Part 29 (1/2)
Tangrouille, in his half-intoxicated state, had not a very sure arm, nor a very firm footing. The result was, that the helmsman lurched pretty often, which also r.e.t.a.r.ded progress.
The wind had almost entirely fallen.
The Guernsey pa.s.senger, who had a telescope in his hand, brought it to bear from time to time upon a little cloud of grey mist, lightly moved by the wind, in the extreme western horizon. It resembled a fleecy down sprinkled with dust.
Captain Clubin wore his ordinary austere, Puritan-like expression of countenance. He appeared to redouble his attention.
All was peaceful and almost joyous on board the Durande. The pa.s.sengers chatted. It is possible to judge of the state of the sea in a pa.s.sage with the eyes closed, by noting the _tremolo_ of the conversation about you. The full freedom of mind among the pa.s.sengers answers to the perfect tranquillity of the waters.
It is impossible, for example, that a conversation like the following could take place otherwise than on a very calm sea.
”Observe that pretty green and red fly.”
”It has lost itself out at sea, and is resting on the s.h.i.+p.”
”Flies do not soon get tired.”
”No doubt; they are light; the wind carries them.”
”An ounce of flies was once weighed, and afterwards counted; and it was found to comprise no less than six thousand two hundred and sixty-eight.”
The Guernsey pa.s.senger with the telescope had approached the St. Malo cattle dealers; and their talk was something in this vein:
”The Aubrac bull has a round and thick b.u.t.tock, short legs, and a yellowish hide. He is slow at work by reason of the shortness of his legs.”
”In that matter the Salers beats the Aubrac.”
”I have seen, sir, two beautiful bulls in my life. The first has the legs low, the breast thick, the rump full, the haunches large, a good length of neck to the udder, withers of good height, the skin easy to strip. The second had all the signs of good fattening, a thick-set back, neck and shoulders strong, coat white and brown, rump sinking.”
”That's the Cotentin race.”
”Yes; with a slight cross with the Angus or Suffolk bull.”
”You may believe it if you please, sir, but I a.s.sure you in the south they hold shows of donkeys.”
”Shows of donkeys?”
”Of donkeys, on my honour. And the ugliest are the most admired.”
”Ha! it is the same as with the mule shows. The ugly ones are considered best.”
”Exactly. Take also the Poitevin mares; large belly, thick legs.”
”The best mule known is a sort of barrel upon four posts.”
”Beauty in beasts is a different thing from beauty in men.”
”And particularly in women.”
”That is true.”