Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
`
` "Especially after a good meal." `
` `
` "And you can sing?" `
` `
` "Yes," returned Passepartout, who had formerly been wont `
` to sing in the streets. `
` `
` "But can you sing standing on your head, with a top spinning `
` on your left foot, and a sabre balanced on your right?" `
` `
` "Humph! I think so," replied Passepartout, recalling the exercises `
` of his younger days. `
` `
` "Well, that's enough," said the Honourable William Batulcar. `
` `
` The engagement was concluded there and then. `
` `
` Passepartout had at last found something to do. He was engaged `
` to act in the celebrated Japanese troupe. It was not a very dignified `
` position, but within a week he would be on his way to San Francisco. `
` `
` The performance, so noisily announced by the Honourable Mr. Batulcar, `
` was to commence at three o'clock, and soon the deafening instruments `
` of a Japanese orchestra resounded at the door. Passepartout, `
` though he had not been able to study or rehearse a part, `
` was designated to lend the aid of his sturdy shoulders `
` in the great exhibition of the "human pyramid," executed `
` by the Long Noses of the god Tingou. This "great attraction" `
` was to close the performance. `
` `
` Before three o'clock the large shed was invaded by the spectators, `
` comprising Europeans and natives, Chinese and Japanese, men, women `
` and children, who precipitated themselves upon the narrow benches `
` and into the boxes opposite the stage. The musicians took up a position `
` inside, and were vigorously performing on their gongs, tam-tams, flutes, `
` bones, tambourines, and immense drums. `
` `
` The performance was much like all acrobatic displays; but it must be `
` confessed that the Japanese are the first equilibrists in the world. `
` `
` One, with a fan and some bits of paper, performed the graceful `
` trick of the butterflies and the flowers; another traced in the air, `
` with the odorous smoke of his pipe, a series of blue words, `
` which composed a compliment to the audience; while a third juggled `
` with some lighted candles, which he extinguished successively `
` as they passed his lips, and relit again without interrupting `
` for an instant his juggling. Another reproduced the most singular `
` combinations with a spinning-top; in his hands the revolving tops `
` seemed to be animated with a life of their own in their `
` interminable whirling; they ran over pipe-stems, the edges of sabres, `
` wires and even hairs stretched across the stage; they turned around `
` on the edges of large glasses, crossed bamboo ladders, dispersed into `
` all the corners, and produced strange musical effects by the combination `
` of their various pitches of tone. The jugglers tossed them in the air, `
` threw them like shuttlecocks with wooden battledores, and yet they kept `
` on spinning; they put them into their pockets, and took them out `
` still whirling as before. `
` `
` It is useless to describe the astonishing performances of the acrobats `
` and gymnasts. The turning on ladders, poles, balls, barrels, &c., `
` was executed with wonderful precision. `
` `
` But the principal attraction was the exhibition of the Long Noses, `
` a show to which Europe is as yet a stranger. `
` `
` The Long Noses form a peculiar company, under the direct patronage `
` of the god Tingou. Attired after the fashion of the Middle Ages, `
` they bore upon their shoulders a splendid pair of wings; `
` but what especially distinguished them was the long noses `
` which were fastened to their faces, and the uses which they made of them. `
` These noses were made of bamboo, and were five, six, and even ten feet long, `
` some straight, others curved, some ribboned, and some having imitation warts `
` upon them. It was upon these appendages, fixed tightly on their real noses, `
` that they performed their gymnastic exercises. A dozen of these sectaries `
` of Tingou lay flat upon their backs, while others, dressed to represent `
` lightning-rods, came and frolicked on their noses, jumping from one to another, `
` and performing the most skilful leapings and somersaults. `
` `
` As a last scene, a "human pyramid" had been announced, in which `
` fifty Long Noses were to represent the Car of Juggernaut. `
` But, instead of forming a pyramid by mounting each other's shoulders, `
` the artists were to group themselves on top of the noses. `
` It happened that the performer who had hitherto formed the base `
` of the Car had quitted the troupe, and as, to fill this part, `
` only strength and adroitness were necessary, Passepartout `
` had been chosen to take his place. `
` `
` The poor fellow really felt sad when--melancholy reminiscence `
` of his youth!--he donned his costume, adorned with vari-coloured wings, `
` and fastened to his natural feature a false nose six feet long. `
` But he cheered up when he thought that this nose was winning `
` him something to eat. `
` `
` He went upon the stage, and took his place beside the rest `
` who were to compose the base of the Car of Juggernaut. `
` They all stretched themselves on the floor, their noses pointing `
` to the ceiling. A second group of artists disposed themselves on `
` these long appendages, then a third above these, then a fourth, `
` until a human monument reaching to the very cornices of the theatre `
` soon arose on top of the noses. This elicited loud applause, `
` in the midst of which the orchestra was just striking up a deafening air, `
` when the pyramid tottered, the balance was lost, one of the lower `
` noses vanished from the pyramid, and the human monument was `
` shattered like a castle built of cards! `
` `
` It was Passepartout's fault. Abandoning his position, `
` clearing the footlights without the aid of his wings, and, `
` clambering up to the right-hand gallery, he fell at the feet of `
` one of the spectators, crying, "Ah, my master! my master!" `
` `
` "You here?" `
` `
` "Myself." `
` `
` "Very well; then let us go to the steamer, young man!" `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout passed through the lobby `
` of the theatre to the outside, where they encountered `
` the Honourable Mr. Batulcar, furious with rage. He demanded damages `
` for the "breakage" of the pyramid; and Phileas Fogg appeased him `
` by giving him a handful of banknotes. `
` `
` At half-past six, the very hour of departure, Mr. Fogg and Aouda, `
` followed by Passepartout, who in his hurry had retained his wings, `
` and nose six feet long, stepped upon the American steamer. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXIV `
` `
` DURING WHICH MR. FOGG AND PARTY CROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN `
` `
` `
` What happened when the pilot-boat came in sight of Shanghai will `
` be easily guessed. The signals made by the Tankadere had been `
` seen by the captain of the Yokohama steamer, who, espying the flag `
` at half-mast, had directed his course towards the little craft. `
` Phileas Fogg, after paying the stipulated price of his passage to `
` John Busby, and rewarding that worthy with the additional sum of `
` five hundred and fifty pounds, ascended the steamer with Aouda `
` and Fix; and they started at once for Nagasaki and Yokohama. `
` `
` They reached their destination on the morning of the 14th of November. `
` Phileas Fogg lost no time in going on board the Carnatic, where he learned, `
` to Aouda's great delight--and perhaps to his own, though he betrayed `
` no emotion--that Passepartout, a Frenchman, had really arrived on her `
` the day before. `
` `
` The San Francisco steamer was announced to leave that very evening, `
` and it became necessary to find Passepartout, if possible, without delay. `
` Mr. Fogg applied in vain to the French and English consuls, and, `
` after wandering through the streets a long time, began to despair `
` of finding his missing servant. Chance, or perhaps a kind of presentiment, `
` at last led him into the Honourable Mr. Batulcar's theatre. He certainly `
` would not have recognised Passepartout in the eccentric mountebank's costume; `
` but the latter, lying on his back, perceived his master in the gallery. `
` He could not help starting, which so changed the position of his nose `
` as to bring the "pyramid" pell-mell upon the stage. `
` `
` All this Passepartout learned from Aouda, who recounted to him `
` what had taken place on the voyage from Hong Kong to Shanghai `
` on the Tankadere, in company with one Mr. Fix. `
` `
` Passepartout did not change countenance on hearing this name. `
` He thought that the time had not yet arrived to divulge to his `
` master what had taken place between the detective and himself; `
` and, in the account he gave of his absence, he simply excused himself `
` for having been overtaken by drunkenness, in smoking opium `
` at a tavern in Hong Kong. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg heard this narrative coldly, without a word; and then `
` furnished his man with funds necessary to obtain clothing more `
` in harmony with his position. Within an hour the Frenchman had `
` cut off his nose and parted with his wings, and retained nothing `
` about him which recalled the sectary of the god Tingou. `
` `
` The steamer which was about to depart from Yokohama to San Francisco `
` belonged to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and was named `
` the General Grant. She was a large paddle-wheel steamer `
` of two thousand five hundred tons; well equipped and very fast. `
` The massive walking-beam rose and fell above the deck; `
` at one end a piston-rod worked up and down; and at the other `
` was a connecting-rod which, in changing the rectilinear motion `
` to a circular one, was directly connected with the shaft of the paddles. `
` The General Grant was rigged with three masts, giving a large capacity `
` for sails, and thus materially aiding the steam power. By making `
` twelve miles an hour, she would cross the ocean in twenty-one days. `
` Phileas Fogg was therefore justified in hoping that he would reach `
` San Francisco by the 2nd of December, New York by the 11th, `
` and London on the 20th--thus gaining several hours on the fatal date `
` of the 21st of December. `
` `
` There was a full complement of passengers on board, among them English, `
` many Americans, a large number of coolies on their way to California, `
` and several East Indian officers, who were spending their vacation `
` in making the tour of the world. Nothing of moment happened on the voyage; `
` the steamer, sustained on its large paddles, rolled but little, `
` and the Pacific almost justified its name. Mr. Fogg was as calm `
` and taciturn as ever. His young companion felt herself more and more `
`
` "Especially after a good meal." `
` `
` "And you can sing?" `
` `
` "Yes," returned Passepartout, who had formerly been wont `
` to sing in the streets. `
` `
` "But can you sing standing on your head, with a top spinning `
` on your left foot, and a sabre balanced on your right?" `
` `
` "Humph! I think so," replied Passepartout, recalling the exercises `
` of his younger days. `
` `
` "Well, that's enough," said the Honourable William Batulcar. `
` `
` The engagement was concluded there and then. `
` `
` Passepartout had at last found something to do. He was engaged `
` to act in the celebrated Japanese troupe. It was not a very dignified `
` position, but within a week he would be on his way to San Francisco. `
` `
` The performance, so noisily announced by the Honourable Mr. Batulcar, `
` was to commence at three o'clock, and soon the deafening instruments `
` of a Japanese orchestra resounded at the door. Passepartout, `
` though he had not been able to study or rehearse a part, `
` was designated to lend the aid of his sturdy shoulders `
` in the great exhibition of the "human pyramid," executed `
` by the Long Noses of the god Tingou. This "great attraction" `
` was to close the performance. `
` `
` Before three o'clock the large shed was invaded by the spectators, `
` comprising Europeans and natives, Chinese and Japanese, men, women `
` and children, who precipitated themselves upon the narrow benches `
` and into the boxes opposite the stage. The musicians took up a position `
` inside, and were vigorously performing on their gongs, tam-tams, flutes, `
` bones, tambourines, and immense drums. `
` `
` The performance was much like all acrobatic displays; but it must be `
` confessed that the Japanese are the first equilibrists in the world. `
` `
` One, with a fan and some bits of paper, performed the graceful `
` trick of the butterflies and the flowers; another traced in the air, `
` with the odorous smoke of his pipe, a series of blue words, `
` which composed a compliment to the audience; while a third juggled `
` with some lighted candles, which he extinguished successively `
` as they passed his lips, and relit again without interrupting `
` for an instant his juggling. Another reproduced the most singular `
` combinations with a spinning-top; in his hands the revolving tops `
` seemed to be animated with a life of their own in their `
` interminable whirling; they ran over pipe-stems, the edges of sabres, `
` wires and even hairs stretched across the stage; they turned around `
` on the edges of large glasses, crossed bamboo ladders, dispersed into `
` all the corners, and produced strange musical effects by the combination `
` of their various pitches of tone. The jugglers tossed them in the air, `
` threw them like shuttlecocks with wooden battledores, and yet they kept `
` on spinning; they put them into their pockets, and took them out `
` still whirling as before. `
` `
` It is useless to describe the astonishing performances of the acrobats `
` and gymnasts. The turning on ladders, poles, balls, barrels, &c., `
` was executed with wonderful precision. `
` `
` But the principal attraction was the exhibition of the Long Noses, `
` a show to which Europe is as yet a stranger. `
` `
` The Long Noses form a peculiar company, under the direct patronage `
` of the god Tingou. Attired after the fashion of the Middle Ages, `
` they bore upon their shoulders a splendid pair of wings; `
` but what especially distinguished them was the long noses `
` which were fastened to their faces, and the uses which they made of them. `
` These noses were made of bamboo, and were five, six, and even ten feet long, `
` some straight, others curved, some ribboned, and some having imitation warts `
` upon them. It was upon these appendages, fixed tightly on their real noses, `
` that they performed their gymnastic exercises. A dozen of these sectaries `
` of Tingou lay flat upon their backs, while others, dressed to represent `
` lightning-rods, came and frolicked on their noses, jumping from one to another, `
` and performing the most skilful leapings and somersaults. `
` `
` As a last scene, a "human pyramid" had been announced, in which `
` fifty Long Noses were to represent the Car of Juggernaut. `
` But, instead of forming a pyramid by mounting each other's shoulders, `
` the artists were to group themselves on top of the noses. `
` It happened that the performer who had hitherto formed the base `
` of the Car had quitted the troupe, and as, to fill this part, `
` only strength and adroitness were necessary, Passepartout `
` had been chosen to take his place. `
` `
` The poor fellow really felt sad when--melancholy reminiscence `
` of his youth!--he donned his costume, adorned with vari-coloured wings, `
` and fastened to his natural feature a false nose six feet long. `
` But he cheered up when he thought that this nose was winning `
` him something to eat. `
` `
` He went upon the stage, and took his place beside the rest `
` who were to compose the base of the Car of Juggernaut. `
` They all stretched themselves on the floor, their noses pointing `
` to the ceiling. A second group of artists disposed themselves on `
` these long appendages, then a third above these, then a fourth, `
` until a human monument reaching to the very cornices of the theatre `
` soon arose on top of the noses. This elicited loud applause, `
` in the midst of which the orchestra was just striking up a deafening air, `
` when the pyramid tottered, the balance was lost, one of the lower `
` noses vanished from the pyramid, and the human monument was `
` shattered like a castle built of cards! `
` `
` It was Passepartout's fault. Abandoning his position, `
` clearing the footlights without the aid of his wings, and, `
` clambering up to the right-hand gallery, he fell at the feet of `
` one of the spectators, crying, "Ah, my master! my master!" `
` `
` "You here?" `
` `
` "Myself." `
` `
` "Very well; then let us go to the steamer, young man!" `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout passed through the lobby `
` of the theatre to the outside, where they encountered `
` the Honourable Mr. Batulcar, furious with rage. He demanded damages `
` for the "breakage" of the pyramid; and Phileas Fogg appeased him `
` by giving him a handful of banknotes. `
` `
` At half-past six, the very hour of departure, Mr. Fogg and Aouda, `
` followed by Passepartout, who in his hurry had retained his wings, `
` and nose six feet long, stepped upon the American steamer. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXIV `
` `
` DURING WHICH MR. FOGG AND PARTY CROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN `
` `
` `
` What happened when the pilot-boat came in sight of Shanghai will `
` be easily guessed. The signals made by the Tankadere had been `
` seen by the captain of the Yokohama steamer, who, espying the flag `
` at half-mast, had directed his course towards the little craft. `
` Phileas Fogg, after paying the stipulated price of his passage to `
` John Busby, and rewarding that worthy with the additional sum of `
` five hundred and fifty pounds, ascended the steamer with Aouda `
` and Fix; and they started at once for Nagasaki and Yokohama. `
` `
` They reached their destination on the morning of the 14th of November. `
` Phileas Fogg lost no time in going on board the Carnatic, where he learned, `
` to Aouda's great delight--and perhaps to his own, though he betrayed `
` no emotion--that Passepartout, a Frenchman, had really arrived on her `
` the day before. `
` `
` The San Francisco steamer was announced to leave that very evening, `
` and it became necessary to find Passepartout, if possible, without delay. `
` Mr. Fogg applied in vain to the French and English consuls, and, `
` after wandering through the streets a long time, began to despair `
` of finding his missing servant. Chance, or perhaps a kind of presentiment, `
` at last led him into the Honourable Mr. Batulcar's theatre. He certainly `
` would not have recognised Passepartout in the eccentric mountebank's costume; `
` but the latter, lying on his back, perceived his master in the gallery. `
` He could not help starting, which so changed the position of his nose `
` as to bring the "pyramid" pell-mell upon the stage. `
` `
` All this Passepartout learned from Aouda, who recounted to him `
` what had taken place on the voyage from Hong Kong to Shanghai `
` on the Tankadere, in company with one Mr. Fix. `
` `
` Passepartout did not change countenance on hearing this name. `
` He thought that the time had not yet arrived to divulge to his `
` master what had taken place between the detective and himself; `
` and, in the account he gave of his absence, he simply excused himself `
` for having been overtaken by drunkenness, in smoking opium `
` at a tavern in Hong Kong. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg heard this narrative coldly, without a word; and then `
` furnished his man with funds necessary to obtain clothing more `
` in harmony with his position. Within an hour the Frenchman had `
` cut off his nose and parted with his wings, and retained nothing `
` about him which recalled the sectary of the god Tingou. `
` `
` The steamer which was about to depart from Yokohama to San Francisco `
` belonged to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and was named `
` the General Grant. She was a large paddle-wheel steamer `
` of two thousand five hundred tons; well equipped and very fast. `
` The massive walking-beam rose and fell above the deck; `
` at one end a piston-rod worked up and down; and at the other `
` was a connecting-rod which, in changing the rectilinear motion `
` to a circular one, was directly connected with the shaft of the paddles. `
` The General Grant was rigged with three masts, giving a large capacity `
` for sails, and thus materially aiding the steam power. By making `
` twelve miles an hour, she would cross the ocean in twenty-one days. `
` Phileas Fogg was therefore justified in hoping that he would reach `
` San Francisco by the 2nd of December, New York by the 11th, `
` and London on the 20th--thus gaining several hours on the fatal date `
` of the 21st of December. `
` `
` There was a full complement of passengers on board, among them English, `
` many Americans, a large number of coolies on their way to California, `
` and several East Indian officers, who were spending their vacation `
` in making the tour of the world. Nothing of moment happened on the voyage; `
` the steamer, sustained on its large paddles, rolled but little, `
` and the Pacific almost justified its name. Mr. Fogg was as calm `
` and taciturn as ever. His young companion felt herself more and more `
`