Page 647 - DRACULA
P. 647
Dracula
had for years a launch of his own on the Thames, and
another on the Norfolk Broads. Regarding our plans, we
finally decided that Mina’s guess was correct, and that if
any waterway was chosen for the Count’s escape back to
his Castle, the Sereth and then the Bistritza at its junction,
would be the one. We took it, that somewhere about the
47th degree, north latitude, would be the place chosen for
crossing the country between the river and the
Carpathians. We have no fear in running at good speed up
the river at night. There is plenty of water, and the banks
are wide enough apart to make steaming, even in the dark,
easy enough. Lord Godalming tells me to sleep for a
while, as it is enough for the present for one to be on
watch. But I cannot sleep, how can I with the terrible
danger hanging over my darling, and her going out into
that awful place …
My only comfort is that we are in the hands of God.
Only for that faith it would be easier to die than to live,
and so be quit of all the trouble. Mr. Morris and Dr.
Seward were off on their long ride before we started.
They are to keep up the right bank, far enough off to get
on higher lands where they can see a good stretch of river
and avoid the following of its curves. They have, for the
first stages, two men to ride and lead their spare horses,
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