The party crossed the river, and drove to the St. Nicholas Hotel, in Broadway, where they engaged rooms; but Fogg was the only one who slept. Next day was the 12th of December. From that day, at seven in the morning, to the 21st, at a quarter to nine in the evening, was a period of nine days, thirteen hours, and forty-five minutes; so if Phileas Fogg had sailed in the _China_, he would have reached London in time to win his wager. Mr. Fogg left the hotel by himself, telling the others to wait his return, but to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. He went down to the Hudson River, to see if there were any vessels about to start. Several were getting ready to go to sea, but the majority of them were sailing ships, which of course did not suit Mr. Fogg. He appeared to have lost his last hope, when he perceived a small screw-steamer moored off the battery; the funnel was pouring forth black smoke, and everything looked like a speedy departure. Mr. Fogg hailed a boat, and soon found himself on board the _Henrietta_, which was an iron steamer. The captain was on board, and approached Mr. Fogg to answer his inquiries. This captain was a man about fifty, a regular sea-wolf. "Are you the captain?" asked Mr. Fogg. "I am." "I am Phileas Fogg, of London." "And I am Andrew Speedy, of Cardiff." "You are about to sail, I suppose?" "In an hour." "Where are you bound?" "For Bordeaux." "And your cargo?" "I am only in ballast." "Have you any passengers?" "I never take passengers; they are always in the way, and always talking." "Does your ship steam well?" "Between eleven and twelve knots. The _Henrietta_ is well known." "Would you like to take me and my three friends to Liverpool?" "To Liverpool! Why not China at once?" "I said Liverpool." "No." "No?" "No, I tell you. I am bound for Bordeaux, and to Bordeaux I shall go." "Will money have any effect?" "Not the least." The captain spoke in a tone which did not admit of argument. "But the owners of the _Henrietta_?" began Fogg. "I am the owner. The vessel belongs to me." "I will hire it from you." "No." "I will buy it, then." "No." Mr. Fogg did not betray the slightest disappointment, notwithstanding the gravity of the situation. Things were not at New York as at Hong Kong, nor was the captain of the _Henrietta_ like the pilot of the _Tankadere_. Hitherto money had smoothed all obstacles. Now it failed. Nevertheless, some means of crossing the Atlantic must be found, and Phileas Fogg, apparently, had an idea, for he said to the captain: "Will you take me to Bordeaux, then?" "Not if you gave me two hundred dollars." "I will give you two thousand dollars." "What, for each passenger?" "Yes." "And there are four of you?" "Yes."