We are introduced to Clovis Dardentor on the voyage from the Mediterranean port of Cette to Oran in Algiers, where he is travelling with the Desirandelles -- Monsieur, who resembles a tobacco-jar in shape; Madame, thin, angular, narrow-minded, and devoted to her son; and Agathocle Desirandelle, a speechless booby who does nothing but eat, and has not the grace to be seasick even. Two young Parisians going to enlist in the Chasseurs d'Afrique have a large share in the narrative.. it would be better to be adopted by the millionaire Dardentor than to enlist.

Genre: Thriller