LITMIR.BIZ

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to such foolish ideas would demoralise the

      men; said he would engage to keep them out of trouble with a

      handspike. I let him take the helm, while the rest began thorough

      search, all keeping abreast, with lanterns: we left no corner

      unsearched. As there were only the big wooden boxes, there were

      no odd corners where a man could hide. Men much relieved when

      search over, and went back to work cheerfully. First mate

      scowled, but said nothing.

      22 July. Rough weather last three days, and all hands busy

      with sails no time to be frightened. Men seem to have forgotten

      their dread. Mate cheerful again, and all on good terms. Praised

      men for work in bad weather. Passed Gibralter and out through

      Straits. All well.

      24 July. There seems some doom over this ship. Already

      a hand short, and entering on the Bay of Biscay with wild

      weather ahead, and yet last night another man lost disap-

      peared. Like the first, he came off his watch and was not seen

      again. Men all in a panic of fear; sent a round robin, asking to

      have double watch, as they fear to be alone. Mate angry. Fear

      there will be some trouble, as either he or the men will do some

      violence.

      28 July. Four days in hell, knocking about in a sort of mael-

      strom, and the wind a tempest. No sleep for any one. Men all

      worn out. Hardly know how to set a watch, since no one fit to go

      on. Second mate volunteered to steer and watch, and let men

      snatch a few hours’ sleep. Wind abating; seas still terrific, but

      feel them less, as ship is steadier.

      29 July. Another tragedy. Had single watch to-night, as

      crew too tired to double. When morning watch came on deck

      Cutting from «The Dailygraph» 79

      could find no one except steersman. Raised outcry, and all came

      on deck. Thorough search, but no one found. Are now without

      second mate, and crew in a panic. Mate and I agreed to go armed

      henceforth and wait for any sign of cause.

      jo July. Last night. Rejoiced we are nearing England.

      Weather fine, all sails set. Retired worn out; slept soundly;

      awaked by mate telling me that both man of watch and steersman

      missing. Only self and mate and two hands left to work ship.

      1 August. Two days of fog, and not a sail sighted. Had hoped

      when in the English Channel to be able to signal for help or get

      in somewhere. Not having power to work sails, have to run before

      wind. Dare not lower, as could not raise them again. We seem

      to be drifting to some terrible doom. Mate now more demoralised

      than either of men. His stronger nature seems to have worked

      inwardly against himself. Men are beyond fear, working stolidly

      and patiently, with minds made up to worst. They are Russian,

      he Roumanian.

      2 August, midnight. Woke up from few minutes’ sleep by

      hearing a cry, seemingly outside my port. Could see nothing in

      fog. Rushed on deck, and ran against mate. Tells me heard cry

      and ran, but no sign of man on watch. One more gone. Lord, help

      us! Mate says we must be past Straits of Dover, as in a moment

      of fog lifting he saw North Foreland, just as he heard the man

      cry out. If so we are now off in the North Sea, and only God can

      guide us in the fog, which seems to move with us; and God seems

      to have deserted us.

      3 August. At midnight I went to relieve the man at the wheel,

      and when I got to it found no one there. The wind was steady,

      and as we ran before it there was no yawing. I dared not leave it,

      so shouted for the mate. Alter a few seconds he rushed up on

      deck in his flannels. He looked wild-eyed and haggard, and I

      greatly fear his reason has given way. He came close to me and

      whispered hoarsely, with his mouth to my ear, as though fearing

      the very air might hear: «It is here; I know it, now. On the watch

      last night I saw It, like a man, tall and thin, and ghastly pale.

      It was in the bows, and looking out. I crept behind It, and gave

      It my knife; but the knife went through It, empty as the air.»

      And as he spoke he took his knife and drove it savagely into

      space. Then he went on: «But It is here, and I’ll find It. It is in

      the hold, perhaps in one of those boxes. I’ll unscrew them one

      8o Dracula

      by one and see. You work the helm.» And, with a warning look

      and his finger on his lip, he went below. There was springing

      up a choppy wind, and I could not leave the helm. I saw him

      come out on deck again with a tool-chest and a lantern, and go

      down the forward hatchway. He is mad, stark, raving mad, and

      it’s no use my trying to stop him. He can’t hurt those big boxes:

      they are invoiced as «clay,» and to pull them about is as harm-

      less a thing as he can do. So here I stay, and mind the helm, and

      write these notes. I can only trust in God and wait till the fog

      clears. Then, if I can’t steer to any harbour with the wind that

      is, I shall cut down sails and lie by, and signal for help.,..

      It is nearly all over now. Just as I was beginning to hope that

      the mate would come out calmer for I heard him knocking away

      at something in the hold, and work is good for him there came

      up the hatchway a sudden, startled scream, which made my

      blood run cold, and up on the deck he came as if shot from a gun

      a raging madman, with his eyes rolling and his face convulsed

      with fear. «Save me! save me!» he cried, and then looked round

      on the blanket of fog. His horror turned to despair, and in a

      steady voice he said: " You had better come too, captain, before it

      is too late. He is there. I know the secret now. The sea will save

      me from Him, and it is all that is left! "Before I could say a word,

      or move forward to seize him, he sprang on the bulwark and de-

      liberately threw himself into the sea. I suppose I know the

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