# Two Days at Sea explained — Facing the Flag

> Chapter companion for Facing the Flag by Jules Verne.

## What happens

Simon Hart, still posing as Warder Gaydon, reflects on his kidnapping aboard the Ebba and considers revealing his true identity to Count d'Artigas. He observes the schooner's mysterious propulsion system, speculates on the Count's origins (possibly Malay), and notes the crew's disciplined maneuvers. After a night of uneasy sleep, he witnesses the Ebba avoid a warship and approach a becalmed merchantman, raising suspicions of piracy. The Count orders him to continue attending Thomas Roch, and Hart is confined below as the schooner prepares for a covert action.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Identity

Simon Hart maintains his Warder Gaydon disguise while contemplating revealing his true identity; Count d'Artigas's assumed name and title are questioned.

### Piracy and Criminality

The Ebba's covert approach to a merchantman at night, avoiding identification, strongly suggests piratical intent.

### Isolation and Secrecy

Hart is isolated on the schooner, barred from the bows, and confined below; the schooner's propulsion and destination are kept secret.

## Character check-ins

### Simon Hart

Posing as Warder Gaydon, he contemplates revealing his identity, observes the schooner's operations, and is ordered below as the Ebba approaches a merchantman.

### Count d'Artigas

Enigmatic captain of the Ebba; speaks English with a harsh accent, possibly Malay; orders Hart to attend Roch and dismisses Hart's protests.

### Captain Spade

Commands the Ebba; orders Hart away from the bows and later orders him below; maneuvers the schooner to avoid a warship and approach a merchantman.

### Engineer Serko

Advises Hart to resign himself to captivity with irony.

### Thomas Roch

The kidnapped inventor; suffers a fit and is attended by Hart; his fulgurator is the likely motive for the kidnapping.

### Effrondat

Boatswain; executes sail maneuvers with precision under Captain Spade's orders.

## Key lines

> Perhaps—should circumstances render it necessary—I may be induced to tell the Count d’Artigas that I am Simon Hart, the engineer.

Simon Hart considers revealing his true identity to Count d'Artigas if it becomes advantageous.

_Hart weighs the risks of disclosure to gain better treatment._

> I entertain no doubt that the schooner intends to pass her without being seen; for though she has slackened speed somewhat, her direction has not been in any way modified.

Hart is certain the Ebba plans to slip past the merchantman unseen, maintaining its course despite reducing speed.

_Hart deduces the schooner's covert intentions from the lack of navigation lights._

> If the Count d’Artigas speaks English fluently—and I was able to assure myself of that fact during his visit to Pavilion No. 17—he pronounces it with a harsh, vibrating accent, which is not to be found among the peoples of northern latitudes.

Hart notes that d'Artigas's English has a harsh, resonant accent unlike any northern European, suggesting a non-European origin.

_Hart speculates on the Count's possible Malay heritage based on his accent and appearance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/facing_the_flag_se/chapters/vii-two-days-at-sea
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/facing_the_flag_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/facing_the_flag_se/chapters