The next trip will be of some days' duration. We have no news of the war. It is very trying. The torpedo-boat _Prozorlivy_ has damaged her condenser, and is being sent to Libau. The _Jemchug_ lost a cutter and broke the davits. The davits were taken down to-day and sent to the _Kamchatka_, where, in hoisting them on board, they fell into the water and sank. How strict discipline is now! A signal was made to the _Ermak_. She did not answer, so they began firing projectiles under her stern. After such a reminder she quickly responded. At three o'clock a Swedish steamer approached the fleet, flying a signal that she had very important dispatches. Apparently the Russian agent reported that a very suspicious three-masted sailing ship had sailed from the fiords. An order has now been given to train all guns on every passing vessel. We met ships hitherto, but the torpedo-boats always drove them out of the way. We have already passed the most dangerous spots. Half an hour ago it was reported to the admiral that either the _Navarin_ or the _Nachimoff_ (I do not remember which) had signalled that they had seen two balloons. What can this be? Can it be the Japanese? 8 p.m.--Panic prevails on board. Every one examines the sea intently. The weather is glorious. It is warm. There is moonlight. The slightest suspicious-looking spot in the water is carefully watched. The guns are loaded. The crew are standing about on deck. One half will sleep at their guns without undressing; the other half and officers will keep watch to-night. It is curious that we are so far from the theatre of war and yet so much alarmed. The crew treat the matter seriously. By the way, I will tell you the following incident. A sailor of the Revel half "equipage" asked to be allowed to go to the war in one of the ships. His request was refused. He thereupon climbed into the hold of one of the transports and remained there until now. Imagine how many days he passed in the fetid hold of the transport! Besides that, he would be suspected of being a deserter--that is, to have committed a severely punishable offence. No doubt they will inform Revel and keep him in the fleet. A curious incident, is it not? I wish the whole thing were over. Every one's nerves are strained just now. There are some officers in the fleet who have returned from Port Arthur, and they say that people out there are not nearly as nervous as they are in Russia.