But I find it written in the very simplest fashion; words here and there are misspelt and his handwriting is large and round like a schoolboy's.
_Thursday, July 29th._ I intend to write this diary with great fulness for two reasons--in the first place because I can see that it is of the greatest importance, if one is to get through this business properly, to leave no hours empty.

The trying thing in this affair is having nothing to do--nothing one can _possibly_ do.

They all, officers, soldiers, from Nikolai Nikolaievitch to my Nikolai here, will tell you that.

No empty hours for me if I can help it....
Secondly, I really do wish to record exactly my experiences here.

I am perfectly aware that when I'm out of it all, when it's even a day's march behind me, I shall regard it as frankly incredible--not the thing itself but the way I felt about it.