reless
message to the captain tells of the appearance of a German submarine
at Dover last night.

Towards 6.30 two very large steamers crossed our bows, coming out of
the west, while we went slowly to avoid them. One carried no lights
and was probably carrying troops from Canada.

Had an amusing talk on the boat deck with the old doctor. He was
telling us about three padres who left our boat just before we
started, preferring to go by another as they did not like travelling
with so many animals. There being no parson for the coming Sundays
they requested him to hold the services, but he replied that there was
no use asking him, he could not pray worth a damn. He explained that a
ship rang eight bells at 12, four at 8, and one for each half-hour
after these, as one bell at 4.30, two at 5, three at 5.30, and so on.

Beautiful night, stars clear, and sea very smooth for the Atlantic and
the Bay of Biscay, where we now are. The equinoctial gales usually
begin on March 20 (to-morrow), so the captain says. We have averaged
12-1/2 knots since we left Avonmouth. A small bucketfull of water is
taken from the sea every two hours, and its temperature taken to see
if we are near ice.

_March 20th._--Weather to-day typical of the Bay of Biscay, half a
gale all day, and blowing furiously at 7 o'clock, bottles, glasses,
etc., flying off the dinner-table. Sea-sickness very rife, almost
every one suffering more or less. Saw only two passing ships to-day.
The captain prophesies warmer weather to-morrow if the wind remains in
the east as at present. It will then be off the land, we being
opposite Finisterre about 8 a.m. to-morrow.

The orders to the captain are to remain sixty miles off land while
skirting Spain and Portugal. By wireless we hear the Allies still gain
ground in Flanders, and of a railway collision in Lancashire.

_March 21st._--Sunday.--Good news by wireless of the progress of the
war. Wind changed to S.E., showery in the morning, and pleasantly
warm. Church parade at 10. "Old Hundred" by the congregation, led by
Serg. Gibb, the Lord's Prayer by Serg. Gaskin--as much of it as he
could remember--a chapter of Matthew by Capt. Stephen followed by some
words of advice, when the attempts of the audience to look solemn were
all in vain--then off to the deck with "The Innocents Abroad".

During the day the weather has been very variable, occasionally very
heavy rain showers, but very mild; strong gale all day right in