Dracula. Bram Stoker
Читать онлайн книгу.
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 homeward, and the sky is begin-
ning to redden over the Yorkshire wolds. I shall send, in time
for your next issue, further details of the derelict ship which
found her way so miraculously into harbour in the storm.
76 Dracula
Whitby
p August. The sequel to the strange arrival of the derelict in
the storm last night is almost more startling than the thing
itself. It turns out that the schooner is a Russian from Varna, and
is called the Demeter. She is almost entirely hi ballast of silver
sand, with only a small amount of cargo a number of great
wooden boxes filled with mould. This cargo was consigned to a
Whitby solicitor, Mr. S. F. Billington, of 7, The Crescent, who
this morning went aboard and formally took possession of the
goods consigned to him. The Russian consul, too, acting for the
charter-party, took formal possession of the ship, and paid all
harbour dues, etc. Nothing is talked about here to-day except the
strange coincidence; the officials of the Board of Trade have been
most exacting in seeing that every compliance has been made
with existing regulations. As the matter is to be a «nine days’
wonder/ 7 they are evidently determined that there shall be no
cause of after complaint. A good deal of interest was abroad
concerning the dog which landed when the ship struck, and more
than a few of the members of the S. P. C. A., which is very strong
in Whitby, have tried to befriend the animal. To the general
disappointment, however, it was not to be found; it seems to
have disappeared entirely from the town. It may be that it was
frightened and made its way on to the moors, where it is still
hiding in terror. There are some who look with dread on such a
possibility, lest later on it should in itself become a danger, for
it is evidently a fierce brute. Early this morning a large dog, a
half-bred mastiff belonging to a coal merchant close to Tate Hill
Pier, was found dead in the roadway opposite to its master’s yard.
It had been fighting, and manifestly had had a savage opponent,
for its throat was torn away, and its belly was slit open as if with
a savage claw.
Later. By the kindness of the Board of Trade inspector, I
have been permitted to look over the log-book of the Demeter,
which was hi order up to within three days, but contained
nothing of special interest except as to facts of missing men. The
greatest interest, however, is with regard to the paper found in
the bottle, which was to-day produced at the inquest; and a more
strange narrative than the two between them unfold it has not
been my lot to come across. As there is no motive for concealment,
I am permitted to use them, and accordingly send you a rescript,
simply omitting technical details of seamanship and supercargo.
It almost seems as though the captain had been seized with some
Cutting from «The Dailygraph» 77
kind of mania before he had got well into blue water, and that
this had developed persistently throughout the voyage. Of course
my statement must be taken cum grano, since I am writing from
the dictation of a clerk of the Russian consul, who kindly trans-
lated for me, tune being short.
LOG OF THE «DEMETER.»
Varna to Whitby.
Written 18 July, things so strange happening, that I shall keep
accurate note henceforth till we land.
On 6 July we finished taking in cargo, silver sand and boxes
of earth. At noon set sail. East wind, fresh. Crew, five hands…
two mates, cook, and myself (captain).
On ii July at dawn entered Bosphorus. Boarded by Turkish
Customs officers. Backsheesh. All correct. Under way at 4 p. m.
On 12 July through Dardanelles. More Customs officers and
flagboat of guarding squadron. Backsheesh again. Work of
officers thorough, but quick. Want us off soon. At dark passed
into Archipelago.
On 13 July passed Cape Matapan. Crew dissatisfied about
something. Seemed scared, but would not speak out.
On 14 July was somewhat anxious about crew. Men all steady
fellows, who sailed with me before. Mate could not make out
what was wrong; they only told him there was something, and
crossed themselves. Mate lost temper with one of them that day
and struck him. Expected fierce quarrel, but all was quiet.
On 1 6 July mate reported in the morning that one of crew,
Petrofsky, was missing. Could not account for it. Took larboard
watch eight bells last night; was relieved by Abramoff, but did
not go to bunk. Men more downcast than ever. All said they
expected something of the kind, but would not say more than
there was something aboard. Mate getting very impatient with
them; feared some trouble ahead.
On 17 July, yesterday, one of th/men, Olgaren, came to my
cabin, and in an awestruck way confided to me that he thought
there was a strange man aboard the ship. He said that in his
78 Dracula
watch he had been sheltering behind the deck-house, as there
was a rain-storm, when he saw a tall, thin man, who was not like
any of the crew, come up the companion-way, and go along the
deck forward, and disappear. He followed cautiously, but when
he got to bows found no one, and the hatchways were all closed.
He was in a panic of superstitious fear, and I am afraid the panic
may spread. To allay it, I shall to-day search entire ship carefully
from stem to stern.
Later in the day I got together the whole crew, and told them,
as they evidently thought there was some