Passepartout, delighted with his discovery, resolved, however, to say nothing of it to his master, fearing that he would be justly wounded at this mistrust which his opponents showed. But he promised himself to banter Fix, as opportunity offered, with covert allusions, and without committing himself.
On Wednesday, October 30, in the afternoon, the Rangoon entered the Straits of Malacca, separating the peninsula of that name from Sumatra. Mountainous, craggy, and very picturesque islets concealed from the passenger the view of this large island.
At four o'clock the next morning, the Rangoon, having gained a half day on its time table, put in at Singapore, to take in a new supply of coal.
Phileas Fogg noted this gain in the proper column, and this time he landed, accompanying Aouda, who had expressed a desire to walk about for a few hours. Fix, to whom every act of Fogg seemed suspicious, followed him without letting himself be noticed. Passepartout, who was going to make his ordinary purchases, laughed in petto seeing Fix's maneuver.
The island of Singapore is neither large nor of an imposing aspect. It is wanting in mountains, that is to say, in profiles. However, it is charming even in its meagerness. It is a park laid out with fine roads. An elegant carriage, drawn by handsome horses, such as have been imported from New Holland, took Aouda and Phileas Fogg into the midst of massive groups of palm trees, of brilliant foliage, and clove trees, the cloves of which are formed from the very bud of the half opened flower. Bands of monkeys, lively and grimacing, were not wanting in the woods, nor perhaps tigers in the jungles. Should anyone be astonished to learn that in this island, comparatively so small, these terrible carnivorous animals were not destroyed to the very last one, we may reply that they come from Malacca, swimming across the straits.
After having driven about the country for two hours, Aouda and her companion—who looked a little without seeing anything—returned into the town, a vast collection of heavy, flat looking houses, surrounded by delightful gardens, in which grow mangoes, pineapples, and all the best fruits in the world. At ten o'clock they returned to the
