A war vessel has been manoeuvring in sight of the fleet. Fearing that she is Japanese, the _Oleg_ has been sent to make certain. It is a false alarm. She is probably the French cruiser _Déscartes_. There is another steamer coming towards the fleet. The question of going to another bay is settled. We are going to the bay of Van Fong, which is about one hundred versts north of Kamranh. It is probably a wild and deserted spot. I am bored and anxious, and long to be home. FOOTNOTES: [15] A country house or bungalow. [16] A Russian admiral. CHAPTER XI DELAYS AT VAN FONG _April 13th._--At about nine o'clock the signalman in an emotional voice announced that a warship was coming towards us from the north, flying the Russian naval flag and several signals. It turned out to be the French cruiser _Déscartes_. She was signalling to us, and hoisted the Russian flag so that we should understand. There is news that a hospital-ship has arrived at Batavia. It is said to be the _Kostroma_, which is with Admiral Nebogatoff's fleet. We are approaching the anchorage of Van Fong. Some of the ships are already in the bay. The French admiral clearly sympathises with us, and if it depended on him we might lie where it is most convenient for us. He purposely shuts his eyes to a great deal. If he were not so disposed towards us it would be awkward. He is aware, for instance, where we have gone from Kamranh, but pretends that it is unknown to him. How much sometimes depends on one man! We are moving nearer and nearer to Vladivostok. We have altogether come 28,500 versts. There are 4,200 still left. Nearly seven-eighths of our voyage is successfully accomplished. All the ships have anchored. The _Suvaroff_ is coaling from a German steamer. In the latter some of the crew are Chinamen, and perhaps there are Japanese. I forget if I told you that two Japanese were noticed among the crew of the steamer _Dagmar_, which brought provisions to Kamranh. How well their intelligence service is organised! Wherever you look there are Japanese spies. There is authentic news that the ice at Vladivostok has dispersed. Consequently, the Japanese might undertake naval operations against it, if we do not interfere in time. It will be a fine impediment if they cut off Vladivostok by land, thus making it a second Port Arthur. Easter will soon be here, but it is not noticed in the ship. They live and eat as usual. There are no preparations--everywhere is dirt and coal. _April 14th._--In the torpedo-boats they were assured that when we left Kamranh we were going to Vladivostok. They never expected we should anchor in some bay. A sailor deserted at Kamranh. What will he do there, on that savage shore? Another threw himself into the sea from the _Rion_, having cautiously put on a life-belt. He was successfully taken out of the water and put on board the _Rion_. On what do these people count?