l at large in Pacific waters, it was decided not to go direct to
Samoa, but to shape a course direct for New Caledonia. For the next
fortnight or so we were playing a game of hide and seek in the big
islanded playground of the Pacific Ocean. The first evening out the
Psyche signaled "Whereabouts of Scharnhorst and Gneisenau still unknown;
troopships to extinguish all lights and proceed with only shaded lights
at bow and stern." Military books and papers were quickly gathered
together, and the remaining few minutes of daylight were used for
getting into bed, while the difficult task was set us of trying to sleep
the round of the clock. Thus, night after night, with lights out, we
steamed along our northward track, the days being spent in drill and
ball firing with rifles and the Maxim guns.

On the morning of Aug. 2 we proceeded along the shores of New Caledonia
and saw the big French cruiser Montcalm entering the harbor. Next day we
were joined by the battle cruiser Australia and the light cruiser
Melbourne. The contingent received an enthusiastic reception in New
Caledonia. As we passed the Montcalm our band played the "Marseillaise,"
and the band on the French cruiser responded with our national anthem.
Cheers from the thousands of men afloat and the singing of patriotic
songs added to the general enthusiasm, the French residents being
greatly excited with the sudden and unexpected appearance of their
allies from New Zealand.

A delay of twenty-four hours was caused by one of the troopships
grounding on a sand bank in the harbor, but on Sunday, Aug. 23, the
expedition got safely away.

We steamed through the Havannah Pass, at the southeastern end of the
island, where we awaited Rear Admiral Sir George Patey, in command of
the allied fleets. In due course the Australia and the Melbourne came up
with us. Then in turn waited for the Montcalm. All the ships, eight in
number, were now assembled, and they moved off in the evening light to
take up position in the line ahead.

Fiji was reached in due course, and at anchor in the harbor of Suva we
found the Japanese collier Fukoku Maru, and learned that she had been
coaling the German cruisers at the Caroline Islands just before the
declaration of war. After the coaling had been completed the Japanese
Captain went on to Samoa, calling at Apia. The Germans, however, would
not allow him to land. The Japanese Captain had been paid for his coal
by drafts on Germany, which, on