Dracula — CHAPTER I

Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

CHAPTER I

JONATHAN HARKER (the young solicitor sent to the castle)’S JOURNAL

(Kept in shorthand (quick writing by signs).)

3 May. Bistritz (Bistritz, the Transylvanian town at the start of Harker's journey).--Left Munich at 8:35 P. M., on 1st May, arriving (to come) at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived (to come) at 6:46, but train was an hour late. Buda-Pesth seems a wonderful place, from the glimpse (a brief sight) which I got of it from the train and the little I could walk through the streets. I feared to go very far from the station, as we had arrived (to come) late and would start as near the correct time as possible. The impression (a mark on the mind) I had was that we were leaving the West and entering the East; the most western of splendid (grand and shining) bridges over the Danube, which is here of noble (high-born; morally lofty) width (how wide a thing is) and depth, took us among the traditions of Turkish rule.

We left in pretty good time, and came after nightfall (the coming of night) to Klausenburgh. Here I stopped for the night at the Hotel Royale. I had for dinner, or rather supper (the evening meal), a chicken done up some way with red pepper (the hot spice), which was very good but thirsty (needing drink). (Mem., get recipe (directions for cooking) for Mina (Mina Murray, later Mina Harker, the schoolmistress who keeps the records).) I asked the waiter (a table servant), and he said it was called “paprika hendl (chicken with red pepper — Hungarian),” and that, as it was a national dish (a plate; a prepared food), I should be able to get it anywhere along the Carpathians (the mountains of the Count's country). I found my smattering (a slight knowledge) of German very useful here; indeed, I don’t know how I should be able to get on without it.

Having had some time at my disposal (getting rid; free use) when in London, I had visited the British Museum, and made search among the books and maps in the library regarding (to look upon; respect) Transylvania (the Count's country beyond the forests); it had struck me that some foreknowledge (knowing beforehand) of the country could hardly fail to have some importance in dealing with a nobleman (a man of noble rank) of that country. I find that the district he named is in the extreme east of the country, just on the borders of three states (state: ceremony; pomp — the old sense here), Transylvania, Moldavia and Bukovina (Bukovina, the province beyond the Borgo Pass), in the midst (the middle) of the Carpathian mountains; one of the wildest and least known portions of Europe. I was not able to light on any map or work giving the exact locality (the place and its surroundings) of the Castle (a great fortified house) Dracula (Count Dracula, the ancient nobleman of Transylvania; the vampire), as there are no maps of this country as yet to compare (to set beside for likeness) with our own Ordnance Survey maps; but I found that Bistritz, the post town named by Count Dracula (the ancient nobleman of Transylvania; the vampire), is a fairly well-known place. I shall enter here some of my notes, as they may refresh (to make fresh again) my memory when I talk over my travels with Mina.

In the population of Transylvania there are four distinct (clearly separate) nationalities (belonging to a nation): Saxons in the South, and mixed with them the Wallachs, who are the descendants (one born of a line) of the Dacians; Magyars (the Hungarians) in the West, and Szekelys (the Szekelys, the Count's warlike race) in the East and North. I am going among the latter, who claim to be descended (to go down) from Attila (Attila the Hun, from whom the Count claims descent) and the Huns. This may be so, for when the Magyars conquered (to overcome by force) the country in the eleventh (the 11th) century they found the Huns settled (to fix in place; to bring to rest) in it. I read that every known superstition (belief in ghosts, signs, and luck) in the world is gathered (to bring together) into the horseshoe (the curved iron shoe of a horse) of the Carpathians, as if it were the centre of some sort of imaginative (full of imagination) whirlpool (a spinning pull of water); if so my stay may be very interesting. (Mem., I must ask the Count all about them.)

I did not sleep well, though my bed was comfortable enough, for I had all sorts of queer (strange) dreams. There was a dog howling (the long crying sound of wind or beasts) all night under my window, which may have had something to do with it; or it may have been the paprika (the red pepper of Hungary), for I had to drink up all the water in my carafe (a water bottle), and was still thirsty (needing drink). Towards morning I slept and was wakened (to wake) by the continuous (unbroken) knocking (striking blows) at my door, so I guess I must have been sleeping soundly (deeply; thoroughly) then. I had for breakfast more paprika (the red pepper of Hungary), and a sort of porridge (boiled grain food) of maize (Indian corn) flour (ground grain) which they said was “mamaliga (a Romanian maize porridge),” and egg-plant (egg-plant: the purple vegetable) stuffed with forcemeat (minced seasoned meat), a very excellent dish (a plate; a prepared food), which they call “impletata.” (Mem., get recipe (directions for cooking) for this also.) I had to hurry (to move with haste) breakfast, for the train started a little before eight, or rather it ought (should) to have done so, for after rushing (to move with violent haste) to the station at 7:30 I had to sit in the carriage (a wheeled passenger vehicle; bearing) for more than an hour before we began to move. It seems to me that the further east you go the more unpunctual (not on time) are the trains. What ought (should) they to be in China?

All day long we seemed to dawdle (to move lazily; waste time) through a country which was full of beauty of every kind. Sometimes we saw little towns or castles (a great fortified house) on the top of steep (sharply sloping) hills such as we see in old missals (missals: old illuminated prayer books); sometimes we ran by rivers and streams which seemed from the wide stony (like stone; hard) margin (room to spare) on each side of them to be subject to great floods (an overflowing of water). It takes a lot of water, and running strong, to sweep (to brush clean; to move widely) the outside edge of a river clear. At every station there were groups of people, sometimes crowds, and in all sorts of attire (clothing). Some of them were just like the peasants (a man of the laboring village class) at home or those I saw coming through France and Germany, with short jackets (a short coat) and round hats and home-made (made at home) trousers (trousers); but others were very picturesque (striking as a picture). The women looked pretty, except when you got near them, but they were very clumsy (awkward and heavy-handed) about the waist (the body's middle). They had all full white sleeves (the arm of a garment) of some kind or other, and most of them had big belts (a waist band) with a lot of strips (to take off; a narrow band) of something fluttering (to stir with quick light motion) from them like the dresses in a ballet (the stage dance), but of course there were petticoats (a woman's underskirt) under them. The strangest figures we saw were the Slovaks (the Slovaks, boatmen and carriers of the Carpathians), who were more barbarian (a savage outsider) than the rest, with their big cow-boy (cow-boy: a cattle herder of the American West) hats, great baggy (loose and hanging) dirty-white (greyish white) trousers (trousers), white linen (cloth of flax; underclothing) shirts, and enormous (vastly big) heavy leather (cured animal hide) belts (a waist band), nearly a foot wide, all studded (a breeding stable of horses) over with brass (the yellow metal) nails (the finger's horn; the iron pin). They wore high boots (a high shoe), with their trousers (trousers) tucked (to fold warmly in) into them, and had long black hair and heavy black moustaches (hair on the upper lip). They are very picturesque (striking as a picture), but do not look prepossessing (to fill with a favourable feeling beforehand). On the stage they would be set down at once as some old Oriental band of brigands (a robber; bandit). They are, however, I am told, very harmless (doing no harm) and rather wanting in natural self-assertion (pushing oneself forward).

It was on the dark side of twilight (the half light of evening) when we got to Bistritz, which is a very interesting old place. Being practically (in practice; almost) on the frontier (the border of a country)--for the Borgo Pass (the mountain pass where the Count's carriage meets Harker) leads from it into Bukovina--it has had a very stormy (full of storm) existence, and it certainly shows marks of it. Fifty (fifty) years ago a series of great fires took place, which made terrible havoc (ruin and destruction) on five separate occasions (a particular time; cause). At the very beginning of the seventeenth (the 17th) century it underwent (to go through) a siege (an army's surrounding of a town) of three weeks and lost 13,000 people, the casualties (casualties: accidents) of war proper being assisted (to help) by famine (starvation of a land) and disease.

Count Dracula had directed me to go to the Golden Krone Hotel, which I found, to my great delight (great pleasure), to be thoroughly (through and through) old-fashioned (of the old fashion), for of course I wanted to see all I could of the ways of the country. I was evidently (as plainly appears) expected, for when I got near the door I faced a cheery-looking (cheerful in look) elderly (getting old) woman in the usual peasant (a man of the laboring village class) dress--white undergarment (a garment worn under) with long double apron (a cloth worn to protect the front), front, and back, of coloured (having colour) stuff fitting almost too tight for modesty (unassuming reserve). When I came close she bowed (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) and said, “The Herr Englishman?” “Yes,” I said, “Jonathan Harker.” She smiled, and gave some message to an elderly (getting old) man in white shirt-sleeves (shirt-sleeves: without a coat), who had followed her to the door. He went, but immediately returned with a letter:--

“My Friend.--Welcome to the Carpathians. I am anxiously (with anxious worry) expecting you. Sleep well to-night. At three to-morrow the diligence (steady hard work) will start for Bukovina; a place on it is kept for you. At the Borgo Pass my carriage (a wheeled passenger vehicle; bearing) will await (to wait for) you and will bring you to me. I trust that your journey from London has been a happy one, and that you will enjoy your stay in my beautiful land.

“Your friend,

“DRACULA.”

4 May.--I found that my landlord (the owner of let land) had got a letter from the Count, directing him to secure the best place on the coach for me; but on making inquiries (an asking; an investigation) as to details he seemed somewhat reticent (sparing of words), and pretended (to make believe) that he could not understand my German. This could not be true, because up to then he had understood it perfectly; at least, he answered my questions exactly as if he did. He and his wife, the old lady who had received me, looked at each other in a frightened (afraid) sort of way. He mumbled (to speak low and unclearly) out that the money had been sent in a letter, and that was all he knew. When I asked him if he knew Count Dracula, and could tell me anything of his castle (a great fortified house), both he and his wife crossed themselves, and, saying that they knew nothing at all, simply refused (to say no) to speak further. It was so near the time of starting that I had no time to ask any one else, for it was all very mysterious (hidden and unexplained) and not by any means comforting (ease; consolation).

Just before I was leaving, the old lady came up to my room and said in a very hysterical (in wild uncontrolled fits) way:

“Must you go? Oh! young Herr, must you go?” She was in such an excited state (state: ceremony; pomp — the old sense here) that she seemed to have lost her grip (a tight hold) of what German she knew, and mixed it all up with some other language which I did not know at all. I was just able to follow her by asking many questions. When I told her that I must go at once, and that I was engaged on important business, she asked again:

“Do you know what day it is?” I answered that it was the fourth of May. She shook (to move quickly to and fro) her head as she said again:

“Oh, yes! I know that! I know that, but do you know what day it is?” On my saying that I did not understand, she went on:

“It is the eve (the evening before) of St. George’s Day. Do you not know that to-night, when the clock (the time-keeping machine) strikes midnight (twelve at night), all the evil things in the world will have full sway (to swing from side to side; to rule)? Do you know where you are going, and what you are going to?” She was in such evident (plain to see) distress (suffering trouble) that I tried to comfort (ease; consolation) her, but without effect. Finally she went down on her knees (the leg's middle joint) and implored (to beg with all one's heart) me not to go; at least to wait a day or two before starting. It was all very ridiculous (deserving laughter) but I did not feel comfortable. However, there was business to be done, and I could allow nothing to interfere (to meddle) with it. I therefore tried to raise her up, and said, as gravely (with deep seriousness) as I could, that I thanked her, but my duty was imperative (commanding; necessary), and that I must go. She then rose and dried her eyes, and taking a crucifix (a cross bearing the figure of Christ) from her neck offered it to me. I did not know what to do, for, as an English Churchman, I have been taught to regard (to look upon; respect) such things as in some measure idolatrous (worshipping as an idol), and yet it seemed so ungracious (rude; unkind) to refuse (to say no) an old lady meaning so well and in such a state (state: ceremony; pomp — the old sense here) of mind. She saw, I suppose, the doubt in my face, for she put the rosary (a string of prayer beads) round my neck, and said, “For your mother’s sake (for the good of),” and went out of the room. I am writing up this part of the diary (a daily record) whilst (while) I am waiting for the coach, which is, of course, late; and the crucifix (a cross bearing the figure of Christ) is still round my neck. Whether it is the old lady’s fear, or the many ghostly (like a ghost) traditions of this place, or the crucifix (a cross bearing the figure of Christ) itself, I do not know, but I am not feeling nearly as easy in my mind as usual. If this book should ever reach Mina before I do, let it bring my good-bye. Here comes the coach!

* * * * *

5 May. The Castle (a great fortified house).--The grey (the colour between black and white) of the morning has passed, and the sun is high over the distant (far off) horizon (where sky meets land), which seems jagged (with a rough, notched edge), whether with trees or hills I know not, for it is so far off that big things and little are mixed. I am not sleepy (heavy with sleep), and, as I am not to be called till I awake (not sleeping), naturally (by nature; of course) I write till sleep comes. There are many odd (strange; uneven) things to put down, and, lest (for fear that) who reads them may fancy (the imagination; a liking) that I dined (a loud continued noise) too well before I left Bistritz, let me put down my dinner exactly. I dined (a loud continued noise) on what they called “robber (one who robs) steak (a thick slice of meat)”--bits (small pieces) of bacon (cured pig meat), onion (the sharp-tasting layered bulb), and beef (ox meat), seasoned with red pepper (the hot spice), and strung (a thin cord) on sticks and roasted (to cook before the fire) over the fire, in the simple style of the London cat’s meat! The wine was Golden Mediasch, which produces a queer (strange) sting (a sharp prick) on the tongue (the mouth's organ; a language), which is, however, not disagreeable (unpleasant). I had only a couple of glasses of this, and nothing else.

When I got on the coach the driver had not taken his seat, and I saw him talking with the landlady (the woman who lets lodgings). They were evidently (as plainly appears) talking of me, for every now and then they looked at me, and some of the people who were sitting on the bench (a long seat) outside the door--which they call by a name meaning “word-bearer (a bearer of messages)”--came and listened, and then looked at me, most of them pityingly (with pity). I could hear a lot of words often repeated (to say or do again), queer (strange) words, for there were many nationalities (belonging to a nation) in the crowd; so I quietly (without noise) got my polyglot (in many languages) dictionary (the book of words) from my bag and looked them out. I must say they were not cheering (a shout of joy; good spirits) to me, for amongst (among) them were “Ordog”--Satan, “pokol (hell — Hungarian)”--hell, “stregoica (witch — Romanian)”--witch (a woman of dark magic), “vrolok (vampire — Slovak)” and “vlkoslak (vampire — Slovak)”--both of which mean the same thing, one being Slovak and the other Servian for something that is either were-wolf (were-wolf: a man who turns into a wolf) or vampire (the blood-drinking Un-Dead of legend). (Mem., I must ask the Count about these superstitions (belief in ghosts, signs, and luck))

When we started, the crowd round the inn (a house for travellers) door, which had by this time swelled (to grow bigger) to a considerable (fairly large) size, all made the sign of the cross and pointed two fingers towards me. With some difficulty (hardness; trouble) I got a fellow-passenger (a companion on a journey) to tell me what they meant; he would not answer at first, but on learning that I was English, he explained that it was a charm (winning attractiveness; a magic token) or guard against the evil eye. This was not very pleasant (pleasing) for me, just starting for an unknown place to meet an unknown man; but every one seemed so kind-hearted (kind at heart), and so sorrowful (full of sorrow), and so sympathetic (sharing another's feeling) that I could not but be touched. I shall never forget the last glimpse (a brief sight) which I had of the inn-yard (the yard of an inn) and its crowd of picturesque (striking as a picture) figures, all crossing themselves, as they stood round the wide archway (an arched opening), with its background of rich foliage (the leaves of trees) of oleander (a flowering evergreen shrub) and orange trees in green tubs (a wide open vessel) clustered (a close bunch) in the centre of the yard. Then our driver, whose wide linen (cloth of flax; underclothing) drawers (a sliding box in a table) covered the whole front of the box-seat (the driver's seat)--“gotza” they call them--cracked (a sharp break or noise) his big whip (the lash; to beat) over his four small horses, which ran abreast (side by side), and we set off on our journey.

I soon lost sight and recollection (a memory) of ghostly (like a ghost) fears in the beauty of the scene as we drove along, although had I known the language, or rather languages, which my fellow-passengers (those travelling with us) were speaking, I might not have been able to throw them off so easily. Before us lay a green sloping (spilled wet mess) land full of forests and woods, with here and there steep (sharply sloping) hills, crowned with clumps (a group of trees) of trees or with farmhouses (farmhouses: the houses of farms), the blank (empty; unmarked) gable (the pointed end wall of a building) end to the road. There was everywhere a bewildering (confusing) mass of fruit blossom (a flower; to flower)--apple, plum (the soft purple fruit), pear (the sweet bell-shaped fruit), cherry (the small red stone fruit); and as we drove by I could see the green grass (the green ground plant) under the trees spangled (dotted with sparkling points) with the fallen (come down; killed) petals (a flower's leaf). In and out amongst (among) these green hills of what they call here the “Mittel Land” ran the road, losing itself as it swept (to brush clean; to move widely) round the grassy (covered in grass) curve (a bending line), or was shut out by the straggling (trailing in disorder) ends of pine (the needled evergreen; to waste with longing) woods, which here and there ran down the hillsides (the slope of a hill) like tongues (the mouth's organ; a language) of flame (the fire's tongue). The road was rugged (rugged: rough), but still we seemed to fly over it with a feverish (hot with fever) haste (hurry). I could not understand then what the haste (hurry) meant, but the driver was evidently (as plainly appears) bent (curved; determined on) on losing no time in reaching Borgo (the Borgo Pass, where the Count's carriage meets Harker) Prund. I was told that this road is in summertime (the season of summer) excellent, but that it had not yet been put in order after the winter snows. In this respect it is different from the general run of roads in the Carpathians, for it is an old tradition that they are not to be kept in too good order. Of old the Hospadars would not repair (to mend) them, lest (for fear that) the Turk should think that they were preparing to bring in foreign troops, and so hasten (to hurry) the war which was always really at loading (the point of bursting) point.

Beyond the green swelling (to grow bigger) hills of the Mittel Land rose mighty (very strong) slopes (slopes: rising ground) of forest up to the lofty (high and grand) steeps (sharply sloping) of the Carpathians themselves. Right and left of us they towered, with the afternoon sun falling full upon them and bringing out all the glorious (full of glory) colours (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest) of this beautiful range, deep blue and purple (the deep red-blue color) in the shadows (the dark cast shape) of the peaks, green and brown where grass (the green ground plant) and rock mingled (to mix among), and an endless (without end) perspective of jagged (with a rough, notched edge) rock and pointed crags (a steep rugged rock), till these were themselves lost in the distance, where the snowy (white with snow) peaks rose grandly (in a lofty manner). Here and there seemed mighty (very strong) rifts (a split) in the mountains, through which, as the sun began to sink (to go down), we saw now and again the white gleam (a soft flash of light) of falling water. One of my companions (one who keeps company) touched my arm as we swept (to brush clean; to move widely) round the base of a hill and opened up the lofty (high and grand), snow-covered (covered with snow) peak of a mountain, which seemed, as we wound (a bodily hurt) on our serpentine (winding like a snake) way, to be right before us:--

“Look! Isten szek!”--“God’s seat!”--and he crossed himself reverently (with deep respect).

As we wound (a bodily hurt) on our endless (without end) way, and the sun sank (to go down) lower and lower behind us, the shadows (the dark cast shape) of the evening began to creep (to move low and slowly) round us. This was emphasised (emphasised: stressed) by the fact that the snowy (white with snow) mountain-top (mountaintops: the peaks) still held the sunset (the sun's going down), and seemed to glow (a soft warm light) out with a delicate (finely tender) cool pink. Here and there we passed Cszeks and Slovaks, all in picturesque (striking as a picture) attire (clothing), but I noticed that goitre (a swelling of the neck) was painfully (with pain) prevalent (widespread). By the roadside (the side of a road) were many crosses, and as we swept (to brush clean; to move widely) by, my companions (one who keeps company) all crossed themselves. Here and there was a peasant (a man of the laboring village class) man or woman kneeling (to go down on the knees) before a shrine (a holy place), who did not even turn round as we approached, but seemed in the self-surrender (giving oneself up) of devotion (deep loyal love) to have neither eyes nor ears (the organ of hearing) for the outer (on the outside) world. There were many things new to me: for instance, hay-ricks (stacks of hay) in the trees, and here and there very beautiful masses of weeping (shedding tears) birch (the white-barked tree), their white stems (a plant's stalk) shining (the front of the lower leg) like silver through the delicate (finely tender) green of the leaves. Now and again we passed a leiter-wagon (a long peasant's cart)--the ordinary (usual; common) peasant (a man of the laboring village class)’s cart (a two-wheeled load carrier)--with its long, snake-like (like a snake) vertebra (a bone of the spine), calculated (to reckon) to suit the inequalities (unevenness) of the road. On this were sure to be seated quite a group of home-coming (a return home) peasants (a man of the laboring village class), the Cszeks with their white, and the Slovaks with their coloured (having colour), sheepskins (a coat of sheep's hide), the latter carrying lance-fashion (like a lance) their long staves (a verse of a song — this book calls its chapters staves), with axe (the chopping tool) at end. As the evening fell it began to get very cold, and the growing twilight (the half light of evening) seemed to merge (to blend into one) into one dark mistiness (haze) the gloom (heavy darkness of spirit) of the trees, oak (the great hardwood tree), beech (the smooth-barked spreading tree), and pine (the needled evergreen; to waste with longing), though in the valleys which ran deep between the spurs (the rider's heel spike; to urge on) of the hills, as we ascended (to climb up) through the Pass, the dark firs (the evergreen cone tree) stood out here and there against the background of late-lying (lying late) snow. Sometimes, as the road was cut through the pine (the needled evergreen; to waste with longing) woods that seemed in the darkness (absence of light) to be closing down upon us, great masses of greyness (grey dimness), which here and there bestrewed (bestrewed: scattered over) the trees, produced a peculiarly (especially; strangely) weird and solemn (gravely serious) effect, which carried on the thoughts and grim (hard and stern) fancies (the imagination; a liking) engendered (engendered: bred) earlier in the evening, when the falling sunset (the sun's going down) threw into strange relief the ghost-like (like a ghost) clouds (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) which amongst (among) the Carpathians seem to wind ceaselessly (without stopping) through the valleys. Sometimes the hills were so steep (sharply sloping) that, despite our driver’s haste (hurry), the horses could only go slowly. I wished to get down and walk up them, as we do at home, but the driver would not hear of it. “No, no,” he said; “you must not walk here; the dogs are too fierce (savagely violent)”; and then he added, with what he evidently (as plainly appears) meant for grim (hard and stern) pleasantry (a light joke)--for he looked round to catch the approving (to judge well of) smile of the rest--“and you may have enough of such matters before you go to sleep.” The only stop he would make was a moment’s pause (a brief stop) to light his lamps (a light vessel).

When it grew dark there seemed to be some excitement (stirred-up feeling) amongst (among) the passengers (one carried on a journey), and they kept speaking to him, one after the other, as though urging (to argue; press a point) him to further speed. He lashed (a whip stroke; an eyelash) the horses unmercifully (without mercy) with his long whip (the lash; to beat), and with wild cries of encouragement (words that give heart) urged (urged: argued — the old sense here) them on to further exertions (hard effort). Then through the darkness (absence of light) I could see a sort of patch (a mending piece) of grey (the colour between black and white) light ahead of us, as though there were a cleft (a deep split) in the hills. The excitement (stirred-up feeling) of the passengers (one carried on a journey) grew greater; the crazy coach rocked on its great leather (cured animal hide) springs, and swayed (to swing from side to side; to rule) like a boat tossed (to throw lightly) on a stormy (full of storm) sea. I had to hold on. The road grew more level, and we appeared to fly along. Then the mountains seemed to come nearer to us on each side and to frown (to draw the brows in displeasure) down upon us; we were entering on the Borgo Pass. One by one several of the passengers (one carried on a journey) offered me gifts, which they pressed upon me with an earnestness (deep seriousness) which would take no denial (saying no); these were certainly of an odd (strange; uneven) and varied (of many kinds) kind, but each was given in simple good faith, with a kindly (kind; gently) word, and a blessing (God's favor called down), and that strange mixture (a mixed blend) of fear-meaning (carrying fear) movements which I had seen outside the hotel at Bistritz--the sign of the cross and the guard against the evil eye. Then, as we flew along, the driver leaned (to tilt against; thin) forward, and on each side the passengers (one carried on a journey), craning (craning: stretching the neck to see) over the edge of the coach, peered (to look closely; an equal) eagerly (with eager keenness) into the darkness (absence of light). It was evident (plain to see) that something very exciting was either happening or expected, but though I asked each passenger (one carried on a journey), no one would give me the slightest (small; to treat as of no account) explanation (a making clear). This state (state: ceremony; pomp — the old sense here) of excitement (stirred-up feeling) kept on for some little time; and at last we saw before us the Pass opening out on the eastern side. There were dark, rolling (turning over and over) clouds (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) overhead (above the head), and in the air the heavy, oppressive (crushing; heavy) sense of thunder (the storm's deep roar). It seemed as though the mountain range had separated two atmospheres (the surrounding air or mood), and that now we had got into the thunderous (like thunder) one. I was now myself looking out for the conveyance (a means of transport) which was to take me to the Count. Each moment I expected to see the glare (a hard bright light; an angry stare) of lamps (a light vessel) through the blackness (the state of being black); but all was dark. The only light was the flickering (to burn unsteadily) rays of our own lamps (a light vessel), in which the steam from our hard-driven (driven hard) horses rose in a white cloud (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness). We could see now the sandy (covered with sand) road lying white before us, but there was on it no sign of a vehicle. The passengers (one carried on a journey) drew back with a sigh (a long sad breath) of gladness (joy), which seemed to mock (to make cruel fun of) my own disappointment (a failed hope). I was already thinking what I had best do, when the driver, looking at his watch, said to the others something which I could hardly hear, it was spoken so quietly (without noise) and in so low a tone (a sound's quality; a manner); I thought it was “An hour less than the time.” Then turning to me, he said in German worse than my own:--

“There is no carriage (a wheeled passenger vehicle; bearing) here. The Herr is not expected after all. He will now come on to Bukovina, and return to-morrow or the next day; better the next day.” Whilst (while) he was speaking the horses began to neigh (to cry as a horse) and snort (to blow sharply through the nose) and plunge (to dive suddenly) wildly (in a wild way), so that the driver had to hold them up. Then, amongst (among) a chorus (singers together; a refrain) of screams (a piercing cry) from the peasants (a man of the laboring village class) and a universal (of all) crossing of themselves, a calèche (an open four-wheeled carriage — French), with four horses, drove up behind us, overtook (to catch up with) us, and drew up beside (at the side of) the coach. I could see from the flash (a sudden burst of light) of our lamps (a light vessel), as the rays fell on them, that the horses were coal-black (black as coal) and splendid (grand and shining) animals. They were driven by a tall man, with a long brown beard (the chin's hair) and a great black hat, which seemed to hide his face from us. I could only see the gleam (a soft flash of light) of a pair of very bright eyes, which seemed red in the lamplight (the light of lamps), as he turned to us. He said to the driver:--

“You are early to-night, my friend.” The man stammered (to speak with halting breaks) in reply:--

“The English Herr was in a hurry (to move with haste),” to which the stranger replied (answered):--

“That is why, I suppose, you wished him to go on to Bukovina. You cannot deceive (to trick; to mislead) me, my friend; I know too much, and my horses are swift (fast).” As he spoke he smiled, and the lamplight (the light of lamps) fell on a hard-looking (hard in look) mouth, with very red lips (the mouth's edge) and sharp-looking (keen-faced) teeth, as white as ivory (the elephant's white tusk). One of my companions (one who keeps company) whispered (a soft hushed voice) to another the line from Burger’s “Lenore (Burger's ballad of the dead rider)”:--

“Denn die Todten reiten schnell (for the dead travel fast — German)”-- (“For the dead travel fast.”)

The strange driver evidently (as plainly appears) heard the words, for he looked up with a gleaming (a soft flash of light) smile. The passenger (one carried on a journey) turned his face away, at the same time putting out his two fingers and crossing himself. “Give me the Herr’s luggage (traveling bags),” said the driver; and with exceeding (to go beyond) alacrity (eager quickness) my bags were handed out and put in the calèche (an open four-wheeled carriage — French). Then I descended (to go down) from the side of the coach, as the calèche (an open four-wheeled carriage — French) was close alongside (by the side of), the driver helping me with a hand which caught my arm in a grip (a tight hold) of steel; his strength must have been prodigious (enormous). Without a word he shook (to move quickly to and fro) his reins (the strap that guides a horse), the horses turned, and we swept (to brush clean; to move widely) into the darkness (absence of light) of the Pass. As I looked back I saw the steam from the horses of the coach by the light of the lamps (a light vessel), and projected against it the figures of my late companions (one who keeps company) crossing themselves. Then the driver cracked (a sharp break or noise) his whip (the lash; to beat) and called to his horses, and off they swept (to brush clean; to move widely) on their way to Bukovina. As they sank (to go down) into the darkness (absence of light) I felt a strange chill (a cold shiver), and a lonely (alone and sad) feeling came over me; but a cloak (a loose outer wrap) was thrown over my shoulders, and a rug (a floor covering; a wrap) across my knees (the leg's middle joint), and the driver said in excellent German:--

“The night is chill (a cold shiver), mein Herr (my lord; sir — German), and my master the Count bade (to command; to offer) me take all care of you. There is a flask (a small bottle) of slivovitz (plum brandy) (the plum (the soft purple fruit) brandy (strong distilled wine) of the country) underneath (below) the seat, if you should require it.” I did not take any, but it was a comfort (ease; consolation) to know it was there all the same. I felt a little strangely (in a strange way), and not a little frightened (afraid). I think had there been any alternative I should have taken it, instead of prosecuting (to bring to trial) that unknown night journey. The carriage (a wheeled passenger vehicle; bearing) went at a hard pace (a step's length; speed) straight along, then we made a complete turn and went along another straight road. It seemed to me that we were simply going over and over the same ground again; and so I took note of some salient (standing out; most marked) point, and found that this was so. I would have liked to have asked the driver what this all meant, but I really feared to do so, for I thought that, placed as I was, any protest (a spoken objection) would have had no effect in case there had been an intention (what one means to do) to delay (to put off). By-and-by (before long), however, as I was curious (eager to know; strange) to know how time was passing, I struck a match, and by its flame (the fire's tongue) looked at my watch; it was within a few minutes of midnight (twelve at night). This gave me a sort of shock (a violent jolt), for I suppose the general superstition (belief in ghosts, signs, and luck) about midnight (twelve at night) was increased by my recent experiences. I waited with a sick feeling of suspense (anxious waiting).

Then a dog began to howl (to cry long like a wolf) somewhere in a farmhouse (farmhouses: the houses of farms) far down the road--a long, agonised (agonised: tormented) wailing (a long crying sound), as if from fear. The sound was taken up by another dog, and then another and another, till, borne on the wind which now sighed (a long sad breath) softly (gently and quietly) through the Pass, a wild howling (the long crying sound of wind or beasts) began, which seemed to come from all over the country, as far as the imagination (the picture-making mind) could grasp (to seize; to understand) it through the gloom (heavy darkness of spirit) of the night. At the first howl (to cry long like a wolf) the horses began to strain (to stretch hard; a family stock) and rear (the back part; to bring up), but the driver spoke to them soothingly (calmingly), and they quieted down, but shivered (to tremble with cold or fear) and sweated (the skin's moisture of labor) as though after a runaway (one who has run away) from sudden (without warning) fright (sudden fear). Then, far off in the distance, from the mountains on each side of us began a louder and a sharper (keen-edged) howling (the long crying sound of wind or beasts)--that of wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest)--which affected both the horses and myself in the same way--for I was minded (inclined) to jump from the calèche (an open four-wheeled carriage — French) and run, whilst (while) they reared (the back part; to bring up) again and plunged (to dive suddenly) madly (like a madman), so that the driver had to use (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) all his great strength to keep them from bolting (a bar for a door; to dash off). In a few minutes, however, my own ears (the organ of hearing) got accustomed (to make used to) to the sound, and the horses so far became quiet that the driver was able to descend (to go down) and to stand before them. He petted (a favorite kept animal; to stroke fondly) and soothed (to calm; comfort) them, and whispered (a soft hushed voice) something in their ears (the organ of hearing), as I have heard of horse-tamers (tamers of horses) doing, and with extraordinary (beyond the ordinary) effect, for under his caresses (a tender touch) they became quite manageable (easy to handle) again, though they still trembled (to shake finely). The driver again took his seat, and shaking (to move quickly to and fro) his reins (the strap that guides a horse), started off at a great pace (a step's length; speed). This time, after going to the far side of the Pass, he suddenly turned down a narrow (of little width) roadway (the traveled way) which ran sharply (keenly) to the right.

Soon we were hemmed (the sewn edge of cloth) in with trees, which in places arched (a curved span) right over the roadway (the traveled way) till we passed as through a tunnel (a dug passage); and again great frowning (to draw the brows in displeasure) rocks guarded us boldly (with bold courage) on either side. Though we were in shelter (a protecting cover), we could hear the rising wind, for it moaned (a low cry of pain) and whistled (a shrill air note) through the rocks, and the branches of the trees crashed together as we swept (to brush clean; to move widely) along. It grew colder and colder still, and fine, powdery (like powder) snow began to fall, so that soon we and all around us were covered with a white blanket (a bed covering). The keen (sharp and eager) wind still carried the howling (the long crying sound of wind or beasts) of the dogs, though this grew fainter (more faint) as we went on our way. The baying (the deep cry of a hound) of the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) sounded nearer and nearer, as though they were closing round on us from every side. I grew dreadfully (terribly) afraid, and the horses shared my fear. The driver, however, was not in the least disturbed (troubled); he kept turning his head to left and right, but I could not see anything through the darkness (absence of light).

Suddenly, away on our left, I saw a faint (weak and dim; to fall senseless) flickering (to burn unsteadily) blue flame (the fire's tongue). The driver saw it at the same moment; he at once checked the horses, and, jumping to the ground, disappeared (to vanish) into the darkness (absence of light). I did not know what to do, the less as the howling (the long crying sound of wind or beasts) of the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) grew closer; but while I wondered the driver suddenly appeared again, and without a word took his seat, and we resumed (to take up again) our journey. I think I must have fallen (come down; killed) asleep (sleeping) and kept dreaming of the incident, for it seemed to be repeated (to say or do again) endlessly (without end), and now looking back, it is like a sort of awful (awful: full of awe — the old sense here) nightmare (a dream of terror). Once the flame (the fire's tongue) appeared so near the road, that even in the darkness (absence of light) around us I could watch the driver’s motions. He went rapidly (fast) to where the blue flame (the fire's tongue) arose (to come up)--it must have been very faint (weak and dim; to fall senseless), for it did not seem to illumine (to light up) the place around it at all--and gathering (to bring together) a few stones, formed them into some device. Once there appeared a strange optical (of sight) effect: when he stood between me and the flame (the fire's tongue) he did not obstruct (blocked up) it, for I could see its ghostly (like a ghost) flicker (to burn unsteadily) all the same. This startled (startled: gave a sudden fright) me, but as the effect was only momentary (lasting a moment), I took it that my eyes deceived (to trick; to mislead) me straining (to stretch hard; a family stock) through the darkness (absence of light). Then for a time there were no blue flames (the fire's tongue), and we sped onwards (forward) through the gloom (heavy darkness of spirit), with the howling (the long crying sound of wind or beasts) of the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) around us, as though they were following in a moving circle.

At last there came a time when the driver went further afield (far away) than he had yet gone, and during his absence (being away), the horses began to tremble (to shake finely) worse than ever and to snort (to blow sharply through the nose) and scream (a piercing cry) with fright (sudden fear). I could not see any cause for it, for the howling (the long crying sound of wind or beasts) of the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) had ceased (to stop) altogether (wholly); but just then the moon, sailing (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship) through the black clouds (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness), appeared behind the jagged (with a rough, notched edge) crest (the top of a hill; a helmet plume) of a beetling (the hard-winged insect), pine-clad (covered with pines) rock, and by its light I saw around us a ring of wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest), with white teeth and lolling (to lounge at ease) red tongues (the mouth's organ; a language), with long, sinewy (lean and strong with cords of muscle) limbs (an arm or leg; a branch) and shaggy (covered with rough hair) hair. They were a hundred times more terrible in the grim (hard and stern) silence (absence of sound) which held them than even when they howled (to cry long like a wolf). For myself, I felt a sort of paralysis (loss of the power to move) of fear. It is only when a man feels himself face to face with such horrors (dread and loathing) that he can understand their true import (meaning; to bring in).

All at once the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) began to howl (to cry long like a wolf) as though the moonlight (the light of the moon) had had some peculiar (peculiar: its own; particular — the old sense here) effect on them. The horses jumped about and reared (the back part; to bring up), and looked helplessly (unable to help oneself) round with eyes that rolled in a way painful (full of pain) to see; but the living ring of terror (overwhelming fear) encompassed (to surround) them on every side; and they had perforce (of necessity) to remain within it. I called to the coachman (the driver of a coach) to come, for it seemed to me that our only chance was to try to break out through the ring and to aid his approach. I shouted (a loud cry) and beat the side of the calèche (an open four-wheeled carriage — French), hoping by the noise to scare (to frighten) the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) from that side, so as to give him a chance of reaching the trap (a catching device). How he came there, I know not, but I heard his voice raised in a tone (a sound's quality; a manner) of imperious (commanding) command, and looking towards the sound, saw him stand in the roadway (the traveled way). As he swept (to brush clean; to move widely) his long arms, as though brushing (brushing: sweeping aside) aside some impalpable (too fine to touch or grasp) obstacle (a thing in the way), the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) fell back and back further still. Just then a heavy cloud (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) passed across the face of the moon, so that we were again in darkness (absence of light).

When I could see again the driver was climbing (to go up) into the calèche (an open four-wheeled carriage — French), and the wolves (the fierce wild dog of the forest) had disappeared (to vanish). This was all so strange and uncanny (strangely beyond nature) that a dreadful (filling with dread) fear came upon me, and I was afraid to speak or move. The time seemed interminable (endless) as we swept (to brush clean; to move widely) on our way, now in almost complete darkness (absence of light), for the rolling (turning over and over) clouds (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) obscured (dim and little known) the moon. We kept on ascending (to climb up), with occasional (now and then) periods of quick descent (a going down; family line), but in the main always ascending (to climb up). Suddenly, I became conscious (aware) of the fact that the driver was in the act of pulling up the horses in the courtyard (an enclosed yard) of a vast (very great) ruined (destruction; broken remains) castle (a great fortified house), from whose tall black windows came no ray of light, and whose broken battlements (battlements: the notched tops of castle walls) showed a jagged (with a rough, notched edge) line against the moonlit (lit by the moon) sky.