Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
reward of two hundred pounds if I reach Yokohama in time." `
` `
` "Are you in earnest?" `
` `
` "Very much so." `
` `
` The pilot walked away a little distance, and gazed out to sea, `
` evidently struggling between the anxiety to gain a large sum `
` and the fear of venturing so far. Fix was in mortal suspense. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg turned to Aouda and asked her, "You would not be afraid, `
` would you, madam?" `
` `
` "Not with you, Mr. Fogg," was her answer. `
` `
` The pilot now returned, shuffling his hat in his hands. `
` `
` "Well, pilot?" said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "Well, your honour," replied he, "I could not risk myself, my men, `
` or my little boat of scarcely twenty tons on so long a voyage `
` at this time of year. Besides, we could not reach Yokohama in time, `
` for it is sixteen hundred and sixty miles from Hong Kong." `
` `
` "Only sixteen hundred," said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "It's the same thing." `
` `
` Fix breathed more freely. `
` `
` "But," added the pilot, "it might be arranged another way." `
` `
` Fix ceased to breathe at all. `
` `
` "How?" asked Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "By going to Nagasaki, at the extreme south of Japan, or even `
` to Shanghai, which is only eight hundred miles from here. `
` In going to Shanghai we should not be forced to sail wide `
` of the Chinese coast, which would be a great advantage, `
` as the currents run northward, and would aid us." `
` `
` "Pilot," said Mr. Fogg, "I must take the American steamer `
` at Yokohama, and not at Shanghai or Nagasaki." `
` `
` "Why not?" returned the pilot. "The San Francisco steamer `
` does not start from Yokohama. It puts in at Yokohama `
` and Nagasaki, but it starts from Shanghai." `
` `
` "You are sure of that?" `
` `
` "Perfectly." `
` `
` "And when does the boat leave Shanghai?" `
` `
` "On the 11th, at seven in the evening. We have, therefore, `
` four days before us, that is ninety-six hours; and in that time, `
` if we had good luck and a south-west wind, and the sea was calm, `
` we could make those eight hundred miles to Shanghai." `
` `
` "And you could go--" `
` `
` "In an hour; as soon as provisions could be got aboard `
` and the sails put up." `
` `
` "It is a bargain. Are you the master of the boat?" `
` `
` "Yes; John Bunsby, master of the Tankadere." `
` `
` "Would you like some earnest-money?" `
` `
` "If it would not put your honour out--" `
` `
` "Here are two hundred pounds on account sir," added Phileas Fogg, `
` turning to Fix, "if you would like to take advantage--" `
` `
` "Thanks, sir; I was about to ask the favour." `
` `
` "Very well. In half an hour we shall go on board." `
` `
` "But poor Passepartout?" urged Aouda, who was much disturbed `
` by the servant's disappearance. `
` `
` "I shall do all I can to find him," replied Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` While Fix, in a feverish, nervous state, repaired to the pilot-boat, `
` the others directed their course to the police-station at Hong Kong. `
` Phileas Fogg there gave Passepartout's description, and left a sum of money `
` to be spent in the search for him. The same formalities having been gone `
` through at the French consulate, and the palanquin having stopped at the hotel `
` for the luggage, which had been sent back there, they returned to the wharf. `
` `
` It was now three o'clock; and pilot-boat No. 43, with its crew `
` on board, and its provisions stored away, was ready for departure. `
` `
` The Tankadere was a neat little craft of twenty tons, `
` as gracefully built as if she were a racing yacht. `
` Her shining copper sheathing, her galvanised iron-work, `
` her deck, white as ivory, betrayed the pride taken by John Bunsby `
` in making her presentable. Her two masts leaned a trifle backward; `
` she carried brigantine, foresail, storm-jib, and standing-jib, `
` and was well rigged for running before the wind; and she seemed capable `
` of brisk speed, which, indeed, she had already proved by gaining `
` several prizes in pilot-boat races. The crew of the Tankadere `
` was composed of John Bunsby, the master, and four hardy mariners, `
` who were familiar with the Chinese seas. John Bunsby, himself, `
` a man of forty-five or thereabouts, vigorous, sunburnt, with a `
` sprightly expression of the eye, and energetic and self-reliant `
` countenance, would have inspired confidence in the most timid. `
` `
` Phileas Fogg and Aouda went on board, where they found Fix `
` already installed. Below deck was a square cabin, of which `
` the walls bulged out in the form of cots, above a circular divan; `
` in the centre was a table provided with a swinging lamp. `
` The accommodation was confined, but neat. `
` `
` "I am sorry to have nothing better to offer you," said Mr. `
` Fogg to Fix, who bowed without responding. `
` `
` The detective had a feeling akin to humiliation in profiting `
` by the kindness of Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "It's certain," thought he, "though rascal as he is, he is a polite one!" `
` `
` The sails and the English flag were hoisted at ten minutes past three. `
` Mr. Fogg and Aouda, who were seated on deck, cast a last glance at the quay, `
` in the hope of espying Passepartout. Fix was not without his fears `
` lest chance should direct the steps of the unfortunate servant, `
` whom he had so badly treated, in this direction; in which case `
` an explanation the reverse of satisfactory to the detective `
` must have ensued. But the Frenchman did not appear, and, without doubt, `
` was still lying under the stupefying influence of the opium. `
` `
` John Bunsby, master, at length gave the order to start, and `
` the Tankadere, taking the wind under her brigantine, foresail, `
` and standing-jib, bounded briskly forward over the waves. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXI `
` `
` IN WHICH THE MASTER OF THE "TANKADERE" RUNS `
` GREAT RISK OF LOSING A REWARD OF TWO HUNDRED POUNDS `
` `
` `
` This voyage of eight hundred miles was a perilous venture `
` on a craft of twenty tons, and at that season of the year. `
` The Chinese seas are usually boisterous, subject to terrible `
` gales of wind, and especially during the equinoxes; `
` and it was now early November. `
` `
` It would clearly have been to the master's advantage to carry `
` his passengers to Yokohama, since he was paid a certain sum per day; `
` but he would have been rash to attempt such a voyage, and it was imprudent `
` even to attempt to reach Shanghai. But John Bunsby believed in the Tankadere, `
` which rode on the waves like a seagull; and perhaps he was not wrong. `
` `
` Late in the day they passed through the capricious channels of Hong Kong, `
` and the Tankadere, impelled by favourable winds, conducted herself admirably. `
` `
` "I do not need, pilot," said Phileas Fogg, when they got into `
` the open sea, "to advise you to use all possible speed." `
` `
` "Trust me, your honour. We are carrying all the sail the wind will let us. `
` The poles would add nothing, and are only used when we are going into port." `
` `
` "Its your trade, not mine, pilot, and I confide in you." `
` `
` Phileas Fogg, with body erect and legs wide apart, standing `
` like a sailor, gazed without staggering at the swelling waters. `
` The young woman, who was seated aft, was profoundly affected `
` as she looked out upon the ocean, darkening now with the twilight, `
` on which she had ventured in so frail a vessel. Above her head `
` rustled the white sails, which seemed like great white wings. `
` The boat, carried forward by the wind, seemed to be flying in the air. `
` `
` Night came. The moon was entering her first quarter, and her `
` insufficient light would soon die out in the mist on the horizon. `
` Clouds were rising from the east, and already overcast a part `
` of the heavens. `
` `
` The pilot had hung out his lights, which was very necessary `
` in these seas crowded with vessels bound landward; for collisions `
` are not uncommon occurrences, and, at the speed she was going, `
` the least shock would shatter the gallant little craft. `
` `
` Fix, seated in the bow, gave himself up to meditation. He kept apart `
` from his fellow-travellers, knowing Mr. Fogg's taciturn tastes; besides, `
` he did not quite like to talk to the man whose favours he had accepted. `
` He was thinking, too, of the future. It seemed certain that Fogg would not `
` stop at Yokohama, but would at once take the boat for San Francisco; `
` and the vast extent of America would ensure him impunity and safety. `
` Fogg's plan appeared to him the simplest in the world. Instead of sailing `
` directly from England to the United States, like a common villain, `
` he had traversed three quarters of the globe, so as to gain the `
` American continent more surely; and there, after throwing `
` the police off his track, he would quietly enjoy himself `
` with the fortune stolen from the bank. But, once in the United States, `
` what should he, Fix, do? Should he abandon this man? No, a hundred times no! `
` Until he had secured his extradition, he would not lose sight of him for an hour. `
`
` `
` "Are you in earnest?" `
` `
` "Very much so." `
` `
` The pilot walked away a little distance, and gazed out to sea, `
` evidently struggling between the anxiety to gain a large sum `
` and the fear of venturing so far. Fix was in mortal suspense. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg turned to Aouda and asked her, "You would not be afraid, `
` would you, madam?" `
` `
` "Not with you, Mr. Fogg," was her answer. `
` `
` The pilot now returned, shuffling his hat in his hands. `
` `
` "Well, pilot?" said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "Well, your honour," replied he, "I could not risk myself, my men, `
` or my little boat of scarcely twenty tons on so long a voyage `
` at this time of year. Besides, we could not reach Yokohama in time, `
` for it is sixteen hundred and sixty miles from Hong Kong." `
` `
` "Only sixteen hundred," said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "It's the same thing." `
` `
` Fix breathed more freely. `
` `
` "But," added the pilot, "it might be arranged another way." `
` `
` Fix ceased to breathe at all. `
` `
` "How?" asked Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "By going to Nagasaki, at the extreme south of Japan, or even `
` to Shanghai, which is only eight hundred miles from here. `
` In going to Shanghai we should not be forced to sail wide `
` of the Chinese coast, which would be a great advantage, `
` as the currents run northward, and would aid us." `
` `
` "Pilot," said Mr. Fogg, "I must take the American steamer `
` at Yokohama, and not at Shanghai or Nagasaki." `
` `
` "Why not?" returned the pilot. "The San Francisco steamer `
` does not start from Yokohama. It puts in at Yokohama `
` and Nagasaki, but it starts from Shanghai." `
` `
` "You are sure of that?" `
` `
` "Perfectly." `
` `
` "And when does the boat leave Shanghai?" `
` `
` "On the 11th, at seven in the evening. We have, therefore, `
` four days before us, that is ninety-six hours; and in that time, `
` if we had good luck and a south-west wind, and the sea was calm, `
` we could make those eight hundred miles to Shanghai." `
` `
` "And you could go--" `
` `
` "In an hour; as soon as provisions could be got aboard `
` and the sails put up." `
` `
` "It is a bargain. Are you the master of the boat?" `
` `
` "Yes; John Bunsby, master of the Tankadere." `
` `
` "Would you like some earnest-money?" `
` `
` "If it would not put your honour out--" `
` `
` "Here are two hundred pounds on account sir," added Phileas Fogg, `
` turning to Fix, "if you would like to take advantage--" `
` `
` "Thanks, sir; I was about to ask the favour." `
` `
` "Very well. In half an hour we shall go on board." `
` `
` "But poor Passepartout?" urged Aouda, who was much disturbed `
` by the servant's disappearance. `
` `
` "I shall do all I can to find him," replied Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` While Fix, in a feverish, nervous state, repaired to the pilot-boat, `
` the others directed their course to the police-station at Hong Kong. `
` Phileas Fogg there gave Passepartout's description, and left a sum of money `
` to be spent in the search for him. The same formalities having been gone `
` through at the French consulate, and the palanquin having stopped at the hotel `
` for the luggage, which had been sent back there, they returned to the wharf. `
` `
` It was now three o'clock; and pilot-boat No. 43, with its crew `
` on board, and its provisions stored away, was ready for departure. `
` `
` The Tankadere was a neat little craft of twenty tons, `
` as gracefully built as if she were a racing yacht. `
` Her shining copper sheathing, her galvanised iron-work, `
` her deck, white as ivory, betrayed the pride taken by John Bunsby `
` in making her presentable. Her two masts leaned a trifle backward; `
` she carried brigantine, foresail, storm-jib, and standing-jib, `
` and was well rigged for running before the wind; and she seemed capable `
` of brisk speed, which, indeed, she had already proved by gaining `
` several prizes in pilot-boat races. The crew of the Tankadere `
` was composed of John Bunsby, the master, and four hardy mariners, `
` who were familiar with the Chinese seas. John Bunsby, himself, `
` a man of forty-five or thereabouts, vigorous, sunburnt, with a `
` sprightly expression of the eye, and energetic and self-reliant `
` countenance, would have inspired confidence in the most timid. `
` `
` Phileas Fogg and Aouda went on board, where they found Fix `
` already installed. Below deck was a square cabin, of which `
` the walls bulged out in the form of cots, above a circular divan; `
` in the centre was a table provided with a swinging lamp. `
` The accommodation was confined, but neat. `
` `
` "I am sorry to have nothing better to offer you," said Mr. `
` Fogg to Fix, who bowed without responding. `
` `
` The detective had a feeling akin to humiliation in profiting `
` by the kindness of Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "It's certain," thought he, "though rascal as he is, he is a polite one!" `
` `
` The sails and the English flag were hoisted at ten minutes past three. `
` Mr. Fogg and Aouda, who were seated on deck, cast a last glance at the quay, `
` in the hope of espying Passepartout. Fix was not without his fears `
` lest chance should direct the steps of the unfortunate servant, `
` whom he had so badly treated, in this direction; in which case `
` an explanation the reverse of satisfactory to the detective `
` must have ensued. But the Frenchman did not appear, and, without doubt, `
` was still lying under the stupefying influence of the opium. `
` `
` John Bunsby, master, at length gave the order to start, and `
` the Tankadere, taking the wind under her brigantine, foresail, `
` and standing-jib, bounded briskly forward over the waves. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXI `
` `
` IN WHICH THE MASTER OF THE "TANKADERE" RUNS `
` GREAT RISK OF LOSING A REWARD OF TWO HUNDRED POUNDS `
` `
` `
` This voyage of eight hundred miles was a perilous venture `
` on a craft of twenty tons, and at that season of the year. `
` The Chinese seas are usually boisterous, subject to terrible `
` gales of wind, and especially during the equinoxes; `
` and it was now early November. `
` `
` It would clearly have been to the master's advantage to carry `
` his passengers to Yokohama, since he was paid a certain sum per day; `
` but he would have been rash to attempt such a voyage, and it was imprudent `
` even to attempt to reach Shanghai. But John Bunsby believed in the Tankadere, `
` which rode on the waves like a seagull; and perhaps he was not wrong. `
` `
` Late in the day they passed through the capricious channels of Hong Kong, `
` and the Tankadere, impelled by favourable winds, conducted herself admirably. `
` `
` "I do not need, pilot," said Phileas Fogg, when they got into `
` the open sea, "to advise you to use all possible speed." `
` `
` "Trust me, your honour. We are carrying all the sail the wind will let us. `
` The poles would add nothing, and are only used when we are going into port." `
` `
` "Its your trade, not mine, pilot, and I confide in you." `
` `
` Phileas Fogg, with body erect and legs wide apart, standing `
` like a sailor, gazed without staggering at the swelling waters. `
` The young woman, who was seated aft, was profoundly affected `
` as she looked out upon the ocean, darkening now with the twilight, `
` on which she had ventured in so frail a vessel. Above her head `
` rustled the white sails, which seemed like great white wings. `
` The boat, carried forward by the wind, seemed to be flying in the air. `
` `
` Night came. The moon was entering her first quarter, and her `
` insufficient light would soon die out in the mist on the horizon. `
` Clouds were rising from the east, and already overcast a part `
` of the heavens. `
` `
` The pilot had hung out his lights, which was very necessary `
` in these seas crowded with vessels bound landward; for collisions `
` are not uncommon occurrences, and, at the speed she was going, `
` the least shock would shatter the gallant little craft. `
` `
` Fix, seated in the bow, gave himself up to meditation. He kept apart `
` from his fellow-travellers, knowing Mr. Fogg's taciturn tastes; besides, `
` he did not quite like to talk to the man whose favours he had accepted. `
` He was thinking, too, of the future. It seemed certain that Fogg would not `
` stop at Yokohama, but would at once take the boat for San Francisco; `
` and the vast extent of America would ensure him impunity and safety. `
` Fogg's plan appeared to him the simplest in the world. Instead of sailing `
` directly from England to the United States, like a common villain, `
` he had traversed three quarters of the globe, so as to gain the `
` American continent more surely; and there, after throwing `
` the police off his track, he would quietly enjoy himself `
` with the fortune stolen from the bank. But, once in the United States, `
` what should he, Fix, do? Should he abandon this man? No, a hundred times no! `
` Until he had secured his extradition, he would not lose sight of him for an hour. `
`