s this Irishism. We
had a concert in the evening, got up by Col. O'Hagan, the O.C. the
West Lancashire Field Ambulance, when we had many amusing songs and
tales. The sea was as smooth as a duck-pond all day. Towards night the
wind rose, strong enough to cause a big pitch had we been still in the
Atlantic, but here it is hardly noticeable. The south-east corner of
Spain was seen in the morning and a peep of Africa got in the
afternoon.

_March 25th._--Just returned from the engine room, having made up to
the chief engineer, who took me over the machinery and stokehole. The
three cylinders develop 4500 horse-power. The largest is 96 inches in
diameter.

All day we have been in sight of the African coast, the Atlas
Mountains making one continuous range. They reminded me strongly of
Ross-shire, the whole outline being rough and rugged. Mount Atlas,
which we did not see, is 14,740 feet high. About 9 a.m. we were said
to be near the town of Algiers. Great snowfields were visible on most
of the highest mountains. These were very picturesque with the sun
shining on the snow. We have seen little shipping, one large oil boat
passed west. All are taking the lack of news philosophically, nothing,
as far as I can make out, being heard to-day. Code messages from
battleships speaking to each other are received but are unreadable.

Helmets were issued to the officers to-day, but the wind is too cold
to make these necessary.

As Sanitary Officer for the day I had to go over the whole of the
horse decks with the Military Officer of the ship, Lt.-Col. Hingston,
R.E. The alleys between the horse lines, all of which had to be
traversed, must be nearly half a mile in length, all the heads of the
horses projecting in double lines into the narrow passages, which
makes tramping along these dark ways anything but pleasant. The close
stench is very sickening, and I was glad when our journey came to an
end. We have lost four horses so far. The mules are hardier and have
stood the voyage well. They are besides accustomed to the sea, all
having come lately from the Argentine.

_March 26th._--An ideal day and the sun delightfully warm. We had the
African coast in sight the whole time till early afternoon. Passed
Cape Blanco, which in the distance might have been part of Deeside,
hills with stretches of verdure which looked like forest with brown
spaces between which were probably sand.

Helmets were issued to the men to-day. These with th