29 October.
Dr. Seward is writing on a train. The group is traveling from Varna to Galatz. Everyone is ready for the journey. They all have their own tasks. 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. The men 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. The group was 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.
They 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 the wood of a boat. 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.
The group arrived in Galatz. Quincey Morris took Mina Harker to the hotel. He does not speak foreign languages, so he stayed with her. Lord Godalming went to see the official leaders of the city. Jonathan Harker and the two doctors went to find the ship.
Jonathan Harker’s Journal.
30 October.
Jonathan Harker and the doctors went to see the shipping agents. The agents were very kind. They went to the ship, the Czarina Catherine. They 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.
The group found Immanuel Hildesheim at his office. They gave him money, and he talked to them. 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.
The group looked for Petrof Skinsky. They could not find him at first. Then they 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.
The group went back to the hotel. They were very sad. They knew the box was moving on the water again. They needed a new plan. Jonathan Harker told Mina Harker everything.
Mina Harker’s Journal.
30 October, Evening.
The men were very tired. Mina Harker asked them to rest for a short time. She used a typewriter to write down all the news. She looked at the maps. She used her brain to think about Count Dracula’s plan.
Mina Harker called the group together. She 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.”
Mina Harker looked at the map again. She 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 Harker is our teacher again! Now we can find him. He is on the water. He cannot move fast.”
The group made a “Council of War.” They decided what to do. Lord Godalming said he would get a launch (a small, fast boat moved by steam). He and Jonathan Harker would follow the boat on the river.
Quincey Morris and Dr. Seward would ride horses on the river bank. They took winchesters (a type of gun that can fire many times). They were ready to fight the wolves or the men on the boat.
Dr. Van Helsing said he would take Mina Harker to the castle. Jonathan Harker 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 Harker 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 Harker cried, but he agreed. They all trusted in God.
Lord Godalming and Jonathan Harker left on the boat. Quincey Morris and Dr. Seward left on their horses. Dr. Van Helsing and Mina Harker went to the train station. They bought a carriage (a type of car pulled by horses) and horses. They also bought warm clothes and guns.
Mina Harker said goodbye to Jonathan Harker. She was very brave. She did not cry. She prayed that God would protect her husband.
Jonathan Harker’s Journal.
30 October, Night.
Jonathan Harker is on the boat. Lord Godalming is moving the boat fast up the river. They are looking for the Count’s box. Jonathan Harker cannot sleep. He is worried about Mina Harker.
31 October.
The day is here. It is very cold. They passed some small boats. They used a bright light to look at the boats. The men on the boats were afraid. They did not see the Count’s box.
1 November, Evening.
They are now on the Bistritza river. They put a Roumanian flag on their boat. Now, other boats think they 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. Jonathan Harker feels strong again. He is watching the river. He hopes Dr. Van Helsing and Mina Harker are safe. He hopes they are at the Borgo Pass now.
Dr. Seward’s Diary.
2 November.
Dr. Seward and Quincey Morris have been riding for three days. They are very tired, but they do not stop. They want to find the boat.
3 November.
It is very cold. It looks like snow is coming. If it snows, they will need a sledge (a carriage that slides over snow).
4 November.
They 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. Dr. Seward and Quincey Morris are riding faster to help them.
Mina Harker’s Journal.
31 October.
Mina Harker and Dr. Van Helsing arrived at a town called Veresti. Dr. Van Helsing bought a carriage and horses. They have 70 miles to travel. The country is very beautiful, but Mina Harker is sad.
Dr. Van Helsing bought a lot of food and warm fur coats. He said they might be traveling for a week. Mina Harker prayed for Jonathan Harker. She wants him to know that she loves him. She is ready to face the danger.