Lat 10 N, Long 30 W
26 March, 1900

Dear Mother,

Eastward ho. We are getting nearer and nearer to our destination every day, but we have a long way to go yet. We are now nearly 10 days out from Halifax. The first 2 days we were very uncomfortable, most of the men being sick and things were not arranged at all. Also the weather was rather rough. Since then, however, it has been nothing but a pleasure trip. The weather the last few days has been lovely, such as you will get only in this climate. I have been off duty nearly all the voyage, in fact, I was quite agreeably surprised to be so little seasick, especially when you know the dose I had coming over. I was just a little dizzy the first two days, that's all.

We have lost a lot of horses. I guess the list will be over 50 now. I think some disease has got among them besides the seasickness, something like influenza we had among the horses out west a few years ago.

I think, as far as I can understand, we will pass the Cape Verde Islands tomorrow morning and expect to get letters posted. We have passed quite a few vessels at a distance, nearly all sailing ships, but we have not spoken any.

Tell Jack and Vic I think a spell of this life would help them & cure them of their unmethodical habits. Up at 6 am, run up on deck & have the hose turned on you for about 5 minutes, get breakfast & then be ready to answer on the minute any of the numerous bugle calls which are going on every now and then.

We can buy all the oranges, simons, apples, bottled beer etc. that we want. We were each presented with a pipe & buckskin tobacco pouch on board from Lord Strathcona & several plugs of tobacco from MacDonald Co. I have seen any amount of flying fish round the ship lately & one day there were a bunch of dolphins swimming alongside.

I will have to close now as I want to try to get 2 or 3 more letters written tonight. So remember me to all the people & with love to yourself and the boys.

Your affect. son,

Bert