29 October.
I am writing this on a train. We are traveling from Varna to Galatz. Everyone is ready for the journey. We all have our own tasks. Last night at sunset, Dr. Van Helsing tried to use hypnosis on Mina Harker. It was very difficult this time. Finally, Mina Harker fell into a trance (a state like a deep sleep).
Usually, Mina Harker speaks easily. This time, Dr. Van Helsing had to ask many questions. Finally, she spoke. She said, “I see nothing. We are not moving. I hear men’s voices. I hear the sound of oars in the water. I hear a gun far away. I see a little light. I feel the air.”
Then she stood up. She moved her hands like she was lifting a heavy weight. We watched her. Jonathan Harker touched his knife. Then Mina Harker woke up. She was very sweet. She asked if anyone wanted tea.
Dr. Van Helsing spoke when she left. He said, “The Count is close to land. He is out of his box. But he is still on a boat. If he does not get to land before the sun rises, he must stay in his box. Then we can find him and kill him.”
Later.
The sun went down. We were still on the train. The train was three hours late. It would arrive in Galatz after sunrise. Dr. Van Helsing used hypnosis again. It was even harder this time.
Mina Harker said, “Something is passing me like a cold wind. I hear men talking. I hear water falling. I hear wolves howling.” Then her body shook. She woke up and felt very cold. She was tired, but she wanted to help. She did not remember her words.
30 October, 7 a.m.
We are near Galatz now. This morning, Dr. Van Helsing tried to use hypnosis again. It only worked for one minute before the sun rose. Mina Harker said, “It is dark. I hear water moving. I hear a wooden boat creaking. I hear cows far away. I hear another sound. It is a strange sound.”
Then she stopped. Her face became very white. Dr. Van Helsing told her to speak. But the sun rose. Mina Harker woke up. She did not remember anything. She laughed and said the Professor was acting like a teacher. Dr. Van Helsing was sad. He knew the Count was becoming stronger.
Mina Harker’s Journal.
30 October.
We arrived in Galatz. Quincey Morris took me to the hotel. He does not speak foreign languages, so he stayed with me. Lord Godalming went to see the official leaders of the city. Jonathan and the two doctors went to find the ship.
Jonathan Harker’s Journal.
30 October.
The doctors and I went to see the shipping agents. The agents were very kind. We went to the ship, the Czarina Catherine. We met Captain Donelson. The Captain said the journey was very fast. He thought a devil helped the ship move.
The Captain said there was a lot of fog. He could not see other ships or the land. The sailors were afraid. Some sailors thought a big box on the ship had an evil eye (a look that some people believe causes bad luck). They wanted to throw the box into the river. But the Captain stopped them.
Two days ago, the ship arrived in Galatz. Before sunrise, a man came to the ship. He had a paper for the box. His name was Immanuel Hildesheim. He took the box away.
We found Immanuel Hildesheim at his office. We gave him money, and he talked to us. He said a man named Mr. de Ville sent him a letter from London. The letter told him to take the box before sunrise. He gave the box to a man named Petrof Skinsky.
We looked for Petrof Skinsky. We could not find him at first. Then we heard terrible news. People found the body of Petrof Skinsky near a church. His throat was torn open. People thought a wild animal killed him.
We went back to the hotel. We were very sad. We knew the box was moving on the water again. We needed a new plan. I told Mina everything.
Mina Harker’s Journal.
30 October, Evening.
The men were very tired. I asked them to rest for a short time. I used a typewriter to write down all the news. I looked at the maps. I thought hard about Count Dracula’s plan.
I called the group together. I said, “The Count wants to go back to his castle. He is traveling by water. He is in his box during the day. He is powerless then. He is on a river in a small boat. Men are pulling the boat up the river.”
I looked at the map again. I said, “He is on the Sereth river or the Bistritza river. These rivers go near his castle.”
The men were very happy. Dr. Van Helsing said, “Mina is our teacher again! Now we can find him. He is on the water. He cannot move fast.”
We held a “Council of War.” We decided what to do. Lord Godalming said he would get a launch (a small, fast boat moved by steam). He and Jonathan would follow the boat on the river.
Quincey Morris and Dr. Seward would ride horses on the river bank. They would take winchesters (a type of gun that can fire many times). They would be ready to fight the wolves or the men on the boat.
Dr. Van Helsing said he would take me to the castle. Jonathan was very afraid. He said, “The castle is a terrible place! There are vampires there. I do not want Mina to go!”
Dr. Van Helsing spoke kindly. He said, “I must go to the castle to destroy the evil. Mina must come because she can help us find the way. If the Count escapes, Mina will become a vampire forever. We must stop him now.”
Jonathan cried, but he agreed. We all trusted in God.
Lord Godalming and Jonathan left on the boat. Quincey Morris and Dr. Seward left on their horses. Dr. Van Helsing and I went to the train station. We were going to Veresti, where we could buy a carriage (a vehicle pulled by horses) and horses.
I said goodbye to Jonathan. I tried to be brave. I did not cry. I prayed that God would protect my husband.
Jonathan Harker’s Journal.
30 October, Night.
I am on the boat. Lord Godalming is moving the boat fast up the river. We are looking for the Count’s box. I cannot sleep. I am worried about Mina.
31 October.
The day is here. It is very cold. We passed some small boats. We used a bright light to look at the boats. The men on the boats were afraid. We did not see the Count’s box.
1 November, Evening.
We are now on the Bistritza river. We put a Roumanian flag on our boat. Now, other boats think we are officials. The sailors are very helpful. Some sailors saw a big boat moving very fast. It had many men rowing.
2 November, Morning.
The sun is up. I feel strong again. I am watching the river. I hope Dr. Van Helsing and Mina are safe. I hope they are at the Borgo Pass now.
Dr. Seward’s Diary.
2 November.
Quincey Morris and I have been riding for three days. We are very tired, but we do not stop. We want to find the boat.
3 November.
It is very cold. It looks like snow is coming. If it snows, we will need a sledge (a carriage that slides over snow).
4 November.
We heard that the steam boat had an accident on the rapids (a part of a river where the water moves very fast over rocks). But Lord Godalming fixed the engine. The boat is moving again. Quincey Morris and I are riding faster to help them.
Mina Harker’s Journal.
31 October.
Dr. Van Helsing and I arrived at a town called Veresti. Dr. Van Helsing bought a carriage and horses. We have 70 miles to travel. The country is very beautiful, but I am sad.
Dr. Van Helsing bought a lot of food and warm fur coats. He said we might be traveling for a week. I pray for Jonathan. I want him to know that I love him. I am ready to face the danger.