_April_ 20. At 12.30 A.M. still coaling up. Every thing working smooth and nothing to stop, it is a beautyfull night and the Southern Cross looms up with more beauty than I ever seen befor. But the ships bum Boat is all right too, she loomed up with a big ketle of hot Steaming cocoa, Just the thing a man wants when he has the mid watch. the wether is very cold down hear. a few of the men is going ashore to morrow. I dont think I will be able to go as I will have the afternoon watch, any way I dont care much as I am use to the ship now. I could stay hear for a year. I wish we wer around to Key West so as to be with the Band wagon when she starts. Mr. Giles, Midshipman, is a very sick man, he was taken ill in the Cabin this morning. I went for the Doctor for him at 1.45 A.M. Doc said he had a hemorrhage of the lungs caused by concussion. 3. A.M. he is asleep and doing fine now. I woulden like to see him die, he is a fine fellow. 3.45 A.M. coal all on board. 4.30 P.M. the Capt is on the warpath, he is mader than a wet hen for he tryed to get out of hear by 2 P.M. to day, But could not on the account of the Marietta having some trouble with her coal, so we both go tomorrow morning at daybreak. _April_ 21. Called all hands at 5.30 A.M. and up anchor at 6. A.M. I called the old man at 5.40 A.M. Signaled over to pullout and we are tailing on behind untill we get out of the Straights, going about 10 knots; at 6 Bells met a steamer Bound for Klondyke, we drop a whale boat and sent our Boarding officer to find out the news if there was any But was disapointed. She had no news, she was 15 days from Rio de Janeiro. 7.30 P.M. All is going well. The Marietta is astern now and likely to remain so untill we get in the next Port. we past another steamer about 3 P.M. and when I go on watch to night at 8 I will try and find out something about her. Came off at 12 midnight and she signaled to us no news of War. We have to go slow on account of the Marietta. had some targate practis today with all the Guns. We travel at nights with all lights out now adays so as not to let any thing slip up on us, and at the same time slip up on them. _April_ 22. Wind is very high, lost a life Boat this morning at 5.20 A.M. from the after Davits, good thing the wind is head on, the Sea is runing high. 8 P.M. Sea and wind has gon down considerable. Making about 10-1/2 knots. Ellis is sick poor man, I am standing his watch to night. 11.45 P.M. going about the same and all is well. _April_ 23. I think we will have a dash of Gen Quarters, Just to shake the Boys up. the old man is anxious to have targate Practis, he believes this ship whips the shoes off any thing that floats in the line of Battle ships, of corse Baring a Torpedo if one should hapen to hit, and I think the old man is right too, for this crew feals scrapy now. I think we would fight fer Keeps. Had Gen Quarters in the morning and Church in the afternoon.