| In such case we must get a sledge and go on,... 968 |
[Jan. 31st, 2010|02:47 am] |
In such case we must get a sledge and go on, Russian fashion-Today we heard of the launch having been detained by an accident when trying to force a way up the rapidsThe Slovak boats get up all right, by aid of a rope and steering with knowledgeSome went up only a few hours beforeGodalming 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 afreshI 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 sightWe must push on harder than everOur help may be wanted soon
MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL
31 October-Arrived at Veresti at noonThe 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 horsesHe says that he will later on try to buy additional horses, so that we may be able to change them on the wayWe have something more than 70 miles before usThe country is lovely, and most interestingIf only we were under different conditions, how delightful it would be to see it allIf Jonathan and I were driving through it alone what a pleasure it would beTo 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!
LaterVan Helsing has returnedHe has got the carriage and horsesWe are to have some dinner, and to start in an hourThe landlady is putting us up a huge basket of provisionsIt seems enough for a company of soldiersThe Professor encourages her, and whispers to me that it may be a week before we can get any food againHe has been shopping too, and has sent home such a wonderful lot of fur coats and wraps, and all sorts of warm thingsThere will not be any chance of our being cold
We shall soon be offI am afraid to think what may happen to usWe are truly in the hands of GodHe 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 husbandThat 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 speedThe horses seem to know that they are being kindly treated, for they go willingly their full stage at best speedWe 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 oneVan Helsing is laconic, he tells the farmers that he is hurrying to Bistritz, and pays them well to make the exchange of horsesWe get hot soup, or coffee, or tea, and off we goIt is a lovely countryFull of beauties of all imaginable kinds, and the people are brave, and strong, and simple, and seem full of nice |
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