Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.1-12
quite an assemblage on the walk along the cliff in the old `
` churchyard to enjoy the beauty. Before the sun dipped below the `
` black mass of Kettleness, standing boldly athwart the western sky, `
` its downward way was marked by myriad clouds of every sunset colour, `
` flame, purple, pink, green, violet, and all the tints of gold, with `
` here and there masses not large, but of seemingly absolute `
` blackness, in all sorts of shapes, as well outlined as colossal `
` silhouettes. The experience was not lost on the painters, and `
` doubtless some of the sketches of the 'Prelude to the Great Storm' `
` will grace the R. A and R. I. walls in May next. `
` `
` More than one captain made up his mind then and there that his `
` 'cobble' or his 'mule', as they term the different classes of boats, `
` would remain in the harbour till the storm had passed. The wind `
` fell away entirely during the evening, and at midnight there was a `
` dead calm, a sultry heat, and that prevailing intensity which, on `
` the approach of thunder, affects persons of a sensitive nature. `
` `
` There were but few lights in sight at sea, for even the coasting `
` steamers, which usually hug the shore so closely, kept well to `
` seaward, and but few fishing boats were in sight. The only sail `
` noticeable was a foreign schooner with all sails set, which was `
` seemingly going westwards. The foolhardiness or ignorance of her `
` officers was a prolific theme for comment whilst she remained in `
` sight, and efforts were made to signal her to reduce sail in the `
` face of her danger. Before the night shut down she was seen with `
` sails idly flapping as she gently rolled on the undulating swell of `
` the sea. `
` `
` "As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean." `
` `
` Shortly before ten o'clock the stillness of the air grew quite `
` oppressive, and the silence was so marked that the bleating of a `
` sheep inland or the barking of a dog in the town was distinctly `
` heard, and the band on the pier, with its lively French air, was `
` like a dischord in the great harmony of nature's silence. A little `
` after midnight came a strange sound from over the sea, and high `
` overhead the air began to carry a strange, faint, hollow booming. `
` `
` Then without warning the tempest broke. With a rapidity which, at `
` the time, seemed incredible, and even afterwards is impossible to `
` realize, the whole aspect of nature at once became convulsed. The `
` waves rose in growing fury, each over-topping its fellow, till in a `
` very few minutes the lately glassy sea was like a roaring and `
` devouring monster. White-crested waves beat madly on the level `
` sands and rushed up the shelving cliffs. Others broke over the `
` piers, and with their spume swept the lanthorns of the lighthouses `
` which rise from the end of either pier of Whitby Harbour. `
` `
` The wind roared like thunder, and blew with such force that it was `
` with difficulty that even strong men kept their feet, or clung with `
` grim clasp to the iron stanchions. It was found necessary to clear `
` the entire pier from the mass of onlookers, or else the fatalities `
` of the night would have increased manifold. To add to the `
` difficulties and dangers of the time, masses of sea-fog came `
` drifting inland. White, wet clouds, which swept by in ghostly `
` fashion, so dank and damp and cold that it needed but little effort `
` of imagination to think that the spirits of those lost at sea were `
` touching their living brethren with the clammy hands of death, and `
` many a one shuddered as the wreaths of sea-mist swept by. `
` `
` At times the mist cleared, and the sea for some distance could be `
` seen in the glare of the lightning, which came thick and fast, `
` followed by such peals of thunder that the whole sky overhead seemed `
` trembling under the shock of the footsteps of the storm. `
` `
` Some of the scenes thus revealed were of immeasurable grandeur and `
` of absorbing interest. The sea, running mountains high, threw `
` skywards with each wave mighty masses of white foam, which the `
` tempest seemed to snatch at and whirl away into space. Here and `
` there a fishing boat, with a rag of sail, running madly for shelter `
` before the blast, now and again the white wings of a storm-tossed `
` seabird. On the summit of the East Cliff the new searchlight was `
` ready for experiment, but had not yet been tried. The officers in `
` charge of it got it into working order, and in the pauses of `
` onrushing mist swept with it the surface of the sea. Once or twice `
` its service was most effective, as when a fishing boat, with gunwale `
` under water, rushed into the harbour, able, by the guidance of the `
` sheltering light, to avoid the danger of dashing against the piers. `
` As each boat achieved the safety of the port there was a shout of `
` joy from the mass of people on the shore, a shout which for a moment `
` seemed to cleave the gale and was then swept away in its rush. `
` `
` Before long the searchlight discovered some distance away a schooner `
` with all sails set, apparently the same vessel which had been `
` noticed earlier in the evening. The wind had by this time backed to `
` the east, and there was a shudder amongst the watchers on the cliff `
` as they realized the terrible danger in which she now was. `
` `
` Between her and the port lay the great flat reef on which so many `
` good ships have from time to time suffered, and, with the wind `
` blowing from its present quarter, it would be quite impossible that `
` she should fetch the entrance of the harbour. `
` `
` It was now nearly the hour of high tide, but the waves were so great `
` that in their troughs the shallows of the shore were almost visible, `
` and the schooner, with all sails set, was rushing with such speed `
` that, in the words of one old salt, "she must fetch up somewhere, if `
` it was only in hell". Then came another rush of sea-fog, greater `
` than any hitherto, a mass of dank mist, which seemed to close on all `
` things like a gray pall, and left available to men only the organ of `
` hearing, for the roar of the tempest, and the crash of the thunder, `
` and the booming of the mighty billows came through the damp oblivion `
` even louder than before. The rays of the searchlight were kept fixed `
` on the harbour mouth across the East Pier, where the shock was `
` expected, and men waited breathless. `
` `
` The wind suddenly shifted to the northeast, and the remnant of the `
` sea fog melted in the blast. And then, mirabile dictu, between the `
` piers, leaping from wave to wave as it rushed at headlong speed, `
` swept the strange schooner before the blast, with all sail set, and `
` gained the safety of the harbour. The searchlight followed her, and `
` a shudder ran through all who saw her, for lashed to the helm was a `
` corpse, with drooping head, which swung horribly to and fro at each `
` motion of the ship. No other form could be seen on the deck at all. `
` `
` A great awe came on all as they realised that the ship, as if by a `
` miracle, had found the harbour, unsteered save by the hand of a dead `
` man! However, all took place more quickly than it takes to write `
` these words. The schooner paused not, but rushing across the `
` harbour, pitched herself on that accumulation of sand and gravel `
` washed by many tides and many storms into the southeast corner of `
` the pier jutting under the East Cliff, known locally as Tate Hill `
` Pier. `
` `
` There was of course a considerable concussion as the vessel drove up `
` on the sand heap. Every spar, rope, and stay was strained, and some `
` of the 'top-hammer' came crashing down. But, strangest of all, the `
` very instant the shore was touched, an immense dog sprang up on deck `
` from below, as if shot up by the concussion, and running forward, `
` jumped from the bow on the sand. `
` `
` Making straight for the steep cliff, where the churchyard hangs over `
` the laneway to the East Pier so steeply that some of the flat `
` tombstones, thruffsteans or through-stones, as they call them in `
` Whitby vernacular, actually project over where the sustaining cliff `
` has fallen away, it disappeared in the darkness, which seemed `
` intensified just beyond the focus of the searchlight. `
` `
` It so happened that there was no one at the moment on Tate Hill `
` Pier, as all those whose houses are in close proximity were either `
` in bed or were out on the heights above. Thus the coastguard on `
` duty on the eastern side of the harbour, who at once ran down to the `
` little pier, was the first to climb aboard. The men working the `
` searchlight, after scouring the entrance of the harbour without `
` seeing anything, then turned the light on the derelict and kept it `
` there. The coastguard ran aft, and when he came beside the wheel, `
` bent over to examine it, and recoiled at once as though under some `
` sudden emotion. This seemed to pique general curiosity, and quite a `
` number of people began to run. `
` `
` It is a good way round from the West Cliff by the Draw-bridge to `
` Tate Hill Pier, but your correspondent is a fairly good runner, and `
` came well ahead of the crowd. When I arrived, however, I found `
` already assembled on the pier a crowd, whom the coastguard and `
` police refused to allow to come on board. By the courtesy of the `
` chief boatman, I was, as your correspondent, permitted to climb on `
` deck, and was one of a small group who saw the dead seaman whilst `
` actually lashed to the wheel. `
` `
` It was no wonder that the coastguard was surprised, or even awed, `
` for not often can such a sight have been seen. The man was simply `
` fastened by his hands, tied one over the other, to a spoke of the `
` wheel. Between the inner hand and the wood was a crucifix, the set `
` of beads on which it was fastened being around both wrists and `
` wheel, and all kept fast by the binding cords. The poor fellow may `
` have been seated at one time, but the flapping and buffeting of the `
` sails had worked through the rudder of the wheel and had dragged him `
` to and fro, so that the cords with which he was tied had cut the `
` flesh to the bone. `
` `
` Accurate note was made of the state of things, and a doctor, Surgeon `
` J. M. Caffyn, of 33, East Elliot Place, who came immediately after `
` me, declared, after making examination, that the man must have been `
` dead for quite two days. `
` `
` In his pocket was a bottle, carefully corked, empty save for `
` a little roll of paper, which proved to be the addendum to `
` the log. `
` `
` The coastguard said the man must have tied up his own hands, `
` fastening the knots with his teeth. The fact that a coastguard was `
` the first on board may save some complications later on, in the `
` Admiralty Court, for coastguards cannot claim the salvage which is `
` the right of the first civilian entering on a derelict. Already, `
` however, the legal tongues are wagging, and one young law student is `
` loudly asserting that the rights of the owner are already completely `
` sacrificed, his property being held in contravention of the statues `
` of mortmain, since the tiller, as emblemship, if not proof, of `
` delegated possession, is held in a dead hand. `
` `
` It is needless to say that the dead steersman has been reverently `
` removed from the place where he held his honourable watch and ward `
` till death, a steadfastness as noble as that of the young `
` Casabianca, and placed in the mortuary to await inquest. `
` `
` Already the sudden storm is passing, and its fierceness is `
` abating. Crowds are scattering backward, and the sky is `
` beginning to redden over the Yorkshire wolds. `
` `
` I shall send, in time for your next issue, further details `
`
` churchyard to enjoy the beauty. Before the sun dipped below the `
` black mass of Kettleness, standing boldly athwart the western sky, `
` its downward way was marked by myriad clouds of every sunset colour, `
` flame, purple, pink, green, violet, and all the tints of gold, with `
` here and there masses not large, but of seemingly absolute `
` blackness, in all sorts of shapes, as well outlined as colossal `
` silhouettes. The experience was not lost on the painters, and `
` doubtless some of the sketches of the 'Prelude to the Great Storm' `
` will grace the R. A and R. I. walls in May next. `
` `
` More than one captain made up his mind then and there that his `
` 'cobble' or his 'mule', as they term the different classes of boats, `
` would remain in the harbour till the storm had passed. The wind `
` fell away entirely during the evening, and at midnight there was a `
` dead calm, a sultry heat, and that prevailing intensity which, on `
` the approach of thunder, affects persons of a sensitive nature. `
` `
` There were but few lights in sight at sea, for even the coasting `
` steamers, which usually hug the shore so closely, kept well to `
` seaward, and but few fishing boats were in sight. The only sail `
` noticeable was a foreign schooner with all sails set, which was `
` seemingly going westwards. The foolhardiness or ignorance of her `
` officers was a prolific theme for comment whilst she remained in `
` sight, and efforts were made to signal her to reduce sail in the `
` face of her danger. Before the night shut down she was seen with `
` sails idly flapping as she gently rolled on the undulating swell of `
` the sea. `
` `
` "As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean." `
` `
` Shortly before ten o'clock the stillness of the air grew quite `
` oppressive, and the silence was so marked that the bleating of a `
` sheep inland or the barking of a dog in the town was distinctly `
` heard, and the band on the pier, with its lively French air, was `
` like a dischord in the great harmony of nature's silence. A little `
` after midnight came a strange sound from over the sea, and high `
` overhead the air began to carry a strange, faint, hollow booming. `
` `
` Then without warning the tempest broke. With a rapidity which, at `
` the time, seemed incredible, and even afterwards is impossible to `
` realize, the whole aspect of nature at once became convulsed. The `
` waves rose in growing fury, each over-topping its fellow, till in a `
` very few minutes the lately glassy sea was like a roaring and `
` devouring monster. White-crested waves beat madly on the level `
` sands and rushed up the shelving cliffs. Others broke over the `
` piers, and with their spume swept the lanthorns of the lighthouses `
` which rise from the end of either pier of Whitby Harbour. `
` `
` The wind roared like thunder, and blew with such force that it was `
` with difficulty that even strong men kept their feet, or clung with `
` grim clasp to the iron stanchions. It was found necessary to clear `
` the entire pier from the mass of onlookers, or else the fatalities `
` of the night would have increased manifold. To add to the `
` difficulties and dangers of the time, masses of sea-fog came `
` drifting inland. White, wet clouds, which swept by in ghostly `
` fashion, so dank and damp and cold that it needed but little effort `
` of imagination to think that the spirits of those lost at sea were `
` touching their living brethren with the clammy hands of death, and `
` many a one shuddered as the wreaths of sea-mist swept by. `
` `
` At times the mist cleared, and the sea for some distance could be `
` seen in the glare of the lightning, which came thick and fast, `
` followed by such peals of thunder that the whole sky overhead seemed `
` trembling under the shock of the footsteps of the storm. `
` `
` Some of the scenes thus revealed were of immeasurable grandeur and `
` of absorbing interest. The sea, running mountains high, threw `
` skywards with each wave mighty masses of white foam, which the `
` tempest seemed to snatch at and whirl away into space. Here and `
` there a fishing boat, with a rag of sail, running madly for shelter `
` before the blast, now and again the white wings of a storm-tossed `
` seabird. On the summit of the East Cliff the new searchlight was `
` ready for experiment, but had not yet been tried. The officers in `
` charge of it got it into working order, and in the pauses of `
` onrushing mist swept with it the surface of the sea. Once or twice `
` its service was most effective, as when a fishing boat, with gunwale `
` under water, rushed into the harbour, able, by the guidance of the `
` sheltering light, to avoid the danger of dashing against the piers. `
` As each boat achieved the safety of the port there was a shout of `
` joy from the mass of people on the shore, a shout which for a moment `
` seemed to cleave the gale and was then swept away in its rush. `
` `
` Before long the searchlight discovered some distance away a schooner `
` with all sails set, apparently the same vessel which had been `
` noticed earlier in the evening. The wind had by this time backed to `
` the east, and there was a shudder amongst the watchers on the cliff `
` as they realized the terrible danger in which she now was. `
` `
` Between her and the port lay the great flat reef on which so many `
` good ships have from time to time suffered, and, with the wind `
` blowing from its present quarter, it would be quite impossible that `
` she should fetch the entrance of the harbour. `
` `
` It was now nearly the hour of high tide, but the waves were so great `
` that in their troughs the shallows of the shore were almost visible, `
` and the schooner, with all sails set, was rushing with such speed `
` that, in the words of one old salt, "she must fetch up somewhere, if `
` it was only in hell". Then came another rush of sea-fog, greater `
` than any hitherto, a mass of dank mist, which seemed to close on all `
` things like a gray pall, and left available to men only the organ of `
` hearing, for the roar of the tempest, and the crash of the thunder, `
` and the booming of the mighty billows came through the damp oblivion `
` even louder than before. The rays of the searchlight were kept fixed `
` on the harbour mouth across the East Pier, where the shock was `
` expected, and men waited breathless. `
` `
` The wind suddenly shifted to the northeast, and the remnant of the `
` sea fog melted in the blast. And then, mirabile dictu, between the `
` piers, leaping from wave to wave as it rushed at headlong speed, `
` swept the strange schooner before the blast, with all sail set, and `
` gained the safety of the harbour. The searchlight followed her, and `
` a shudder ran through all who saw her, for lashed to the helm was a `
` corpse, with drooping head, which swung horribly to and fro at each `
` motion of the ship. No other form could be seen on the deck at all. `
` `
` A great awe came on all as they realised that the ship, as if by a `
` miracle, had found the harbour, unsteered save by the hand of a dead `
` man! However, all took place more quickly than it takes to write `
` these words. The schooner paused not, but rushing across the `
` harbour, pitched herself on that accumulation of sand and gravel `
` washed by many tides and many storms into the southeast corner of `
` the pier jutting under the East Cliff, known locally as Tate Hill `
` Pier. `
` `
` There was of course a considerable concussion as the vessel drove up `
` on the sand heap. Every spar, rope, and stay was strained, and some `
` of the 'top-hammer' came crashing down. But, strangest of all, the `
` very instant the shore was touched, an immense dog sprang up on deck `
` from below, as if shot up by the concussion, and running forward, `
` jumped from the bow on the sand. `
` `
` Making straight for the steep cliff, where the churchyard hangs over `
` the laneway to the East Pier so steeply that some of the flat `
` tombstones, thruffsteans or through-stones, as they call them in `
` Whitby vernacular, actually project over where the sustaining cliff `
` has fallen away, it disappeared in the darkness, which seemed `
` intensified just beyond the focus of the searchlight. `
` `
` It so happened that there was no one at the moment on Tate Hill `
` Pier, as all those whose houses are in close proximity were either `
` in bed or were out on the heights above. Thus the coastguard on `
` duty on the eastern side of the harbour, who at once ran down to the `
` little pier, was the first to climb aboard. The men working the `
` searchlight, after scouring the entrance of the harbour without `
` seeing anything, then turned the light on the derelict and kept it `
` there. The coastguard ran aft, and when he came beside the wheel, `
` bent over to examine it, and recoiled at once as though under some `
` sudden emotion. This seemed to pique general curiosity, and quite a `
` number of people began to run. `
` `
` It is a good way round from the West Cliff by the Draw-bridge to `
` Tate Hill Pier, but your correspondent is a fairly good runner, and `
` came well ahead of the crowd. When I arrived, however, I found `
` already assembled on the pier a crowd, whom the coastguard and `
` police refused to allow to come on board. By the courtesy of the `
` chief boatman, I was, as your correspondent, permitted to climb on `
` deck, and was one of a small group who saw the dead seaman whilst `
` actually lashed to the wheel. `
` `
` It was no wonder that the coastguard was surprised, or even awed, `
` for not often can such a sight have been seen. The man was simply `
` fastened by his hands, tied one over the other, to a spoke of the `
` wheel. Between the inner hand and the wood was a crucifix, the set `
` of beads on which it was fastened being around both wrists and `
` wheel, and all kept fast by the binding cords. The poor fellow may `
` have been seated at one time, but the flapping and buffeting of the `
` sails had worked through the rudder of the wheel and had dragged him `
` to and fro, so that the cords with which he was tied had cut the `
` flesh to the bone. `
` `
` Accurate note was made of the state of things, and a doctor, Surgeon `
` J. M. Caffyn, of 33, East Elliot Place, who came immediately after `
` me, declared, after making examination, that the man must have been `
` dead for quite two days. `
` `
` In his pocket was a bottle, carefully corked, empty save for `
` a little roll of paper, which proved to be the addendum to `
` the log. `
` `
` The coastguard said the man must have tied up his own hands, `
` fastening the knots with his teeth. The fact that a coastguard was `
` the first on board may save some complications later on, in the `
` Admiralty Court, for coastguards cannot claim the salvage which is `
` the right of the first civilian entering on a derelict. Already, `
` however, the legal tongues are wagging, and one young law student is `
` loudly asserting that the rights of the owner are already completely `
` sacrificed, his property being held in contravention of the statues `
` of mortmain, since the tiller, as emblemship, if not proof, of `
` delegated possession, is held in a dead hand. `
` `
` It is needless to say that the dead steersman has been reverently `
` removed from the place where he held his honourable watch and ward `
` till death, a steadfastness as noble as that of the young `
` Casabianca, and placed in the mortuary to await inquest. `
` `
` Already the sudden storm is passing, and its fierceness is `
` abating. Crowds are scattering backward, and the sky is `
` beginning to redden over the Yorkshire wolds. `
` `
` I shall send, in time for your next issue, further details `
`