Page 304 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Around the World in 80 Days

During the first days, they went along smoothly
enough. The sea was not very unpropitious, the wind
seemed stationary in the north-east, the sails were hoisted,
and the Henrietta ploughed across the waves like a real

trans-Atlantic steamer.
Passepartout was delighted. His master’s last exploit, the
consequences of which he ignored, enchanted him. Never
had the crew seen so jolly and dexterous a fellow. He
formed warm friendships with the sailors, and amazed
them with his acrobatic feats. He thought they managed
the vessel like gentlemen, and that the stokers fired up like
heroes. His loquacious good-humour infected everyone.
He had forgotten the past, its vexations and delays. He
only thought of the end, so nearly accomplished; and
sometimes he boiled over with impatience, as if heated by
the furnaces of the Henrietta. Often, also, the worthy
fellow revolved around Fix, looking at him with a keen,
distrustful eye; but he did not speak to him, for their old
intimacy no longer existed.
Fix, it must be confessed, understood nothing of what
was going on. The conquest of the Henrietta, the bribery
of the crew, Fogg managing the boat like a skilled seaman,
amazed and confused him. He did not know what to
think. For, after all, a man who began by stealing fifty-five

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