six p.m.
He gazed with wonder upon the fortifications which make this place the Gibraltar of the Indian Ocean , and the vast cisterns where the English engineers were still at work , two thousand years after the engineers of Solomon . `` Very curious , very curious , '' said Passepartout to himself , on returning to the steamer . `` I see that it is by no means useless to travel , if a man wants to see something new . '' At six p.m. the Mongolia slowly moved out of the roadstead , and was soon once more on the Indian Ocean . She had a hundred and sixty-eight hours in which to reach Bombay , and the sea was favourable , the wind being in the north-west , and all sails aiding the engine . The steamer rolled but little , the ladies , in fresh toilets , reappeared on deck , and the singing and dancing were resumed . The trip was being accomplished most successfully , and Passepartout was enchanted with the congenial companion which chance had secured him in the person of the delightful Fix .