Just before we went to sleep last night things looked pretty lively for a while. Somebody fired a pillow at our table where the bunch were playing cards. Colborne blamed Page. The old thing blamed Powers, so it could not be proved on anybody. Martin was going to beat Page up but decided otherwise later on.

Monday Jan. 13th, Afternoon

We are still passing through the Saugon Straits. The larger Islands of Yezo and Nippon and several smaller ones have been left astern and about two miles on our Port bow we have a great mountain rising out of the sea. Just a great sharp pointed rock covered with snow and no growth of any kind showing. we are near enough to see the spray of the breakers on the rocky base, but can see no sign of any life not even a bird. This morning we saw some large birds wheeling around the rocks which someone said were eagles. Also a few large black ducks passed right above us. Saw also the smoke of several steamers, but not a sign of anything to speak to since we left Victoria eighteen days ago. Though every day we saw , even in the mid-pacific small birds flying along close to the water. A little smaller than our gulls at home, generally black in color.

The sea which has been exceptionally smooth for the last 500 miles is gradually getting a little rougher. We are now about 400 miles from Vladivostok and hope to make it in about 48 hours if the weather keeps fair. We can make about ten miles, though when it blows hard the best she can do is five or six with one propeller. When we lost it first there was some talk of going to Yokohama for repairs, but the weather was so good that the captain is taking the risk of completing the trip with the one.

19