keys were not numerous, and
they fled away with grimaces and gestures, which amused Passe-partout
very much indeed.

One reflection, however, troubled Passe-partout exceedingly, and that
was how would his master dispose of the elephant when they reached
Allahabad? Would he take it on with him? That was scarcely possible.
The price of conveyance, added to the purchase-money, would be
ruinous. Would he sell the beast or set him free? No doubt the animal
deserved some consideration. Suppose Mr. Fogg made him, Passe-partout,
a present of the elephant? He would feel very much embarrassed. So
these considerations worried the valet not a little.

At eight o'clock they had crossed the principal heights of the Vindhia
chain, and at a ruined bungalow upon the southern slope of the
mountains our travellers halted again.

The distance traversed was about twenty-five miles, and they had still
as far to go to reach Allahabad. The night was quite chilly. A fire
lighted by the Parsee was very acceptable, and the travellers made an
excellent supper of the provisions they had purchased at Kholby. The
intermittent conversation soon gave way to steady snoring. The guide
kept watch by the elephant, which slept outside, supported by the
trunk of an enormous tree.

Nothing happened to disturb the party during the night. Now and then
the growls of wild animals, or the chattering of monkeys, broke the
silence, but nothing more terrible was heard, and the larger animals
did not disturb the occupants of the bungalow. Sir Francis Cromarty
"lay like a warrior taking his rest." Passe-partout, in a restless
sleep, appeared to be practising the gymnastics he had executed on the
elephant's back. As for Mr. Fogg, he slept as peacefully as if he were
in his quiet bed in Saville Row.

At six o'clock they resumed their journey. The guide hoped to reach
Allahabad that evening. In that case Mr. Fogg would only lose a
portion of the eight-and-forty hours already saved since the
commencement of the trip.

They descended the last slopes of the Vindhias. The elephant resumed
his rapid pace. Towards mid-day the guide passed round the village of
Kallenger on the Cani, one of the small affluents of the Ganges. He
appeared to avoid all inhabited places, feeling more secure in the
deserted tracts. Allahabad was thence only a dozen miles off in a
north-easterly direction. They halted once more under a banana-tree,
the fruit of which, as wholesome as bread and