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`Bordeaux.' `And your cargo?' `No freight. Going in ballast.' `Have you any passengers?' `No passengers. Never have passengers. Too much in the way.' `Is your vessel a swift one?' `Between eleven and twelve knots. The "Henrietta", well known.' `Will you carry me and three other persons to Liverpool?' `To Liverpool? Why not to China?' `I said Liverpool.' `No!' `No?' `No. I am setting out for Bordeaux, and shall go to Bordeaux.' `Money is no object?' `None.' The captain spoke in a tone which did not admit of a reply. `But the owners of the "Henrietta" - ,' resumed Phileas Fogg. `The owners are myself,' replied the captain. `The vessel belongs to me.' `I will freight it for you.' `No.' `I will buy it of you.' `No.' Phileas Fogg did not betray the least disappointment; but the situation was a grave one. It was not at New York as at Hong Kong, nor with the captain of the `Henrietta' as with the captain of the `Tankadere'. Up to this time money had smoothed away every obstacle. Now money failed. Still, some means must be found to cross the Atlantic on a boat, unless by balloon, - which would have been venturesome, besides not being capable of being put in practice. It seemed that Phileas Fogg had an idea, for he said to the captain, `Well, will you carry me to Bordeaux?' `No, not if you paid me two hundred dollars.' `I offer you two thousand.' `Apiece?' |
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