Although we are lying at Kamranh, matters stand like this—any moment we may expect an order to weigh anchor. Everything is in readiness for this.
The sailor who threw himself into the straits of Malacca has been brought here. He belongs to the Nachimoff, and not the Alexander, as I told you before. Until the steamer picked him up he kept himself afloat in the water for nearly ten hours. To lighten himself he took everything off, only leaving a piece of neck-cover on his shoulders, so that the sun should not scorch him. He went overboard at night, and they drew him out next day. "It was trying, going on board the steamer," he said. "They all looked at me, and I had nothing on."
We have to go 4,500 versts to Vladivostok. If we do not leave here soon, we shall have dark, moonless nights.
April 5th.—Kamranh Bay. How tired I am to-day! All day long I have been going from ship to ship. They have not made me a dirk in the Borodino, as the officer who promised it is lying ill.
The officers in the Oleg are angry because Admiral Enquist is being transferred to her.
The Aurora's officers went shooting, but only killed a dove. They did not go far from the shore.
April 6th.—All the battleships and the Aurora weighed anchor and went to sea. The rest of the ships remained in the bay.
I smoked my last Russian cigarette.
Some of the transports are going to Saigon, and perhaps will not return.
How news is fabricated! There is a Reuter's telegram (and Reuter publishes the most trustworthy news) that in the fight with the Japanese our fleet lost the torpedo-boats Buiny and Blestyastchy, and two cruisers, the Aurora and the Donskoi. Pleasant for those to read this telegram whose nearest are in these ships. Although the cook has not arrived, the food has improved. Provisions were obtained from a steamer which arrived from Saigon.