Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
and taciturn as ever. His young companion felt herself more and more `
` attached to him by other ties than gratitude; his silent but generous nature `
` impressed her more than she thought; and it was almost unconsciously that `
` she yielded to emotions which did not seem to have the least effect upon `
` her protector. Aouda took the keenest interest in his plans, and became `
` impatient at any incident which seemed likely to retard his journey. `
` `
` She often chatted with Passepartout, who did not fail to perceive `
` the state of the lady's heart; and, being the most faithful of domestics, `
` he never exhausted his eulogies of Phileas Fogg's honesty, generosity, `
` and devotion. He took pains to calm Aouda's doubts of a successful `
` termination of the journey, telling her that the most difficult part `
` of it had passed, that now they were beyond the fantastic countries `
` of Japan and China, and were fairly on their way to civilised places again. `
` A railway train from San Francisco to New York, and a transatlantic steamer `
` from New York to Liverpool, would doubtless bring them to the end of this `
` impossible journey round the world within the period agreed upon. `
` `
` On the ninth day after leaving Yokohama, Phileas Fogg had traversed exactly `
` one half of the terrestrial globe. The General Grant passed, on the 23rd `
` of November, the one hundred and eightieth meridian, and was at the very `
` antipodes of London. Mr. Fogg had, it is true, exhausted fifty-two `
` of the eighty days in which he was to complete the tour, and there were `
` only twenty-eight left. But, though he was only half-way by the `
` difference of meridians, he had really gone over two-thirds of the `
` whole journey; for he had been obliged to make long circuits from `
` London to Aden, from Aden to Bombay, from Calcutta to Singapore, `
` and from Singapore to Yokohama. Could he have followed without `
` deviation the fiftieth parallel, which is that of London, `
` the whole distance would only have been about twelve thousand miles; `
` whereas he would be forced, by the irregular methods of locomotion, `
` to traverse twenty-six thousand, of which he had, on the 23rd of November, `
` accomplished seventeen thousand five hundred. And now the course was `
` a straight one, and Fix was no longer there to put obstacles in their way! `
` `
` It happened also, on the 23rd of November, that Passepartout `
` made a joyful discovery. It will be remembered that the obstinate `
` fellow had insisted on keeping his famous family watch at London time, `
` and on regarding that of the countries he had passed through as quite false `
` and unreliable. Now, on this day, though he had not changed the hands, `
` he found that his watch exactly agreed with the ship's chronometers. `
` His triumph was hilarious. He would have liked to know what Fix `
` would say if he were aboard! `
` `
` "The rogue told me a lot of stories," repeated Passepartout, `
` "about the meridians, the sun, and the moon! Moon, indeed! `
` moonshine more likely! If one listened to that sort of people, `
` a pretty sort of time one would keep! I was sure that the sun `
` would some day regulate itself by my watch!" `
` `
` Passepartout was ignorant that, if the face of his watch had `
` been divided into twenty-four hours, like the Italian clocks, `
` he would have no reason for exultation; for the hands of his watch `
` would then, instead of as now indicating nine o'clock in the morning, `
` indicate nine o'clock in the evening, that is, the twenty-first hour `
` after midnight precisely the difference between London time and that `
` of the one hundred and eightieth meridian. But if Fix had been able `
` to explain this purely physical effect, Passepartout would not have admitted, `
` even if he had comprehended it. Moreover, if the detective had been on board `
` at that moment, Passepartout would have joined issue with him on a quite `
` different subject, and in an entirely different manner. `
` `
` Where was Fix at that moment? `
` `
` He was actually on board the General Grant. `
` `
` On reaching Yokohama, the detective, leaving Mr. Fogg, whom he expected `
` to meet again during the day, had repaired at once to the English consulate, `
` where he at last found the warrant of arrest. It had followed him from Bombay, `
` and had come by the Carnatic, on which steamer he himself was supposed to be. `
` Fix's disappointment may be imagined when he reflected that the warrant was `
` now useless. Mr. Fogg had left English ground, and it was now necessary `
` to procure his extradition! `
` `
` "Well," thought Fix, after a moment of anger, "my warrant is not good here, `
` but it will be in England. The rogue evidently intends to return to his `
` own country, thinking he has thrown the police off his track. Good! `
` I will follow him across the Atlantic. As for the money, heaven grant `
` there may be some left! But the fellow has already spent in travelling, `
` rewards, trials, bail, elephants, and all sorts of charges, more than `
` five thousand pounds. Yet, after all, the Bank is rich!" `
` `
` His course decided on, he went on board the General Grant, `
` and was there when Mr. Fogg and Aouda arrived. To his utter `
` amazement, he recognised Passepartout, despite his theatrical disguise. `
` He quickly concealed himself in his cabin, to avoid an awkward explanation, `
` and hoped--thanks to the number of passengers--to remain unperceived `
` by Mr. Fogg's servant. `
` `
` On that very day, however, he met Passepartout face to face `
` on the forward deck. The latter, without a word, `
` made a rush for him, grasped him by the throat, `
` and, much to the amusement of a group of Americans, `
` who immediately began to bet on him, administered `
` to the detective a perfect volley of blows, `
` which proved the great superiority of French `
` over English pugilistic skill. `
` `
` When Passepartout had finished, he found himself relieved `
` and comforted. Fix got up in a somewhat rumpled condition, `
` and, looking at his adversary, coldly said, "Have you done?" `
` `
` "For this time--yes." `
` `
` "Then let me have a word with you." `
` `
` "But I--" `
` `
` "In your master's interests." `
` `
` Passepartout seemed to be vanquished by Fix's coolness, for he quietly `
` followed him, and they sat down aside from the rest of the passengers. `
` `
` "You have given me a thrashing," said Fix. "Good, I expected it. `
` Now, listen to me. Up to this time I have been Mr. Fogg's adversary. `
` I am now in his game." `
` `
` "Aha!" cried Passepartout; "you are convinced he is an honest man?" `
` `
` "No," replied Fix coldly, "I think him a rascal. Sh! don't budge, `
` and let me speak. As long as Mr. Fogg was on English ground, `
` it was for my interest to detain him there until my warrant `
` of arrest arrived. I did everything I could to keep him back. `
` I sent the Bombay priests after him, I got you intoxicated at Hong Kong, `
` I separated you from him, and I made him miss the Yokohama steamer." `
` `
` Passepartout listened, with closed fists. `
` `
` "Now," resumed Fix, "Mr. Fogg seems to be going back to England. `
` Well, I will follow him there. But hereafter I will do as much `
` to keep obstacles out of his way as I have done up to this time `
` to put them in his path. I've changed my game, you see, `
` and simply because it was for my interest to change it. `
` Your interest is the same as mine; for it is only in England `
` that you will ascertain whether you are in the service of a criminal `
` or an honest man." `
` `
` Passepartout listened very attentively to Fix, `
` and was convinced that he spoke with entire good faith. `
` `
` "Are we friends?" asked the detective. `
` `
` "Friends?--no," replied Passepartout; "but allies, perhaps. `
` At the least sign of treason, however, I'll twist your neck for you." `
` `
` "Agreed," said the detective quietly. `
` `
` Eleven days later, on the 3rd of December, the General Grant `
` entered the bay of the Golden Gate, and reached San Francisco. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg had neither gained nor lost a single day. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXV `
` `
` IN WHICH A SLIGHT GLIMPSE IS HAD OF SAN FRANCISCO `
` `
` `
` It was seven in the morning when Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout `
` set foot upon the American continent, if this name can be given to `
` the floating quay upon which they disembarked. These quays, `
` rising and falling with the tide, thus facilitate the loading `
` and unloading of vessels. Alongside them were clippers of all sizes, `
` steamers of all nationalities, and the steamboats, with several decks `
` rising one above the other, which ply on the Sacramento and its tributaries. `
` There were also heaped up the products of a commerce which extends to Mexico, `
` Chili, Peru, Brazil, Europe, Asia, and all the Pacific islands. `
` `
` Passepartout, in his joy on reaching at last the American continent, `
` thought he would manifest it by executing a perilous vault in fine style; `
` but, tumbling upon some worm-eaten planks, he fell through them. `
` Put out of countenance by the manner in which he thus "set foot" `
` upon the New World, he uttered a loud cry, which so frightened `
` the innumerable cormorants and pelicans that are always perched `
` upon these movable quays, that they flew noisily away. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, on reaching shore, proceeded to find out at what hour the first `
` train left for New York, and learned that this was at six o'clock p.m.; `
` he had, therefore, an entire day to spend in the Californian capital. `
` Taking a carriage at a charge of three dollars, he and Aouda entered it, `
` while Passepartout mounted the box beside the driver, and they set out `
` for the International Hotel. `
` `
` From his exalted position Passepartout observed with much curiosity `
` the wide streets, the low, evenly ranged houses, the Anglo-Saxon `
` Gothic churches, the great docks, the palatial wooden and brick warehouses, `
` the numerous conveyances, omnibuses, horse-cars, and upon the side-walks, `
` not only Americans and Europeans, but Chinese and Indians. Passepartout `
` was surprised at all he saw. San Francisco was no longer the legendary city `
` of 1849--a city of banditti, assassins, and incendiaries, who had flocked `
` hither in crowds in pursuit of plunder; a paradise of outlaws, where they `
` gambled with gold-dust, a revolver in one hand and a bowie-knife in the other: `
` it was now a great commercial emporium. `
` `
` The lofty tower of its City Hall overlooked the whole panorama `
` of the streets and avenues, which cut each other at right-angles, `
` and in the midst of which appeared pleasant, verdant squares, `
` while beyond appeared the Chinese quarter, seemingly imported `
` from the Celestial Empire in a toy-box. Sombreros and red shirts `
`
` attached to him by other ties than gratitude; his silent but generous nature `
` impressed her more than she thought; and it was almost unconsciously that `
` she yielded to emotions which did not seem to have the least effect upon `
` her protector. Aouda took the keenest interest in his plans, and became `
` impatient at any incident which seemed likely to retard his journey. `
` `
` She often chatted with Passepartout, who did not fail to perceive `
` the state of the lady's heart; and, being the most faithful of domestics, `
` he never exhausted his eulogies of Phileas Fogg's honesty, generosity, `
` and devotion. He took pains to calm Aouda's doubts of a successful `
` termination of the journey, telling her that the most difficult part `
` of it had passed, that now they were beyond the fantastic countries `
` of Japan and China, and were fairly on their way to civilised places again. `
` A railway train from San Francisco to New York, and a transatlantic steamer `
` from New York to Liverpool, would doubtless bring them to the end of this `
` impossible journey round the world within the period agreed upon. `
` `
` On the ninth day after leaving Yokohama, Phileas Fogg had traversed exactly `
` one half of the terrestrial globe. The General Grant passed, on the 23rd `
` of November, the one hundred and eightieth meridian, and was at the very `
` antipodes of London. Mr. Fogg had, it is true, exhausted fifty-two `
` of the eighty days in which he was to complete the tour, and there were `
` only twenty-eight left. But, though he was only half-way by the `
` difference of meridians, he had really gone over two-thirds of the `
` whole journey; for he had been obliged to make long circuits from `
` London to Aden, from Aden to Bombay, from Calcutta to Singapore, `
` and from Singapore to Yokohama. Could he have followed without `
` deviation the fiftieth parallel, which is that of London, `
` the whole distance would only have been about twelve thousand miles; `
` whereas he would be forced, by the irregular methods of locomotion, `
` to traverse twenty-six thousand, of which he had, on the 23rd of November, `
` accomplished seventeen thousand five hundred. And now the course was `
` a straight one, and Fix was no longer there to put obstacles in their way! `
` `
` It happened also, on the 23rd of November, that Passepartout `
` made a joyful discovery. It will be remembered that the obstinate `
` fellow had insisted on keeping his famous family watch at London time, `
` and on regarding that of the countries he had passed through as quite false `
` and unreliable. Now, on this day, though he had not changed the hands, `
` he found that his watch exactly agreed with the ship's chronometers. `
` His triumph was hilarious. He would have liked to know what Fix `
` would say if he were aboard! `
` `
` "The rogue told me a lot of stories," repeated Passepartout, `
` "about the meridians, the sun, and the moon! Moon, indeed! `
` moonshine more likely! If one listened to that sort of people, `
` a pretty sort of time one would keep! I was sure that the sun `
` would some day regulate itself by my watch!" `
` `
` Passepartout was ignorant that, if the face of his watch had `
` been divided into twenty-four hours, like the Italian clocks, `
` he would have no reason for exultation; for the hands of his watch `
` would then, instead of as now indicating nine o'clock in the morning, `
` indicate nine o'clock in the evening, that is, the twenty-first hour `
` after midnight precisely the difference between London time and that `
` of the one hundred and eightieth meridian. But if Fix had been able `
` to explain this purely physical effect, Passepartout would not have admitted, `
` even if he had comprehended it. Moreover, if the detective had been on board `
` at that moment, Passepartout would have joined issue with him on a quite `
` different subject, and in an entirely different manner. `
` `
` Where was Fix at that moment? `
` `
` He was actually on board the General Grant. `
` `
` On reaching Yokohama, the detective, leaving Mr. Fogg, whom he expected `
` to meet again during the day, had repaired at once to the English consulate, `
` where he at last found the warrant of arrest. It had followed him from Bombay, `
` and had come by the Carnatic, on which steamer he himself was supposed to be. `
` Fix's disappointment may be imagined when he reflected that the warrant was `
` now useless. Mr. Fogg had left English ground, and it was now necessary `
` to procure his extradition! `
` `
` "Well," thought Fix, after a moment of anger, "my warrant is not good here, `
` but it will be in England. The rogue evidently intends to return to his `
` own country, thinking he has thrown the police off his track. Good! `
` I will follow him across the Atlantic. As for the money, heaven grant `
` there may be some left! But the fellow has already spent in travelling, `
` rewards, trials, bail, elephants, and all sorts of charges, more than `
` five thousand pounds. Yet, after all, the Bank is rich!" `
` `
` His course decided on, he went on board the General Grant, `
` and was there when Mr. Fogg and Aouda arrived. To his utter `
` amazement, he recognised Passepartout, despite his theatrical disguise. `
` He quickly concealed himself in his cabin, to avoid an awkward explanation, `
` and hoped--thanks to the number of passengers--to remain unperceived `
` by Mr. Fogg's servant. `
` `
` On that very day, however, he met Passepartout face to face `
` on the forward deck. The latter, without a word, `
` made a rush for him, grasped him by the throat, `
` and, much to the amusement of a group of Americans, `
` who immediately began to bet on him, administered `
` to the detective a perfect volley of blows, `
` which proved the great superiority of French `
` over English pugilistic skill. `
` `
` When Passepartout had finished, he found himself relieved `
` and comforted. Fix got up in a somewhat rumpled condition, `
` and, looking at his adversary, coldly said, "Have you done?" `
` `
` "For this time--yes." `
` `
` "Then let me have a word with you." `
` `
` "But I--" `
` `
` "In your master's interests." `
` `
` Passepartout seemed to be vanquished by Fix's coolness, for he quietly `
` followed him, and they sat down aside from the rest of the passengers. `
` `
` "You have given me a thrashing," said Fix. "Good, I expected it. `
` Now, listen to me. Up to this time I have been Mr. Fogg's adversary. `
` I am now in his game." `
` `
` "Aha!" cried Passepartout; "you are convinced he is an honest man?" `
` `
` "No," replied Fix coldly, "I think him a rascal. Sh! don't budge, `
` and let me speak. As long as Mr. Fogg was on English ground, `
` it was for my interest to detain him there until my warrant `
` of arrest arrived. I did everything I could to keep him back. `
` I sent the Bombay priests after him, I got you intoxicated at Hong Kong, `
` I separated you from him, and I made him miss the Yokohama steamer." `
` `
` Passepartout listened, with closed fists. `
` `
` "Now," resumed Fix, "Mr. Fogg seems to be going back to England. `
` Well, I will follow him there. But hereafter I will do as much `
` to keep obstacles out of his way as I have done up to this time `
` to put them in his path. I've changed my game, you see, `
` and simply because it was for my interest to change it. `
` Your interest is the same as mine; for it is only in England `
` that you will ascertain whether you are in the service of a criminal `
` or an honest man." `
` `
` Passepartout listened very attentively to Fix, `
` and was convinced that he spoke with entire good faith. `
` `
` "Are we friends?" asked the detective. `
` `
` "Friends?--no," replied Passepartout; "but allies, perhaps. `
` At the least sign of treason, however, I'll twist your neck for you." `
` `
` "Agreed," said the detective quietly. `
` `
` Eleven days later, on the 3rd of December, the General Grant `
` entered the bay of the Golden Gate, and reached San Francisco. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg had neither gained nor lost a single day. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXV `
` `
` IN WHICH A SLIGHT GLIMPSE IS HAD OF SAN FRANCISCO `
` `
` `
` It was seven in the morning when Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout `
` set foot upon the American continent, if this name can be given to `
` the floating quay upon which they disembarked. These quays, `
` rising and falling with the tide, thus facilitate the loading `
` and unloading of vessels. Alongside them were clippers of all sizes, `
` steamers of all nationalities, and the steamboats, with several decks `
` rising one above the other, which ply on the Sacramento and its tributaries. `
` There were also heaped up the products of a commerce which extends to Mexico, `
` Chili, Peru, Brazil, Europe, Asia, and all the Pacific islands. `
` `
` Passepartout, in his joy on reaching at last the American continent, `
` thought he would manifest it by executing a perilous vault in fine style; `
` but, tumbling upon some worm-eaten planks, he fell through them. `
` Put out of countenance by the manner in which he thus "set foot" `
` upon the New World, he uttered a loud cry, which so frightened `
` the innumerable cormorants and pelicans that are always perched `
` upon these movable quays, that they flew noisily away. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, on reaching shore, proceeded to find out at what hour the first `
` train left for New York, and learned that this was at six o'clock p.m.; `
` he had, therefore, an entire day to spend in the Californian capital. `
` Taking a carriage at a charge of three dollars, he and Aouda entered it, `
` while Passepartout mounted the box beside the driver, and they set out `
` for the International Hotel. `
` `
` From his exalted position Passepartout observed with much curiosity `
` the wide streets, the low, evenly ranged houses, the Anglo-Saxon `
` Gothic churches, the great docks, the palatial wooden and brick warehouses, `
` the numerous conveyances, omnibuses, horse-cars, and upon the side-walks, `
` not only Americans and Europeans, but Chinese and Indians. Passepartout `
` was surprised at all he saw. San Francisco was no longer the legendary city `
` of 1849--a city of banditti, assassins, and incendiaries, who had flocked `
` hither in crowds in pursuit of plunder; a paradise of outlaws, where they `
` gambled with gold-dust, a revolver in one hand and a bowie-knife in the other: `
` it was now a great commercial emporium. `
` `
` The lofty tower of its City Hall overlooked the whole panorama `
` of the streets and avenues, which cut each other at right-angles, `
` and in the midst of which appeared pleasant, verdant squares, `
` while beyond appeared the Chinese quarter, seemingly imported `
` from the Celestial Empire in a toy-box. Sombreros and red shirts `
`