops with an officer. I bought
some lovely postcards. We wandered into the village. A dog that was
with us had a slight sunstroke. We took it into a café, rubbed its head
with ice, bathed it, and now it has recovered.
There is news that order has been established in Petersburg. Thank God!
The French say that the _Oleg_ only left Jibutil on the 20th. That
means she will not be here for a week.
They have just read aloud in the wardroom the answer from Admiral
Birilieff. As you can imagine, the majority are furious with him. They
say, "How dare he abuse the fleet? Who gave him the right to do so? He
knows nothing about it, though he is serving in the navy." These naval
men dare to talk, after having ignominiously and needlessly ruined a
navy twice as strong as the Japanese, scarcely doing any harm to the
latter.
What can be more infamous than the conduct of our navy? There has
been nothing like it since the creation of the world. Words fail me
to describe the shameless dishonour. They have the impertinence to
say, "Who dare criticise us?" Imagine what I heard to-day. They said,
"What the devil does it mean? It is perfectly revolting! Rewards are
showered on the land forces, and we sailors have had nothing for Port
Arthur." I am telling you the truth, word for word. When I heard it I
was thunderstruck.
When will there be an end to this inefficiency, bragging, and conceit?
Russia may not ask these officers, "Where is the navy that was built
by the sweat of millions of Russian people? What has it done? Has it
done harm to the enemy? Will it help the fatherland? Will it add to the
glory of Russia?" Oh no! you must not ask sailors these questions.
They are more expert engineers than engineers themselves. They have
more legal knowledge than lawyers. The naval ministry was created for
themselves. They are demi-gods. They only are entitled to honours,
riches, glory, everything; but naval work they do not understand. They
do not serve for war, and are not prepared for it. The navy is to them
the means of getting all the good things of life. They may be judges
of others, hold their heads high and say, "We are naval officers. What
more do you want?"
However bitter this may sound, it is true. Do you remember my telling
you how it would be? This voyage confirms my old opinions. To think
that Russia counts on them! I never cared for Birilieff as a man,
but we must thank him and Klado for their articles. Let Russia make
acquaintance with the archaic systems of, and what she can expect from,
our glorious Russian navy.
I was getting ready for church just as they brought me your telegram.
I was tremendously pleased, and no wonder, as I was waiting nine days
for my answer.
They are sending the band to play on the shore. The officers played
tennis with the governor and his wife. A sad thing happened on shore:
a sailor hit a petty officer in the face.
_January 24th._--Thanks to the affair yesterday, leave to go ashore is
only granted for the half-day. If it is absolutely necessary to send a
boat later, then they have to ask the admiral's permission.
It appears that there were several disturbances on shore yesterday, and
all caused by a petty officer.
To-morrow we are going to sea for target-practice. To-day the
torpedo-boat _Blestyastchy_ (Brilliant) lowered a boat, which capsized.
Three men were drowned. There are fatalities in the fleet nearly every
day.
_January 25th._--I read the newspaper cuttings you sent me. While the
ships went out for target-practice, the mining cutters were left behind
for exercise. They went a little way out to sea, and saved six natives
whose catamaran upset.
One officer had sunstroke, but recovered. It is very dangerous to go
about here with an uncovered head, or to take off one's cap frequently,
even if the sun is behind clouds. The Europeans do not risk going out
of doors without a helmet. They continually warn Russians, but we are
like the man who does not cross himself when it is not thundering.
Perhaps we shall go to sea to-morrow for evolutions and firing. On
Sunday it is proposed to have a race for the boats of all ships in the
fleet. Many are grumbling--they will not be able to go ashore owing to
these races.
What a lot of time the fleet has wasted lying here! We might have been
at Vladivostok by now. The _Oleg_ is detained somewhere. She will
arrive at the end of the month. I think with horror that, even with her
arrival, in Petersburg they have not yet decided our fate, but compel
us to wait for the third fleet. And when will it reach here! Not for a
long time--not for a very long time.
_January 26th._--When I was in the wardroom on board the _Aurora_
a cannon-shot suddenly thundered overhead. It was the _Kamchatka_
saluting the corpse of the sailor who died in the hospital-ship _Orel_.
Passing the _Kamchatka_, with white foam at her bows, was a long,
narrow, black torpedo-boat. A row of men dressed all in white stood
on her deck. The sound of the funeral hymn was heard. In the stern
stood the priest with incense, near the coffin, which was sewn up with
yellow canvas and covered with St. Andrew's flag.[8] The torpedo-boat
was carrying out to sea for burial another Russian, who had died far
from home. Many have perished in the fleet. Not long ago three men
were drowned. Another one has died to-day. I am told that during the
evolutions of the fleet the _Suvaroff_ nearly rammed the _Kuban_.
_January 26th._--It is exactly a year to-day since the war with Japan
began. A sad anniversary! Up to now this war has brought us nothing but
shame, misfortune, and ruin.
The _Svietlana_ was told to bring the Russian mail from Mojanga. We
received it at six o'clock. There is again a mix-up of addresses.
Letters were addressed to the Electrotechnical Institute of the Emperor
Alexander III.
_January 29th._--A curious comedy has been enacted on shore by the
Governor's wife and the wife of a merchant. The Governor's wife
came to the other lady and accused her of spreading scandal, saying
that the Governor had complained to Admiral Rojdestvensky that the
Russian officers were getting drunk on shore. "My husband," said the
Governor's wife, "did not go to the admiral; but your husband went to
complain that the officers were behaving badly. I know why he did it.
The officers did not get drunk, but they paid you attentions and you
encouraged them. It is owing to you that the officers are not allowed
on shore," etc.
The ladies were thoroughly frightened. The merchant has now written to
the flag-captain, stating this story and asking for "satisfaction," as
he never complained, and, on the contrary, could not praise enough the
behaviour of the officers. (I told you why their leave was stopped--it
was owing to their gambling at cards.) It would be interesting to know
how the flag-captain answered the merchant, and what the latter will do
with the "satisfaction" if he gets it. Again it is a case of women.
I wanted to seal a parcel, and remembered that they do not accept them
with seals at the post-office, as sealing-wax melts from the heat.
It is difficult to understand how the traders make a living here.
They have opened several shops and raised the prices tremendously.
They intrigue against each other and complain to the admiral. The
_Esperanza_ bought up all the provisions at Mojanga, and has now gone
for materials. What a quantity of money the ships have spent here!
Truly Russia has enriched Nosi Be, Mojanga, and Diego Suarez. They have
even ordered goods from France.
_January 30th._--It is very hot to-day. It is long since there were
heavy rains. Light rain does not cool the sides of the ship, which
remain hot the whole twenty-four hours.
Lunch to-day was interrupted by the funeral of a sailor of the
_Borodino_. The torpedo-boat passed the _Suvaroff_ with his body. The
man died in a very strange way. He was in the hospital-ship _Orel_. He
was discharged from the sick-list, and was sitting waiting for the boat
to take him back to the _Borodino_ when he fell down dead. Behind the
torpedo-boat came a steamboat with the captain. He was accompanying his
sailor to burial.
The majority of officers have leave to go ashore to-day until 6 p.m.
The watches of a good number are damaged, broken, or choked with dust.
They have bought up all the watches in the place, and many of these
are broken and cannot be mended. They have cleared everything out of
Mojanga. At the bank they cannot even change a credit note for a few
thousand francs.
A good many people earn a living as money-changers. For a pound they
sometimes give 24 francs 50 centimes, and sometimes 25 francs 40
centimes. Thus on a pound, which is less than ten roubles, you lose
about 34 copecks (8_d._). The fleet is paid in pounds, and loses
considerably. A German company here buys up all the pounds and gains
large profits. The officers want to ask them to change the credit notes.
This is how the Germans do business. They buy land and let it to ruined
Frenchmen, compelling them to sell vanilla at a low price. They buy
up leather, cocoa-nut oil, coffee, etc., and send it green to Europe,
where it is sold at immense profit.
They say that when the band played on shore to-day the local queen
was present. She is of no importance, and has been left alone by the
French, who are the real owners of the country. This queen behaves with
dignity, and does not ask for money.
A sailor in the _Oslyabya_ stole a box of church offerings. He was
found out and arrested, and will probably be tried by special court.
_January 31st._--I went ashore at 10 a.m. I went to a vanilla
plantation, called at the church and at the school, which is kept by
the Carmelite order. I am sitting in a restaurant with an officer. We
are drinking lemonade with grenadines and ice in it. By twelve I shall
be on board the _Suvaroff_, and at one attend a court of inquiry. At
the plantation we had an argument with some Frenchmen because we had
broken a branch of vanilla. The heat was so great that I drank plain
water, which I never do on shore. It is extraordinary how spoilt the
natives are. They followed us all the time, although we drove them off,
and then demanded a tip.
_February 4th._--There has been a dreadful storm. The lightning was
blinding and the thunder absolutely deafening. Russian sign-boards
are hung all over Nosi Be. Among them is the following: "Tremendous
bargains! Come and buy."
There is a dearth of stamps in the post-office. For a long time there
have been no 25-centime stamps, and very few of any other kind.
_February 5th._--The admiral has been unwell lately. He had neuralgia
so badly yesterday that he even moaned. He did not sleep last night,
and is now lying down. He does not listen to the doctor's advice. He
did not come to morning tea or lunch.
I had my hair cut and my beard trimmed. Do you know how this operation
is performed? The flagship's barber Michael appears in dirty working
clothes, with a box in which are a machine, an old brush, and a razor.
You sit on a chair and cover yourself with a towel. Michael cuts. It is
hot, and the perspiration drops from his face. Having finished, he puts
up his implements, receives a copper, shakes out the towel, hangs it
up, gathers up from the deck the fallen hairs, presses them into his
fist, and departs. All this is done so simply.
The admiral did not leave his cabin even for meals to-day. The doctors
now say that he has rheumatism. Last night he cried out with pain.
They wanted some ice for him. There was none in the _Suvaroff_, so an
officer went to the other ships to find some. The confusion was great.
_February 6th._--As the admiral is ill I did not get up for breakfast.
Woke just before nine and went to sleep again until five o'clock. It
was not very hot and stuffy. Usually it is impossible to sleep by day
in a cabin.
There was mass to-day.
A Frenchman who has opened a shop on shore came to tell us about a
Japanese spy. We do not believe him, and think he is making a report to
advertise his wares. As a rule Frenchmen are great humbugs. The admiral
recovered and came to dinner. Some of the officials at the post-office
have learnt Russian words. They show off their knowledge by writing
"Petersburg" on the receipts in Russian.
We still remain here, and Nosi Be is getting quite Russianised. From
the telegrams which the French torpedo-boat brought from Mojanga we
learn that the Governor-General of Moscow has been killed, and that the
third fleet left Libau on February 2nd.
It will be a surprise if we are obliged to wait for the famous third
fleet. It is very injurious for our ships, being kept in Nosi Be.
Their underwater parts will be covered with barnacles and waterweeds
(commonly known as beard). Owing to this ships steam considerably
slower and require a greater expenditure of coal, etc. The barnacles
and beard have to be cleaned off in dock, and there are none available
in this part of the world. Cleaning the underwater parts with the help
of divers is slow and unsatisfactory. How important it is may be seen
from the fact that even merchant ships voyaging in southern and eastern
waters go into dock to be cleaned at least once in six months. We shall
arrive in the East with dirty ships, and the Japanese will meet us in
clean ones. Our ships will have just made a long voyage, and theirs
will come out of harbour.
Another fine thing is that the Japanese will raise our ships sunk at
Port Arthur, repair them, and oppose them to us under their old names.
They will strengthen their fleet in this way, and what a disgrace it
will be for Russia. Imagine the scene! Some _Poltava_ or _Retvizan_
will fire on the _Suvaroff_. It is too disgusting to think of! And who
is it who has annihilated the fleet? The Japs--"Apes," as our gallant
sailors call them! Such self-confidence, conceit, and contempt for the
monkey Japs will cost Russia dearly. Here I go again, harping on the
old tune. I had better stop, as it does not help.
_February 7th._--I lunched in the battleship _Orel_. Had soup with
rice--and caterpillars. A satisfying meal, was it not? The officers
of the _Orel_ are convinced that for several evenings running they
have seen a balloon on the horizon signalling with lights. One of the
officers thought of ordering himself a pair of white trousers made
out of a sheet, as material is not to be had. There is a consoling
description of the _Cesarevitch's_ damages. Fifteen twelve-inch shells
struck her (this is a tremendous number, and twelve-inch shells
are the heaviest), and not one pierced her armour. Our battleships
_Suvaroff_, _Borodino_, _Alexander_, and _Orel_ are better armoured
than the _Cesarevitch_. If twelve-inch shells could not pierce her
armour, smaller projectiles can do almost nothing--that is, if they
hit protected parts. Some of the eye-witnesses in the _Rossia_ and
_Gromoboi_ say that the first impressions of the battle were horrible.
Everything was upside-down and broken to bits. You looked round and saw
that nothing that was behind armour was touched, and no substantial
damage done to the ship. All this is very nice, but an endless stay at
Nosi Be deprives one of all energy.
_February 8th._--I have been to the _Anadir_, _Kamchatka_, and to the
shore. I went to the cemetery. The caretaker showed me the grave of a
Japanese. I told him to put Popoff's grave in order, as it had fallen
in.
_February 9th._--A "tragic occurrence" took place in the _Suvaroff_
to-day. Some one had eaten a monkey. There remained only a bit of tail
and a piece of skin. This is the work of either rats or dogs.
I called at a torpedo-boat this morning. The captain and officer were
sitting on deck drinking tea. Both were barefooted and in vests and
white trousers. I cannot get accustomed to such a sight, somehow. The
captain's left foot astonished me. It had only one toe. All the rest
had been torn off long ago. The sight of it gave me a queer feeling.
To-day there was a court-martial on an officer. In defence of another
officer he had written a report in a very insolent manner to the
captain. By order of the admiral the officer was dismissed from the
_Ural_ in January, and now he is placed on the retired list by the
general staff. I do not know how the trial will end. They say he is a
very good fellow. The offence of which he is accused is very seriously
punished--either by degradation to the rank of sailor or confinement in
a fortress.
_February 10th._--The court sentenced the officer to be dismissed the
service and deprivation of rank. The sentence will go to the admiral
for confirmation. The punishment imposed by the court is the lightest
possible. It came out that there is much slackness in the _Ural_. The
matter will hardly end here, as they say K---- is an obstinate man, and
will raise it again in Petersburg.
There has just been a storm in a tea-cup. Smoke appeared from a cabin.
They manned the pumps and nearly rang the fire alarm. It was discovered
that a white tunic lying in a basket had caught fire. They pulled out
the basket, drew out the tunic, and the panic subsided.
The meat at dinner to-day was bad. I ate a good deal before I
discovered what was the matter.
I am trying to find a tortoise on shore. If I find one, I shall keep
its shell for combs and hairpins for you.
From several sources news has been received that there are Japanese
ships near Madagascar. The Japanese would hardly be so stupid as to
split up their fleet. Things have come to such a pass in our ships
that they are positively certain that the fleet will return to Russia
on March 15th. They told me this in the _Nachimoff_, announcing this
sensational news as the latest trustworthy information. I stayed a long
time in the wardroom of the _Nachimoff_, talking to an engineer whom I
had known at school.
Four sailors of the torpedo-boat _Grosny_ (Menacing) broke into a hut
and stole the contents. They were caught. There will be a trial, and
they will be severely punished. Is it worth it? The damage is assessed
by the negroes at sixty francs, all told. The men will be ruined for a
mere trifle.
The heat is dreadful! You "stew in your own juice," as they say here,
and you drink without ceasing. It is a good thing that the refrigerator
in the _Suvaroff_ is repaired and you can have ice. At the present
moment I have a glass of iced water by me. It cannot be had by all.
When the refrigerator was not working they obtained ice for the admiral
from other ships. You cannot imagine the delight of drinking something
cold, if you have not experienced such great heat. They make a good
deal of ice artificially in the fleet, and on shore they trade in it.
I have heard there are cigarettes in the _Tamboff_: I must go and get
some.
_February 12th._--Under cover of the French newspapers they are talking
about the conclusion of peace. They begin to say that it must be
concluded, come what may--even to paying a large indemnity. Has Russia
really come to this? Is the war really lost? I cannot bear to think
so! The disgrace was already bad enough, but what a shameful ending!
Unhappy times! Everything is going badly, both at the war and in the
interior of Russia. How will it all end?
They say that in the _Tamboff_ cigarettes are being sold at fifteen
roubles a hundred. It is very dear, but there is nothing to be done. I
shall be glad if I can get some, even at that price.
Several cases of champagne were brought to the _Suvaroff_ to-day. Some
sailors managed to conceal one and hid it in the furnace of a boiler.
They were caught. If the matter is officially dealt with, they will
suffer severely.
_February 14th._--I sent a telegram to you yesterday. There are many
sailors who have not been on shore since we left Cronstadt. A large
number were last on shore at Revel. A short time ago a sailor of
the _Kamchatka_ took two lifebelts, jumped overboard at night, and
struck out for the shore. He was seen by chance while swimming. The
searchlight was turned on to him. "I was tired of being on board,
could endure it no longer, and wanted to go on shore," he said in his
defence. I quite understood the man's feelings. I am much astonished at
many of the officers. They have not been on dry land since they left
Revel, although they have had opportunities of leaving the ship.
My spirits are depressed. Nothing is known as to when our wanderings
will end. I am ready to do almost anything--even to leaving the fleet,
which perhaps will not go to the East until the war is over. How I
curse myself for having come! Do you know there are forty-two ships at
Nosi Be under the Russian naval and merchant flags? A solid figure,
but how many are only transports? How many officers and men, do you
suppose? I fancy considerably more than 12,000.
FOOTNOTE:
[8] The Russian naval flag is white, with a blue St. Andrew's cross on
it.