5 Phileas Fogg Travels

CHAPTER 5 Phileas Fogg Travels Across the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean The Mongolia left Suez on schedule—at exactly three p.m. local time—and started off on its journey to Aden. Phileas Fogg didn't

care for sight-seeing, so he spent little time on deck. Instead he passed his time much as he did at the Reform Club—he ate his meals and played cards. Unlike his boss, Passepartout truly enjoyed the scenery. He took every chance he could get to stand on deck and watch what passed by. One day when he was out and about, he came across Detective Fix. "Oh," Passepartout said, "you are the kind gentleman I met in Suez!" "And you are the butler to that strange Englishman!" Fix said. "That's correct, Monsieur—" "Fix." "Fix," Passepartout repeated. "I'm happy to see you on board. Where are you going?" "To Bombay." "Why, that's exactly where we're going! Have you been to India before?" Passepartout

asked. Fix told him that he had indeed been to India. To disguise his true identity as a London detective, he told Passepartout that he was an agent for the Peninsular and Oriental Company. This was the same company that owned the Mongolia. The two men became fast friends and quickly started taking daily walks around the deck together. As they walked, they chatted about what life must be like in India. Fix tried to get Passepartout to tell him more about Phileas Fogg and his curious trip around the world. Passepartout always answered honestly, but he didn't know much. What little he could share was rarely of any interest to Detective Fix. Meanwhile, the Mongolia pushed onward. They passed Mocha, drove through the Straight of Bab-el Mandeb, and then stopped at Aden for more coal. They were still

sixteen hundred miles away from Bombay. Fogg once again went on shore to have his passport stamped. He returned to the ship while Passepartout had a look around. By six o'clock, they were back on the ocean. The journey from Aden to Bombay was to take just seven short days. The Indian Ocean was smooth and calm. In fact, the Mongolia made excellent time. It arrived two days early! When they reached the port, Phileas calmly entered the two-day gain in his diary. He also noted the time and the number of miles they had traveled. After saying good-bye to his card partners on board the Mongolia, Phileas gave Passepartout some errands to run and set off in search of the passport office. They already had their tickets for the great railway that

crossed India from Bombay to Calcutta. It was set to leave for Calcutta at exactly eight o'clock that evening. Phileas wanted Passepartout to make sure he was back by then. With his stamped passport in hand, Phileas set off for the railway station to have his dinner. As for the wonders of Bombay, he didn't truly care to see them. While Phileas tried to eat an awful meal of strange meat, Fix went off in search of the Bombay police station. He told them he was a detective from London on the trail of a robber. He wanted to know if his warrant had arrived—it had not. Fix tried to convince the police to write a new one, but they refused. They said it was a matter for the London police. Fix did not argue with them. He knew that Phileas Fogg wouldn't be staying in Bombay for very long anyway. He would have to find another way to catch

him. Meanwhile, Passepartout set off on his errands right away. He had begun to believe that they were indeed on a race around the world. Having bought the new shirts and socks that Phileas had asked for, he took his time exploring Bombay's busy streets and crowded market squares. People wore dresses of all different designs! There were pointed caps and turbans, square bonnets, and long robes. Everyone looked so different! During his walk, Passepartout found himself in the middle of a parade. Girls in pretty costumes danced while shaking noisy tambourines. When the show had passed, Passepartout found himself drawn to a temple. What he didn't know was that foreigners were forbidden from entering these temples. It was against the law for him to go in! Passepartout had barely stepped inside