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Sunday, December 13, 1908
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Sunday is slow anywhere, and all there was to do on this tub today was to pace the deck and read. I'm on "The Travels of Marco Polo" now, and its mighty damned interesting, though some of the customs he describes are most shocking. But, of course, it detracts but little from the general interest of the book.

I've found a fellow-Bostonian on board,- Dana Estes. He is a fine old gentleman with an inexhaustible supply of "damns",- his reminiscences were well worth listening to, and altogether I have enjoyed our brief acquaintance very much.

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Monday, December 14, 1908
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We "crossed the line" this afternoon. After dinner old Neptune came over the ship's side, and initiated about fifty neophytes. They were lathered with a huge paint brush, shaved with a razor about four feet ling, besprinkled with flour, and then baptised. It was a charming ceremony. I confess I renigged, concluding it was too much work to undress and dress again, and instead buzzed that good looking Mrs. Army Doctor, alongside the port companionway.

Made a good run today,-367. One chap won all three prizes in the pool,- a mere thirty pounds. Not so worse for an idle day's work.