But notwithstanding these hardships the men seemed to be merry and bright, and showed smiling faces to their captors.  They had all evidently made up their minds to keep their end up to the last, and were not to be downed by any bad news or bad treatment the Germans might give them.

The Wolf, of course, picked up wireless news every day, printed it, and circulated it throughout the ship in German and English.  We did not, however, hear all the news that was picked up, but felt that what we did hear kept us at least a little in touch with the outside world, and we have since been able to verify that, and also to discover that we missed a great deal too.  The weekly returns of submarine sinkings were regularly published, and these were followed with great interest both by the Germans and ourselves.  We heard, too, some of the speeches of Mr. Lloyd George and the German Chancellors, debates in the Reichstag, and general war news, especially what was favourable to the Germans.

The accommodation provided for the married couples on the Wolf was situated on the port side upper deck, which corresponded in position to the promenade deck of a liner.  Some “cabins” had been improvised when the first women and civilian prisoners had been captured, some had been vacated by the officers, and others had been carved out as the number of these prisoners increased.  The cabins were, of course, very small—­there was very little room to spare on the Wolf—­and, at the best, makeshift contrivances, but it must be admitted that our German captors did all they could to make us as comfortable as possible under the conditions prevailing.  The cabin occupied by my wife and myself was built on one of the hatches.  The bunks were at different levels, and were at right angles to each other, half of one being in a dark corner.  There was not much room in it even for light baggage, and not standing room for two people.  The walls and ceiling were made of white painted canvas, and an electric light and fan were installed over the door.  The married couples, the Australian military officers, and a few elderly civilians messed together in the officers’ ward-room (presided over by a war photograph of the All Highest), quite a tiny saloon, which was placed at our disposal after the officers had finished their meals.  We had breakfast at 9.15, dinner at 1.15, and supper at 7.15.  The Commander of the Wolf was a very lonely man—­he messed alone in his quarters near the bridge, and we saw very little of him, as he very rarely left his quarters and came below among his men and the prisoners.