Dracula. Bram Stoker

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