Around the World in Eighty Days (Part-2)
By - Jules Verne
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| Around the World in Eighty Days |
The train left on time on 20th October. In the same compartment was one other person. Sir Francis Cromarty. As Passepartout slept, Fogg and Sir Francis chatted. All was uneventful until the morning of 22nd October.
"All Change! All change! Why are we stopping?” asked Sir Francis.
“We have to. The railway is not completed yet, fifty miles before it connects again.”, said the driver.
“The newspaper said the railway was open right through,” they said.
All were furious, but they could do nothing.
“I will carry on by foot,” said Phileas Fogg.
Passepartout rushed off around the area.
“Mr. Fogg,” he called, “I think we have found a means of transport. An elephant, just down from here.”
However, elephants are expensive in India. After much haggling Mr. Fogg had to pay 2,000 pounds. Not to hire, but to buy the elephant. An experienced guide was found, he soon had the elephant completely fitted out.
Phileas Fogg paid for the elephant from the famous bag. The party, that included Sir Francis Cromarty, covered twenty five miles that day before setting down for a night’s rest. At 6 am the journey started. All went well until late into the afternoon. The elephant suddenly stopped and was uneasy.
“What is the matter?” asked Sir Francis.
“A procession is coming this way. We must keep out of sight. Hide in the trees!” said the guide.
“A human sacrifice,” said Sir Francis sadly. “When?”
“Tomorrow, at first light,” replied the guide. “Two miles from here.”
“Can we save her?” Phileas Fogg requested.
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| Around the World in Eighty Days |
They all agreed to try. A plan of rescue was worked out. It was hoped to release the young woman as others slept. This did not happen, the armed guards kept watch all night. As daybreak approached the crowd came to life. The woman to be sacrificed was laid beside the corpse.
The lighted torch-whoosh! The wood pyre was alight. It was too late! Then suddenly everything changed. Cries of terror arose. Everybody threw themselves to the ground. Was the corpse not dead? He was seen to stand and take the woman in his arms. Then he walked through the thick smoke. Not a body coming back of life! Not a ghost! It was Passepartout! He had crept to the pyre unseen during the night. As they raced away on their elephant, shots whistled past. They had been discovered-but thankfully, too late. By mid-morning they were well clear. Soon they arrived at where the trains re-started. Sir Francis told them that the young woman would not be safe in India. She must go with Mr. Fogg. Passepartout was sent shopping for clothes for her.
Before the train left, Phileas Fogg paid the guide. He then offered him the elephant-all for the help given. Passepartout went to the elephant to say goodbye. Suddenly he was lifted up high. The elephant was saying goodbye in its own way.
The woman recovered while on the train. She told them the full story. Her name was Mrs. Aouda. The corpse was her husband who had died. She was to be offered for sacrifice by his family. Mr. Phileas Fogg told her not to be frightened. They would take her to Hong Kong. She was pleased because she had relatives there.
They arrived in Calcutta on 25th October, on schrdule. Sir Francis had left the train at Benares to rejoin his troops. He was a Brigadier General! Mr. Fogg, Passepartout and Mrs. Aouda had a five hour waited at Calcutta before their steamship was due to leave for Hong Kong. But Fogg wanted to get Mrs. Aouda on board away from danger. Just as they left the station, Mr. Fogg and Passepartout were stopped. They were asked by a policeman to follow him. They were to be held for Passepartout’s innocent intrusion into the place of worship in Bombay-desecration!
No arrest warrant had arrived from London! Mr. Fogg, looking anxiously at his watch, admitted to the charge. They were sentenced, but bailed for 1,000 pound each. Inspector Fix was furious when they went straight to the quay. Mr. Fogg was breaking bail! Mr. Fix was determined to follow him.
The first part of the steamship’s (Rangoon) crossing took place in excellent weather conditions. During the last few days of the voyage the weather worsened. A storm blew up. This meant the “Rangoon” had to heave-to and slow down. Considerably delayed, the “Rangoon” docked twenty four hours later than scheduled. Had they missed their connection at Hong Kong? No! Their steamship for Yokohama had been delayed also. It would sail at 5:00 a.m. the following morning. This gave Mr. Fogg time to assist Mrs. Aouda to find her relatives. They had however, left Hong Kong.
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| Around the World in Eighty Days |
Passepartout went off to book three cabins. On the way he spotted Inspector Fix. He was not surprised. They had spoken briefly on the trip from Calcutta. As they booked their cabins, they were told that repairs were finished early. The ship was going to leave at 8:00 p.m. that evening. Not on the morning. Inspector Fix decided he had to take action. He was still without an arrest warrant! He offered to take his companion for a drink. Passepartout thought he had time, so he accepted. The policeman was determined to stop the change of departure time reaching Mr. Fogg. He had to get Passepartout drunk. After drinking heavily, Passepartout collapsed. Inspector Fix paid the bill and left.
Mr. Fogg and Mrs. Aouda arrived at the dock the following morning. They expected to see the steamship and Passepartout. Neither one was in sight. Perhaps he had gone on ahead with the ship.
Mr. Fix moved to converse with Mr. Fogg. “The ‘Carnatic’ left last evening without telling everybody. I am stranded also. The next ship departs in one week,” he said. Phileas Fogg did not give up that easily. He found another smaller boat to take them to Shanghai.
As Passepartout still had not arrived, Mr. Fogg invited Mr. Fix to journey with them, unless he wished to wait the week. Mr. Fix had to stay with him or lose him!
It was agreed and John Bunsby of “Tankadere” got ready to depart within an hour. Mr. Fogg had said “Yes” to Shanghai. He was told it was too far to Yokohama for a small craft. Also, the steamship for San Francisco started from Shanghai before calling at Yokohama.
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