80                             SASSEBO                       [oh. v
Japs a bit, they would have become more tractable. But all his bragging was evidently only "bark," not "bite."
August 17.—The Peresviet steamed out of the docks and went off ... painful spectacle . . . and, as if to rub in the impression, music is playing to-day on the esplanade in front of our barracks, and such familiar tunes all the time, too — marches—"The Double-Headed Eagle," and "Kronstadt-Toulon." Hang it, I can't get rid of the importunate thought that all this music was from our battleships.
About 9 p.m. a telegram was brought in, printed specially on a slip of paper : "Peace has just been agreed upon." Everything stirred up. The first impulse was, of course—joy. Peace! Why, yes, but at what price ? and all the faces frowned as if by magic.
August 18.—I have been tossing about restlessly in my bed all night through. Peace has been concluded. Two roads are stretching ahead of Russia: the new one just faintly marked out—the road of reform; and the old, deeply-rutted one, among the familiar swamps and jungles.
Just before dawn I fell asleep, but awoke soon. Sky suffused with redness. What a glorious dawn. Who is it breaking for? Could it be for the Japanese only?   Oh, for