Page 287 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Around the World in 80 Days

‘Yes; with eleven hours to spare before the steamer
left.’
‘Good! you are therefore twenty hours behind. Twelve
from twenty leaves eight. You must regain eight hours.

Do you wish to try to do so?’
‘On foot?’ asked Mr. Fogg.
‘No; on a sledge,’ replied Fix. ‘On a sledge with sails. A
man has proposed such a method to me.’
It was the man who had spoken to Fix during the
night, and whose offer he had refused.
Phileas Fogg did not reply at once; but Fix, having
pointed out the man, who was walking up and down in
front of the station, Mr. Fogg went up to him. An instant
after, Mr. Fogg and the American, whose name was
Mudge, entered a hut built just below the fort.
There Mr. Fogg examined a curious vehicle, a kind of
frame on two long beams, a little raised in front like the
runners of a sledge, and upon which there was room for
five or six persons. A high mast was fixed on the frame,
held firmly by metallic lashings, to which was attached a
large brigantine sail. This mast held an iron stay upon
which to hoist a jib-sail. Behind, a sort of rudder served to
guide the vehicle. It was, in short, a sledge rigged like a
sloop. During the winter, when the trains are blocked up

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