A Glimpse of San Francisco

It was seven in the morning when Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout set foot upon the American continent, if this name can be given to the floating quay upon which they disembarked. These quays, rising and falling with the tide, thus facilitate the loading and unloading of vessels. Alongside them were clippers of all sizes, steamers of all nationalities, and the steamboats, with several decks rising one above the other, which ply on the Sacramento and its tributaries. There were also heaped up the products of a commerce which extends to Mexico, Chili, Peru, Brazil, Europe, Asia, and all the Pacific islands.

It was seven in the morning when Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout set foot on the American continent. That is, if the floating dock where they landed could be called part of the continent. These docks rise and fall with the tide, making it easier to load and unload ships. Alongside them were clippers of all sizes, steamships from all nations, and steamboats with several decks stacked one above another. The steamboats traveled on the Sacramento and its tributaries. Goods were also piled up on the docks, from trade extending to Mexico, Chili, Peru, Brazil, Europe, Asia, and all the Pacific islands.

Passepartout, in his joy on reaching at last the American continent, thought he would manifest it by executing a perilous vault in fine style; but, tumbling upon some worm-eaten planks, he fell through them. Put out of countenance by the manner in which he thus “set foot” upon the New World, he uttered a loud cry, which so frightened the innumerable cormorants and pelicans that are always perched upon these movable quays, that they flew noisily away.

Overjoyed to have finally reached the American continent, Passepartout decided to celebrate with a daring vault, performed in fine style. But he landed on some worm-eaten planks and fell through them. Embarrassed by the way he had “set foot” on the New World, he let out a loud cry. It startled the countless cormorants and pelicans always perched on these floating docks, and they flew noisily away.

Mr. Fogg, on reaching shore, proceeded to find out at what hour the first train left for New York, and learned that this was at six o’clock p.m.; he had, therefore, an entire day to spend in the Californian capital. Taking a carriage at a charge of three dollars, he and Aouda entered it, while Passepartout mounted the box beside the driver, and they set out for the International Hotel.

When Mr. Fogg reached shore, he asked when the first train left for New York. He learned that it left at six o’clock in the evening, so he had an entire day to spend in the Californian capital. He hired a carriage for three dollars and got in with Aouda. Passepartout climbed onto the seat beside the driver, and they set out for the International Hotel.

From his exalted position Passepartout observed with much curiosity the wide streets, the low, evenly ranged houses, the Anglo-Saxon Gothic churches, the great docks, the palatial wooden and brick warehouses, the numerous conveyances, omnibuses, horse-cars, and upon the side-walks, not only Americans and Europeans, but Chinese and Indians. Passepartout was surprised at all he saw. San Francisco was no longer the legendary city of 1849—a city of banditti, assassins, and incendiaries, who had flocked hither in crowds in pursuit of plunder; a paradise of outlaws, where they gambled with gold-dust, a revolver in one hand and a bowie-knife in the other: it was now a great commercial emporium.

From his high vantage point, Passepartout looked with great curiosity at the wide streets and the low houses in neat rows. He saw Anglo-Saxon Gothic churches, vast docks, and grand warehouses made of wood and brick. Many vehicles filled the streets, including omnibuses and horse-drawn streetcars. On the sidewalks he saw not only Americans and Europeans, but also Chinese and Indians. Passepartout was surprised by all he saw. San Francisco was no longer the legendary city of 1849. Back then, bandits, murderers, and arsonists had flocked there in search of plunder. It was a paradise for outlaws, who gambled with gold dust, holding a revolver in one hand and a bowie knife in the other. Now San Francisco was a great center of commerce.

The lofty tower of its City Hall overlooked the whole panorama of the streets and avenues, which cut each other at right-angles, and in the midst of which appeared pleasant, verdant squares, while beyond appeared the Chinese quarter, seemingly imported from the Celestial Empire in a toy-box. Sombreros and red shirts and plumed Indians were rarely to be seen; but there were silk hats and black coats everywhere worn by a multitude of nervously active, gentlemanly-looking men. Some of the streets—especially Montgomery Street, which is to San Francisco what Regent Street is to London, the Boulevard des Italiens to Paris, and Broadway to New York—were lined with splendid and spacious stores, which exposed in their windows the products of the entire world.

The tall City Hall tower overlooked the entire panorama of streets and avenues, which crossed at right angles. Pleasant green squares appeared among them. Beyond them lay the Chinese quarter, looking as if it had been imported from the Celestial Empire in a toy box. Sombreros, red shirts, and Indians wearing plumes were rarely seen. Instead, silk hats and black coats were everywhere, worn by crowds of restless, active, gentlemanly men. Some streets were lined with magnificent, spacious stores displaying products from all over the world. Montgomery Street was especially notable. It was to San Francisco what Regent Street was to London, the Boulevard des Italiens to Paris, and Broadway to New York.

When Passepartout reached the International Hotel, it did not seem to him as if he had left England at all.

When Passepartout reached the International Hotel, he felt as if he had not left England at all.

The ground floor of the hotel was occupied by a large bar, a sort of restaurant freely open to all passers-by, who might partake of dried beef, oyster soup, biscuits, and cheese, without taking out their purses. Payment was made only for the ale, porter, or sherry which was drunk. This seemed “very American” to Passepartout. The hotel refreshment-rooms were comfortable, and Mr. Fogg and Aouda, installing themselves at a table, were abundantly served on diminutive plates by negroes of darkest hue.

A large bar occupied the hotel’s ground floor. It was a kind of restaurant open to all passersby. They could eat dried beef, oyster soup, biscuits, and cheese without paying. They paid only for the ale, porter, or sherry they drank. This seemed “very American” to Passepartout. The hotel’s dining rooms were comfortable. Mr. Fogg and Aouda sat down at a table, where dark-skinned Black servers brought them plenty of food on tiny plates.

After breakfast, Mr. Fogg, accompanied by Aouda, started for the English consulate to have his passport visaed. As he was going out, he met Passepartout, who asked him if it would not be well, before taking the train, to purchase some dozens of Enfield rifles and Colt’s revolvers. He had been listening to stories of attacks upon the trains by the Sioux and Pawnees. Mr. Fogg thought it a useless precaution, but told him to do as he thought best, and went on to the consulate.

After breakfast, Mr. Fogg and Aouda set out for the English consulate to have his passport visaed. As he was leaving, he met Passepartout. Passepartout asked whether they should buy several dozen Enfield rifles and Colt’s revolvers before taking the train. He had been listening to stories about Sioux and Pawnee attacks on trains. Mr. Fogg thought the weapons were an unnecessary precaution, but told Passepartout to do as he thought best. Then Mr. Fogg continued to the consulate.

He had not proceeded two hundred steps, however, when, “by the greatest chance in the world,” he met Fix. The detective seemed wholly taken by surprise. What! Had Mr. Fogg and himself crossed the Pacific together, and not met on the steamer! At least Fix felt honoured to behold once more the gentleman to whom he owed so much, and, as his business recalled him to Europe, he should be delighted to continue the journey in such pleasant company.

However, he had not gone two hundred steps when, “by the greatest chance in the world,” he met Fix. The detective seemed completely surprised. What! Had he and Mr. Fogg crossed the Pacific together without meeting on the steamer? In any case, Fix was honored to see again the gentleman to whom he owed so much. His business was taking him back to Europe, so he would be delighted to continue the journey in such pleasant company.

Mr. Fogg replied that the honour would be his; and the detective—who was determined not to lose sight of him—begged permission to accompany them in their walk about San Francisco—a request which Mr. Fogg readily granted.

Mr. Fogg replied that the honor would be his. The detective was determined not to lose sight of him, so he asked to join them on their walk around San Francisco. Mr. Fogg readily agreed.

They soon found themselves in Montgomery Street, where a great crowd was collected; the side-walks, street, horsecar rails, the shop-doors, the windows of the houses, and even the roofs, were full of people. Men were going about carrying large posters, and flags and streamers were floating in the wind; while loud cries were heard on every hand.

They soon reached Montgomery Street, where a huge crowd had gathered. People filled the sidewalks, street, horsecar tracks, shop entrances, house windows, and even the roofs. Men walked around carrying large posters, and flags and streamers fluttered in the wind. Loud cries rang out on all sides.

“Hurrah for Camerfield!”

“Hooray for Camerfield!”

“Hurrah for Mandiboy!”

“Hooray for Mandiboy!”

It was a political meeting; at least so Fix conjectured, who said to Mr. Fogg, “Perhaps we had better not mingle with the crowd. There may be danger in it.”

Fix guessed it was a political meeting. He said to Mr. Fogg, “Perhaps we should stay out of the crowd. It may be dangerous.”

“Yes,” returned Mr. Fogg; “and blows, even if they are political, are still blows.”

“Yes,” replied Mr. Fogg, “and blows are still blows, even if they are political.”

Fix smiled at this remark; and, in order to be able to see without being jostled about, the party took up a position on the top of a flight of steps situated at the upper end of Montgomery Street. Opposite them, on the other side of the street, between a coal wharf and a petroleum warehouse, a large platform had been erected in the open air, towards which the current of the crowd seemed to be directed.

Fix smiled at this remark. To get a good view without being jostled, the group stood at the top of some steps at the upper end of Montgomery Street. Across the street, a large outdoor platform stood between a coal wharf and a petroleum warehouse. The crowd seemed to be moving toward the platform.

For what purpose was this meeting? What was the occasion of this excited assemblage? Phileas Fogg could not imagine. Was it to nominate some high official—a governor or member of Congress? It was not improbable, so agitated was the multitude before them.

What was the purpose of this meeting? Why had this excited crowd gathered? Phileas Fogg could not imagine. Had they gathered to nominate a high official, perhaps a governor or a member of Congress? It seemed possible, given how agitated the crowd before them was.

Just at this moment there was an unusual stir in the human mass. All the hands were raised in the air. Some, tightly closed, seemed to disappear suddenly in the midst of the cries—an energetic way, no doubt, of casting a vote. The crowd swayed back, the banners and flags wavered, disappeared an instant, then reappeared in tatters. The undulations of the human surge reached the steps, while all the heads floundered on the surface like a sea agitated by a squall. Many of the black hats disappeared, and the greater part of the crowd seemed to have diminished in height.

Just then, an unusual commotion swept through the crowd. All the hands went up in the air. Some were clenched tightly and seemed to disappear suddenly amid the shouting. This was no doubt an energetic way of casting a vote. The crowd swayed backward, and the banners and flags waved, disappeared for a moment, then reappeared in tatters. The waves of people reached the steps. Heads bobbed on the surface like a sea stirred up by a sudden storm. Many black hats disappeared, and most of the crowd seemed to have grown shorter.

“It is evidently a meeting,” said Fix, “and its object must be an exciting one. I should not wonder if it were about the ‘Alabama,’ despite the fact that that question is settled.”

“It’s clearly a meeting,” said Fix, “and it must be about something exciting. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were about the ‘Alabama,’ even though that question has been settled.”

“Perhaps,” replied Mr. Fogg, simply.

“Perhaps,” Mr. Fogg replied simply.

“At least, there are two champions in presence of each other, the Honourable Mr. Camerfield and the Honourable Mr. Mandiboy.”

“At least two champions are facing each other: the Honourable Mr. Camerfield and the Honourable Mr. Mandiboy.”

Aouda, leaning upon Mr. Fogg’s arm, observed the tumultuous scene with surprise, while Fix asked a man near him what the cause of it all was. Before the man could reply, a fresh agitation arose; hurrahs and excited shouts were heard; the staffs of the banners began to be used as offensive weapons; and fists flew about in every direction. Thumps were exchanged from the tops of the carriages and omnibuses which had been blocked up in the crowd. Boots and shoes went whirling through the air, and Mr. Fogg thought he even heard the crack of revolvers mingling in the din, the rout approached the stairway, and flowed over the lower step. One of the parties had evidently been repulsed; but the mere lookers-on could not tell whether Mandiboy or Camerfield had gained the upper hand.

Aouda leaned on Mr. Fogg’s arm and watched the chaotic scene in surprise. Fix asked a man nearby what was causing it all. Before the man could answer, the crowd erupted again. Cheers and excited shouts rang out. People began using banner poles as weapons, and fists flew in every direction. People exchanged blows from the roofs of carriages and omnibuses trapped in the crowd. Boots and shoes flew through the air. Mr. Fogg thought he could even hear revolver shots amid the noise. The fighting crowd approached the stairway and spilled onto the bottom step. One side had clearly been driven back. But the spectators could not tell whether Mandiboy or Camerfield had gained the upper hand.

“It would be prudent for us to retire,” said Fix, who was anxious that Mr. Fogg should not receive any injury, at least until they got back to London. “If there is any question about England in all this, and we were recognised, I fear it would go hard with us.”

“It would be wise for us to leave,” said Fix. He was anxious that Mr. Fogg should not be injured, at least until they got back to London. “If England is involved in any of this and we are recognized, I fear things will go badly for us.”

“An English subject—” began Mr. Fogg.

“An English citizen...” Mr. Fogg began.

He did not finish his sentence; for a terrific hubbub now arose on the terrace behind the flight of steps where they stood, and there were frantic shouts of, “Hurrah for Mandiboy! Hip, hip, hurrah!”

He did not finish his sentence. A tremendous commotion had broken out on the terrace behind the steps where they stood. People were shouting frantically, “Hurrah for Mandiboy! Hip, hip, hurrah!”

It was a band of voters coming to the rescue of their allies, and taking the Camerfield forces in flank. Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Fix found themselves between two fires; it was too late to escape. The torrent of men, armed with loaded canes and sticks, was irresistible. Phileas Fogg and Fix were roughly hustled in their attempts to protect their fair companion; the former, as cool as ever, tried to defend himself with the weapons which nature has placed at the end of every Englishman’s arm, but in vain. A big brawny fellow with a red beard, flushed face, and broad shoulders, who seemed to be the chief of the band, raised his clenched fist to strike Mr. Fogg, whom he would have given a crushing blow, had not Fix rushed in and received it in his stead. An enormous bruise immediately made its appearance under the detective’s silk hat, which was completely smashed in.

A group of voters had come to help their allies, attacking the Camerfield forces from the side. Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Fix found themselves caught between the two sides. It was too late to escape. The crowd of men, armed with weighted canes and sticks, could not be stopped. Phileas Fogg and Fix were roughly jostled as they tried to protect their lovely companion. Fogg, as cool as ever, tried to defend himself with the weapons nature has placed at the end of every Englishman’s arm. But his fists were no use. A big, muscular man seemed to be the leader of the group. He had a red beard, a flushed face, and broad shoulders. He raised his clenched fist to strike Mr. Fogg. The blow would have crushed Fogg, but Fix rushed in and took it instead. An enormous bruise immediately appeared beneath the detective’s silk hat, which was completely smashed in.

“Yankee!” exclaimed Mr. Fogg, darting a contemptuous look at the ruffian.

“Yankee!” exclaimed Mr. Fogg, shooting the thug a scornful look.

“Englishman!” returned the other. “We will meet again!”

“Englishman!” the other replied. “We will meet again!”

“When you please.”

“Whenever you like.”

“What is your name?”

“What is your name?”

“Phileas Fogg. And yours?”

“Phileas Fogg. And yours?”

“Colonel Stamp Proctor.”

“Colonel Stamp Proctor.”

The human tide now swept by, after overturning Fix, who speedily got upon his feet again, though with tattered clothes. Happily, he was not seriously hurt. His travelling overcoat was divided into two unequal parts, and his trousers resembled those of certain Indians, which fit less compactly than they are easy to put on. Aouda had escaped unharmed, and Fix alone bore marks of the fray in his black and blue bruise.

The tide of people swept past, knocking Fix down. He quickly got back on his feet, though his clothes were torn. Fortunately, he was not seriously hurt. His traveling overcoat was torn into two unequal pieces. His trousers resembled those of certain Indians, which are easier to put on than they are snug. Aouda had escaped unharmed, and only Fix bore a mark of the struggle, a black-and-blue bruise.

“Thanks,” said Mr. Fogg to the detective, as soon as they were out of the crowd.

“Thanks,” Mr. Fogg said to the detective as soon as they were out of the crowd.

“No thanks are necessary,” replied Fix; “but let us go.”

“No need to thank me,” Fix replied. “But let's go.”

“Where?”

“Where?”

“To a tailor’s.”

“To a tailor’s shop.”

Such a visit was, indeed, opportune. The clothing of both Mr. Fogg and Fix was in rags, as if they had themselves been actively engaged in the contest between Camerfield and Mandiboy. An hour after, they were once more suitably attired, and with Aouda returned to the International Hotel.

The visit was indeed well timed. Mr. Fogg and Fix both had clothes in rags, as if they had taken part in the contest between Camerfield and Mandiboy. An hour later, they were properly dressed again and returned to the International Hotel with Aouda.

Passepartout was waiting for his master, armed with half a dozen six-barrelled revolvers. When he perceived Fix, he knit his brows; but Aouda having, in a few words, told him of their adventure, his countenance resumed its placid expression. Fix evidently was no longer an enemy, but an ally; he was faithfully keeping his word.

Passepartout was waiting for his master, armed with half a dozen six-barrel revolvers. He frowned when he saw Fix. But Aouda briefly told him about their adventure, and his expression became calm again. Fix was clearly no longer an enemy but an ally. He was faithfully keeping his word.

Dinner over, the coach which was to convey the passengers and their luggage to the station drew up to the door. As he was getting in, Mr. Fogg said to Fix, “You have not seen this Colonel Proctor again?”

After dinner, the coach arrived at the door to take the passengers and their luggage to the station. As Mr. Fogg got in, he said to Fix, “You haven’t seen Colonel Proctor again?”

“No.”

“No.”

“I will come back to America to find him,” said Phileas Fogg calmly. “It would not be right for an Englishman to permit himself to be treated in that way, without retaliating.”

“I’ll come back to America to find him,” said Phileas Fogg calmly. “An Englishman should not let himself be treated that way without striking back.”

The detective smiled, but did not reply. It was clear that Mr. Fogg was one of those Englishmen who, while they do not tolerate duelling at home, fight abroad when their honour is attacked.

The detective smiled but did not reply. Clearly, Mr. Fogg was one of those Englishmen who would not tolerate dueling at home but would fight abroad if their honor was attacked.

At a quarter before six the travellers reached the station, and found the train ready to depart. As he was about to enter it, Mr. Fogg called a porter, and said to him: “My friend, was there not some trouble to-day in San Francisco?”

At a quarter to six, the travelers reached the station and found the train ready to leave. As Mr. Fogg was about to board, he called a porter and asked, “My friend, was there some trouble in San Francisco today?”

“It was a political meeting, sir,” replied the porter.

“It was a political meeting, sir,” the porter replied.

“But I thought there was a great deal of disturbance in the streets.”

“But I thought there was a lot of trouble in the streets.”

“It was only a meeting assembled for an election.”

“It was only a meeting held for an election.”

“The election of a general-in-chief, no doubt?” asked Mr. Fogg.

“The election of a commander-in-chief, no doubt?” asked Mr. Fogg.

“No, sir; of a justice of the peace.”

“No, sir, of a justice of the peace.”

Phileas Fogg got into the train, which started off at full speed.

Phileas Fogg got on the train, which set off at full speed.