Last I wrote, we were in the hotel at New York, and Phileas had just come in saying he had found a boat. That was a long time ago now; I can hardly remember it, even. I had not known his plans then. I thought it odd we should go to Bordeaux, which is so far down the French coast, but Fogg was so calm I merely thought he just knew what he was doing. I did not expect him to take over The Henrietta at sea!
We had just set off, and I was putting my bag in my cabin for the long journey, when I overheard Phileas speaking with the crew, who were occasional, and did not have a good relationship with the captain. I heard them speaking money, and was concerned, but nothing like I was when I saw Mr Speedy, the captain, put in Fogg's cabin bound hand and foot! I asked what was happening, and was coolly told we were taking the boat to Liverpool. What could I do? Nothing at all.
Through storm and gale we were led on a straight path by Phileas's steady hand, the boat pushed to her limits, and the furnace burning hotter than ever before.
However, about nine hundred miles from Liverpool, it was announced by the engineer we were running out of coal. In another two hundred miles, we would be completely stuck!
Fogg, maintaining his taciturn manner, said nothing but, "Feed all the fires until the coal is exhausted." By this time, most thought him mad, though all followed his orders.
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| Liverpool |
He came up, raving like a bear, even more when Phileas asked to buy his boat.
"No!" was the quick reply.
After getting this much expected answer, Fogg told him that, as the coal had run out, he would be obliged to burn all the wood that could be spared on board. He offered Speedy sixty thousand pounds for the wood, excluding the metal and engine; the most valuable parts of the boat!
Who would not take this offer? It was easily accepted, and all wood available was burned. Using this, we arrived at Queenstown, where we stopped. All was well, until, at the most unexpected moment, Fix asked Phileas if he really was who he said he was. This, obviously, was confirmed, at which the rascal pulled out his warrant and said, "I arrest you in the Queen's name!"
Now I write in a police car; my hands are shaking. We are arriving at Liverpool, but Fogg is as calm as always. The car has stopped, I must be done. I will write more when, hopefully, all is well!
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