Jules Verne

“ So Van Mitten, without another word, though still but half awake, shook his companion vigorously.
None can sleep more soundly than a Turk, when the Turk has a good digestion and an easy conscience. This was the case with Kéraban, and many attempts were made to rouse him.
Kéraban, without opening his eyes, grumbled and growled like a man who was by no means disposed to stir. Had he been as headstrong in his sleeping as when waking, they would have been obliged to let him alone.
Nevertheless, the persistence of Van Mitten and Bruno was such that Seigneur Kéraban was awakened. ”

“ I do not think I can ever be too far from it,” replied his master in a low voice, as if he were afraid of Holland hearing him.
In Bruno, Van Mitten possessed a most devoted servitor. This faithful valet in some respects resembled his master, as much so, indeed, as his deference would permit him to resemble that personage, with whom he had been so many years associated. For twenty years master and man had not been separated for a day. If Bruno in the house was something less than a friend, he was more than a servant. ”

“ Kéraban put his head out of his window.
"Are we to lose our time on account of a wretched railway company?" he cried. "Why is the gate closed?"
"No doubt a train is due," said Van Mitten quietly.
"Why is a train due, then?" retorted Kéraban.
The postillion continued to call out, without achieving any result. No one appeared either in the hut or in the garden.
"May Allah choke him!" exclaimed Kéraban. "If he does not come, I will open the gate myself!"
"Calm yourself, uncle," said Ahmet, restraining him, for Kéraban was about to descend from the chaise. ”

“ Of him alone ought I to think, and I only think of him."
"Let us then speak of him," said Nedjeb. "In truth, dear mistress, he is the most charming fiancé ever girl possessed; but what an uncle he has! That despot, that selfish wretch, who had only a word to say and did not say it—who refused to remain here for the few days he might have given us. Indeed, he deserves—"
"Let us talk of Ahmet," said Amasia.
"Yes. Ah! how he adores you! How happy you will be with him! He would be perfection if he had not such a man for his uncle. ”

“ How could he fail to make his fortune in such a business in this place, where every one smokes, morning, noon and night?"
"Smoke!" exclaimed Bruno. "Where have you seen any one smoke? I have not seen any smokers at all—not one, yet I quite expected to find groups of Turks at every door smoking long curling pipes or tubts of cherry with amber mouthpieces. But, no! Not even a cigarette, much less a cigar!"
"There is something we do not understand, depend upon it, Bruno. Why, even in Rotterdam we shall find more smokers than in the streets of Constantinople." ”

“ They thought the front part had given way.
"All the better," said Kéraban. "The horses will gallop away across the plain, and the wild boars will pursue them; so we shall be left undisturbed."
But the forepart of the chaise resisted with a strength that did credit to its English builder. So, as it would not part, the whole chaise moved, and the shock became extremely violent; so much so, indeed, that the carriage was pulled from its oozy bed, and the horses, mad with terror, rushed at headlong speed across the marshy plain through the thick darkness of the night. ”

“ If he were as good a sailor as he was a skilful trader, the Guidare would never meet with any mishap under Yarhud's command. All women—and young Turkish women are no exception to the general rule—permit themselves to be tempted by the sights of fabrics from the best looms of the East.
Ahmet perceived at once how much struck Amasia was with the display, and certainly, as Nedjeb had said, neither the bazaars of Odessa nor Constantinople, not even the great stores of Ludovic, the celebrated Armenian merchant, could offer a more extended choice. ”

“ There are only phantoms in Constantinople apparently. The people and the place seem to be equally asleep; even the dogs, yellow and lean as they are, will scarcely trouble themselves to bite you. After all that travellers have said, I cannot see the object in travelling. What do you gain by it? I would rather be in our own city of Rotterdam, under the grey sky of Holland."
"Patience, Bruno, patience," said the calm Van Mitten. "We have only been here a few hours yet. Nevertheless, I cannot say this is altogether the Constantinople I had pictured to myself. ”

“ Is it likely that I should slide along 'rails, when I can drive on a road?"
"When time presses, uncle—"
"Ahmet, look me in the face, and listen to me. If there are no carriages, I will go in a cart. If there is no cart, I will ride; if I cannot get a horse, I will hire a donkey. If there are no donkeys, I will walk; and, when I cannot walk, I will crawl; and, when I can no longer crawl, I—"
"For goodness’ sake, stop!" cried Van Mitten.
"When I cannot crawl on hands and knees, I will drag myself along on my stomach," said Kéraban in conclusion—"yes, on my stomach!" ”

“ You will perceive a complete transformation—a dead city will prove a living one. Ah, you new-fashioned Turks, you have not yet entirely concealed the old customs under your modern veneer. The Koran holds good against all your absurdities. May Mahomet strangle you!"
"Good friend Kéraban," replied Van Mitten, "I perceive you are still faithful to your ancient usage."
"It is more than fidelity, Van Mitten; it is obstinacy. But tell me, my worthy friend: you will remain some time in Constantinople, will you not?" ”

“ But Kéraban returned as he was at the door, and said, addressing the banker,—
"By the way, friend Selim, can you change me a few thousand piastres?"
"A few thousand piastres!" echoed Selim, who did not understand.
"Yes, Selim; for Russian money: I want some for my journey in Muscovite territory."
"But, uncle, will you tell us," began Ahmet, who was standing now beside Amasia,—"will you tell us—"
"At what rate is the exchange?" continued Kéraban, without paying any attention to Ahmet.
"Three and a half per cent.," replied Selim, in whom the banker at once predominated. ”

“ Have I not told you I have no horses?" replied the post-master.
"We'll find some."
"There are none in Arabat."
"Find a pair—find one," replied Kéraban, who began to lose his self-control; "find half a one, but find something."
"But if there are no horses—" began Van Mitten gently.
"There must be some found."
"Perhaps you can procure for us a team of mules?" said Ahmet to the post-master.
"Very well, mules will do," said Kéraban. "We will be content with mules."
"I have never seen any mules in the province," replied the post-master. ”

“ No, by Mahomet, they do not know Kéraban!"
Evidently they did not know Kéraban. But Selim, Ahmet, Van Mitten, and Amasia knew him; and they perceived that, after what had passed, all their efforts to change his resolution would be in vain. There was no use in attempting to argue the point. Discussion would have only led to complications. They must accept the situation, and without any consultation it was accepted unanimously.
"After all, you are right, uncle," said Ahmet.
"Quite right," added Selim.
"I am always right," replied Kéraban modestly. ”

“ I dine at my villa at Scutari, and will carry you across."
"That is, of course, if—"
"I will carry you across," reiterated Kéraban, "do you hear? So, make up your mind; are you going to make excuses?"
"No, I accept," replied Van Mitten. "I am yours, body and soul."
"You shall see what a charming place I have got. I built it myself, under the cypress-trees, half-way up the hill of Scutari, in full view of the Bosphorus and Constantinople. Ah, your true Turk is always on the Asiatic side. ”

“ Fortunately for the captain of the Guidare, no one perceived the angry gestures with which he received this intelligence. The sudden arrival of Ahmet's uncle was a contingency which would seriously interfere with the accomplishment of the worthy captain's designs.
"Ah! Seigneur Kéraban is good," exclaimed Nedjeb.
"But why is he coming?" asked Amasia.
"For your marriage, my dear young lady," replied the attendant. "What other object could bring him to Odessa?"
"That must be the reason," said Selim.
"I think so too," said Ahmet. "Else why need he have quitted Constantinople? ”

“ But perceiving the Guidare making for the point, Selim understood the whole matter in a moment. He quickly crossed the gardens, towards the place which the vessel must pass, so as to avoid the rocks at the extremity of the creek.
"Wretches!" he exclaimed. "They are taking away my daughter, Amasia. Stop them! Stop!"
A musket fired from the deck of the Guidare was the only response to this appeal. Selim fell with a bullet in his shoulder.
In another moment the felucca, with a flowing sheet, had disappeared from the sight of those at the villa. ”

“ The jingling of the harness bells, the measured fall of the horses' hoofs, the sound of the carriage wheels upon the sandy plain, the jolting in the ruts, the cracking of the postillion's whip, the gleam of the lamps which is soon lost in the darkness when the road is open, and which is vividly flashed back by trees, rocks, drinking sign-boards erected on the embankment of the road; all these constitute an ensemble of sights and sounds to which few travellers can remain insensible. They hear the noises ”

“ Kéraban was knocked down, and his companions could perceive him struggling through the flame. What would become of him if they did not go to his assistance?
The immense illumination quite filled the plain.
With one bound Ahmet dashed to the assistance of his uncle. He seized him before the burning gas could reach him, and dragged him, half suffocated, beyond the influence of the vapours.
"Oh! uncle, uncle!" cried the young man.
Then Van Mitten, Bruno, and Nizib, having assisted to carry him to the thicket near by, endeavoured to reanimate Kéraban. ”

“ I will pass, by Allah! and that too without the loss of a single para."
"Yes, you may pass, certainly; through the prison-door," replied the chief of police, who was getting rather excited also; "and you will pay a pretty fine before you come out again."
"I will go to Scutari."
"Not by crossing the Bosphorus; and as it is impossible to go any other way—"
"You think so, do you?" sneered Kéraban, who with clenched hands and red face looked quite apoplectic. "You think so; well, then, I will go to Scutari, and I will not cross the Bosphorus, neither will I pay the fine." ”

“ Business, you know; all business. I never have had five minutes to spare to get married in."
"One minute is enough," replied Van Mitten seriously; "and very often one minute is too long."
"You will meet Ahmet at Odessa," said Kéraban. "A charming fellow. He detests business, for instance; he is somewhat of an artist, and trifles with the Muses; but charming, charming! He resembles his uncle in nothing, and obeys him without argument."
"Friend Kéraban—"
"Yes, yes; I understand: it is for his wedding that we are going to Odessa." ”

“ Van Mitten, Kéraban and Bruno had to content themselves with these arms, and determined to use them only when certain of success.
Meanwhile the wild boars, about twenty in number, were continually approaching and surrounding the carriage. By the light of the lamps, which had no doubt attracted them, the travellers could perceive the animals tossing up the earth with their tusks in their excitement. They were enormous specimens, almost as large as donkeys, of prodigious strength, and each quite capable of decimating, if not destroying, a whole pack of hounds. ”

“ Meanwhile, Seigneur Kéraban, folding his arms and staring into the very soul of the chief of the police, appeared to be working himself up into a nice little passion. He spoke at length in a voice in which his irritation was very evident.
"Well, there is my boatman, who has come to tell me that my caïque is waiting for me; and as my friend Van Mitten, and my servant and his will accompany me—"
"You will have to pay forty paras," replied the officer; "and, as I said before, you can very easily afford such a trifle." ”

“ Amasia stepped forward and gazed at the headland indicated by the wily captain.
"There? Over there?" she said.
"Yes."
"Oh, my dear mistress, if we could only reach that point!"
"Nothing can be more easy," said Yarhud. "Within half an hour, with this breeze, the Guidare could get there; so if you like to come, you can embark at once."
"Yes, yes," exclaimed Nedjeb, who in this excursion only perceived an opportunity for Amasia to see her affianced once again. ”

“ He slept soundly, and set his companion such a good example that he could not do otherwise than profit by it.
The night passed without incident, thanks to the long and winding road which formed the approach to the town of Viga, and avoided the rude slopes and marshy ground of the valley. Van Mitten much regretted that he could not see that little town, which contains about a thousand people, almost all Greeks, and which is the seat of a bishop. But he had not come to see. He was the companion of the inflexible Kéraban, who did not trouble himself to collect any impressions of his journey. ”

“ There is the Bosphorus, which laves the shores of Asia, and on the opposite side you may see the Seraglio Point, and the Turkish town which is raised above it."
"The Seraglio!" exclaimed Bruno. "Is that the palace of the Sultan, wherein the eighty thousand odalisques live?"
"Eighty thousand?" repeated Van Mitten, smiling; "I fancy you have estimated the number somewhat too highly—even for a Turk. In Holland we find one wife sufficient for a household, and even then one cannot always have peace!" ”

“ Nizib made a sign of assent. He was quite ready to follow his master to prison if circumstances so fell out.
"Ah, you new-fashioned Turks," exclaimed Kéraban, as some Constantinopolitans, clothed in their modern dress, passed him. "Ah, you would make laws, and alter our old customs, would you? Ah, when I cease to protest. . . . Nizib, did you tell my caïdji to wait with the caïque at the steps of Top-Hané at seven o'clock?" ”

“ Quite so, Bruno; and my estimable friend will soon put us au courant with all that is going on. He is a true Turk, one of the old conservative party, who will not permit any innovations to be made in existing circumstances; who protest against all modern inventions—one of those men who still prefer a coach (when they find one) to the railroad, and a sailing vessel to a steamer. During the twenty years I have known Kéraban, I have never known him to change ever so little. ”

“ I must trouble you to follow the chaise on foot, as I cannot manage the horses, and they may run away."
"Let us do so," said Ahmet. "The man is right. We must get out."
"There are five or six versts to be traversed," added the postillion: "perhaps eight, but no more."
"Will you decide, uncle?" said Ahmet.
"Let us get out, Kéraban," said Van Mitten. "We must see what kind of phenomena these mud volcanoes are."
Kéraban consented, but not without protest. They all quitted the carriage and walked behind the chaise, which only advanced at a slow pace, guided by the light of the lamps. ”

“ Ahmet, who was as greatly put out as his uncle, was about to try to make him hear reason in the absolute impossibility of procuring horses, when Kéraban cried out,—
"A hundred roubles to any one who will find me a team."
A shiver passed over the natives who heard this offer. At length one man boldly came forward, and said,—
"Seigneur Turk, I have two dromedaries to sell."
"I will buy them," said Kéraban. ”

“ Then, addressing Selim, Kéraban continued,—
"My friend Van Mitten, my correspondent at Rotterdam, whom I am bringing to dine with me at Scutari."
"At Scutari!" exclaimed the banker.
"It seems so," said Van Mitten.
"And Bruno his servant," continued Kéraban; "a brave follower who does not wish to be separated from his master."
"It seems so," said Bruno, like an echo.
"Now, let us be off," said the impetuous Turk.
"If it must be so, uncle," said Ahmet, "we will not endeavour to detain you. ”

“ So saying, Kéraban and Van Mitten shut themselves up in the carriage, while Bruno climbed into the "dicky," to keep watch over his master, or masters; for since Kéraban and Van Mitten had met, Bruno could certainly count upon two masters.
Bruno, having carefully closed the carriage doors, went to see how the horses fared. The poor brutes, quite exhausted, lay prone upon the ground, breathing loudly, and mingling their hot breath with the fogs of the swamps. ”

“ Van Mitten was thinking of the unexpected journey he was making, and did not cease to wonder how it had happened that he, a citizen of Holland, had been launched thus upon a tour of the Black Sea, when he ought to be resting quietly in Pera or Constantinople.
Ahmet had made up his mind to the journey, but he determined not to spare his uncle's purse whenever delay or trouble might be avoided by using it. They would travel by the quickest and shortest route. The young man was ruminating on this, as the chaise turned the point, and he could perceive the banker's villa. ”

“ I have to take care of you, and you cannot proceed without me," he added.
"So be it," answered Van Mitten. "But putting railways aside, perhaps there are some simple means whereby we may reach Scutari without crossing the Bosphorus, but still without going all round the Black Sea."
"What are they?" inquired Kéraban, frowning. "If they are good, I will adopt them; if bad, I decline."
"I know an excellent way," said Van Mitten.
"Speak quickly. We have to make all our preparations yet. We have not a minute to lose!"
"This is my idea," said Van Mitten. ”