Read the chapter
Around the World in Eighty Days
Chapter 32. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG ENGAGES IN A DIRECT STRUGGLE WITH BAD FORTUNE
The "China," in leaving, seemed to have taken Phileas Fogg's last hope.
None of the other steamers could serve his plans.
The "Pereire," of the French Transatlantic Company, whose fine steamers are equal to any in speed and comfort, didn't leave until the 14th.
The Hamburg boats went to Havre, not Liverpool or London, and the extra trip to Southampton would ruin Phileas Fogg's last efforts.
The Inman steamer didn't leave till the next day, and couldn't cross the Atlantic in time to save the bet.
Mr. Fogg learned all this by consulting his "Bradshaw," which gave him the daily movements of the ships that cross the Atlantic.
Passepartout was crushed, it broke him to miss the boat by three quarters of an hour.
It was his fault, for, instead of helping his master, he hadn't stopped putting obstacles in his way.
He thought of all the events of the trip and added up the money wasted and what he had done.
He blamed himself very much.
He thought that the large bet, added to the heavy costs of this useless journey, would ruin Mr. Fogg.
Mr. Fogg, however, didn't blame him, and, on leaving the Cunard pier, only said, "We'll talk about what's best tomorrow. Come."
The party crossed the Hudson in the Jersey City ferryboat, and drove in a carriage to the St. Nicholas Hotel on Broadway.
Rooms were taken, and Phileas Fogg slept while Aouda and the others, kept awake by fear, had a long night.
The next day was the 12th of December.
From 7 a.m. on the 12th to 8:45 p.m. on the 21st was nine days, thirteen hours and forty-five minutes.
If Phileas Fogg had left in the "China,"
One of the fastest steamers on the Atlantic, he'd have reached Liverpool, and then London, within the time agreed on.
Mr. Fogg left the hotel alone, after telling Passepartout to wait for his return, and tell Aouda to be ready at a moment's notice.
He went to the Hudson banks and looked at the ships tied or anchored in the river for any about to leave.
Several had signs of leaving, and were getting ready to put to sea at morning tide.
In this great and fine port there isn't one day in a hundred that ships don't set out for every part of the world.
But they were mostly sailing ships, which, of course, Phileas Fogg couldn't use.
He seemed to give up when he saw a fine trading ship with a screw anchored at the Battery, a cable's length.
Her funnel sent out a cloud of smoke, showing that she was getting ready to leave.
Phileas Fogg hailed a boat, got into it, and soon found himself on board the "Henrietta," iron hulled, wood built above.
He went up to the deck, and asked for the captain, who at once showed himself.
He was fifty, a sea wolf man with big eyes, copper skin, red hair, a thick neck and a growling voice.
"The captain?" asked Mr. Fogg.
"I'm the captain."
"I'm Phileas Fogg, of London."
"And I'm Andrew Speedy, of Cardiff."
"You're going to put to sea?"
"In an hour."
"You're bound for, "
"Bordeaux."
"And your cargo?"
"No cargo. Going in ballast."
"Have you any passengers?"
"No passengers. I never have passengers. They're too much in the way."
"Is your ship a fast one?"
"Between eleven and twelve knots. The "Henrietta," well known."
"Will you carry me and three other people to Liverpool?"
"To Liverpool? Why not to China?"
"I said Liverpool."
"No!"
"No?"
"No. I'm going to Bordeaux, and I'll go to Bordeaux."
"Money is no object?"
"None."
The captain spoke in a tone which didn't allow an answer.
"But the owners of the 'Henrietta', " began Phileas Fogg.
"The owners are me," replied the captain.
"The ship belongs to me."
"I'll pay for the whole ship."
"No."
"I'll buy it from you."
"No."
Phileas Fogg didn't show the least disappointment, but the situation was serious.
It wasn't at New York as at Hong Kong, nor with the captain of the "Henrietta"
As with the captain of the "Tankadere." Up to now money had smoothed every obstacle, Now money failed.
They had to find a way to cross the Atlantic by ship, a balloon would be risky and impossible to use.
It seemed that Phileas Fogg had an idea, for he said to the captain, "Well, will you carry me to Bordeaux?"
"No, not if you paid me two hundred dollars."
"I offer you two thousand."
"Each?"
"Each."
"And there are four of you?"
"Four."
Captain Speedy began to scratch his head.
There were eight thousand dollars to gain, without changing his route, which made it worth facing the dislike he had for all kinds of passengers.
Besides, passengers at two thousand dollars are no longer passengers, but valuable cargo.
"I leave at nine o'clock," said Captain Speedy, simply.
"Are you and your party ready?"
"We'll be on board at nine o'clock," replied, no less simply, Mr. Fogg.
It was half past eight in the evening, they had little time left.
Leaving the "Henrietta,"
Jumping into a hack, hurrying to the St.
Nicholas, and returning with Aouda, Passepartout, and even the always-present Fix was a short task.
Nicholas, and returning with Aouda, Passepartout, and even the always-present Fix was a short task.
It was done by Mr. Fogg with the calmness which never left him.
They were on board when the "Henrietta" made ready to weigh anchor.
When Passepartout heard what this last trip was going to cost, he gave a long "Oh!" that went through his whole voice.
As for Fix, he thought to himself that the Bank of England would certainly not get well paid in this matter.
When they reached England, even if Mr. Fogg didn't throw a few banknotes into the sea, over seven thousand pounds were spent.