| We could hear the distant howling of wolvesThey... 220 |
[Jan. 28th, 2010|02:12 am] |
We could hear the distant howling of wolvesThey were far off, but the sound, even though coming muffled through the deadening snowfall, was full of terrorI knew from the way DrVan Helsing was searching about that he was trying to seek some strategic point, where we would be less exposed in case of attackThe rough roadway still led downwardsWe could trace it through the drifted snow
In a little while the Professor signalled to me, so I got up and joined himHe had found a wonderful spot, a sort of natural hollow in a rock, with an entrance like a doorway between two bouldersHe took me by the hand and drew me in
"See!" he said, "here you will be in shelterAnd if the wolves do come I can meet them one by one
He brought in our furs, and made a snug nest for me, and got out some provisions and forced them upon meBut I could not eat, to even try to do so was repulsive to me, and much as I would have liked to please him, I could not bring myself to the attemptHe looked very sad, but did not reproach meTaking his field glasses from the case, he stood on the top of the rock, and began to search the horizon
Suddenly he called out, "Look! Madam Mina, look! Look!"
I sprang up and stood beside him on the rockHe handed me his glasses and pointedThe snow was now falling more heavily, and swirled about fiercely, for a high wind was beginning to blowHowever, there were times when there were pauses between the snow flurries and I could see a long way roundFrom the height where we were it was possible to see a great distanceAnd far off, beyond the white waste of snow, I could see the river lying like a black ribbon in kinks and curls as it wound its wayStraight in front of us and not far off, in fact so near that I wondered we had not noticed before, came a group of mounted men hurrying alongIn the midst of them was a cart, a long leiter wagon which swept from side to side, like a dog's tail wagging, with each stern inequality of the roadOutlined against the snow as they were, I could see from the men's clothes that they were peasants or gypsies of some kind
On the cart was a great square chestMy heart leaped as I saw it, for I felt that the end was comingThe evening was now drawing close, and well I knew that at sunset the Thing, which was till then imprisoned there, would take new freedom and could in any of many forms elude pursuitIn fear I turned to the ProfessorTo my consternation, however, he was not thereAn instant later, I saw him below meRound the rock he had drawn a circle, such as we had found shelter in last night
When he had completed it he stood beside me again saying, "At least you shall be safe here from him!" He took the glasses from me, and at the next lull of the snow swept the whole space below us"See," he said, "they come quicklyThey are flogging the horses, and galloping as hard as they can
He paused and went on in a hollow voice, "They are racing for the sunsetGod's will be done!" Down came another blinding rush of driving snow, and the whole landscape was blotted outIt soon passed, however, and once more his glasses were fixed on the plain
Then came a sudden cry, "Look! Look! Look! See, two horsemen follow fast, coming up from the southIt must be Quincey and JohnLook before the snow blots it all out!" I took it and |
|
|
