.

"Well, your honour," replied the pilot; "I cannot risk my life, or my
men, or even you in such a voyage, in so small a ship, at this time of
year. Besides, we could not get to Yokohama in time. It is one
thousand six hundred and fifty miles away."

"Only one thousand six hundred," said Mr. Fogg.

"Oh, it is all the same." Fix breathed again. "But," continued the
pilot, "we might manage it in another way."

Fix scarcely dared to breathe.

"How do you mean?" asked Fogg.

"By going to Nagasaki, which is only eleven hundred miles, or to
Shanghai, which is eight hundred. In the latter case we shall be able
to keep close in-shore, and have advantage of the current."

"But," replied Fogg, "I must take the American mail steamer at
Yokohama, and not at Shanghai or Nagasaki."

"Well, why not?" replied the pilot. "The _San Francisco_ does not
start from Yokohama; it starts from Shanghai, and only calls at
Yokohama and Nagasaki."

"Are you quite sure of that?"

"Certain."

"And when does she leave Shanghai?"

On the 11th, at seven o'clock in the evening. So we have four days,
which are ninety-six hours; and at the rate of eight knots an hour, if
the wind hold, we shall be able to reach Shanghai in time."

"And when will you be able to start?"

"In an hour. I only want to buy some provisions and bend the sails."

"Well, it is a bargain. Are you the owner?"

"Yes; my name is John Bunsby, owner of the _Tankadere_."

"Would you like something on account?"

"If convenient to your honour."

"Here are two hundred pounds. Sir," continued Fogg, turning to Fix,
"if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity--"

"Thank you, sir," replied Fix. "I was about to beg the favour of you."

"Well, then, we shall be ready in half an hour."

"But what shall we do about the servant?" said Mrs. Aouda, who was
much distressed at Passe-partout's absence.

"I will do all I can for him," replied Fogg; and while they directed
their steps towards the police-office. Fix went on board the
pilot-boat. Phileas left the description of his servant with the
police, and a sum of money to be spent in seeking him. The same
formality was gone through at the French Consulate; and then procuring
their luggage, which had been sent back to the hotel, they went down
to the wharf.

Three o'clock struck; the pilot-boat No. 43 was ready to start. She
was a pretty little schooner, about twenty tons, built for speed, like
a racing-yacht