Varna to Whitby

           Written18July,thingssostrangehappening,thatIshallkeepaccuratenotehenceforthtillweland. 

           On6Julywefinishedtakingincargo,silversandandboxesofearth. Atnoonsetsail. Eastwind,fresh. Crew,fivehands...twomates,cook,andmyself,(captain). 

           On11JulyatdawnenteredBosphorus. BoardedbyTurkishCustomsofficers. Backsheesh.Allcorrect. Underwayat4p.m. 

           On12JulythroughDardanelles. MoreCustomsofficersandflagboatofguardingsquadron. Backsheeshagain. Workofofficersthorough,butquick. Wantusoffsoon. AtdarkpassedintoArchipelago. 

           On13JulypassedCapeMatapan. Crewdissatisfiedaboutsomething. Seemedscared,butwouldnotspeakout. 

           On14Julywassomewhatanxiousaboutcrew. Menallsteadyfellows,whosailedwithmebefore. Matecouldnotmakeoutwhatwaswrong. TheyonlytoldhimtherewasSOMETHING,andcrossedthemselves. Matelosttemperwithoneofthemthatdayandstruckhim. Expectedfiercequarrel,butallwasquiet. 

           On16Julymatereportedinthemorningthatoneofthecrew,Petrofsky,wasmissing. Couldnotaccountforit. Tooklarboardwatcheightbellslastnight,wasrelievedbyAmramoff,butdidnotgotobunk. Menmoredowncastthanever. Allsaidtheyexpectedsomethingofthekind,butwouldnotsaymorethantherewasSOMETHINGaboard. Mategettingveryimpatientwiththem. Fearedsometroubleahead.