state room and although all the regiment were not so fortunate, we were not on the whole crowded. Be­ sides ourselves, there was a part of the 102nd Infantry on board, a hospital unit, swarms of unattached officers, a few civilians, and a most varied cargo said to range from gold bullion and explosives to barbed wire. We were able to verify the wire, as well as two motor trucks on the forward deck, which made excellent lounging places, and had to take the rest on faith. The barbed wire made something of an impression. It has only one use in war and a very definite grimness in the coils upon coils lowered into the hold contrasted strangely with the everyday, self-centered bustle of the harbor. There was the same clash between the sight of crowded pleasure craft bound up the Hudson and the little signs on the "Adriatic" warning how the display of a light at night might "jeopardize the safety of the ship." It seemed as if America had not awakened to the reality of the war and that we were bearing the whole burden alone.

Still, we hardly went about in sack cloth and ashes on that account. Very few of us had ever crossed the ocean before, and in spite of submarines and all, the prospect of seeing foreign countries was most alluring.

At that time the undersea warfare was just coming under control, but it was still a strong menace and strict protective measures were necessary. We had rigid orders against showing any sort of light at night, and these extended even to cigarettes and illuminated wrist watches. We understood better

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