Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
"Friend Jonathan, this is to you for twice reasons. First, because `
` you are young and brave and can fight, and all energies may be needed `
` at the last. And again that it is your right to destroy him. That, `
` which has wrought such woe to you and yours. Be not afraid for Madam `
` Mina. She will be my care, if I may. I am old. My legs are not so `
` quick to run as once. And I am not used to ride so long or to pursue `
` as need be, or to fight with lethal weapons. But I can be of other `
` service. I can fight in other way. And I can die, if need be, as `
` well as younger men. Now let me say that what I would is this. While `
` you, my Lord Godalming and friend Jonathan go in your so swift little `
` steamboat up the river, and whilst John and Quincey guard the bank `
` where perchance he might be landed, I will take Madam Mina right into `
` the heart of the enemy's country. Whilst the old fox is tied in his `
` box, floating on the running stream whence he cannot escape to land, `
` where he dares not raise the lid of his coffin box lest his Slovak `
` carriers should in fear leave him to perish, we shall go in the track `
` where Jonathan went, from Bistritz over the Borgo, and find our way to `
` the Castle of Dracula. Here, Madam Mina's hypnotic power will surely `
` help, and we shall find our way, all dark and unknown otherwise, after `
` the first sunrise when we are near that fateful place. There is much `
` to be done, and other places to be made sanctify, so that that nest of `
` vipers be obliterated." `
` `
` Here Jonathan interrupted him hotly, "Do you mean to say, Professor `
` Van Helsing, that you would bring Mina, in her sad case and tainted as `
` she is with that devil's illness, right into the jaws of his `
` deathtrap? Not for the world! Not for Heaven or Hell!" `
` `
` He became almost speechless for a minute, and then went on, "Do you `
` know what the place is? Have you seen that awful den of hellish `
` infamy, with the very moonlight alive with grisly shapes, and every `
` speck of dust that whirls in the wind a devouring monster in embryo? `
` Have you felt the Vampire's lips upon your throat?" `
` `
` Here he turned to me, and as his eyes lit on my forehead he threw up `
` his arms with a cry, "Oh, my God, what have we done to have this `
` terror upon us?" and he sank down on the sofa in a collapse of misery. `
` `
` The Professor's voice, as he spoke in clear, sweet tones, which seemed `
` to vibrate in the air, calmed us all. `
` `
` "Oh, my friend, it is because I would save Madam Mina from that awful `
` place that I would go. God forbid that I should take her into that `
` place. There is work, wild work, to be done before that place can be `
` purify. Remember that we are in terrible straits. If the Count `
` escape us this time, and he is strong and subtle and cunning, he may `
` choose to sleep him for a century, and then in time our dear one," he `
` took my hand, "would come to him to keep him company, and would be as `
` those others that you, Jonathan, saw. You have told us of their `
` gloating lips. You heard their ribald laugh as they clutched the `
` moving bag that the Count threw to them. You shudder, and well may it `
` be. Forgive me that I make you so much pain, but it is necessary. My `
` friend, is it not a dire need for that which I am giving, possibly my `
` life? If it were that any one went into that place to stay, it is I `
` who would have to go to keep them company." `
` `
` "Do as you will," said Jonathan, with a sob that shook him all over, `
` "we are in the hands of God!" `
` `
` `
` Later.--Oh, it did me good to see the way that these brave men worked. `
` How can women help loving men when they are so earnest, and so true, `
` and so brave! And, too, it made me think of the wonderful power of `
` money! What can it not do when basely used. I felt so thankful that `
` Lord Godalming is rich, and both he and Mr. Morris, who also has `
` plenty of money, are willing to spend it so freely. For if they did `
` not, our little expedition could not start, either so promptly or so `
` well equipped, as it will within another hour. It is not three hours `
` since it was arranged what part each of us was to do. And now Lord `
` Godalming and Jonathan have a lovely steam launch, with steam up ready `
` to start at a moment's notice. Dr. Seward and Mr. Morris have half a `
` dozen good horses, well appointed. We have all the maps and `
` appliances of various kinds that can be had. Professor Van Helsing `
` and I are to leave by the 11:40 train tonight for Veresti, where we `
` are to get a carriage to drive to the Borgo Pass. We are bringing a `
` good deal of ready money, as we are to buy a carriage and horses. We `
` shall drive ourselves, for we have no one whom we can trust in the `
` matter. The Professor knows something of a great many languages, so `
` we shall get on all right. We have all got arms, even for me a large `
` bore revolver. Jonathan would not be happy unless I was armed like `
` the rest. Alas! I cannot carry one arm that the rest do, the scar on `
` my forehead forbids that. Dear Dr. Van Helsing comforts me by telling `
` me that I am fully armed as there may be wolves. The weather is `
` getting colder every hour, and there are snow flurries which come and `
` go as warnings. `
` `
` `
` Later.--It took all my courage to say goodbye to my darling. We may `
` never meet again. Courage, Mina! The Professor is looking at you `
` keenly. His look is a warning. There must be no tears now, unless it `
` may be that God will let them fall in gladness. `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 30 October, night.--I am writing this in the light from the furnace `
` door of the steam launch. Lord Godalming is firing up. He is an `
` experienced hand at the work, as he has had for years a launch of his `
` own on the Thames, and another on the Norfolk Broads. Regarding our `
` plans, we finally decided that Mina's guess was correct, and that if `
` any waterway was chosen for the Count's escape back to his Castle, the `
` Sereth and then the Bistritza at its junction, would be the one. We `
` took it, that somewhere about the 47th degree, north latitude, would `
` be the place chosen for crossing the country between the river and the `
` Carpathians. We have no fear in running at good speed up the river at `
` night. There is plenty of water, and the banks are wide enough apart `
` to make steaming, even in the dark, easy enough. Lord Godalming tells `
` me to sleep for a while, as it is enough for the present for one to be `
` on watch. But I cannot sleep, how can I with the terrible danger `
` hanging over my darling, and her going out into that awful place . . . `
` `
` My only comfort is that we are in the hands of God. Only for that `
` faith it would be easier to die than to live, and so be quit of all `
` the trouble. Mr. Morris and Dr. Seward were off on their long ride `
` before we started. They are to keep up the right bank, far enough off `
` to get on higher lands where they can see a good stretch of river and `
` avoid the following of its curves. They have, for the first stages, `
` two men to ride and lead their spare horses, four in all, so as not to `
` excite curiosity. When they dismiss the men, which shall be shortly, `
` they shall themselves look after the horses. It may be necessary for `
` us to join forces. If so they can mount our whole party. One of the `
` saddles has a moveable horn, and can be easily adapted for Mina, if `
` required. `
` `
` It is a wild adventure we are on. Here, as we are rushing along `
` through the darkness, with the cold from the river seeming to rise up `
` and strike us, with all the mysterious voices of the night around us, `
` it all comes home. We seem to be drifting into unknown places and `
` unknown ways. Into a whole world of dark and dreadful things. `
` Godalming is shutting the furnace door . . . `
` `
` `
` 31 October.--Still hurrying along. The day has come, and Godalming is `
` sleeping. I am on watch. The morning is bitterly cold, the furnace `
` heat is grateful, though we have heavy fur coats. As yet we have `
` passed only a few open boats, but none of them had on board any box or `
` package of anything like the size of the one we seek. The men were `
` scared every time we turned our electric lamp on them, and fell on `
` their knees and prayed. `
` `
` `
` 1 November, evening.--No news all day. We have found nothing of the `
` kind we seek. We have now passed into the Bistritza, and if we are `
` wrong in our surmise our chance is gone. We have overhauled every `
` boat, big and little. Early this morning, one crew took us for a `
` Government boat, and treated us accordingly. We saw in this a way of `
` smoothing matters, so at Fundu, where the Bistritza runs into the `
` Sereth, we got a Roumanian flag which we now fly conspicuously. With `
` every boat which we have overhauled since then this trick has `
` succeeded. We have had every deference shown to us, and not once any `
` objection to whatever we chose to ask or do. Some of the Slovaks tell `
` us that a big boat passed them, going at more than usual speed as she `
` had a double crew on board. This was before they came to Fundu, so `
` they could not tell us whether the boat turned into the Bistritza or `
` continued on up the Sereth. At Fundu we could not hear of any such `
` boat, so she must have passed there in the night. I am feeling very `
` sleepy. The cold is perhaps beginning to tell upon me, and nature `
` must have rest some time. Godalming insists that he shall keep the `
` first watch. God bless him for all his goodness to poor dear Mina and `
` me. `
` `
` `
` 2 November, morning.--It is broad daylight. That good fellow would `
` not wake me. He says it would have been a sin to, for I slept `
` peacefully and was forgetting my trouble. It seems brutally selfish `
` to me to have slept so long, and let him watch all night, but he was `
` quite right. I am a new man this morning. And, as I sit here and `
` watch him sleeping, I can do all that is necessary both as to minding `
` the engine, steering, and keeping watch. I can feel that my strength `
` and energy are coming back to me. I wonder where Mina is now, and Van `
` Helsing. They should have got to Veresti about noon on Wednesday. It `
` would take them some time to get the carriage and horses. So if they `
` had started and travelled hard, they would be about now at the Borgo `
` Pass. God guide and help them! I am afraid to think what may `
` happen. If we could only go faster. But we cannot. The engines are `
` throbbing and doing their utmost. I wonder how Dr. Seward and Mr. `
` Morris are getting on. There seem to be endless streams running down `
` the mountains into this river, but as none of them are very large, at `
` present, at all events, though they are doubtless terrible in winter `
` and when the snow melts, the horsemen may not have met much `
` obstruction. I hope that before we get to Strasba we may see them. `
` For if by that time we have not overtaken the Count, it may be `
` necessary to take counsel together what to do next. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 2 November.--Three days on the road. No news, and no time to write it `
` if there had been, for every moment is precious. We have had only the `
` rest needful for the horses. But we are both bearing it wonderfully. `
` Those adventurous days of ours are turning up useful. We must push `
` on. We shall never feel happy till we get the launch in sight again. `
` `
` `
` 3 November.--We heard at Fundu that the launch had gone up the `
` Bistritza. I wish it wasn't so cold. There are signs of snow coming. `
` And if it falls heavy it will stop us. In such case we must get a `
`
` you are young and brave and can fight, and all energies may be needed `
` at the last. And again that it is your right to destroy him. That, `
` which has wrought such woe to you and yours. Be not afraid for Madam `
` Mina. She will be my care, if I may. I am old. My legs are not so `
` quick to run as once. And I am not used to ride so long or to pursue `
` as need be, or to fight with lethal weapons. But I can be of other `
` service. I can fight in other way. And I can die, if need be, as `
` well as younger men. Now let me say that what I would is this. While `
` you, my Lord Godalming and friend Jonathan go in your so swift little `
` steamboat up the river, and whilst John and Quincey guard the bank `
` where perchance he might be landed, I will take Madam Mina right into `
` the heart of the enemy's country. Whilst the old fox is tied in his `
` box, floating on the running stream whence he cannot escape to land, `
` where he dares not raise the lid of his coffin box lest his Slovak `
` carriers should in fear leave him to perish, we shall go in the track `
` where Jonathan went, from Bistritz over the Borgo, and find our way to `
` the Castle of Dracula. Here, Madam Mina's hypnotic power will surely `
` help, and we shall find our way, all dark and unknown otherwise, after `
` the first sunrise when we are near that fateful place. There is much `
` to be done, and other places to be made sanctify, so that that nest of `
` vipers be obliterated." `
` `
` Here Jonathan interrupted him hotly, "Do you mean to say, Professor `
` Van Helsing, that you would bring Mina, in her sad case and tainted as `
` she is with that devil's illness, right into the jaws of his `
` deathtrap? Not for the world! Not for Heaven or Hell!" `
` `
` He became almost speechless for a minute, and then went on, "Do you `
` know what the place is? Have you seen that awful den of hellish `
` infamy, with the very moonlight alive with grisly shapes, and every `
` speck of dust that whirls in the wind a devouring monster in embryo? `
` Have you felt the Vampire's lips upon your throat?" `
` `
` Here he turned to me, and as his eyes lit on my forehead he threw up `
` his arms with a cry, "Oh, my God, what have we done to have this `
` terror upon us?" and he sank down on the sofa in a collapse of misery. `
` `
` The Professor's voice, as he spoke in clear, sweet tones, which seemed `
` to vibrate in the air, calmed us all. `
` `
` "Oh, my friend, it is because I would save Madam Mina from that awful `
` place that I would go. God forbid that I should take her into that `
` place. There is work, wild work, to be done before that place can be `
` purify. Remember that we are in terrible straits. If the Count `
` escape us this time, and he is strong and subtle and cunning, he may `
` choose to sleep him for a century, and then in time our dear one," he `
` took my hand, "would come to him to keep him company, and would be as `
` those others that you, Jonathan, saw. You have told us of their `
` gloating lips. You heard their ribald laugh as they clutched the `
` moving bag that the Count threw to them. You shudder, and well may it `
` be. Forgive me that I make you so much pain, but it is necessary. My `
` friend, is it not a dire need for that which I am giving, possibly my `
` life? If it were that any one went into that place to stay, it is I `
` who would have to go to keep them company." `
` `
` "Do as you will," said Jonathan, with a sob that shook him all over, `
` "we are in the hands of God!" `
` `
` `
` Later.--Oh, it did me good to see the way that these brave men worked. `
` How can women help loving men when they are so earnest, and so true, `
` and so brave! And, too, it made me think of the wonderful power of `
` money! What can it not do when basely used. I felt so thankful that `
` Lord Godalming is rich, and both he and Mr. Morris, who also has `
` plenty of money, are willing to spend it so freely. For if they did `
` not, our little expedition could not start, either so promptly or so `
` well equipped, as it will within another hour. It is not three hours `
` since it was arranged what part each of us was to do. And now Lord `
` Godalming and Jonathan have a lovely steam launch, with steam up ready `
` to start at a moment's notice. Dr. Seward and Mr. Morris have half a `
` dozen good horses, well appointed. We have all the maps and `
` appliances of various kinds that can be had. Professor Van Helsing `
` and I are to leave by the 11:40 train tonight for Veresti, where we `
` are to get a carriage to drive to the Borgo Pass. We are bringing a `
` good deal of ready money, as we are to buy a carriage and horses. We `
` shall drive ourselves, for we have no one whom we can trust in the `
` matter. The Professor knows something of a great many languages, so `
` we shall get on all right. We have all got arms, even for me a large `
` bore revolver. Jonathan would not be happy unless I was armed like `
` the rest. Alas! I cannot carry one arm that the rest do, the scar on `
` my forehead forbids that. Dear Dr. Van Helsing comforts me by telling `
` me that I am fully armed as there may be wolves. The weather is `
` getting colder every hour, and there are snow flurries which come and `
` go as warnings. `
` `
` `
` Later.--It took all my courage to say goodbye to my darling. We may `
` never meet again. Courage, Mina! The Professor is looking at you `
` keenly. His look is a warning. There must be no tears now, unless it `
` may be that God will let them fall in gladness. `
` `
` `
` `
` JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 30 October, night.--I am writing this in the light from the furnace `
` door of the steam launch. Lord Godalming is firing up. He is an `
` experienced hand at the work, as he has had for years a launch of his `
` own on the Thames, and another on the Norfolk Broads. Regarding our `
` plans, we finally decided that Mina's guess was correct, and that if `
` any waterway was chosen for the Count's escape back to his Castle, the `
` Sereth and then the Bistritza at its junction, would be the one. We `
` took it, that somewhere about the 47th degree, north latitude, would `
` be the place chosen for crossing the country between the river and the `
` Carpathians. We have no fear in running at good speed up the river at `
` night. There is plenty of water, and the banks are wide enough apart `
` to make steaming, even in the dark, easy enough. Lord Godalming tells `
` me to sleep for a while, as it is enough for the present for one to be `
` on watch. But I cannot sleep, how can I with the terrible danger `
` hanging over my darling, and her going out into that awful place . . . `
` `
` My only comfort is that we are in the hands of God. Only for that `
` faith it would be easier to die than to live, and so be quit of all `
` the trouble. Mr. Morris and Dr. Seward were off on their long ride `
` before we started. They are to keep up the right bank, far enough off `
` to get on higher lands where they can see a good stretch of river and `
` avoid the following of its curves. They have, for the first stages, `
` two men to ride and lead their spare horses, four in all, so as not to `
` excite curiosity. When they dismiss the men, which shall be shortly, `
` they shall themselves look after the horses. It may be necessary for `
` us to join forces. If so they can mount our whole party. One of the `
` saddles has a moveable horn, and can be easily adapted for Mina, if `
` required. `
` `
` It is a wild adventure we are on. Here, as we are rushing along `
` through the darkness, with the cold from the river seeming to rise up `
` and strike us, with all the mysterious voices of the night around us, `
` it all comes home. We seem to be drifting into unknown places and `
` unknown ways. Into a whole world of dark and dreadful things. `
` Godalming is shutting the furnace door . . . `
` `
` `
` 31 October.--Still hurrying along. The day has come, and Godalming is `
` sleeping. I am on watch. The morning is bitterly cold, the furnace `
` heat is grateful, though we have heavy fur coats. As yet we have `
` passed only a few open boats, but none of them had on board any box or `
` package of anything like the size of the one we seek. The men were `
` scared every time we turned our electric lamp on them, and fell on `
` their knees and prayed. `
` `
` `
` 1 November, evening.--No news all day. We have found nothing of the `
` kind we seek. We have now passed into the Bistritza, and if we are `
` wrong in our surmise our chance is gone. We have overhauled every `
` boat, big and little. Early this morning, one crew took us for a `
` Government boat, and treated us accordingly. We saw in this a way of `
` smoothing matters, so at Fundu, where the Bistritza runs into the `
` Sereth, we got a Roumanian flag which we now fly conspicuously. With `
` every boat which we have overhauled since then this trick has `
` succeeded. We have had every deference shown to us, and not once any `
` objection to whatever we chose to ask or do. Some of the Slovaks tell `
` us that a big boat passed them, going at more than usual speed as she `
` had a double crew on board. This was before they came to Fundu, so `
` they could not tell us whether the boat turned into the Bistritza or `
` continued on up the Sereth. At Fundu we could not hear of any such `
` boat, so she must have passed there in the night. I am feeling very `
` sleepy. The cold is perhaps beginning to tell upon me, and nature `
` must have rest some time. Godalming insists that he shall keep the `
` first watch. God bless him for all his goodness to poor dear Mina and `
` me. `
` `
` `
` 2 November, morning.--It is broad daylight. That good fellow would `
` not wake me. He says it would have been a sin to, for I slept `
` peacefully and was forgetting my trouble. It seems brutally selfish `
` to me to have slept so long, and let him watch all night, but he was `
` quite right. I am a new man this morning. And, as I sit here and `
` watch him sleeping, I can do all that is necessary both as to minding `
` the engine, steering, and keeping watch. I can feel that my strength `
` and energy are coming back to me. I wonder where Mina is now, and Van `
` Helsing. They should have got to Veresti about noon on Wednesday. It `
` would take them some time to get the carriage and horses. So if they `
` had started and travelled hard, they would be about now at the Borgo `
` Pass. God guide and help them! I am afraid to think what may `
` happen. If we could only go faster. But we cannot. The engines are `
` throbbing and doing their utmost. I wonder how Dr. Seward and Mr. `
` Morris are getting on. There seem to be endless streams running down `
` the mountains into this river, but as none of them are very large, at `
` present, at all events, though they are doubtless terrible in winter `
` and when the snow melts, the horsemen may not have met much `
` obstruction. I hope that before we get to Strasba we may see them. `
` For if by that time we have not overtaken the Count, it may be `
` necessary to take counsel together what to do next. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 2 November.--Three days on the road. No news, and no time to write it `
` if there had been, for every moment is precious. We have had only the `
` rest needful for the horses. But we are both bearing it wonderfully. `
` Those adventurous days of ours are turning up useful. We must push `
` on. We shall never feel happy till we get the launch in sight again. `
` `
` `
` 3 November.--We heard at Fundu that the launch had gone up the `
` Bistritza. I wish it wasn't so cold. There are signs of snow coming. `
` And if it falls heavy it will stop us. In such case we must get a `
`