_May 8th._--To-morrow we are again to coal at sea. Will there soon be an end of this coaling bacchanalia? To-day we pass the Tropic of Cancer, and leave the tropics. When I slept last night the rats began to gnaw my toes. I am heartily tired of this kind of life, with its dirt and hardships. The _Oldhamia_ has left the fleet, and will go alone to Vladivostok or Korsakovsky port, or even to Petropavlovsk, if fogs interfere. The _Kuban_ was left by her, to give her a hundred tons of coal, if it is possible. The _Oldhamia_ will then go on shore, and the _Kuban_ will cruise about to capture contraband. The _Oldhamia_ is a new ship; her construction was only finished last year. She was occupied earlier with contraband. She took something for Japan to Dalny, and for the Russians to Vladivostok. At first the captain of the _Oldhamia_ behaved in a very off-hand manner. He jeered at us, and praised the Japanese. He did not expect we would take him from his steamer. When it was explained that he would be taken, he sang another tune, and even cried on leaving her. The English who remained succeeded in playing a dirty trick. They opened the Kingstons in the engine-room, and the steamer began to sink. Our crew quickly found the open Kingston, and closed it. They also tore off the marks of the stocks showing where each stock goes. Our men had to find out. Yesterday, when our crew were at the boilers, there was nearly an explosion. An engineer averted the accident. Of course, the English would not have succeeded in opening the Kingston or tearing off the instructions had it not been for our folly. It is clear as day that the English should have been followed about, and not allowed for one moment either in the engine or boiler compartments. Up to the present we have not been able to find any contraband. All the holds where forbidden cargo might lie are encumbered with a vast quantity of tins of kerosene. All the tins must be taken out to get below. 9 p.m.--About noon the _Jemchug_ reported that she could see a balloon above her. Other ships also saw it. Those who saw it in the _Suvaroff_ say it was like a snake in shape. We are going past Formosa. There is no sight or sound of the Japanese. _May 9th._--Coaling did not take place. The weather was rather rough. I slept in the upper stern cabin. The _Terek_ has left the fleet, on a cruise to catch steamers. The weather is gloomy. It is not so hot. Several men have already caught colds. Admiral Folkersham's health is bad. He will probably not reach Vladivostok alive. 9 p.m.--_North China Sea._ We have left the Pacific and entered the North China Sea. We are going in the direction of Shanghai, where our transports were sent. It is impossible to let them go alone, now. There are Japanese ships at Shanghai, watching that our disarmed ships do not escape.