The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-23

track all round the world. but Passepartout
good heart, we all know-would not tri-
umph and add to the confusion of Fix by TAX
ing the airs of conqueroy. Madame Aouda,
happy and confident, Mr.. Fogg impermeable
to all impressions, waited, after making him
self as comfortable as possible on board the
China.
Each day at noon Capt. Speedy made his
observations, and upon his open chart he i'll
Dictated to Mr.. Fogg the precise point that the
ship occupied on the Atlantic. The 18th
they passed the point of the Banks of New
foundland; 1t is a dangerous quarter, es-
pecially in winter, when it is enveloped in
heavy fogs, and subject to terrific gales of
wind. In the evening the barometer sudden
ly fell, indicating coming change in the at
mosphere; and during the night the temper
ature changed, the cold became more intense
and the wind veered to the southeast 1t
was a disappointment. Capt. Speedy, in Or
der not to change his route must furl his
sails and force the steam. Notwithstanding,
the speed of the ship was diminished, on ac-
count of the state of the sea, whose long
waves broke against her quarter, they ex-
perle need violent pitching, which hindered
her speed. The wind became tempest, and
thew anticipated already the possibility that
the China could not maintain herself erect
on the waves; and If they must fly, it was
to the unknown with all its doubtful chances
The countenance of PaSsepartout was dark
as the sky; and for two days he was terribly
frightened. But the captain was a brave
seaman, who knew his ship and could hold
her head to the sea; he maintained his route
even with very little steam. The ship, when
she coull not rise upon the waves, cut
through them, and her deck was washed on
a grand scale; but she passed. Sometimes
also the screw appeared beating the waves
with its blades, when mountain wave rising
astern lifted her above the pillows; but the
marvellous steamer always held her course.
Still, the wind was not so terrific as they had
feared. 1t was not one of those tempests
which move at the speed Of ninety miles an
hour. 1t held fresh, but unfortunately, it
blew obstinately from the southeast and
would not allow Capt. Speedy to carry any
sail.
The 10th of December was the seventy
fifth day since the departure from Londoli;
but the steamer had not thus far been much
delayed; half the voyage was already made,
| the dangerous points already crossed. But
| Capt. Speedy did not express his sentiments
yet. In summer he would have been sure OF
success; but in winter he was at the mercy
of bad weather. He said nothing, but still
he had hope; and if the winds failed him he
counted upon the steam. But this day-the
engineer came on deck, met the captain and
tdhCu d lOllS tlillC Will HILL huOW-
| ing why, by a presentiment, without DOUBT,
| Passepartout felt greatly troubled. He saw
Captain Speedy show signs Of Impotence
and vexation; going, coming, swearing,
stamping his foot, leaving the engineer, and
returning to him. This continued for ten
long minutes. Passepartout would have Civ
en- one of his ears to hear with the other
| what was said.
Then the captain said to the engineer, ''you
are sure of what you say?'
"Certain, captain, do not forget that since
our departure we have heat ID all our fur
naces."
''The devilr' cried the captain, ''But what
can we do?"
''We must advise with Mr.. Fogg."
swell, after that-when he is informed
when the sailors, when the devil is informed
will that extricate us from our embarrass-
ment ?" re-
'No, but the one most interested will know
what to depend upon,"
Il am the person most interested " replied
the captain, ending his phrase with broad
side of oaths.
The engineer returned to the engine room.
Passepartout had heard the last part of this
conversation. 1t was evident that some
thing was wrong, The captain walked the
deck like wild man. Passepartont could
| OF restrain himself, Monsieur said he to
him,-"Go find your master-hound," cried
Andrew Speedy, taking him by the shoulders
enforcing his order by vigorous gesture.
l'assepaltout did not wait to resent either
gesture or insult. He went down to the cab
in of Mr.. Fogg, who with tranquil step fol-
lowed him on deck.
you have something to say to me ?" in
quired he of the captain.
'Well, yes sir!' answered Andrew Speedy,
who could not restrain his words. ssThe dev-
fob fbnc in f.rrrp
''What is the matter?"
SIT is-it is that our coal will fail us, if we
continue to steam up in this way! used
coal for "a hours to no account in the delay
caused by the accident
Passepartout, who heard this conversation,
felt his limbs culver, but Mr.. Fogg did not
move.
cit is your fault, after ALL continued the
captain, ''you interested my men in your af-
fairs, to the detriment OF the regular service,
and the otner passengers; and yet if this con-
founded wind, that the devil blows in our
faces, had held to the northwest but no! In
short fOrewarn you. If we continue to keep
all onr furnaces burning, in two days there
not be left single piece OF coal on board"
"Oh!' said MIR. Fogg quietly-then he
walked the deck for a few moments, without
showing the least emotion--then, turning to
the captain,
posed of corn, cotton and deal?'
principally, yes sir"
swell, as you cannot remain at the mercy
OF the waves, convert your cargo into COM
bustibles-I pay"
Mr.. Fogg went to the cabin, inviting by a
sign, the Captain to accompany him. An
drew Speedy followed mechanically, his pas
sengers questioning whether or no Mr.. Fogg
was fool. On reaching the cabin, he said,
hot al
that lose 100000, if 1 am not in London
the 21st of Dec. at 35 minutes past 10, p. NJ.
Here are $4,000 in bank notes.
The Captain took the bank notes without
word, and few moments after the chimney
OF the China poured forth volumes of smoke.
When Fix knew the bargain which had
been made between Mr.. Fogg and the Captain,
he had congestive fit, but soon recovered.
Nearly 100000 spent already! 1t is true that
the sum stolen from the bank of England
amounted to e55,00O.
The ship continued her course under full
steam but, as he had said, two days after, the
18th, the engineer announced that they were
out of COAL
"Well," said Mr.. Fogg, 'kcep up the fires.
crowd the furnaces to the valves. What
distance are we from Liverpool, Captain ~
1900 leagues"
"Well, feed the fires with the lumber, until
you nave exhausted that cOmbuStlble."
The next day, the 10th, of Dec, they
burned tie wheat, the Goth, the cotton and
deal. 1t was a furious fire. But this day
they made the Irish coast, and the Fastenet
Light AT 10 O'Clock in the evening, the ship
was near Queenstown. Phileas Fogg had
only "a hours, in which to reach London. II
would take that time for the China to arrive
at her dock in Liverpool even under full
steam, and steam had failed this audacious
gentleman.
Sir said the Captain to him, Everything
is against us! We are yet only before Queens
town.
'OhW said Mr.. Fogg, ''that is Queenstown,
the city whose lights we see?''
eyes"
Can we enter the port ?''
I'VE must wait three hours, until high
tide.
Let us watt answered Mr.. Fogg tran
gully, without showing by any expression on
his countenance, that, by supreme nspira-
ton, he attempted to conquer this last adverse
fortune. Queenstown is port on the Irish
coast, where the English steamers coming
from the United States leave, as they pass,
their bag OF letters. These letters are carried
TO Dublin by an express, always ready to leave.
FROM Dublin, they are carried to London by
the fastest steamers Tins .nr;o;pat;,c, I,, 10