CHAPTER7
CUTTINGFROM“THEDAILYGRAPH,“8AUGUST
PASTEDINMINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL
Fromacorrespondent。
Whitby。
Oneofthegreatestandsuddeneststormsonrecordhasjustbeenexperiencedhere,withresultsbothstrangeandunique。
Theweatherhadbeensomewhatsultry,butnottoanydegreeuncommoninthemonthofAugust。Saturdayeveningwasasfineaswaseverknown,andthegreatbodyofholiday-makerslaidoutyesterdayforvisitstoMulgraveWoods,RobinHood'sBay,RigMill,Runswick,Staithes,andthevarioustripsintheneighborhoodofWhitby。ThesteamersEmmaandScarboroughmadetripsupanddownthecoast,andtherewasanunusualamountof`tripping'bothtoandfromWhitby。
Thedaywasunusuallyfinetilltheafternoon,whensomeofthegossipswhofrequenttheEastCliffchurchyard,andfromthecommandingeminencewatchthewidesweepofseavisibletothenorthandeast,calledattentiontoasuddenshowof`marestails'highintheskytothenorthwest。
Thewindwasthenblowingfromthesouth-westinthemilddegreewhichinbarometricallanguageisranked`No。2,lightbreeze。'
Thecoastguardondutyatoncemadereport,andoneoldfisherman,whoformorethanhalfacenturyhaskeptwatchonweathersignsfromtheEastCliff,foretoldinanemphaticmannerthecomingofasuddenstorm。
Theapproachofsunsetwassoverybeautiful,sograndinitsmassesofsplendidlycolouredclouds,thattherewasquiteanassemblageonthewalkalongthecliffintheoldchurchyardtoenjoythebeauty。
BeforethesundippedbelowtheblackmassofKettleness,standingboldlyathwartthewesternsky,itsdownwardwaswasmarkedbymyriadcloudsofeverysunsetcolour,flame,purple,pink,green,violet,andallthetintsofgold,withhereandtheremassesnotlarge,butofseeminglyabsoluteblackness,inallsortsofshapes,aswelloutlinedascolossalsilhouettes。
Theexperiencewasnotlostonthepainters,anddoubtlesssomeofthesketchesofthe`PreludetotheGreatStorm'willgracetheR。A
andR。I。wallsinMaynext。
Morethanonecaptainmadeuphismindthenandtherethathis`cobble'orhis`mule',astheytermthedifferentclassesofboats,wouldremainintheharbourtillthestormhadpassed。
Thewindfellawayentirelyduringtheevening,andatmidnighttherewasadeadcalm,asultryheat,andthatprevailingintensitywhich,ontheapproachofthunder,affectspersonsofasensitivenature。
Therewerebutfewlightsinsightatsea,foreventhecoastingsteamers,whichusuallyhugtheshoresoclosely,keptwelltoseaward,andbutfewfishingboatswereinsight。
Theonlysailnoticeablewasaforeignschoonerwithallsailsset,whichwasseeminglygoingwestwards。
Thefoolhardinessorignoranceofherofficerswasaprolificthemeforcommentwhilstsheremainedinsight,andeffortsweremadetosignalhertoreducesailinthefaceofherdanger。
Beforethenightshutdownshewasseenwithsailsidlyflappingasshegentlyrolledontheundulatingswellofthesea。
“Asidleasapaintedshipuponapaintedocean。“
Shortlybeforeteno'clockthestillnessoftheairgrewquiteoppressive,andthesilencewassomarkedthatthebleatingofasheepinlandorthebarkingofadoginthetownwasdistinctlyheard,andthebandonthepier,withitslivelyFrenchair,waslikeadischordinthegreatharmonyofnature'ssilence。
Alittleaftermidnightcameastrangesoundfromoverthesea,andhighoverheadtheairbegantocarryastrange,faint,hollowbooming。
Thenwithoutwarningthetempestbroke。Witharapiditywhich,atthetime,seemedincredible,andevenafterwardsisimpossibletorealize,thewholeaspectofnatureatoncebecameconvulsed。
Thewavesroseingrowingfury,eachover-toppingitsfellow,tillinaveryfewminutesthelatelyglassyseawaslikearoaringanddevouringmonster。White-crestedwavesbeatmadlyonthelevelsandsandrusheduptheshelvingcliffs。
Othersbrokeoverthepiers,andwiththeirspumesweptthelanthornsofthelighthouseswhichrisefromtheendofeitherpierofWhitbyHarbour。
Thewindroaredlikethunder,andblewwithsuchforcethatitwaswithdifficultythatevenstrongmenkepttheirfeet,orclungwithgrimclasptotheironstanchions。Itwasfoundnecessarytocleartheentirepierfromthemassofonlookers,orelsethefatalitiesofthenightwouldhaveincreasedmanifold。
Toaddtothedifficultiesanddangersofthetime,massesofsea-fogcamedriftinginland。White,wetclouds,whichsweptbyinghostlyfashion,sodankanddampandcoldthatitneededbutlittleeffortofimaginationtothinkthatthespiritsofthoselostatseaweretouchingtheirlivingbrethrenwiththeclammyhandsofdeath,andmanyaoneshudderedatthewreathsofsea-mistsweptby。
Attimesthemistcleared,andtheseaforsomedistancecouldbeseenintheglareofthelightning,whichcamethickandfast,followedbysuchpealsofthunderthatthewholeskyoverheadseemedtremblingundertheshockofthefootstepsofthestorm。
Someofthescenesthusrevealedwereofimmeasurablegrandeurandofabsorbinginterest。Thesea,runningmountainshigh,threwskywardswitheachwavemightymassesofwhitefoam,whichthetempestseemedtosnatchatandwhirlawayintospace。
Hereandthereafishingboat,witharagofsail,runningmadlyforshelterbeforetheblast,nowandagainthewhitewingsofastorm-tossedseabird。OnthesummitoftheEastCliffthenewsearchlightwasreadyforexperiment,buthadnotyetbeentried。
Theofficersinchargeofitgotitintoworkingorder,andinthepausesofonrushingmistsweptwithitthesurfaceofthesea。
Onceortwiceitsservicewasmosteffective,aswhenafishingboat,withgunwaleunderwater,rushedintotheharbour,able,bytheguidanceoftheshelteringlight,toavoidthedangerofdashingagainstthepiers。
Aseachboatachievedthesafetyoftheporttherewasashoutofjoyfromthemassofpeopleontheshore,ashoutwhichforamomentseemedtocleavethegaleandwasthensweptawayinitsrush。
Beforelongthesearchlightdiscoveredsomedistanceawayaschoonerwithallsailsset,apparentlythesamevesselwhichhadbeennoticedearlierintheevening。Thewindhadbythistimebackedtotheeast,andtherewasashudderamongstthewatchersonthecliffastheyrealizedtheterribledangerinwhichshenowwas。
Betweenherandtheportlaythegreatflatreefonwhichsomanygoodshipshavefromtimetotimesuffered,and,withthewindblowingfromitspresentquarter,itwouldbequiteimpossiblethatsheshouldfetchtheentranceoftheharbour。
Itwasnownearlythehourofhightide,butthewavesweresogreatthatintheirtroughstheshallowsoftheshorewerealmostvisible,andtheschooner,withallsailsset,wasrushingwithsuchspeedthat,inthewordsofoneoldsalt,“shemustfetchupsomewhere,ifitwasonlyinhell“。Thencameanotherrushofsea-fog,greaterthananyhitherto,amassofdankmist,whichseemedtocloseonallthingslikeagraypall,andleftavailabletomenonlytheorganofhearing,fortheroarofthetempest,andthecrashofthethunder,andtheboomingofthemightybillowscamethroughthedampoblivionevenlouderthanbefore。
TheraysofthesearchlightwerekeptfixedontheharbourmouthacrosstheEastPier,wheretheshockwasexpected,andmenwaitedbreathless。
Thewindsuddenlyshiftedtothenortheast,andtheremnantoftheseafogmeltedintheblast。Andthen,mirabiledictu,betweenthepiers,leapingfromwavetowaveasitrushedatheadlongspeed,sweptthestrangeschoonerbeforetheblast,withallsailset,andgainedthesafetyoftheharbour。
Thesearchlightfollowedher,andashudderranthroughallwhosawher,forlashedtothehelmwasacorpse,withdroopinghead,whichswunghorriblytoandfroateachmotionoftheship。
Nootherformcouldbeseenonthedeckatall。
Agreatawecameonallastheyrealisedthattheship,asifbyamiracle,hadfoundtheharbour,unsteeredsavebythehandofadeadman!
However,alltookplacemorequicklythanittakestowritethesewords。
Theschoonerpausednot,butrushingacrosstheharbour,pitchedherselfonthataccumulationofsandandgravelwashedbymanytidesandmanystormsintothesoutheastcornerofthepierjuttingundertheEastCliff,knownlocallyasTateHillPier。
Therewasofcourseaconsiderableconcussionasthevesseldroveuponthesandheap。Everyspar,rope,andstaywasstrained,andsomeofthe`top-hammer'camecrashingdown。
But,strangestofall,theveryinstanttheshorewastouched,animmensedogsprangupondeckfrombelow,asifshotupbytheconcussion,andrunningforward,jumpedfromthebowonthesand。
Makingstraightforthesteepcliff,wherethechurchyardhangsoverthelanewaytotheEastPiersosteeplythatsomeoftheflattombstones,thruffsteansorthrough-stones,astheycalltheminWhitbyvernacular,actuallyprojectoverwherethesustainingcliffhasfallenaway,itdisappearedinthedarkness,whichseemedintensifiedjustbeyondthefocusofthesearchlight。
ItsohappenedthattherewasnooneatthemomentonTateHillPier,asallthosewhosehousesareincloseproximitywereeitherinbedorwereoutontheheightsabove。
Thusthecoastguardondutyontheeasternsideoftheharbour,whoatoncerandowntothelittlepier,wasthefirsttoclimbaboard。Themenworkingthesearchlight,afterscouringtheentranceoftheharbourwithoutseeinganything,thenturnedthelightonthederelictandkeptitthere。
Thecoastguardranaft,andwhenhecamebesidethewheel,bentovertoexamineit,andrecoiledatonceasthoughundersomesuddenemotion。Thisseemedtopiquegeneralcuriosity,andquiteanumberofpeoplebegantorun。
ItisagoodwayroundfromtheWestCliffbytheDraw-bridgetoTateHillPier,butyourcorrespondentisafairlygoodrunner,andcamewellaheadofthecrowd。WhenIarrived,however,Ifoundalreadyassembledonthepieracrowd,whomthecoastguardandpolicerefusedtoallowtocomeonboard。
Bythecourtesyofthechiefboatman,Iwas,asyourcorrespondent,permittedtoclimbondeck,andwasoneofasmallgroupwhosawthedeadseamanwhilstactuallylashedtothewheel。
Itwasnowonderthatthecoastguardwassurprised,orevenawed,fornotoftencansuchasighthavebeenseen。
Themanwassimplyfastenedbyhishands,tiedoneovertheother,toaspokeofthewheel。Betweentheinnerhandandthewoodwasacrucifix,thesetofbeadsonwhichitwasfastenedbeingaroundbothwristsandwheel,andallkeptfastbythebindingcords。
Thepoorfellowmayhavebeenseatedatonetime,buttheflappingandbuffetingofthesailshadworkedthroughtherudderofthewheelandhaddraggedhimtoandfro,sothatthecordswithwhichhewastiedhadcutthefleshtothebone。
Accuratenotewasmadeofthestateofthings,andadoctor,SurgeonJ。M。Caffyn,of33,EastElliotPlace,whocameimmediatelyafterme,declared,aftermakingexamination,thatthemanmusthavebeendeadforquitetwodays。
Inhispocketwasabottle,carefullycorked,emptysaveforalittlerollofpaper,whichprovedtobetheaddendumtothelog。
Thecoastguardsaidthemanmusthavetieduphisownhands,fasteningtheknotswithhisteeth。Thefactthatacoastguardwasthefirstonboardmaysavesomecomplicationslateron,intheAdmiraltyCourt,forcoastguardscannotclaimthesalvagewhichistherightofthefirstcivilianenteringonaderelict。
Already,however,thelegaltonguesarewagging,andoneyounglawstudentisloudlyassertingthattherightsoftheownerarealreadycompletelysacrificed,hispropertybeingheldincontraventionofthestatuesofmortmain,sincethetiller,asemblemship,ifnotproof,ofdelegatedpossession,isheldinadeadhand。
Itisneedlesstosaythatthedeadsteersmanhasbeenreverentlyremovedfromtheplacewhereheheldhishonourablewatchandwardtilldeath,asteadfastnessasnobleasthatoftheyoungCasabianca,andplacedinthemortuarytoawaitinquest。
Alreadythesuddenstormispassing,anditsfiercenessisabating。
Crowdsarescatteringbackward,andtheskyisbeginningtoreddenovertheYorkshirewolds。
Ishallsend,intimeforyournextissue,furtherdetailsofthederelictshipwhichfoundherwaysomiraculouslyintoharbourinthestorm。
9August——Thesequeltothestrangearrivalofthederelictinthestormlastnightisalmostmorestartlingthanthethingitself。
ItturnsoutthattheschoonerisRussianfromVarna,andiscalledtheDemeter。Sheisalmostentirelyinballastofsilversand,withonlyasmallamountofcargo,anumberofgreatwoodenboxesfilledwithmould。
ThiscargowasconsignedtoaWhitbysolicitor,Mr。S。F。Billington,of7,TheCrescent,whothismorningwentaboardandtookformalpossessionofthegoodsconsignedtohim。
TheRussianconsul,too,actingforthecharter-party,tookformalpossessionoftheship,andpaidallharbourdues,etc。
Nothingistalkedaboutheretodayexceptthestrangecoincidence。
TheofficialsoftheBoardofTradehavebeenmostexactinginseeingthateverycompliancehasbeenmadewithexistingregulations。
Asthematteristobea`ninedayswonder',theyareevidentlydeterminedthatthereshallbenocauseofothercomplaint。
Agooddealofinterestwasabroadconcerningthedogwhichlandedwhentheshipstruck,andmorethanafewofthemembersoftheS。P。C。A。,whichisverystronginWhitby,havetriedtobefriendtheanimal。
Tothegeneraldisappointment,however,itwasnottobefound。
Itseemstohavedisappearedentirelyfromthetown。
Itmaybethatitwasfrightenedandmadeitswayontothemoors,whereitisstillhidinginterror。
Therearesomewholookwithdreadonsuchapossibility,lestlateronitshouldinitselfbecomeadanger,foritisevidentlyafiercebrute。Earlythismorningalargedog,ahalf-bredmastiffbelongingtoacoalmerchantclosetoTateHillPier,wasfounddeadintheroadwayoppositeitsmaster'syard。
Ithadbeenfighting,andmanifestlyhadhadasavageopponent,foritsthroatwastornaway,anditsbellywasslitopenasifwithasavageclaw。
Later——BythekindnessoftheBoardofTradeinspector,IhavebeenpermittedtolookoverthelogbookoftheDemeter,whichwasinorderuptowithinthreedays,butcontainednothingofspecialinterestexceptastofactsofmissingmen。
Thegreatestinterest,however,iswithregardtothepaperfoundinthebottle,whichwastodayproducedattheinquest。
Andamorestrangenarrativethanthetwobetweenthemunfoldithasnotbeenmylottocomeacross。
Asthereisnomotiveforconcealment,Iampermittedtousethem,andaccordinglysendyouatranscript,simplyomittingtechnicaldetailsofseamanshipandsupercargo。
Italmostseemsasthoughthecaptainhadbeenseizedwithsomekindofmaniabeforehehadgotwellintobluewater,andthatthishaddevelopedpersistentlythroughoutthevoyage。
Ofcoursemystatementmustbetakencumgrano,sinceIamwritingfromthedictationofaclerkoftheRussianconsul,whokindlytranslatedforme,timebeingshort。
LOGOFTHE“DEMETER“VarnatoWhitbyWritten18July,thingssostrangehappening,thatIshallkeepaccuratenotehenceforthtillweland。
On6Julywefinishedtakingincargo,silversandandboxesofearth。
Atnoonsetsail。Eastwind,fresh。Crew,fivehands……twomates,cook,andmyself,captain。
On11JulyatdawnenteredBosphorus。BoardedbyTurkishCustomsofficers。Backsheesh。Allcorrect。Underwayat4p。m。
On12JulythroughDardanelles。MoreCustomsofficersandflagboatofguardingsquadron。Backsheeshagain。
Workofofficersthorough,butquick。Wantusoffsoon。
AtdarkpassedintoArchipelago。
On13JulypassedCapeMatapan。Crewdissatisfiedaboutsomething。
Seemedscared,butwouldnotspeakout。
On14Julywassomewhatanxiousaboutcrew。Menallsteadyfellows,whosailedwithmebefore。Matecouldnotmakeoutwhatwaswrong。
TheyonlytoldhimtherewasSOMETHING,andcrossedthemselves。
Matelosttemperwithoneofthemthatdayandstruckhim。
Expectedfiercequarrel,butallwasquiet。
On16Julymatereportedinthemorningthatoneofthecrew,Petrofsky,wasmissing。Couldnotaccountforit。Tooklarboardwatcheightbellslastnight,wasrelievedbyAmramoff,butdidnotgotobunk。
Menmoredowncastthanever。Allsaidtheyexpectedsomethingofthekind,butwouldnotsaymorethantherewasSOMETHINGaboard。
Mategettingveryimpatientwiththem。Fearedsometroubleahead。
On17July,yesterday,oneofthemen,Olgaren,cametomycabin,andinanawestruckwayconfidedtomethathethoughttherewasastrangemanaboardtheship。Hesaidthatinhiswatchhehadbeenshelteringbehindthedeckhouse,astherewasarainstorm,whenhesawatall,thinman,whowasnotlikeanyofthecrew,comeupthecompanionway,andgoalongthedeckforwardanddisappear。Hefollowedcautiously,butwhenhegottobowsfoundnoone,andthehatchwayswereallclosed。
Hewasinapanicofsuperstitiousfear,andIamafraidthepanicmayspread。Toallayit,Ishalltodaysearchtheentireshipcarefullyfromstemtostern。
LaterinthedayIgottogetherthewholecrew,andtoldthem,astheyevidentlythoughttherewassomeoneintheship,wewouldsearchfromstemtostern。Firstmateangry,saiditwasfolly,andtoyieldtosuchfoolishideaswoulddemoralisethemen,saidhewouldengagetokeepthemoutoftroublewiththehandspike。
Ilethimtakethehelm,whiletherestbeganathoroughsearch,allkeepingabreast,withlanterns。Weleftnocornerunsearched。
Astherewereonlythebigwoodenboxes,therewerenooddcornerswhereamancouldhide。Menmuchrelievedwhensearchover,andwentbacktoworkcheerfully。Firstmatescowled,butsaidnothing。
22July——Roughweatherlastthreedays,andallhandsbusywithsails,notimetobefrightened。Menseemtohaveforgottentheirdread。
Matecheerfulagain,andallongoodterms。Praisedmenforworkinbadweather。PassedGibraltarandoutthroughStraits。Allwell。
24July——Thereseemssomedoomoverthisship。
Alreadyahandshort,andenteringtheBayofBiscaywithwildweatherahead,andyetlastnightanothermanlost,disappeared。
Likethefirst,hecameoffhiswatchandwasnotseenagain。
Menallinapanicoffear,sentaroundrobin,askingtohavedoublewatch,astheyfeartobealone。Mateangry。
Feartherewillbesometrouble,aseitherheorthemenwilldosomeviolence。
28July——Fourdaysinhell,knockingaboutinasortofmalestrom,andthewindatempest。Nosleepforanyone。Menallwornout。
Hardlyknowhowtosetawatch,sincenoonefittogoon。
Secondmatevolunteeredtosteerandwatch,andletmensnatchafewhourssleep。Windabating,seasstillterrific,butfeelthemless,asshipissteadier。
29July——Anothertragedy。Hadsinglewatchtonight,ascrewtootiredtodouble。Whenmorningwatchcameondeckcouldfindnooneexceptsteersman。Raisedoutcry,andallcameondeck。Thoroughsearch,butnoonefound。
Arenowwithoutsecondmate,andcrewinapanic。
MateandIagreedtogoarmedhenceforthandwaitforanysignofcause。
30July——Lastnight。RejoicedwearenearingEngland。
Weatherfine,allsailsset。Retiredwornout,sleptsoundly,awakenedbymatetellingmethatbothmanofwatchandsteersmanmissing。
Onlyselfandmateandtwohandslefttoworkship。
1August——Twodaysoffog,andnotasailsighted。HadhopedwhenintheEnglishChanneltobeabletosignalforhelporgetinsomewhere。
Nothavingpowertoworksails,havetorunbeforewind。
Darenotlower,ascouldnotraisethemagain。Weseemtobedriftingtosometerribledoom。Matenowmoredemoralisedthaneitherofmen。
Hisstrongernatureseemstohaveworkedinwardlyagainsthimself。
Menarebeyondfear,workingstolidlyandpatiently,withmindsmadeuptoworst。TheyareRussian,heRoumanian。
2August,midnight——Wokeupfromfewminutessleepbyhearingacry,seeminglyoutsidemyport。Couldseenothinginfog。
Rushedondeck,andranagainstmate。Tellsmeheheardcryandran,butnosignofmanonwatch。Onemoregone。Lord,helpus!
MatesayswemustbepastStraitsofDover,asinamomentoffogliftinghesawNorthForeland,justasheheardthemancryout。
IfsowearenowoffintheNorthSea,andonlyGodcanguideusinthefog,whichseemstomovewithus,andGodseemstohavedesertedus。
3August——AtmidnightIwenttorelievethemanatthewheelandwhenIgottoitfoundnoonethere。
Thewindwassteady,andasweranbeforeittherewasnoyawing。Idarednotleaveit,soshoutedforthemate。
Afterafewseconds,herushedupondeckinhisflannels。
Helookedwild-eyedandhaggard,andIgreatlyfearhisreasonhasgivenway。Hecameclosetomeandwhisperedhoarsely,withhismouthtomyear,asthoughfearingtheveryairmighthear。
“Itishere。Iknowitnow。OnthewatchlastnightI
sawIt,likeaman,tallandthin,andghastlypale。
Itwasinthebows,andlookingout。IcreptbehindIt,andgaveitmyknife,buttheknifewentthroughIt,emptyastheair。“
Andashespokehetooktheknifeanddroveitsavagelyintospace。
Thenhewenton,“ButItishere,andI'llfindIt。
Itisinthehold,perhapsinoneofthoseboxes。
I'llunscrewthemonebyoneandsee。Youworkthehelm。“
Andwithawarninglookandhisfingeronhislip,hewentbelow。
Therewasspringingupachoppywind,andIcouldnotleavethehelm。Isawhimcomeoutondeckagainwithatoolchestandlantern,andgodowntheforwardhatchway。
Heismad,stark,ravingmad,andit'snousemytryingtostophim。
Hecan'thurtthosebigboxes,theyareinvoicedasclay,andtopullthemaboutisasharmlessathingashecando。
SohereIstayandmindthehelm,andwritethesenotes。
IcanonlytrustinGodandwaittillthefogclears。
Then,ifIcan'tsteertoanyharbourwiththewindthatis,Ishallcutdownsails,andlieby,andsignalforhelp……
Itisnearlyallovernow。JustasIwasbeginningtohopethatthematewouldcomeoutcalmer,forIheardhimknockingawayatsomethinginthehold,andworkisgoodforhim,therecameupthehatchwayasudden,startledscream,whichmademybloodruncold,anduponthedeckhecameasifshotfromagun,aragingmadman,withhiseyesrollingandhisfaceconvulsedwithfear。“Saveme!
Saveme!”hecried,andthenlookedroundontheblanketoffog。
Hishorrorturnedtodespair,andinasteadyvoicehesaid,“Youhadbettercometoo,captain,beforeitistoolate。Heisthere!
Iknowthesecretnow。TheseawillsavemefromHim,anditisallthatisleft!”BeforeIcouldsayaword,ormoveforwardtoseizehim,hesprangonthebulwarkanddeliberatelythrewhimselfintothesea。
IsupposeIknowthesecrettoo,now。Itwasthismadmanwhohadgotridofthemenonebyone,andnowhehasfollowedthemhimself。
Godhelpme!HowamItoaccountforallthesehorrorswhenIgettoport?WhenIgettoport!Willthateverbe?
4August——Stillfog,whichthesunrisecannotpierce,IknowthereissunrisebecauseIamasailor,whyelseIknownot。
Idarednotgobelow,Idarednotleavethehelm,sohereallnightIstayed,andinthedimnessofthenightIsawit,Him!
God,forgiveme,butthematewasrighttojumpoverboard。
Itwasbettertodielikeaman。Todielikeasailorinbluewater,nomancanobject。ButIamcaptain,andImustnotleavemyship。
ButIshallbafflethisfiendormonster,forIshalltiemyhandstothewheelwhenmystrengthbeginstofail,andalongwiththemIshalltiethatwhichHe,It,darenottouch。
Andthen,comegoodwindorfoul,Ishallsavemysoul,andmyhonourasacaptain。Iamgrowingweaker,andthenightiscomingon。
IfHecanlookmeinthefaceagain,Imaynothavetimetoact……Ifwearewrecked,mayhapthisbottlemaybefound,andthosewhofinditmayunderstand。Ifnot……well,thenallmenshallknowthatIhavebeentruetomytrust。
GodandtheBlessedVirginandtheSaintshelpapoorignorantsoultryingtodohisduty……
Ofcoursetheverdictwasanopenone。Thereisnoevidencetoadduce,andwhetherornotthemanhimselfcommittedthemurdersthereisnownonetosay。Thefolkhereholdalmostuniversallythatthecaptainissimplyahero,andheistobegivenapublicfuneral。
AlreadyitisarrangedthathisbodyistobetakenwithatrainofboatsuptheEskforapieceandthenbroughtbacktoTateHillPieranduptheabbeysteps,forheistobeburiedinthechurchyardonthecliff。
Theownersofmorethanahundredboatshavealreadygivenintheirnamesaswishingtofollowhimtothegrave。
Notracehaseverbeenfoundofthegreatdog,atwhichthereismuchmourning,for,withpublicopinioninitspresentstate,hewould,Ibelieve,beadoptedbythetown。
Tomorrowwillseethefuneral,andsowillendthisonemore`mysteryofthesea'。
MINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL
8August——Lucywasveryrestlessallnight,andItoo,couldnotsleep。Thestormwasfearful,andasitboomedloudlyamongthechimneypots,itmademeshudder。
Whenasharppuffcameitseemedtobelikeadistantgun。
Strangelyenough,Lucydidnotwake,butshegotuptwiceanddressedherself。Fortunately,eachtimeIawokeintimeandmanagedtoundressherwithoutwakingher,andgotherbacktobed。
Itisaverystrangething,thissleep-walking,forassoonasherwillisthwartedinanyphysicalway,herintention,iftherebeany,disappears,andsheyieldsherselfalmostexactlytotheroutineofherlife。
Earlyinthemorningwebothgotupandwentdowntotheharbourtoseeifanythinghadhappenedinthenight。
Therewereveryfewpeopleabout,andthoughthesunwasbright,andtheairclearandfresh,thebig,grim-lookingwaves,thatseemeddarkthemselvesbecausethefoamthattoppedthemwaslikesnow,forcedthemselvesinthroughthemouthoftheharbour,likeabullyingmangoingthroughacrowd。
SomehowIfeltgladthatJonathanwasnotonthesealastnight,butonland。But,oh,isheonlandorsea?
Whereishe,andhow?Iamgettingfearfullyanxiousabouthim。
IfIonlyknewwhattodo,andcoulddoanything!
10August——Thefuneralofthepoorseacaptaintodaywasmosttouching。
Everyboatintheharbourseemedtobethere,andthecoffinwascarriedbycaptainsallthewayfromTateHillPieruptothechurchyard。
Lucycamewithme,andwewentearlytoouroldseat,whilstthecortegeofboatswentuptherivertotheViaductandcamedownagain。
Wehadalovelyview,andsawtheprocessionnearlyalltheway。
Thepoorfellowwaslaidtorestnearourseatsothatwestoodonit,whenthetimecameandsaweverything。
PoorLucyseemedmuchupset。Shewasrestlessanduneasyallthetime,andIcannotbutthinkthatherdreamingatnightistellingonher。
Sheisquiteoddinonething。Shewillnotadmittomethatthereisanycauseforrestlessness,oriftherebe,shedoesnotunderstanditherself。
ThereisanadditionalcauseinthatpoorMr。Swaleswasfounddeadthismorningonourseat,hisneckbeingbroken。
Hehadevidently,asthedoctorsaid,fallenbackintheseatinsomesortoffright,fortherewasalookoffearandhorroronhisfacethatthemensaidmadethemshudder。
Poordearoldman!
Lucyissosweetandsensitivethatshefeelsinfluencesmoreacutelythanotherpeopledo。JustnowshewasquiteupsetbyalittlethingwhichIdidnotmuchheed,thoughIammyselfveryfondofanimals。
Oneofthemenwhocameuphereoftentolookfortheboatswasfollowedbyhisdog。Thedogisalwayswithhim。Theyarebothquietpersons,andIneversawthemanangry,norheardthedogbark。
Duringtheservicethedogwouldnotcometoitsmaster,whowasontheseatwithus,butkeptafewyardsoff,barkingandhowling。
Itsmasterspoketoitgently,andthenharshly,andthenangrily。
Butitwouldneithercomenorceasetomakeanoise。Itwasinafury,withitseyessavage,andallitshairbristlingoutlikeacat'stailwhenpussisonthewarpath。
Finallythemantoogotangry,andjumpeddownandkickedthedog,andthentookitbythescruffoftheneckandhalfdraggedandhalfthrewitonthetombstoneonwhichtheseatisfixed。
Themomentittouchedthestonethepoorthingbegantotremble。
Itdidnottrytogetaway,butcroucheddown,quiveringandcowering,andwasinsuchapitiablestateofterrorthatItried,thoughwithouteffect,tocomfortit。
Lucywasfullofpity,too,butshedidnotattempttotouchthedog,butlookedatitinanagonisedsortofway。Igreatlyfearthatsheisoftoosupersensitiveanaturetogothroughtheworldwithouttrouble。
Shewillbedreamingofthistonight,Iamsure。Thewholeagglomerationofthings,theshipsteeredintoportbyadeadman,hisattitude,tiedtothewheelwithacrucifixandbeads,thetouchingfuneral,thedog,nowfuriousandnowinterror,willallaffordmaterialforherdreams。
Ithinkitwillbebestforhertogotobedtiredoutphysically,soI
shalltakeherforalongwalkbythecliffstoRobinHood'sBayandback。
Sheoughtnottohavemuchinclinationforsleep-walkingthen。
CHAPTER8
MINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL
Sameday,11o'clockP。M——Oh,butIamtired!IfitwerenotthatIhadmademydiaryadutyIshouldnotopenittonight。
Wehadalovelywalk。Lucy,afterawhile,wasingayspirits,owing,Ithink,tosomedearcowswhocamenosingtowardsusinafieldclosetothelighthouse,andfrightenedthewitsoutofus。
Ibelieveweforgoteverything,exceptofcourse,personalfear,anditseemedtowipetheslatecleanandgiveusafreshstart。
Wehadacapital`severetea'atRobinHood'sBayinasweetlittleold-fashionedinn,withabowwindowrightovertheseaweed-coveredrocksofthestrand。Ibelieveweshouldhaveshockedthe`NewWoman'
withourappetites。Menaremoretolerant,blessthem!
Thenwewalkedhomewithsome,orrathermany,stoppagestorest,andwithourheartsfullofaconstantdreadofwildbulls。
Lucywasreallytired,andweintendedtocreepofftobedassoonaswecould。Theyoungcuratecamein,however,andMrs。Westenraaskedhimtostayforsupper。
LucyandIhadbothafightforitwiththedustymiller。
Iknowitwasahardfightonmypart,andIamquiteheroic。
Ithinkthatsomedaythebishopsmustgettogetherandseeaboutbreedingupanewclassofcurates,whodon'ttakesupper,nomatterhowhardtheymaybepressedto,andwhowillknowwhengirlsaretired。
Lucyisasleepandbreathingsoftly。Shehasmorecolorinhercheeksthanusual,andlooks,ohsosweet。
IfMr。Holmwoodfellinlovewithherseeingheronlyinthedrawingroom,Iwonderwhathewouldsayifhesawhernow。
Someofthe`NewWomen'writerswillsomedaystartanideathatmenandwomenshouldbeallowedtoseeeachotherasleepbeforeproposingoraccepting。ButIsupposethe`NewWoman'
won'tcondescendinfuturetoaccept。Shewilldotheproposingherself。Andanicejobshewillmakeofittoo!
There'ssomeconsolationinthat。Iamsohappytonight,becausedearLucyseemsbetter。Ireallybelieveshehasturnedthecorner,andthatweareoverhertroubleswithdreaming。
IshouldbequitehappyifIonlyknewifJonathan……Godblessandkeephim。
11August——Diaryagain。Nosleepnow,soImayaswellwrite。
Iamtooagitatedtosleep。Wehavehadsuchanadventure,suchanagonizingexperience。IfellasleepassoonasIhadclosedmydiary……SuddenlyIbecamebroadawake,andsatup,withahorriblesenseoffearuponme,andofsomefeelingofemptinessaroundme。Theroomwasdark,soIcouldnotseeLucy'sbed。
Istoleacrossandfeltforher。Thebedwasempty。
Ilitamatchandfoundthatshewasnotintheroom。
Thedoorwasshut,butnotlocked,asIhadleftit。
Ifearedtowakehermother,whohasbeenmorethanusuallyilllately,sothrewonsomeclothesandgotreadytolookforher。
AsIwasleavingtheroomitstruckmethattheclothessheworemightgivemesomecluetoherdreamingintention。
Dressing-gownwouldmeanhouse,dressoutside。
Dressing-gownanddresswerebothintheirplaces。
“ThankGod,“Isaidtomyself,“shecannotbefar,assheisonlyinhernightdress。“
Irandownstairsandlookedinthesittingroom。
Notthere!ThenIlookedinalltheotherroomsofthehouse,withanever-growingfearchillingmyheart。
Finally,Icametothehalldoorandfounditopen。
Itwasnotwideopen,butthecatchofthelockhadnotcaught。
Thepeopleofthehousearecarefultolockthedooreverynight,soIfearedthatLucymusthavegoneoutasshewas。
Therewasnotimetothinkofwhatmighthappen。
Avagueover-masteringfearobscuredalldetails。
Itookabig,heavyshawlandranout。TheclockwasstrikingoneasIwasintheCrescent,andtherewasnotasoulinsight。
IranalongtheNorthTerrace,butcouldseenosignofthewhitefigurewhichIexpected。AttheedgeoftheWestCliffabovethepierIlookedacrosstheharbourtotheEastCliff,inthehopeorfear,Idon'tknowwhich,ofseeingLucyinourfavoriteseat。
Therewasabrightfullmoon,withheavyblack,drivingclouds,whichthrewthewholesceneintoafleetingdioramaoflightandshadeastheysailedacross。ForamomentortwoIcouldseenothing,astheshadowofacloudobscuredSt。Mary'sChurchandallaroundit。
ThenasthecloudpassedIcouldseetheruinsoftheabbeycomingintoview,andastheedgeofanarrowbandoflightassharpasasword-cutmovedalong,thechurchandchurchyardbecamegraduallyvisible。Whatevermyexpectationwas,itwasnotdisappointed,forthere,onourfavoriteseat,thesilverlightofthemoonstruckahalf-recliningfigure,snowywhite。
Thecomingofthecloudwastooquickformetoseemuch,forshadowshutdownonlightalmostimmediately,butitseemedtomeasthoughsomethingdarkstoodbehindtheseatwherethewhitefigureshone,andbentoverit。
Whatitwas,whethermanorbeast,Icouldnottell。
Ididnotwaittocatchanotherglance,butflewdownthesteepstepstothepierandalongbythefish-markettothebridge,whichwastheonlywaytoreachtheEastCliff。Thetownseemedasdead,fornotasouldidIsee。
Irejoicedthatitwasso,forIwantednowitnessofpoorLucy'scondition。
Thetimeanddistanceseemedendless,andmykneestrembledandmybreathcamelabouredasItoileduptheendlessstepstotheabbey。Imusthavegonefast,andyetitseemedtomeasifmyfeetwereweightedwithlead,andasthougheveryjointinmybodywererusty。
WhenIgotalmosttothetopIcouldseetheseatandthewhitefigure,forIwasnowcloseenoughtodistinguishiteventhroughthespellsofshadow。Therewasundoubtedlysomething,longandblack,bendingoverthehalf-recliningwhitefigure。
Icalledinfright,“Lucy!Lucy!”andsomethingraisedahead,andfromwhereIwasIcouldseeawhitefaceandred,gleamingeyes。
Lucydidnotanswer,andIranontotheentranceofthechurchyard。
AsIentered,thechurchwasbetweenmeandtheseat,andforaminuteorsoIlostsightofher。WhenIcameinviewagainthecloudhadpassed,andthemoonlightstrucksobrilliantlythatIcouldseeLucyhalfrecliningwithherheadlyingoverthebackoftheseat。
Shewasquitealone,andtherewasnotasignofanylivingthingabout。
WhenIbentoverherIcouldseethatshewasstillasleep。
Herlipswereparted,andshewasbreathing,notsoftlyasusualwithher,butinlong,heavygasps,asthoughstrivingtogetherlungsfullateverybreath。AsIcameclose,sheputupherhandinhersleepandpulledthecollarofhernightdressclosearoundher,asthoughshefeltthecold。
Iflungthewarmshawloverher,anddrewtheedgestightaroundherneck,forIdreadedlestsheshouldgetsomedeadlychillfromthenightair,uncladasshewas。Ifearedtowakeherallatonce,so,inordertohavemyhandsfreetohelpher,Ifastenedtheshawlatherthroatwithabigsafetypin。
ButImusthavebeenclumsyinmyanxietyandpinchedorprickedherwithit,forby-and-by,whenherbreathingbecamequieter,sheputherhandtoherthroatagainandmoaned。
WhenIhadhercarefullywrappedupIputmyshoesonherfeet,andthenbeganverygentlytowakeher。
Atfirstshedidnotrespond,butgraduallyshebecamemoreandmoreuneasyinhersleep,moaningandsighingoccasionally。
Atlast,astimewaspassingfast,andformanyotherreasons,Iwishedtogetherhomeatonce,Ishookherforcibly,tillfinallysheopenedhereyesandawoke。Shedidnotseemsurprisedtoseeme,as,ofcourse,shedidnotrealizeallatoncewhereshewas。
Lucyalwayswakesprettily,andevenatsuchatime,whenherbodymusthavebeenchilledwithcold,andhermindsomewhatappalledatwakinguncladinachurchyardatnight,shedidnotlosehergrace。
Shetrembledalittle,andclungtome。WhenItoldhertocomeatoncewithmehome,sherosewithoutaword,withtheobedienceofachild。
Aswepassedalong,thegravelhurtmyfeet,andLucynoticedmewince。
Shestoppedandwantedtoinsistuponmytakingmyshoes,butIwouldnot。
However,whenwegottothepathwayoutsidethechruchyard,wheretherewasapuddleofwater,remainingfromthestorm,Idaubedmyfeetwithmud,usingeachfootinturnontheother,sothataswewenthome,noone,incaseweshouldmeetanyone,shouldnoticemybarefeet。
Fortunefavouredus,andwegothomewithoutmeetingasoul。Oncewesawaman,whoseemednotquitesober,passingalongastreetinfrontofus。
Butwehidinadoortillhehaddisappearedupanopeningsuchastherearehere,steeplittlecloses,or`wynds',astheycalltheminScotland。
MyheartbeatsoloudallthetimesometimesIthoughtIshouldfaint。
IwasfilledwithanxietyaboutLucy,notonlyforherhealth,lestsheshouldsufferfromtheexposure,butforherreputationincasethestoryshouldgetwind。Whenwegotin,andhadwashedourfeet,andhadsaidaprayerofthankfulnesstogether,Ituckedherintobed。
Beforefallingasleepsheasked,evenimplored,menottosayawordtoanyone,evenhermother,abouthersleep-walkingadventure。
Ihesitatedatfirst,topromise,butonthinkingofthestateofhermother'shealth,andhowtheknowledgeofsuchathingwouldfrether,andthinktoo,ofhowsuchastorymightbecomedistorted,nay,infalliblywould,incaseitshouldleakout,Ithoughtitwisertodoso。
IhopeIdidright。Ihavelockedthedoor,andthekeyistiedtomywrist,soperhapsIshallnotbeagaindisturbed。Lucyissleepingsoundly。
Thereflexofthedawnishighandfaroverthesea……
Sameday,noon——Allgoeswell。LucyslepttillIwokeherandseemednottohaveevenchangedherside。Theadventureofthenightdoesnotseemtohaveharmedher,onthecontrary,ithasbenefitedher,forshelooksbetterthismorningthanshehasdoneforweeks。
Iwassorrytonoticethatmyclumsinesswiththesafety-pinhurther。
Indeed,itmighthavebeenserious,fortheskinofherthroatwaspierced。
Imusthavepinchedupapieceoflooseskinandhavetransfixedit,fortherearetwolittleredpointslikepin-pricks,andonthebandofhernightdresswasadropofblood。WhenIapologisedandwasconcernedaboutit,shelaughedandpettedme,andsaidshedidnotevenfeelit。
Fortunatelyitcannotleaveascar,asitissotiny。
Sameday,night——Wepassedahappyday。Theairwasclear,andthesunbright,andtherewasacoolbreeze。WetookourlunchtoMulgraveWoods,Mrs。WestenradrivingbytheroadandLucyandIwalkingbythecliff-pathandjoiningheratthegate。
Ifeltalittlesadmyself,forIcouldnotbutfeelhowabsolutelyhappyitwouldhavebeenhadJonathanbeenwithme。
Butthere!Imustonlybepatient。IntheeveningwestrolledintheCasinoTerrace,andheardsomegoodmusicbySpohrandMackenzie,andwenttobedearly。Lucyseemsmorerestfulthanshehasbeenforsometime,andfellasleepatonce。
Ishalllockthedoorandsecurethekeythesameasbefore,thoughIdonotexpectanytroubletonight。
12August——Myexpectationswerewrong,fortwiceduringthenightI
waswakenedbyLucytryingtogetout。Sheseemed,eveninhersleep,tobealittleimpatientatfindingthedoorshut,andwentbacktobedunderasortofprotest。Iwokewiththedawn,andheardthebirdschirpingoutsideofthewindow。Lucywoke,too,andI
wasgladtosee,wasevenbetterthanonthepreviousmorning。
Allheroldgaietyofmannerseemedtohavecomeback,andshecameandsnuggledinbesidemeandtoldmeallaboutArthur。
ItoldherhowanxiousIwasaboutJonathan,andthenshetriedtocomfortme。Well,shesucceededsomewhat,for,thoughsympathycan'talterfacts,itcanmakethemmorebearable。
13August——Anotherquietday,andtobedwiththekeyonmywristasbefore。AgainIawokeinthenight,andfoundLucysittingupinbed,stillasleep,pointingtothewindow。
Igotupquietly,andpullingasidetheblind,lookedout。
Itwasbrilliantmoonlight,andthesofteffectofthelightovertheseaandsky,mergedtogetherinonegreatsilentmystery,wasbeautifulbeyondwords。Betweenmeandthemoonlightflittedagreatbat,comingandgoingingreatwhirlingcircles。
Onceortwiceitcamequiteclose,butwas,Isuppose,frightenedatseeingme,andflittedawayacrosstheharbourtowardstheabbey。WhenIcamebackfromthewindowLucyhadlaindownagain,andwassleepingpeacefully。
Shedidnotstiragainallnight。
14August——OntheEastCliff,readingandwritingallday。
LucyseemstohavebecomeasmuchinlovewiththespotasIam,anditishardtogetherawayfromitwhenitistimetocomehomeforlunchorteaordinner。Thisafternoonshemadeafunnyremark。
Wewerecominghomefordinner,andhadcometothetopofthestepsupfromtheWestPierandstoppedtolookattheview,aswegenerallydo。
Thesettingsun,lowdowninthesky,wasjustdroppingbehindKettleness。
TheredlightwasthrownoverontheEastCliffandtheoldabbey,andseemedtobatheeverythinginabeautifulrosyglow。Weweresilentforawhile,andsuddenlyLucymurmuredasiftoherself……
“Hisredeyesagain!Theyarejustthesame。“Itwassuchanoddexpression,comingaproposofnothing,thatitquitestartledme。
Islewedroundalittle,soastoseeLucywellwithoutseemingtostareather,andsawthatshewasinahalfdreamystate,withanoddlookonherfacethatIcouldnotquitemakeout,soIsaidnothing,butfollowedhereyes。Sheappearedtobelookingoveratourownseat,whereonwasadarkfigureseatedalone。
Iwasquitealittlestartledmyself,foritseemedforaninstantasifthestrangerhadgreateyeslikeburningflames,butasecondlookdispelledtheillusion。TheredsunlightwasshiningonthewindowsofSt。Mary'sChurchbehindourseat,andasthesundippedtherewasjustsufficientchangeintherefractionandreflectiontomakeitappearasifthelightmoved。
IcalledLucy'sattentiontothepeculiareffect,andshebecameherselfwithastart,butshelookedsadallthesame。
Itmayhavebeenthatshewasthinkingofthatterriblenightupthere。
Weneverrefertoit,soIsaidnothing,andwewenthometodinner。
Lucyhadaheadacheandwentearlytobed。Isawherasleep,andwentoutforalittlestrollmyself。
Iwalkedalongthecliffstothewestward,andwasfullofsweetsadness,forIwasthinkingofJonathan。Whencominghome,itwasthenbrightmoonlight,sobrightthat,thoughthefrontofourpartoftheCrescentwasinshadow,everythingcouldbewellseen,Ithrewaglanceupatourwindow,andsawLucy'sheadleaningout。Iopenedmyhandkerchiefandwavedit。
Shedidnotnoticeormakeanymovementwhatever。Justthen,themoonlightcreptroundanangleofthebuilding,andthelightfellonthewindow。TheredistinctlywasLucywithherheadlyingupagainstthesideofthewindowsillandhereyesshut。
Shewasfastasleep,andbyher,seatedonthewindowsill,wassomethingthatlookedlikeagood-sizedbird。
Iwasafraidshemightgetachill,soIranupstairs,butasI
cameintotheroomshewasmovingbacktoherbed,fastasleep,andbreathingheavily。Shewasholdingherhandtoherthroat,asthoughtoprotectiffromthecold。
Ididnotwakeher,buttuckedherupwarmly。Ihavetakencarethatthedoorislockedandthewindowsecurelyfastened。
Shelookssosweetasshesleeps,butsheispalerthanisherwont,andthereisadrawn,haggardlookunderhereyeswhichIdonotlike。
Ifearsheisfrettingaboutsomething。IwishIcouldfindoutwhatitis。
15August——Roselaterthanusual。Lucywaslanguidandtired,andsleptonafterwehadbeencalled。Wehadahappysurpriseatbreakfast。
Arthur'sfatherisbetter,andwantsthemarriagetocomeoffsoon。
Lucyisfullofquietjoy,andhermotherisgladandsorryatonce。
Lateroninthedayshetoldmethecause。SheisgrievedtoloseLucyasherveryown,butsheisrejoicedthatsheissoontohavesomeonetoprotecther。Poordear,sweetlady!Sheconfidedtomethatshehasgotherdeathwarrant。ShehasnottoldLucy,andmademepromisesecrecy。
Herdoctortoldherthatwithinafewmonths,atmost,shemustdie,forherheartisweakening。Atanytime,evennow,asuddenshockwouldbealmostsuretokillher。Ah,wewerewisetokeepfromhertheaffairofthedreadfulnightofLucy'ssleep-walking。
17August——Nodiaryfortwowholedays。Ihavenothadthehearttowrite。
Somesortofshadowypallseemstobecomingoverourhappiness。
NonewsfromJonathan,andLucyseemstobegrowingweaker,whilsthermother'shoursarenumberingtoaclose。IdonotunderstandLucy'sfadingawayassheisdoing。Sheeatswellandsleepswell,andenjoysthefreshair,butallthetimetherosesinhercheeksarefading,andshegetsweakerandmorelanguiddaybyday。
AtnightIhearhergaspingasifforair。
Ikeepthekeyofourdooralwaysfastenedtomywristatnight,butshegetsupandwalksabouttheroom,andsitsattheopenwindow。
LastnightIfoundherleaningoutwhenIwokeup,andwhenItriedtowakeherIcouldnot。
Shewasinafaint。WhenImanagedtorestoreher,shewasweakaswater,andcriedsilentlybetweenlong,painfulstrugglesforbreath。
WhenIaskedherhowshecametobeatthewindowsheshookherheadandturnedaway。
Itrustherfeelingillmaynotbefromthatunluckyprickofthesafety-pin。Ilookedatherthroatjustnowasshelayasleep,andthetinywoundsseemnottohavehealed。
Theyarestillopen,and,ifanything,largerthanbefore,andtheedgesofthemarefaintlywhite。Theyarelikelittlewhitedotswithredcentres。Unlesstheyhealwithinadayortwo,Ishallinsistonthedoctorseeingaboutthem。
LETTER,SAMUELF。BILLINGTON&SON,SOLICITORSWHITBY,TOMESSRS。
CARTER,PATERSON&CO。,LONDON。
17August“DearSirs,——“HerewithpleasereceiveinvoiceofgoodssentbyGreatNorthernRailway。SamearetobedeliveredatCarfax,nearPurfleet,immediatelyonreceiptatgoodsstationKing'sCross。
Thehouseisatpresentempty,butenclosedpleasefindkeys,allofwhicharelabelled。
“Youwillpleasedeposittheboxes,fiftyinnumber,whichformtheconsignment,inthepartiallyruinedbuildingformingpartofthehouseandmarked`A'onroughdiagramsenclosed。
Youragentwilleasilyrecognizethelocality,asitistheancientchapelofthemansion。Thegoodsleavebythetrainat9:30tonight,andwillbedueatKing'sCrossat4:30tomorrowafternoon。
Asourclientwishesthedeliverymadeassoonaspossible,weshallbeobligedbyyourhavingteamsreadyatKing'sCrossatthetimenamedandforthwithconveyingthegoodstodestination。
Inordertoobviateanydelayspossiblethroughanyroutinerequirementsastopaymentinyourdepartments,weenclosechequeherewithfortenpounds,receiptofwhichpleaseacknowledge。
Shouldthechargebelessthanthisamount,youcanreturnbalance,ifgreater,weshallatoncesendchequefordifferenceonhearingfromyou。Youaretoleavethekeysoncomingawayinthemainhallofthehouse,wheretheproprietormaygetthemonhisenteringthehousebymeansofhisduplicatekey。
“Praydonottakeusasexceedingtheboundsofbusinesscourtesyinpressingyouinallwaystousetheutmostexpedition。
“Weare,dearSirs,“Faithfullyyours,“SAMUELF。BILLINGTON&SON“
LETTER,MESSRS。CARTER,PATERSON&CO。,LONDON,TOMESSRS。
BILLINGTON&SON,WHITBY。
21August。
“DearSirs,——“Webegtoacknowledge10poundsreceivedandtoreturnchequeof1pound,17s,9d,amountofoverplus,asshowninreceiptedaccountherewith。
Goodsaredeliveredinexactaccordancewithinstructions,andkeysleftinparcelinmainhall,asdirected。
“Weare,dearSirs,“Yoursrespectfully,“ProCARTER,PATERSON&CO。“
MINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL。
18August——Iamhappytoday,andwritesittingontheseatinthechurchyard。Lucyiseversomuchbetter。Lastnightshesleptwellallnight,anddidnotdisturbmeonce。
Therosesseemcomingbackalreadytohercheeks,thoughsheisstillsadlypaleandwan-looking。IfshewereinanywayanemicIcouldunderstandit,butsheisnot。
Sheisingayspiritsandfulloflifeandcheerfulness。
Allthemorbidreticenceseemstohavepassedfromher,andshehasjustremindedme,asifIneededanyreminding,ofthatnight,andthatitwashere,onthisveryseat,Ifoundherasleep。
Asshetoldmeshetappedplayfullywiththeheelofherbootonthestoneslabandsaid,“Mypoorlittlefeetdidn'tmakemuchnoisethen!
IdaresaypooroldMr。SwaleswouldhavetoldmethatitwasbecauseIdidn'twanttowakeupGeordie。“
Asshewasinsuchacommunicativehumour,Iaskedherifshehaddreamedatallthatnight。
Beforesheanswered,thatsweet,puckeredlookcameintoherforehead,whichArthur,IcallhimArthurfromherhabit,saysheloves,andindeed,Idon'twonderthathedoes。
Thenshewentoninahalf-dreamingkindofway,asiftryingtorecallittoherself。
“Ididn'tquitedream,butitallseemedtobereal。
Ionlywantedtobehereinthisspot。Idon'tknowwhy,forIwasafraidofsomething,Idon'tknowwhat。Iremember,thoughIsupposeIwasasleep,passingthroughthestreetsandoverthebridge。
AfishleapedasIwentby,andIleanedovertolookatit,andIheardalotofdogshowling。Thewholetownseemedasifitmustbefullofdogsallhowlingatonce,asIwentupthesteps。
ThenIhadavaguememoryofsomethinglonganddarkwithredeyes,justaswesawinthesunset,andsomethingverysweetandverybitterallaroundmeatonce。AndthenIseemedsinkingintodeepgreenwater,andtherewasasinginginmyears,asIhaveheardthereistodrowningmen,andtheneverythingseemedpassingawayfromme。
Mysoulseemedtogooutfrommybodyandfloatabouttheair。
IseemtorememberthatoncetheWestLighthousewasrightunderme,andthentherewasasortofagonizingfeeling,asifIwereinanearthquake,andIcamebackandfoundyoushakingmybody。
IsawyoudoitbeforeIfeltyou。“
第4章