What is the use of telling us at all, if we, considering it confidential, do not make use of our evidence? It is astonishing! They should have published the names of steamers with contraband throughout the fleet, in order that each ship should know about them. But with us this is a "great secret." It is simply inconceivable. To conceal the names of steamers serving in the interest of Russia is sensible, but to hide from our own people the names of the friends of Japan is simply folly. It is always and everywhere thus with us. When they were busied with the _Oldhamia_ in the morning, two more steamers were perceived, one laden and the other empty. One of them was conducted to the fleet by the _Jemchug_. Of course, it was the empty one. She was under Norwegian colours, belonged to Bergen; her name was _Oscar II._ She went off to Japan. She had already served Japan for two years (some company). We let her go. She audaciously cut through the line of our ships. Perhaps she was purposely sent by Japan as a scout. She can now inform them where she saw us. She may have taken some photographs, and counted the ships. Even if she has not been sent purposely, she will nevertheless make known our position. We have lost and wasted much time. This loss does not pay. We are wasting the bright, moonlight nights. On the occasion of the Emperor's birthday a salute was fired, and there were prayers. Sorting out my books, I found a clean notebook and copy-book. They came at an opportune moment, as I had finished the last. 7 p.m.--They are beginning to swear at having let the _Oscar_ go without examining her. The weather is beginning to be doubtful. Perhaps there will be a typhoon. The fleet will suffer severely. They have just published a list of vessels which are known to be carrying contraband to Japan. Of course, the list only contains a portion of them. What have they not in them! Horses, guns, projectiles, powder, gun-cotton, explosives, blankets, milk, rails, engines, cables, iron, steel, copper, armour plates, conserves, rifles, grenades, shrapnel, wire, steam cutters, railway material. One steamer is specially fitted for raising our ships sunk at Port Arthur! _May 7th._--_Pacific Ocean._ The fleet is in the Pacific. For some reason it is also called the "Great." We passed by the islands of the Batan (_sic_) group. They say there are volcanoes there. I did not see them from the ship. The motion of the sea interfered with the coaling of the captured steamer. If the coal does not last her to Vladivostok, she is ordered to call at Korsakovsky port (in Sagalien). There are still two hundred of our men, who were coaling, on board her. Owing to the motion they could not be taken off. They will try to take them off to-morrow. There are about 2,800 versts left to Vladivostok. Yesterday I began to prepare for battle. My preparations were very simple. I opened a trunk, and without more ado thrust in everything--ikons, letters, and photographs of you.