op to night as capt of one Pounder and look out, we have a
double watch on now all the time and it makes the Duty very hard thies
war times.

_April_ 19. Still coaling up, was working all night to night, expect to
be through to night sometime. Puting on sea stors along with the coal.
Meat, Can goods, coal dust, all mixed up togather. What is the
defirance, it all goes thies times. The Marietta had some trouble in
geting coal to day. She only got 40 tons since 1 A.M. this morning, so
Capt Clark ordered him to go along side of the Coal Hulk and take all
he wanted, for Capt sais we must have the coal and therefor must take
it as we are going out of hear to morrow. 3.30 P.M. there was an
Argentine Gun Boat came in Port and I would not be suprised to see a
scrap hear before we left. Chili and Argentine are in hot disput over
this place, it seems they both clame it to there Boundry line. Chili
sent a company of Soldiers hear the 18th and they expect a Transport
with som Soldiers from Argentine to night som time, so I for one would
like to see a good scrap of som kind for an appetizer for us, Just to
take the rough edge off you know. we are standing by our Guns all the
time and sleep by them by night. While the Jackies coal ship all hands
are doing there part and there is no fudging going on. of corse there
is all kinds of War talk in the air.

_April_ 20. At 12.30 A.M. still coaling up. Every thing working smooth
and nothing to stop, it is a beautyfull night and the Southern Cross
looms up with more beauty than I ever seen befor. But the ships bum
Boat is all right too, she loomed up with a big ketle of hot Steaming
cocoa, Just the thing a man wants when he has the mid watch. the wether
is very cold down hear. a few of the men is going ashore to morrow. I
dont think I will be able to go as I will have the afternoon watch, any
way I dont care much as I am use to the ship now. I could stay hear for
a year. I wish we wer around to Key West so as to be with the Band
wagon when she starts. Mr. Giles, Midshipman, is a very sick man, he
was taken ill in the Cabin this morning. I went for the Doctor for him
at 1.45 A.M. Doc said he had a hemorrhage of the lungs caused by
concussion. 3. A.M. he is asleep and doing fine now. I woulden like to
see him die, he is a fine fellow. 3.45 A.M. coal all on board. 4.30
P.M. the Capt is on the warpath, he is mader than a wet hen for he
tryed to get out of hear by 2 P.M. to day, But could not on