We remain tossing on the sea. We shall leave here either to-morrow evening or day after. It is said that the hospital-ship will not join the fleet at all. Do you know, the number of ships in the fleet is now fifty-two? Some of the transports are at Saigon, or it would have been greater still.
April 30th.—The Kostroma has come, with a mail, it seems.
FOOTNOTES:
[17] In 1898 the battleship General Admiral Apraxin went ashore off Gothland, and Politovsky superintended the work of getting her off.
[18] Easter puddings.
[19] Easter greeting, "Christ is risen."
CHAPTER XII
PREPARING FOR BATTLE
May 1st.—The Kostroma called at Saigon and brought a mail.