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Dracula 7

index NAVIGATE Dracula 8 Dracula license
        CHAPTER VII

        CUTTING FROM "THE DAILYGRAPH," 8 AUGUST
        
        
        (_Pasted in Mina Murray's Journal._)
        
        From a Correspondent.
        
        _Whitby_.
        
        One of the greatest and suddenest storms on record has just been
        experienced here, with results both strange and unique. The weather had
        been somewhat sultry, but not to any degree uncommon in the month of
        August. Saturday evening was as fine as was ever known, and the great
        body of holiday-makers laid out yesterday for visits to Mulgrave Woods,
        Robin Hood's Bay, Rig Mill, Runswick, Staithes, and the various trips in
        the neighbourhood of Whitby. The steamers _Emma_ and _Scarborough_ made
        trips up and down the coast, and there was an unusual amount of
        "tripping" both to and from Whitby. The day was unusually fine till the
        afternoon, when some of the gossips who frequent the East Cliff
        churchyard, and from that commanding eminence watch the wide sweep of
        sea visible to the north and east, called attention to a sudden show of
        "mares'-tails" high in the sky to the north-west. The wind was then
        blowing from the south-west in the mild degree which in barometrical
        language is ranked "No. 2: light breeze." The coastguard on duty at once
        made report, and one old fisherman, who for more than half a century has
        kept watch on weather signs from the East Cliff, foretold in an emphatic
        manner the coming of a sudden storm. The approach of sunset was so very
        beautiful, so grand in its masses of splendidly-coloured clouds, that
        there was quite an assemblage on the walk along the cliff in the old
        churchyard to enjoy the beauty. Before the sun dipped below the black
        mass of Kettleness, standing boldly athwart the western sky, its
        downward way was marked by myriad clouds of every sunset-colour--flame,
        purple, pink, green, violet, and all the tints of gold; with here and
        there masses not large, but of seemingly absolute blackness, in all
        sorts of shapes, as well outlined as colossal silhouettes. The
        experience was not lost on the painters, and doubtless some of the
        sketches of the "Prelude to the Great Storm" will grace the R. A. and R.
        I. walls in May next. More than one captain made up his mind then and
        there that his "cobble" or his "mule," as they term the different
        classes of boats, would remain in the harbour till the storm had passed.
        The wind fell away entirely during the evening, and at midnight there
        was a dead calm, a sultry heat, and that prevailing intensity which, on
        the approach of thunder, affects persons of a sensitive nature. There
        were but few lights in sight at sea, for even the coasting steamers,
        which usually "hug" the shore so closely, kept well to seaward, and but
        few fishing-boats were in sight. The only sail noticeable was a foreign
        schooner with all sails set, which was seemingly going westwards. The
        foolhardiness or ignorance of her officers was a prolific theme for
        comment whilst she remained in sight, and efforts were made to signal
        her to reduce sail in face of her danger. Before the night shut down she
        was seen with sails idly flapping as she gently rolled on the undulating
        swell of the sea,
        
            "As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean."
        
        Shortly before ten o'clock the stillness of the air grew quite
        oppressive, and the silence was so marked that the bleating of a sheep
        inland or the barking of a dog in the town was distinctly heard, and the
        band on the pier, with its lively French air, was like a discord in the
        great harmony of nature's silence. A little after midnight came a
        strange sound from over the sea, and high overhead the air began to
        carry a strange, faint, hollow booming.
        
        Then without warning the tempest broke. With a rapidity which, at the
        time, seemed incredible, and even afterwards is impossible to realize,
        the whole aspect of nature at once became convulsed. The waves rose in
        growing fury, each overtopping its fellow, till in a very few minutes
        the lately glassy sea was like a roaring and devouring monster.
        White-crested waves beat madly on the level sands and rushed up the
        shelving cliffs; others broke over the piers, and with their spume swept
        the lanthorns of the lighthouses which rise from the end of either pier
        of Whitby Harbour. The wind roared like thunder, and blew with such
        force that it was with difficulty that even strong men kept their feet,
        or clung with grim clasp to the iron stanchions. It was found necessary
        to clear the entire piers from the mass of onlookers, or else the
        fatalities of the night would have been increased manifold. To add to
        the difficulties and dangers of the time, masses of sea-fog came
        drifting inland--white, wet clouds, which swept by in ghostly fashion,
        so dank and damp and cold that it needed but little effort of
        imagination to think that the spirits of those lost at sea were
        touching their living brethren with the clammy hands of death, and many
        a one shuddered as the wreaths of sea-mist swept by. At times the mist
        cleared, and the sea for some distance could be seen in the glare of the
        lightning, which now came thick and fast, followed by such sudden peals
        of thunder that the whole sky overhead seemed trembling under the shock
        of the footsteps of the storm.
        
        Some of the scenes thus revealed were of immeasurable grandeur and of
        absorbing interest--the sea, running mountains high, threw skywards with
        each wave mighty masses of white foam, which the tempest seemed to
        snatch at and whirl away into space; here and there a fishing-boat, with
        a rag of sail, running madly for shelter before the blast; now and again
        the white wings of a storm-tossed sea-bird. On the summit of the East
        Cliff the new searchlight was ready for experiment, but had not yet been
        tried. The officers in charge of it got it into working order, and in
        the pauses of the inrushing mist swept with it the surface of the sea.
        Once or twice its service was most effective, as when a fishing-boat,
        with gunwale under water, rushed into the harbour, able, by the guidance
        of the sheltering light, to avoid the danger of dashing against the
        piers. As each boat achieved the safety of the port there was a shout of
        joy from the mass of people on shore, a shout which for a moment seemed
        to cleave the gale and was then swept away in its rush.
        
        Before long the searchlight discovered some distance away a schooner
        with all sails set, apparently the same vessel which had been noticed
        earlier in the evening. The wind had by this time backed to the east,
        and there was a shudder amongst the watchers on the cliff as they
        realized the terrible danger in which she now was. Between her and the
        port lay the great flat reef on which so many good ships have from time
        to time suffered, and, with the wind blowing from its present quarter,
        it would be quite impossible that she should fetch the entrance of the
        harbour. It was now nearly the hour of high tide, but the waves were so
        great that in their troughs the shallows of the shore were almost
        visible, and the schooner, with all sails set, was rushing with such
        speed that, in the words of one old salt, "she must fetch up somewhere,
        if it was only in hell." Then came another rush of sea-fog, greater than
        any hitherto--a mass of dank mist, which seemed to close on all things
        like a grey pall, and left available to men only the organ of hearing,
        for the roar of the tempest, and the crash of the thunder, and the
        booming of the mighty billows came through the damp oblivion even louder
        than before. The rays of the searchlight were kept fixed on the harbour
        mouth across the East Pier, where the shock was expected, and men waited
        breathless. The wind suddenly shifted to the north-east, and the remnant
        of the sea-fog melted in the blast; and then, _mirabile dictu_, between
        the piers, leaping from wave to wave as it rushed at headlong speed,
        swept the strange schooner before the blast, with all sail set, and
        gained the safety of the harbour. The searchlight followed her, and a
        shudder ran through all who saw her, for lashed to the helm was a
        corpse, with drooping head, which swung horribly to and fro at each
        motion of the ship. No other form could be seen on deck at all. A great
        awe came on all as they realised that the ship, as if by a miracle, had
        found the harbour, unsteered save by the hand of a dead man! However,
        all took place more quickly than it takes to write these words. The
        schooner paused not, but rushing across the harbour, pitched herself on
        that accumulation of sand and gravel washed by many tides and many
        storms into the south-east corner of the pier jutting under the East
        Cliff, known locally as Tate Hill Pier.
        
        There was of course a considerable concussion as the vessel drove up on
        the sand heap. Every spar, rope, and stay was strained, and some of the
        "top-hammer" came crashing down. But, strangest of all, the very instant
        the shore was touched, an immense dog sprang up on deck from below, as
        if shot up by the concussion, and running forward, jumped from the bow
        on the sand. Making straight for the steep cliff, where the churchyard
        hangs over the laneway to the East Pier so steeply that some of the flat
        tombstones--"thruff-steans" or "through-stones," as they call them in
        the Whitby vernacular--actually project over where the sustaining cliff
        has fallen away, it disappeared in the darkness, which seemed
        intensified just beyond the focus of the searchlight.
        
        It so happened that there was no one at the moment on Tate Hill Pier, as
        all those whose houses are in close proximity were either in bed or were
        out on the heights above. Thus the coastguard on duty on the eastern
        side of the harbour, who at once ran down to the little pier, was the
        first to climb on board. The men working the searchlight, after scouring
        the entrance of the harbour without seeing anything, then turned the
        light on the derelict and kept it there. The coastguard ran aft, and
        when he came beside the wheel, bent over to examine it, and recoiled at
        once as though under some sudden emotion. This seemed to pique general
        curiosity, and quite a number of people began to run. It is a good way
        round from the West Cliff by the Drawbridge to Tate Hill Pier, but your
        correspondent is a fairly good runner, and came well ahead of the crowd.
        When I arrived, however, I found already assembled on the pier a crowd,
        whom the coastguard and police refused to allow to come on board. By the
        courtesy of the chief boatman, I was, as your correspondent, permitted
        to climb on deck, and was one of a small group who saw the dead seaman
        whilst actually lashed to the wheel.
        
        It was no wonder that the coastguard was surprised, or even awed, for
        not often can such a sight have been seen. The man was simply fastened
        by his hands, tied one over the other, to a spoke of the wheel. Between
        the inner hand and the wood was a crucifix, the set of beads on which it
        was fastened being around both wrists and wheel, and all kept fast by
        the binding cords. The poor fellow may have been seated at one time, but
        the flapping and buffeting of the sails had worked through the rudder of
        the wheel and dragged him to and fro, so that the cords with which he
        was tied had cut the flesh to the bone. Accurate note was made of the
        state of things, and a doctor--Surgeon J. M. Caffyn, of 33, East Elliot
        Place--who came immediately after me, declared, after making
        examination, that the man must have been dead for quite two days. In his
        pocket was a bottle, carefully corked, empty save for a little roll of
        paper, which proved to be the addendum to the log. The coastguard said
        the man must have tied up his own hands, fastening the knots with his
        teeth. The fact that a coastguard was the first on board may save some
        complications, later on, in the Admiralty Court; for coastguards cannot
        claim the salvage which is the right of the first civilian entering on a
        derelict. Already, however, the legal tongues are wagging, and one young
        law student is loudly asserting that the rights of the owner are already
        completely sacrificed, his property being held in contravention of the
        statutes of mortmain, since the tiller, as emblemship, if not proof, of
        delegated possession, is held in a _dead hand_. It is needless to say
        that the dead steersman has been reverently removed from the place where
        he held his honourable watch and ward till death--a steadfastness as
        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 beginning 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.
        
        _Whitby_
        
        _9 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 in 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," 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 in 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 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 translated for
        me, time 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 11 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 16 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 the 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 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 one in the ship, we would search from
        stem to stern. First mate angry; said it was folly, and to yield 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--disappeared. 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 maelstrom,
        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 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.
        
               *       *       *       *       *
        
        _30 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. After 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 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
        harmless 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 deliberately
        threw himself into the sea. I suppose I know the secret too, now. It was
        this madman who had got rid of the men one by one, and now he has
        followed them himself. God help me! How am I to account for all these
        horrors when I get to port? _When_ I get to port! Will that ever be?
        
               *       *       *       *       *
        
        _4 August._--Still fog, which the sunrise cannot pierce. I know there is
        sunrise because I am a sailor, why else I know not. I dared not go
        below, I dared not leave the helm; so here all night I stayed, and in
        the dimness of the night I saw It--Him! God forgive me, but the mate was
        right to jump overboard. It was better to die like a man; to die like a
        sailor in blue water no man can object. But I am captain, and I must not
        leave my ship. But I shall baffle this fiend or monster, for I shall tie
        my hands to the wheel when my strength begins to fail, and along with
        them I shall tie that which He--It!--dare not touch; and then, come good
        wind or foul, I shall save my soul, and my honour as a captain. I am
        growing weaker, and the night is coming on. If He can look me in the
        face again, I may not have time to act.... If we are wrecked, mayhap
        this bottle may be found, and those who find it may understand; if not,
        ... well, then all men shall know that I have been true to my trust. God
        and the Blessed Virgin and the saints help a poor ignorant soul trying
        to do his duty....
        
               *       *       *       *       *
        
        Of course the verdict was an open one. There is no evidence to adduce;
        and whether or not the man himself committed the murders there is now
        none to say. The folk here hold almost universally that the captain is
        simply a hero, and he is to be given a public funeral. Already it is
        arranged that his body is to be taken with a train of boats up the Esk
        for a piece and then brought back to Tate Hill Pier and up the abbey
        steps; for he is to be buried in the churchyard on the cliff. The owners
        of more than a hundred boats have already given in their names as
        wishing to follow him to the grave.
        
        No trace has ever been found of the great dog; at which there is much
        mourning, for, with public opinion in its present state, he would, I
        believe, be adopted by the town. To-morrow will see the funeral; and so
        will end this one more "mystery of the sea."
        
        
        _Mina Murray's Journal._
        
        _8 August._--Lucy was very restless all night, and I, too, could not
        sleep. The storm was fearful, and as it boomed loudly among the
        chimney-pots, it made me shudder. When a sharp puff came it seemed to be
        like a distant gun. Strangely enough, Lucy did not wake; but she got up
        twice and dressed herself. Fortunately, each time I awoke in time and
        managed to undress her without waking her, and got her back to bed. It
        is a very strange thing, this sleep-walking, for as soon as her will is
        thwarted in any physical way, her intention, if there be any,
        disappears, and she yields herself almost exactly to the routine of her
        life.
        
        Early in the morning we both got up and went down to the harbour to see
        if anything had happened in the night. There were very few people about,
        and though the sun was bright, and the air clear and fresh, the big,
        grim-looking waves, that seemed dark themselves because the foam that
        topped them was like snow, forced themselves in through the narrow mouth
        of the harbour--like a bullying man going through a crowd. Somehow I
        felt glad that Jonathan was not on the sea last night, but on land. But,
        oh, is he on land or sea? Where is he, and how? I am getting fearfully
        anxious about him. If I only knew what to do, and could do anything!
        
               *       *       *       *       *
        
        _10 August._--The funeral of the poor sea-captain to-day was most
        touching. Every boat in the harbour seemed to be there, and the coffin
        was carried by captains all the way from Tate Hill Pier up to the
        churchyard. Lucy came with me, and we went early to our old seat, whilst
        the cortège of boats went up the river to the Viaduct and came down
        again. We had a lovely view, and saw the procession nearly all the way.
        The poor fellow was laid to rest quite near our seat so that we stood on
        it when the time came and saw everything. Poor Lucy seemed much upset.
        She was restless and uneasy all the time, and I cannot but think that
        her dreaming at night is telling on her. She is quite odd in one thing:
        she will not admit to me that there is any cause for restlessness; or if
        there be, she does not understand it herself. There is an additional
        cause in that poor old Mr. Swales was found dead this morning on our
        seat, his neck being broken. He had evidently, as the doctor said,
        fallen back in the seat in some sort of fright, for there was a look of
        fear and horror on his face that the men said made them shudder. Poor
        dear old man! Perhaps he had seen Death with his dying eyes! Lucy is so
        sweet and sensitive that she feels influences more acutely than other
        people do. Just now she was quite upset by a little thing which I did
        not much heed, though I am myself very fond of animals. One of the men
        who came up here often to look for the boats was followed by his dog.
        The dog is always with him. They are both quiet persons, and I never saw
        the man angry, nor heard the dog bark. During the service the dog would
        not come to its master, who was on the seat with us, but kept a few
        yards off, barking and howling. Its master spoke to it gently, and then
        harshly, and then angrily; but it would neither come nor cease to make a
        noise. It was in a sort of fury, with its eyes savage, and all its hairs
        bristling out like a cat's tail when puss is on the war-path. Finally
        the man, too, got angry, and jumped down and kicked the dog, and then
        took it by the scruff of the neck and half dragged and half threw it on
        the tombstone on which the seat is fixed. The moment it touched the
        stone the poor thing became quiet and fell all into a tremble. It did
        not try to get away, but crouched down, quivering and cowering, and was
        in such a pitiable state of terror that I tried, though without effect,
        to comfort it. Lucy was full of pity, too, but she did not attempt to
        touch the dog, but looked at it in an agonised sort of way. I greatly
        fear that she is of too super-sensitive a nature to go through the world
        without trouble. She will be dreaming of this to-night, I am sure. The
        whole agglomeration of things--the ship steered into port by a dead
        man; his attitude, tied to the wheel with a crucifix and beads; the
        touching funeral; the dog, now furious and now in terror--will all
        afford material for her dreams.
        
        I think it will be best for her to go to bed tired out physically, so I
        shall take her for a long walk by the cliffs to Robin Hood's Bay and
        back. She ought not to have much inclination for sleep-walking then.