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[Page 9]
inviting, for there was a mass of rugged hills right to the sea separated by low depressions, all of a sandy nature, without vegetation and looking scorched up. The sunset was very pretty, whilst out to the right a lonely hill stood out sharpe against the sky and connected with the main mass of hills by a very long stretch of low lying sand, the whole lot bathed in a curious red glow.
Monday 17.1.16. – We only caught a glimpse of land a couple of times to-day and these with a few passing ships kept the men occupied going from side of the ship to the other for it takes very little to interest them after the tedious run across the Indian Ocean. To-night the Sargeants held a concert in their mess for themselves and officers, I was invited so as to recite and so I gave "Trotty" for the Officers had not heard it the previous time and "Guiseppe" the Barber". During the interval we had coffee and sandwiches and then at the close we all joined hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne" I was at the end of the line and the Adjutant at the end of the line of officers came and joined hands with me. The concert was certainly the best on board and oe man recited "The game of life" using a pack of cards.
Tuesday 18.1.16 – Land was in sight this morning and it certainly is a curious sight being a succession of small sharpe peaks joined by strips of plain looking like sand, but they must be some sort of rock for one peak is like a very narrow pyramid going to a needle point. There is no vegetation except for dark patches looking like low scrub, which, however, proved afterwards to be rock of darker hue. Throughout the day we sighted about a dozen such islands, just masses of bare volcanic rock, absolutely void of vegetation and habitation except for a lighthouse in a couple of them. Boats of different shapes and sizes have passed us and one had four panels of red and white stripes painted on its hull, one on the stern, two amidship and one on the bow. It was possibly an American boat with stripes painted to guard against submarines. To-day we had underground mutton or rabbit for dinner.
Wednesday 19.1.16 – Usual routine.
Thursday 20.1.16 – We had kit inspection to-day and also got out black bags from the hold. Sighted only one old Collier but