As there is no motive for concealment, I am permitted to use them, and accordingly send you a copy, simply omitting technical details. It almost seems as though the captain had been seized with some kind of mania before he had got well into blue water, and that this had developed persistently throughout the voyage.

Of course my statement must be taken cum grano, since I am writing from the dictation of a clerk of the Russian consul, who kindly translated for me, time being short.

LOG OF THE DEMETER.
Varna to Whitby.
Written 18 July, things so strange happening, that I shall keep accurate note henceforth till we land. On 6 July we finished taking in cargo, silver sand and boxes of earth. At noon set sail. East wind, fresh. Crew, five sailors . . . two mates, cook, and myself (captain).

Vocabulary:

Motive: Reason
Concealment: Hiding something
Accordingly: Therefore
Omit: Leave out
Mania: Mental problem
Blue water: The deep sea
Persistent: Not stopping
Voyage: A journey, usually by sea
Cum grano: With a grain of salt - not fully trusted
Henceforth: From now on
Mates: Assistants to the captain