There are about 1,400 miles more to St. Mary, our next anchorage. Under favourable conditions we should arrive there in six or seven days. We shall get the mails and newspapers there. No news has been received about the _Malay_, though they call her up by signal in the evenings. If she has not suffered shipwreck, she must be far from the fleet. Her speed is inconsiderable. We shall learn her fate at Madagascar. _December 11th._--During the night on board the _Suvaroff_ the coal in the bunker caught fire. The fire was speedily extinguished with steam, which was injected into the bunker. There is only a slight wind to-day, but the deadly swell continues. It is impossible to open the ports. Yesterday they brought my cap-covers from the wash. They are so torn now I can hardly wear them. You cannot imagine what a barbarous wash-house we have. They bring back the linen torn and stained. No matter how strong a material your tunic is made of, they tear it. The _Orel_ left the line, having damaged her steering engine; but she quickly set it right and resumed her place. Just before the colours were lowered to-day a cloud appeared on the horizon, like smoke. They thought it was the _Malay_ overtaking us. Our excitement appeared to have been needless. The _Kamchatka_ complained of bad coal; she could not keep up sufficient steam, and began to drop astern. Her captain, by signal, asked permission to throw overboard some 150 tons of bad coal. The admiral, seeing in the fall of steam the work of some evil-disposed persons, refused, but gave permission to throw overboard the wrongdoer. No sooner is the tale of the _Kamchatka_ ended than the _Suvaroff_ lies motionless, having damaged her steering engine. It was repaired somehow, and we proceeded. _December 12th._--A curious thing happened last night. They were communicating with the _Kamchatka_ by signal. She hoisted a signal about her speed. The ship's signalmen interpreted the signal thus, "Do you see the torpedo-boats?" The officer of the watch sent down to wake all officers, and tell them that a torpedo-boat attack was imminent. Buglers and drummers were stationed to sound off quarters for action. There was general alarm. A strong wind is beginning to blow. I hope it will not turn into a gale again, as it does not bring much joy. When you are ashore you pay no attention to the weather, whereas now you attentively follow its strength and direction. If nothing happens, there are four days' journey left to our anchorage in Madagascar. Up to the present we have come quicker than was intended. The storm on the eighth of the month helped us. At Madagascar the cruiser _Kuban_ will probably join the fleet. She left Russia after we did. She outstripped us, and we have not yet seen her.