The Unexpected Detour: Phileas Fogg’s Elephant Journey Across India

An Unlikely Trio on the Rails

As the journey through India begins, Phileas Fogg and his valet, Passepartout, find themselves sharing a cabin with Sir Francis Cromarty, a general in the British Army. Sir Francis, described as a "tall, fair man of fifty," is traveling to join his troops in Benares. Throughout their travels, Sir Francis maintains a skeptical view of Fogg’s ambitious mission, regarding him as a "strange fellow" for attempting to circle the globe in such a compressed timeframe. Despite the skepticism, the journey proceeds steadily until the train leaves the mountains behind and stops at Burhampur, where Passepartout acquires "Indian slippers decorated with false pearls" to replace the shoes he lost during a previous incident at a temple.

The Breakdown of the Great Railway

Disaster strikes when the train comes to an abrupt halt in a small village surrounded by a "forest of palm trees." The conductor informs the passengers that the "railroad's not finished," leaving a fifty-mile gap in the track. This revelation contradicts the reports in the "London papers," which had claimed the great railway across India was complete. Sir Francis is quick to highlight the gravity of the situation, warning Fogg, "You'll never make your connection in Calcutta now." However, Fogg remains characteristically composed, noting that since it is only October 22nd and the steamer to Hong Kong does not depart until the 25th, he has "a few days to spare."

Securing Transit: The Purchase of Keone

Faced with a fifty-mile trek, Passepartout realizes his new slippers are ill-suited for such a journey. He soon identifies an alternative: an elephant named Keone. Fogg attempts to hire the animal, but the owner proves remarkably resistant to his offers. Fogg’s determination is evidenced by his escalating financial bids, moving from an initial offer to a final purchase price of "two thousand pounds." Passepartout is left "amazed" by his employer’s willingness to spend such a significant sum to stay on schedule.

The Expedition Begins

With the elephant secured, the group hires a young guide named Ollie to navigate the remainder of the terrain. The logistical setup is described in detail: Fogg and Sir Francis occupy "haldas" on either side of the elephant, while Passepartout sits between them, directly on the animal's back. With the guide positioned on the elephant's neck, the party departs at nine o'clock, venturing into the palm tree forest to bridge the gap in the railway and regain their momentum toward Calcutta.