I returned to the _Suvaroff_ from the _Malay_ at twelve o'clock. I was hot and tired. Now the sun's rays are nearly vertical. I wetted my head with salt water and put a wet handkerchief in my cap. The leather of my boots burnt my feet. I found a letter from the captain of the _Jemchug_ awaiting me. I must go there and to the _Donskoi_. I am tired of going to the latter; I have to go there nearly every day. I lunched in my cabin. The orderly who waited on me said, "I have brought you a beetle."[7] I did not understand at first what he meant. Apparently it was a block of wood to put under the feet when sitting at the writing-table. 6 p.m.--Have been to the _Gortchakoff_, _Borodino_, _Donskoi_, and _Jemchug_. In the latter they are also using jam-pots as tumblers. It is a wearisome cruise. Officers and men have so many inconveniences and discomforts to bear. A fine company are collected in the _Malay_ to go back to Russia--the sick, prisoners, men dismissed from the service, lunatics, and drunkards. The captain has already reported that they do not obey him--abuse and threaten to kill him. Their conduct is defiant, and they will not submit to any orders. If they do not send a trusty guard he will always have to carry a loaded revolver, and shoot the first one who disobeys. In this steamer a strong and firm captain is required in order to reach a Russian port in safety with such a crew. A court for trying offences during the voyage was appointed to the fleet. To-day this court assembled to try a sailor of the _Suvaroff_. He had abused the chief boatswain, threatened, and disobeyed the orders of the first lieutenant. He was sentenced to three and a half years in a disciplinary battalion. Probably he will be sent to Russia in the _Malay_. _January 9th._--The foreboding about the _Malay_ is beginning to be justified. Last night an armed crew had to be sent to arrest the mutineers. They arrested four of the _Malay's_ hired crew. These have been divided among the battleships, in order that they may be put in cells. The most insolent is on board the _Suvaroff_. The appearance of the armed crew in the _Malay_ produced a great sensation. The rest of her crew instantly quieted down. They evidently had not expected the matter to end in this sad way. After those arrested have done some days in cells, it has been decided to put them on shore and abandon them to the dictates of fate. To be in cells on board the _Borodino_ is tolerable, but in the _Suvaroff_, "God forbid!" The temperature there is fearful, and there is no ventilation. I do not think that a man could remain there long. Among the four prisoners one only is the ringleader. It is he who is in the _Suvaroff_. One of them actually cried. To be cast upon a nearly desert shore! What will they do? There is no employment for them, and they lack the means of getting away. Could they join the foreign legion? It is not here, now that this place is unimportant.