CHAPTER 7

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As there is no motive for concealment, I am permitted to use them, and accordingly send you a transcript, simply omitting technical details of seamanship and supercargo. It almost seems as though the captain had been seized with some kind of mania before he had got well into blue water, and that this had developed persistently throughout the voyage. Of course my statement must be taken cum grano, since I am writing from the dictation of a clerk of the Russian consul, who kindly translated for me, time being short.

LOG OF THE "DEMETER" Varna to Whitby

    Written 18 July, things so strange happening, that I shall
    keep accurate note henceforth till we land.

    On 6 July we finished taking in cargo, silver sand and boxes
    of earth. At noon set sail. East wind, fresh. Crew, five
    hands . . . two mates, cook, and myself, (captain).

    On 11 July at dawn entered Bosphorus. Boarded by Turkish
    Customs officers. Backsheesh. All correct. Under way at
    4 p.m.

    On 12 July through Dardanelles. More Customs officers and
    flagboat of guarding squadron. Backsheesh again. Work of
    officers thorough, but quick. Want us off soon. At dark
    passed into Archipelago.

    On 13 July passed Cape Matapan. Crew dissatisfied about
    something. Seemed scared, but would not speak out.

    On 14 July was somewhat anxious about crew. Men all steady
    fellows, who sailed with me before. Mate could not make out what
    was wrong. They only told him there was SOMETHING, and crossed
    themselves. Mate lost temper with one of them that day and struck
    him. Expected fierce quarrel, but all was quiet.

    On 16 July mate reported in the morning that one of the
    crew, Petrofsky, was missing. Could not account for it.
    Took larboard watch eight bells last night, was relieved by
    Amramoff, but did not go to bunk. Men more downcast than
    ever. All said they expected something of the kind, but
    would not say more than there was SOMETHING aboard. Mate
    getting very impatient with them. Feared some trouble
    ahead.

    On 17 July, yesterday, one of the men, Olgaren, came to my cabin,
    and in an awestruck way confided to me that he thought there was a
    strange man aboard the ship. He said that in his watch he had
    been sheltering behind the deckhouse, as there was a rain storm,
    when he saw a tall, thin man, who was not like any of the crew,
    come up the companionway, and go along the deck forward and
    disappear. He followed cautiously, but when he got to bows found
    no one, and the hatchways were all closed. He was in a panic of
    superstitious fear, and I am afraid the panic may spread. To
    allay it, I shall today search the entire ship carefully from stem
    to stern.