Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/48

 expire. After that, Commodore Farragut, faithful to his promise, would give the order to “’bout ship,” and abandon the Southern Pacific Ocean.

The frigate was then 31° 15’ N. lat. and 136° 42’ E. long. Japan was 200 miles to windward. Night came on. Eight bells was struck. Heavy clouds veiled the moon, then in her first quarter. The sea was calm, and rose and fell with a gentle swelling motion. At this time I was forward, leaning on the starboard nettings. Conseil, close to me, was looking ahead. The ship’s company, perched in the shrouds, were scanning the horizon, which was darkened, and then lighted up occasionally. The officers, with their night glasses, peered into the increasing obscurity. At times the dark sea scintillated under the moon’s rays, which darted between the clouds: then all luminous effects would be again lost in the darkness.

Observing Conseil I fancied that he was yielding to the general influence. Perhaps, and for the first time, his nerves were moved by a sentiment of curiosity.

“Well, Conseil,” said I; “here is our last opportunity to pocket $2,000.”

“Monsieur must permit me to say that I have never counted upon winning this reward; and the Government of the Union might have promised $100,000 without being any the poorer.”

“You are right, Conseil, this is a foolish business after all, and into which we rushed too hurriedly. What time has been lost! What useless worry! We might have been in France six months ago.”

“In Monsieur’s little apartment,” replied Conseil, “in the museum. And I should have already classified