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 over-hauled 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 wondercannot. 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 Novenber.—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 sledge and go on, Russian fashion.
4 Novenber.—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 athat 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 color 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 honored him more
than I can say, and that my latest and truest thought will be
always for him.