Around the World in 80 Days
‘Does she go fast?’ ‘Between eight and nine knots the hour. Will you look at her?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Your honour will be satisfied with her. Is it for a sea excursion?’ ‘No; for a voyage.’ ‘A voyage?’ ‘Yes, will you agree to take me to Yokohama?’ The sailor leaned on the railing, opened his eyes wide, and said, ‘Is your honour joking?’ ‘No. I have missed the Carnatic, and I must get to Yokohama by the 14th at the latest, to take the boat for San Francisco.’ ‘I am sorry,’ said the sailor; ‘but it is impossible.’ ‘I offer you a hundred pounds per day, and an additional reward of two hundred pounds if I reach Yokohama in time.’ ‘Are you in earnest?’ ‘Very much so.’ The pilot walked away a little distance, and gazed out to sea, evidently struggling between the anxiety to gain a large sum and the fear of venturing so far. Fix was in mortal suspense. 168 of 339