Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
And if it falls heavy it will stop us. In such case we must get a `
` sledge and go on, Russian fashion. `
` `
` 4 November.--Today we heard of the launch having been detained by an `
` accident when trying to force a way up the rapids. The Slovak boats `
` get up all right, by aid of a rope and steering with knowledge. Some `
` went up only a few hours before. Godalming is an amateur fitter `
` himself, and evidently it was he who put the launch in trim again. `
` `
` Finally, they got up the rapids all right, with local help, and are off `
` on the chase afresh. I fear that the boat is not any better for the `
` accident, the peasantry tell us that after she got upon smooth water `
` again, she kept stopping every now and again so long as she was in `
` sight. We must push on harder than ever. Our help may be wanted `
` soon. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 31 October.--Arrived at Veresti at noon. The Professor tells me that `
` this morning at dawn he could hardly hypnotize me at all, and that all `
` I could say was, "dark and quiet." He is off now buying a carriage `
` and horses. He says that he will later on try to buy additional `
` horses, so that we may be able to change them on the way. We have `
` something more than 70 miles before us. The country is lovely, and `
` most interesting. If only we were under different conditions, how `
` delightful it would be to see it all. If Jonathan and I were driving `
` through it alone what a pleasure it would be. To stop and see people, `
` and learn something of their life, and to fill our minds and memories `
` with all the colour and picturesqueness of the whole wild, beautiful `
` country and the quaint people! But, alas! `
` `
` `
` Later.--Dr. Van Helsing has returned. He has got the carriage and `
` horses. We are to have some dinner, and to start in an hour. The `
` landlady is putting us up a huge basket of provisions. It seems `
` enough for a company of soldiers. The Professor encourages her, and `
` whispers to me that it may be a week before we can get any food again. `
` He has been shopping too, and has sent home such a wonderful lot of `
` fur coats and wraps, and all sorts of warm things. There will not be `
` any chance of our being cold. `
` `
` We shall soon be off. I am afraid to think what may happen to us. We `
` are truly in the hands of God. He alone knows what may be, and I pray `
` Him, with all the strength of my sad and humble soul, that He will `
` watch over my beloved husband. That whatever may happen, Jonathan may `
` know that I loved him and honoured him more than I can say, and that my `
` latest and truest thought will be always for him. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 27 `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 1 November.--All day long we have travelled, and at a good speed. The `
` horses seem to know that they are being kindly treated, for they go `
` willingly their full stage at best speed. We have now had so many `
` changes and find the same thing so constantly that we are encouraged `
` to think that the journey will be an easy one. Dr. Van Helsing is `
` laconic, he tells the farmers that he is hurrying to Bistritz, and `
` pays them well to make the exchange of horses. We get hot soup, or `
` coffee, or tea, and off we go. It is a lovely country. Full of `
` beauties of all imaginable kinds, and the people are brave, and `
` strong, and simple, and seem full of nice qualities. They are very, `
` very superstitious. In the first house where we stopped, when the `
` woman who served us saw the scar on my forehead, she crossed herself `
` and put out two fingers towards me, to keep off the evil eye. I `
` believe they went to the trouble of putting an extra amount of garlic `
` into our food, and I can't abide garlic. Ever since then I have taken `
` care not to take off my hat or veil, and so have escaped their `
` suspicions. We are travelling fast, and as we have no driver with us `
` to carry tales, we go ahead of scandal. But I daresay that fear of `
` the evil eye will follow hard behind us all the way. The Professor `
` seems tireless. All day he would not take any rest, though he made me `
` sleep for a long spell. At sunset time he hypnotized me, and he says `
` I answered as usual, "darkness, lapping water and creaking wood." So `
` our enemy is still on the river. I am afraid to think of Jonathan, `
` but somehow I have now no fear for him, or for myself. I write this `
` whilst we wait in a farmhouse for the horses to be ready. Dr. Van `
` Helsing is sleeping. Poor dear, he looks very tired and old and grey, `
` but his mouth is set as firmly as a conqueror's. Even in his sleep he `
` is intense with resolution. When we have well started I must make him `
` rest whilst I drive. I shall tell him that we have days before us, `
` and he must not break down when most of all his strength will be `
` needed . . . All is ready. We are off shortly. `
` `
` `
` 2 November, morning.--I was successful, and we took turns driving all `
` night. Now the day is on us, bright though cold. There is a strange `
` heaviness in the air. I say heaviness for want of a better word. I `
` mean that it oppresses us both. It is very cold, and only our warm `
` furs keep us comfortable. At dawn Van Helsing hypnotized me. He says `
` I answered "darkness, creaking wood and roaring water," so the river `
` is changing as they ascend. I do hope that my darling will not run `
` any chance of danger, more than need be, but we are in God's hands. `
` `
` `
` 2 November, night.--All day long driving. The country gets wilder as `
` we go, and the great spurs of the Carpathians, which at Veresti seemed `
` so far from us and so low on the horizon, now seem to gather round us `
` and tower in front. We both seem in good spirits. I think we make an `
` effort each to cheer the other, in the doing so we cheer ourselves. `
` Dr. Van Helsing says that by morning we shall reach the Borgo Pass. `
` The houses are very few here now, and the Professor says that the last `
` horse we got will have to go on with us, as we may not be able to `
` change. He got two in addition to the two we changed, so that now we `
` have a rude four-in-hand. The dear horses are patient and good, and `
` they give us no trouble. We are not worried with other travellers, `
` and so even I can drive. We shall get to the Pass in daylight. We do `
` not want to arrive before. So we take it easy, and have each a long `
` rest in turn. Oh, what will tomorrow bring to us? We go to seek the `
` place where my poor darling suffered so much. God grant that we may `
` be guided aright, and that He will deign to watch over my husband and `
` those dear to us both, and who are in such deadly peril. As for me, I `
` am not worthy in His sight. Alas! I am unclean to His eyes, and `
` shall be until He may deign to let me stand forth in His sight as one `
` of those who have not incurred His wrath. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MEMORANDUM BY ABRAHAM VAN HELSING `
` `
` 4 November.--This to my old and true friend John Seward, M.D., `
` of Purfleet, London, in case I may not see him. It may `
` explain. It is morning, and I write by a fire which all `
` the night I have kept alive, Madam Mina aiding me. It is `
` cold, cold. So cold that the grey heavy sky is full of `
` snow, which when it falls will settle for all winter as the `
` ground is hardening to receive it. It seems to have affected `
` Madam Mina. She has been so heavy of head all day that she was `
` not like herself. She sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps! She who `
` is usual so alert, have done literally nothing all the day. She `
` even have lost her appetite. She make no entry into her little `
` diary, she who write so faithful at every pause. Something `
` whisper to me that all is not well. However, tonight she is more `
` /vif/. Her long sleep all day have refresh and restore her, for `
` now she is all sweet and bright as ever. At sunset I try to `
` hypnotize her, but alas! with no effect. The power has grown `
` less and less with each day, and tonight it fail me altogether. `
` Well, God's will be done, whatever it may be, and whithersoever `
` it may lead! `
` `
` Now to the historical, for as Madam Mina write not in her `
` stenography, I must, in my cumbrous old fashion, that so `
` each day of us may not go unrecorded. `
` `
` We got to the Borgo Pass just after sunrise yesterday `
` morning. When I saw the signs of the dawn I got ready for `
` the hypnotism. We stopped our carriage, and got down so `
` that there might be no disturbance. I made a couch with `
` furs, and Madam Mina, lying down, yield herself as usual, `
` but more slow and more short time than ever, to the hypnotic `
` sleep. As before, came the answer, "darkness and the swirling of `
` water." Then she woke, bright and radiant and we go on our way `
` and soon reach the Pass. At this time and place, she become all `
` on fire with zeal. Some new guiding power be in her manifested, `
` for she point to a road and say, "This is the way." `
` `
` "How know you it?" I ask. `
` `
` "Of course I know it," she answer, and with a pause, add, `
` "Have not my Jonathan travelled it and wrote of his travel?" `
` `
` At first I think somewhat strange, but soon I see that there be `
` only one such byroad. It is used but little, and very different `
` from the coach road from the Bukovina to Bistritz, which is more `
` `
` wide and hard, and more of use. `
` `
` So we came down this road. When we meet other ways, not `
` always were we sure that they were roads at all, for they `
` be neglect and light snow have fallen, the horses know and `
` they only. I give rein to them, and they go on so patient. By `
` and by we find all the things which Jonathan have note in that `
` wonderful diary of him. Then we go on for long, long hours and `
` hours. At the first, I tell Madam Mina to sleep. She try, and `
` she succeed. She sleep all the time, till at the last, I feel `
` myself to suspicious grow, and attempt to wake her. But she `
` sleep on, and I may not wake her though I try. I do not wish to `
` try too hard lest I harm her. For I know that she have suffer `
` much, and sleep at times be all-in-all to her. I think I drowse `
` myself, for all of sudden I feel guilt, as though I have done `
` something. I find myself bolt up, with the reins in my hand, and `
` the good horses go along jog, jog, just as ever. I look down and `
` find Madam Mina still asleep. It is now not far off sunset time, `
` and over the snow the light of the sun flow in big yellow flood, `
` so that we throw great long shadow on where the mountain rise so `
` steep. For we are going up, and up, and all is oh so wild and `
` rocky, as though it were the end of the world. `
` `
` Then I arouse Madam Mina. This time she wake with not much `
` trouble, and then I try to put her to hypnotic sleep. But `
` she sleep not, being as though I were not. Still I try and `
`
` sledge and go on, Russian fashion. `
` `
` 4 November.--Today we heard of the launch having been detained by an `
` accident when trying to force a way up the rapids. The Slovak boats `
` get up all right, by aid of a rope and steering with knowledge. Some `
` went up only a few hours before. Godalming is an amateur fitter `
` himself, and evidently it was he who put the launch in trim again. `
` `
` Finally, they got up the rapids all right, with local help, and are off `
` on the chase afresh. I fear that the boat is not any better for the `
` accident, the peasantry tell us that after she got upon smooth water `
` again, she kept stopping every now and again so long as she was in `
` sight. We must push on harder than ever. Our help may be wanted `
` soon. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 31 October.--Arrived at Veresti at noon. The Professor tells me that `
` this morning at dawn he could hardly hypnotize me at all, and that all `
` I could say was, "dark and quiet." He is off now buying a carriage `
` and horses. He says that he will later on try to buy additional `
` horses, so that we may be able to change them on the way. We have `
` something more than 70 miles before us. The country is lovely, and `
` most interesting. If only we were under different conditions, how `
` delightful it would be to see it all. If Jonathan and I were driving `
` through it alone what a pleasure it would be. To stop and see people, `
` and learn something of their life, and to fill our minds and memories `
` with all the colour and picturesqueness of the whole wild, beautiful `
` country and the quaint people! But, alas! `
` `
` `
` Later.--Dr. Van Helsing has returned. He has got the carriage and `
` horses. We are to have some dinner, and to start in an hour. The `
` landlady is putting us up a huge basket of provisions. It seems `
` enough for a company of soldiers. The Professor encourages her, and `
` whispers to me that it may be a week before we can get any food again. `
` He has been shopping too, and has sent home such a wonderful lot of `
` fur coats and wraps, and all sorts of warm things. There will not be `
` any chance of our being cold. `
` `
` We shall soon be off. I am afraid to think what may happen to us. We `
` are truly in the hands of God. He alone knows what may be, and I pray `
` Him, with all the strength of my sad and humble soul, that He will `
` watch over my beloved husband. That whatever may happen, Jonathan may `
` know that I loved him and honoured him more than I can say, and that my `
` latest and truest thought will be always for him. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER 27 `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 1 November.--All day long we have travelled, and at a good speed. The `
` horses seem to know that they are being kindly treated, for they go `
` willingly their full stage at best speed. We have now had so many `
` changes and find the same thing so constantly that we are encouraged `
` to think that the journey will be an easy one. Dr. Van Helsing is `
` laconic, he tells the farmers that he is hurrying to Bistritz, and `
` pays them well to make the exchange of horses. We get hot soup, or `
` coffee, or tea, and off we go. It is a lovely country. Full of `
` beauties of all imaginable kinds, and the people are brave, and `
` strong, and simple, and seem full of nice qualities. They are very, `
` very superstitious. In the first house where we stopped, when the `
` woman who served us saw the scar on my forehead, she crossed herself `
` and put out two fingers towards me, to keep off the evil eye. I `
` believe they went to the trouble of putting an extra amount of garlic `
` into our food, and I can't abide garlic. Ever since then I have taken `
` care not to take off my hat or veil, and so have escaped their `
` suspicions. We are travelling fast, and as we have no driver with us `
` to carry tales, we go ahead of scandal. But I daresay that fear of `
` the evil eye will follow hard behind us all the way. The Professor `
` seems tireless. All day he would not take any rest, though he made me `
` sleep for a long spell. At sunset time he hypnotized me, and he says `
` I answered as usual, "darkness, lapping water and creaking wood." So `
` our enemy is still on the river. I am afraid to think of Jonathan, `
` but somehow I have now no fear for him, or for myself. I write this `
` whilst we wait in a farmhouse for the horses to be ready. Dr. Van `
` Helsing is sleeping. Poor dear, he looks very tired and old and grey, `
` but his mouth is set as firmly as a conqueror's. Even in his sleep he `
` is intense with resolution. When we have well started I must make him `
` rest whilst I drive. I shall tell him that we have days before us, `
` and he must not break down when most of all his strength will be `
` needed . . . All is ready. We are off shortly. `
` `
` `
` 2 November, morning.--I was successful, and we took turns driving all `
` night. Now the day is on us, bright though cold. There is a strange `
` heaviness in the air. I say heaviness for want of a better word. I `
` mean that it oppresses us both. It is very cold, and only our warm `
` furs keep us comfortable. At dawn Van Helsing hypnotized me. He says `
` I answered "darkness, creaking wood and roaring water," so the river `
` is changing as they ascend. I do hope that my darling will not run `
` any chance of danger, more than need be, but we are in God's hands. `
` `
` `
` 2 November, night.--All day long driving. The country gets wilder as `
` we go, and the great spurs of the Carpathians, which at Veresti seemed `
` so far from us and so low on the horizon, now seem to gather round us `
` and tower in front. We both seem in good spirits. I think we make an `
` effort each to cheer the other, in the doing so we cheer ourselves. `
` Dr. Van Helsing says that by morning we shall reach the Borgo Pass. `
` The houses are very few here now, and the Professor says that the last `
` horse we got will have to go on with us, as we may not be able to `
` change. He got two in addition to the two we changed, so that now we `
` have a rude four-in-hand. The dear horses are patient and good, and `
` they give us no trouble. We are not worried with other travellers, `
` and so even I can drive. We shall get to the Pass in daylight. We do `
` not want to arrive before. So we take it easy, and have each a long `
` rest in turn. Oh, what will tomorrow bring to us? We go to seek the `
` place where my poor darling suffered so much. God grant that we may `
` be guided aright, and that He will deign to watch over my husband and `
` those dear to us both, and who are in such deadly peril. As for me, I `
` am not worthy in His sight. Alas! I am unclean to His eyes, and `
` shall be until He may deign to let me stand forth in His sight as one `
` of those who have not incurred His wrath. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` MEMORANDUM BY ABRAHAM VAN HELSING `
` `
` 4 November.--This to my old and true friend John Seward, M.D., `
` of Purfleet, London, in case I may not see him. It may `
` explain. It is morning, and I write by a fire which all `
` the night I have kept alive, Madam Mina aiding me. It is `
` cold, cold. So cold that the grey heavy sky is full of `
` snow, which when it falls will settle for all winter as the `
` ground is hardening to receive it. It seems to have affected `
` Madam Mina. She has been so heavy of head all day that she was `
` not like herself. She sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps! She who `
` is usual so alert, have done literally nothing all the day. She `
` even have lost her appetite. She make no entry into her little `
` diary, she who write so faithful at every pause. Something `
` whisper to me that all is not well. However, tonight she is more `
` /vif/. Her long sleep all day have refresh and restore her, for `
` now she is all sweet and bright as ever. At sunset I try to `
` hypnotize her, but alas! with no effect. The power has grown `
` less and less with each day, and tonight it fail me altogether. `
` Well, God's will be done, whatever it may be, and whithersoever `
` it may lead! `
` `
` Now to the historical, for as Madam Mina write not in her `
` stenography, I must, in my cumbrous old fashion, that so `
` each day of us may not go unrecorded. `
` `
` We got to the Borgo Pass just after sunrise yesterday `
` morning. When I saw the signs of the dawn I got ready for `
` the hypnotism. We stopped our carriage, and got down so `
` that there might be no disturbance. I made a couch with `
` furs, and Madam Mina, lying down, yield herself as usual, `
` but more slow and more short time than ever, to the hypnotic `
` sleep. As before, came the answer, "darkness and the swirling of `
` water." Then she woke, bright and radiant and we go on our way `
` and soon reach the Pass. At this time and place, she become all `
` on fire with zeal. Some new guiding power be in her manifested, `
` for she point to a road and say, "This is the way." `
` `
` "How know you it?" I ask. `
` `
` "Of course I know it," she answer, and with a pause, add, `
` "Have not my Jonathan travelled it and wrote of his travel?" `
` `
` At first I think somewhat strange, but soon I see that there be `
` only one such byroad. It is used but little, and very different `
` from the coach road from the Bukovina to Bistritz, which is more `
` `
` wide and hard, and more of use. `
` `
` So we came down this road. When we meet other ways, not `
` always were we sure that they were roads at all, for they `
` be neglect and light snow have fallen, the horses know and `
` they only. I give rein to them, and they go on so patient. By `
` and by we find all the things which Jonathan have note in that `
` wonderful diary of him. Then we go on for long, long hours and `
` hours. At the first, I tell Madam Mina to sleep. She try, and `
` she succeed. She sleep all the time, till at the last, I feel `
` myself to suspicious grow, and attempt to wake her. But she `
` sleep on, and I may not wake her though I try. I do not wish to `
` try too hard lest I harm her. For I know that she have suffer `
` much, and sleep at times be all-in-all to her. I think I drowse `
` myself, for all of sudden I feel guilt, as though I have done `
` something. I find myself bolt up, with the reins in my hand, and `
` the good horses go along jog, jog, just as ever. I look down and `
` find Madam Mina still asleep. It is now not far off sunset time, `
` and over the snow the light of the sun flow in big yellow flood, `
` so that we throw great long shadow on where the mountain rise so `
` steep. For we are going up, and up, and all is oh so wild and `
` rocky, as though it were the end of the world. `
` `
` Then I arouse Madam Mina. This time she wake with not much `
` trouble, and then I try to put her to hypnotic sleep. But `
` she sleep not, being as though I were not. Still I try and `
`