In winter, they were at the mercy of the bad season.

Passepartout said nothing; but he cherished hope in secret, and comforted himself with the reflection that, if the wind failed them, they might still count on the steam.
On this day the engineer came on deck, went up to Mr.Fogg, and began to speak earnestly with him.

Without knowing why it was a presentiment, perhaps Passepartout became vaguely uneasy.

He would have given one of his ears to hear with the other what the engineer was saying.

He finally managed to catch a few words, and was sure he heard his master say, "You are certain of what you tell me ?" "Certain, sir," replied the engineer.