Ateighto'clockastewardenteredthecarandannouncedthatthetimeforgoingtobedhadarrived;andinafewminutesthecarwastransformedintoadormitory。Thebacksoftheseatswerethrownback,bedsteadscarefullypackedwererolledoutbyaningenioussystem,berthsweresuddenlyimprovised,andeachtravellerhadsoonathisdispositionacomfortablebed,protectedfromcuriouseyesbythickcurtains。Thesheetswerecleanandthepillowssoft。Itonlyremainedtogotobedandsleep-whicheverybodydid-whilethetrainspedonacrosstheStateofCalifornia。
ThecountrybetweenSanFranciscoandSacramentoisnotveryhilly。
TheCentralPacific,takingSacramentoforitsstarting-point,extendseastwardstomeettheroadfromOmaha。ThelinefromSanFranciscotoSacramentorunsinanorth-easterlydirection,alongtheAmericanRiver,whichemptiesintoSanPabloBay。Theonehundredandtwentymilesbetweenthesecitieswereaccomplishedinsixhours,andtowardsmidnight,whilefastasleep,thetravellerspassedthroughSacramento;sothattheysawnothingofthatimportantplace,theseatoftheStategovernment,withitsfinequays,itsbroadstreets,itsnoblehotels,squaresandchurches。
Thetrain,onleavingSacramento,andpassingthejunction,Roclin,Auburn,andColfax,enteredtherangeoftheSierraNevada。Ciscowasreachedatseveninthemorning;andanhourlaterthedormitorywastransformedintoanordinarycar,andthetravellerscouldobservethepicturesquebeautiesofthemountainregionthroughwhichtheyweresteaming。Therailwaytrackwoundinandoutamongthepasses,nowapproachingthemountainsides,nowsuspendedoverprecipices,avoidingabruptanglesbyboldcurves,plungingintonarrowdefiles,whichseemedtohavenooutlet。Thelocomotive,itsgreatfunnelemittingaweirdlight,withitssharpbell,anditscow-catcherextendedlikeaspur,mingleditsshrieksandbellowingswiththenoiseoftorrentsandcascades,andtwineditssmokeamongthebranchesofthegiganticpines。
Therewerefewornobridgesortunnelsontheroute。Therailwayturnedaroundthesidesofthemountains,anddidnotattempttoviolatenaturebytakingtheshortestcutfromonepointtoanother。
ThetrainenteredtheStateofNevadathroughtheCarsonvalleyaboutnineo'clock,goingalwaysnorth-easterly;andatmiddayreachedReno,wheretherewasadelayoftwentyminutesforbreakfast。
Fromthispointtheroad,runningalongHumboldtRiver,passednorthwardforseveralmilesbyitsbanks;thenitturnedeastward,andkeptbytheriveruntilitreachedtheHumboldtRange,nearlyattheextremeeasternlimitofNevada。
Havingbreakfasted,MrFoggandhiscompanionsresumedtheirplacesinthecar,andobservedthevariedlandscapewhichunfoldeditselfastheypassedalong;thevastprairies,themountainsliningthehorizon,andthecreekswiththeirfrothy,foamingstreams。Sometimesagreatherdofbuffaloes,massingtogetherinthedistance,seemedlikeamovabledam。
Theseinnumerablemultitudesofruminatingbeastsoftenformaninsurmountableobstacletothepassageofthetrains;thousandsofthemhavebeenseenpassingoverthetrackforhourstogether,incompactranks。Thelocomotiveisthenforcedtostopandwaittilltheroadisoncemoreclear。
Thishappened,indeed,tothetraininwhichMrFoggwastravelling。
Abouttwelveo'clockatroopoftenortwelvethousandheadofbuffaloencumberedthetrack。Thelocomotive,slackeningitsspeed,triedtoclearthewaywithitscow-catcher;butthemassofanimalswastoogreat。Thebuffaloesmarchedalongwithatranquilgait,utteringnowandthendeafeningbellowings。Therewasnouseofinterruptingthem,for,havingtakenaparticulardirection,nothingcanmoderateandchangetheircourse;itisatorrentoflivingfleshwhichnodamcouldcontain。
Thetravellersgazedonthiscuriousspectaclefromtheplatforms;butPhileasFogg,whohadthemostreasonofalltobeinahurry,remainedinhisseat,andwaitedphilosophicallyuntilitshouldpleasethebuffaloestogetoutoftheway。
Passepartoutwasfuriousatthedelaytheyoccasioned,andlongedtodischargehisarsenalofrevolversuponthem。
`Whatacountry!'criedhe。`Merecattlestopthetrains,andgobyinaprocession,justasiftheywerenotimpedingtravel!Parbleu!IshouldliketoknowifMrFoggforesawthismishapinhisprogramme!Andhere'sanengineerwhodoesn'tdaretorunthelocomotiveintothisherdofbeasts!'
Theengineerdidnottrytoovercometheobstacle,andhewaswise。
Hewouldhavecrushedthefirstbuffaloes,nodoubt,withthecow-catcher;
butthelocomotive,howeverpowerful,wouldsoonhavebeenchecked,thetrainwouldinevitablyhavebeenthrownoffthetrack,andwouldthenhavebeenhelpless。
Thebestcoursewastowaitpatiently,andregainthelosttimebygreaterspeedwhentheobstaclewasremoved。Theprocessionofbuffaloeslastedthreefullhours,anditwasnightbeforethetrackwasclear。Thelastranksoftheherdwerenowpassingovertherails,whilethefirsthadalreadydisappearedbelowthesouthernhorizon。
Itwaseighto'clockwhenthetrainpassedthroughthedefilesoftheHumboldtRange,andhalf-pastninewhenitpenetratedUtah,theregionoftheGreatSaltLake,thesingularcolonyoftheMormons。
CHAPTERXXVIIINWHICHPASSEPARTOUTUNDERGOES,ATASPEEDOFTWENTYMILESANHOUR,A
COURSEOFMORMONHISTORY。
Duringthenightofthe5thofDecember,thetrainransouth-easterlyforaboutfiftymiles;thenroseanequaldistanceinanorth-easterlydirection,towardstheGreatSaltLake。
Passepartout,aboutnineo'clock,wentoutupontheplatformtotaketheair。Theweatherwascold,theheavensgray,butitwasnotsnowing。
Thesun'sdisc,enlargedbythemist,seemedanenormousringofgold,andPassepartoutwasamusinghimselfbycalculatingitsvalueinpoundssterling,whenhewasdivertedfromthisinterestingstudybyastrange-lookingpersonagewhomadehisappearanceontheplatform。
Thispersonage,whohadtakenthetrainatElko,wastallanddark,withblackmoustaches,blackstockings,ablacksilkhat,ablackwaistcoat,blacktrousers,awhitecravat,anddogskingloves。Hemighthavebeentakenforaclergyman。Hewentfromoneendofthetraintotheother,andaffixedtothedoorofeachcaranoticewritteninmanuscript。
Passepartoutapproachedandreadoneofthesenotices,whichstatedthatElderWilliamHitch,Mormonmissionary,takingadvantageofhispresenceontrainNo。48,woulddeliveralectureonMormonismincarNo。117,fromeleventotwelveo'clock;andthatheinvitedallwhoweredesirousofbeinginstructedconcerningthemysteriesofthereligionofthe`LatterDaySaints'toattend。
`I'llgo,'saidPassepartouttohimself。HeknewnothingofMormonismexceptthecustomofpolygamy,whichisitsfoundation。
Thenewsquicklyspreadthroughthetrain,whichcontainedaboutonehundredpassengers,thirtyofwhom,atmost,attractedbythenotice,ensconcedthemselvesincarNo。117。Passepartouttookoneofthefrontseats。NeitherMrFoggnorFixcaredtoattend。
AttheappointedhourElderWilliamHitchrose,and,inanirritatedvoice,asifhehadalreadybeencontradicted,said,`ItellyouthatJoeSmithisamartyr,thathisbrotherHiramisamartyr,andthatthepersecutionsoftheUnitedStatesGovernmentagainsttheprophetswillalsomakeamartyrofBrighamYoung。Whodarestosaythecontrary?'
Nooneventuredtogainsaythemissionary,whoseexcitedtonecontrastedcuriouslywithhisnaturallycalmvisage。NodoubthisangerrosefromthehardshipstowhichtheMormonswereactuallysubjected。Thegovernmenthadjustsucceeded,withsomedifficulty,inreducingtheseindependentfanaticstoitsrule。IthadmadeitselfmasterofUtah,andsubjectedthatterritorytothelawsoftheUnion,afterimprisoningBrighamYoungonachargeofrebellionandpolygamy。Thedisciplesoftheprophethadsinceredoubledtheirefforts,andresisted,bywordsatleast,theauthorityofCongress。ElderHitch,asisseen,wastryingtomakeproselytesontheveryrailwaytrains。
Then,emphasizinghiswordswithhisloudvoiceandfrequentgestures,herelatedthehistoryoftheMormonsfromBiblicaltimes:howthat,inIsrael,aMormonprophetofthetribeofJosephpublishedtheannalsofthenewreligion,andbequeathedthemtohissonMormon;how,manycenturieslater,atranslationofthispreciousbook,whichwaswritteninEgyptian,asmadebyJosephSmith,junior,aVermontfarmer,whorevealedhimselfasamysticalprophetin1825;andhow,inshort,thecelestialmessengerappearedtohiminanilluminatedforest,andgavehimtheannalsoftheLord。
Severaloftheaudience,notbeingmuchinterestedinthemissionary'snarrative,hereleftthecar;butElderHitch,continuinghislecture,relatedhowSmith,Junior,withhisfather,twobrothers,andafewdisciples,foundedthechurchofthe`LatterDaySaints',which,adoptednotonlyinAmerica,butinEngland,NorwayandSweden,andGermany,countsmanyartisans,aswellasmenengagedintheliberalprofessions,amongitsmembers;howacolonywasestablishedinOhio,atempleerectedthereatacostoftwohundredthousanddollars,andatownbuiltatKirkland;howSmithbecameanenterprisingbanker,andreceivedfromasimplemummyshowmanapapyrusscrollwrittenbyAbrahamandseveralfamousEgyptians。
TheElder'sstorybecamesomewhatwearisome,andhisaudiencegrewgraduallyless,untilitwasreducedtotwentypassengers。Butthisdidnotdisconcerttheenthusiast,whoproceededwiththestoryofJosephSmith'sbankruptcyin1837,andhowhisruinedcreditorsgavehimacoatoftarandfeathers;
hisreappearancesomeyearsafterwards,morehonourableandhonouredthanever,atIndependence,Missouri,thechiefofaflourishingcolonyofthreethousanddisciples,andhispursuitthencebyoutragedGentiles,andretirementintotheFarWest。
Tenhearersonlywerenowleft,amongthemhonestPassepartout,whowaslisteningwithallhisears。Thushelearnedthat,afterlongpersecutions,SmithreappearedinIllinois,andin1839foundedacommunityatNauvoo,ontheMississippi,numberingtwenty-fivethousandsouls,ofwhichhebecamemayor,chiefjustice,andgeneral-in-chief;thatheannouncedhimself,in1843,asacandidateforthePresidencyoftheUnitedStates;andthatfinally,beingdrawnintoambuscadeatCarthage,hewasthrownintoprison,andassassinatedbyabandofmendisguisedinmasks。
Passepartoutwasnowtheonlypersonleftinthecar,andtheElder,lookinghimfullintheface,remindedhimthat,twoyearsaftertheassassinationofJosephSmith,theinspiredprophet,BrighamYoung,hissuccessor,leftNauvooforthebanksoftheGreatSaltLake,where,inthemidstofthatfertileregion,directlyontherouteoftheemigrantswhocrossedUtahontheirwaytoCalifornia,thenewcolony,thankstothepolygamypractisedbytheMormons,hadflourishedbeyondexpectation。
`Andthis,'addedElderWilliamHitch,`thisiswhythejealousyofCongresshasbeenarousedagainstus!WhyhavethesoldiersoftheUnioninvadedthesoilofUtah?WhyhasBrighamYoung,ourchief,beenimprisoned,incontemptofalljustice?Shallweyieldtoforce?Never!DrivenfromVermont,drivenfromIllinois,drivenfromOhio,drivenfromMissouri,drivenfromUtah,weshallyetfindsomeindependentterritoryonwhichtoplantourtents。Andyou,mybrother,'continuedtheElder,fixinghisangryeyeuponhissingleauditor,`willyounotplantyoursthere,too,undertheshadowofourflag?'
`No!'repliedPassepartoutcourageously,inhisturnretiringfromthecar,andleavingtheEldertopreachtovacancy。
Duringthelecturethetrainhadbeenmakinggoodprogress,andtowardshalf-pasttwelveitreachedthenorth-westborderoftheGreatSaltLake。
Thencepassengerscouldobservethevastextentofthisinteriorsea,whichisalsocalledtheDeadSea,andintowhichflowsanAmericanJordan。Itisapicturesqueexpanse,framedinloftycragsinlargestrata,encrustedwithwhitesalt,-asuperbsheetofwater,whichwasformerlyoflargerextentthannow,itsshoreshavingencroachedwiththelapseoftime,andthusatoncereduceditsbreadthandincreaseditsdepth。
TheSaltLake,seventymileslongandthirty-fivewide,issituatedthreemileseighthundredfeetabovethesea。QuitedifferentfromLakeAsphaltite,whosedepressionistwelvehundredfeetbelowthesea,itcontainsconsiderablesalt,andonequarteroftheweightofitswaterissolidmatter,itsspecificweightbeing1170,and,afterbeingdistilled,1000。
Fishesareofcourseunabletoliveinit,andthosewhichdescendthroughtheJordan,theWeber,andotherstreams,soonperish。
Thecountryaroundthelakewaswellcultivated,fortheMormonsaremostlyfarmers;whileranchesandpensfordomesticatedanimals,fieldsofwheat,corn,andothercereals,luxuriantprairies,hedgesofwildrose,clumpsofacaciasandmilk-wort,wouldhavebeenseensixmonthslater。
Nowthegroundwascoveredwithathinpowderingofsnow。
ThetrainreachedOgdenattwoo'clock,whereitrestedforsixhours。
MrFoggandhispartyhadtimetopayavisittoSaltLakeCity,connectedwithOgdenbyabranchroad;andtheyspenttwohoursinthisstrikinglyAmericantown,builtonthepatternofothercitiesoftheUnion,likeachecker-board,`withthesombresadnessofrightangles'asVictorHugoexpressesit。ThefounderoftheCityoftheSaintscouldnotescapefromthetasteforsymmetrywhichdistinguishestheAnglo-Saxons。Inthisstrangecountry,wherethepeoplearecertainlynotuptotheleveloftheirinstitutions,everythingisdone`squarely',-cities,houses,andfollies。
Thetravellers,then,werepromenading,atthreeo'clock,aboutthestreetsofthetownbuiltbetweenthebanksoftheJordanandthespursoftheWahsatchRange。Theysawfewornochurches,buttheprophet'smansion,thecourt-house,andthearsenal,blue-brickhouseswithverandasandporches,surroundedbygardensborderedwithacacias,palms,andlocusts。Aclayandpebblewall,builtin1853,surroundedthetown;andintheprincipalstreetwerethemarketandseveralhotelsadornedwithpavilions。Theplacedidnotseemthicklypopulated。Thestreetswerealmostdeserted,exceptinthevicinityoftheTemple,whichtheyonlyreachedafterhavingtraversedseveralquarterssurroundedbypalisades。Thereweremanywomen,whichwaseasilyaccountedforbythe`peculiarinstitution'oftheMormons;
butitmustnotbesupposedthatalltheMormonsarepolygamists。Theyarefreetomarryornot,astheyplease;butitisworthnotingthatitismainlythefemalecitizensofUtahwhoareanxioustomarry,as,accordingtotheMormonreligion,maidenladiesarenotadmittedtothepossessionofitshighestjoys。Thesepoorcreaturesseemedtobeneitherwelloffnorhappy。Some-themorewell-to-do,nodoubt-woreshort,openblacksilkdresses,underahoodormodestshawl;otherswerehabitedinIndianfashion。
Passepartoutcouldnotbeholdwithoutacertainfrightthesewomen,charged,ingroups,withconferringhappinessonasingleMormon。Hiscommonsensepitied,aboveall,thehusband。Itseemedtohimaterriblethingtohavetoguidesomanywivesatonceacrossthevicissitudesoflife,andtoconductthem,asitwere,inabodytotheMormonparadise,withtheprospectofseeingtheminthecompanyofthegloriousSmith,whodoubtlesswasthechiefornamentofthatdelightfulplace,toalleternity。Hefeltdecidedlyrepelledfromsuchavocation,andheimagined-perhapshewasmistaken-thatthefaironesofSaltLakeCitycastratheralarmingglancesathisperson。Happily,hisstaytherewasbutbrief。Atfourthepartyfoundthemselvesagainatthestation,tooktheirplacesinthetrain,andthewhistlesoundedforstarting。Justatthemoment,however,thatthelocomotivewheelsbegantomove,criesof`Stop!Stop!'wereheard。
Trains,liketimeandtide,stopfornoone。ThegentlemanwhoutteredthecrieswasevidentlyabelatedMormon。Hewasbreathlesswithrunning。
Happilyforhim,thestationhadneithergatesnorbarriers。Herushedalongthetrack,jumpedontherearplatformofthetrain,andfellexhaustedintooneoftheseats。
Passepartout,whohadbeenanxiouslywatchingthisamateurgymnast,approachedhimwithlivelyinterest,andlearnedthathehadtakenflightafteranunpleasantdomesticscene。
WhentheMormonhadrecoveredhisbreath,Passepartoutventuredtoaskhimpolitelyhowmanywiveshehad;for,fromthemannerinwhichhehaddecamped,itmightbethoughtthathehadtwentyatleast。
`One,sir,'repliedtheMormon,raisinghisarmsheavenward,-`one,andthatwasenough!'
CHAPTERXXVIIIINWHICHPASSEPARTOUTDOESNOTSUCCEEDINMAKINGANYBODYLISTENTOREASON。
Thetrain,onleavingGreatSaltLakeatOgden,passednorthwardforanhourasfarasWeberRiver,havingcompletednearlyninehundredmilesfromSanFrancisco。FromthispointittookaneasterlydirectiontowardsthejaggedWahsatchMountains。ItwasinthesectionincludedbetweenthisrangeandtheRockyMountainsthattheAmericanengineersfoundthemostformidabledifficultiesinlayingtheroad,andthatthegovernmentgrantedasubsidyofforty-eightthousanddollarspermile,insteadofsixteenthousandallowedfortheworkdonetheplains。Buttheengineers,insteadofviolatingnature,avoideditsdifficultiesbywindingaround,insteadofpenetratingtherocks。Onetunnelonly,fourteenthousandfeetinlength,waspiercedinordertoarriveatthegreatbasin。
ThetrackuptothistimehadreacheditshighestelevationattheGreatSaltLake。Fromthispointitdescribedalongcurve,descendingtowardsBitterCreekValley,toriseagaintothedividingridgeofthewatersbetweentheAtlanticandthePacific。Thereweremanycreeksinthismountainousregion,anditwasnecessarytocrossMuddyCreek,GreenCreekandothers,uponculverts。
Passepartoutgrewmoreandmoreimpatientastheywenton,whileFixlongedtogetoutofthisdifficultregion,andwasmoreanxiousthanPhileasFogghimselftobebeyondthedangerofdelaysandaccidents,andsetfootonEnglishsoil。
Atteno'clockatnightthetrain,stoppedatFortBridgerstation,andtwentyminuteslaterenteredWyomingTerritory,followingthevalleyofBitterCreekthroughout。Thenextday,December7th,theystoppedforaquarterofanhouratGreenRiverstation。Snowhadfallenabundantlyduringthenight,but,beingmixedwithrain,ithadhalfmelted,anddidnotinterrupttheirprogress。Thebadweather,however,annoyedPassepartout;
fortheaccumulationofsnow,byblockingthewheelsofthecars,wouldcertainlyhavebeenfataltoMrFogg'stour。
`Whatanidea!'hesaidtohimself。`Whydidmymastermakethisjourneyinwinter?Couldn'thehavewaitedforthegoodseasontoincreasehischances?'
WhiletheworthyFrenchmanwasabsorbedinthestateoftheskyandthedepressionofthetemperature,Aoudawasexperiencingfearsfromatotallydifferentcause。
SeveralpassengershadgotoffatGreenFiver,andwerewalkingupanddowntheplatforms;andamongtheseAoudarecognizedColonelStampProctor,thesamewhohadsogrosslyinsultedPhileasFoggattheSanFranciscomeeting。Notwishingtoberecognized,theyoungwomandrewbackfromthewindow,feelingmuchalarmatherdiscovery。Shewasattachedtothemanwho,howevercoldly,gaveherdailyevidencesofthemostabsolutedevotion。
Shedidnotcomprehend,perhaps,thedepthofthesentimentwithwhichherprotectorinspiredher,whichshecalledgratitude,butwhich,thoughshewasunconsciousofit,wasreallymorethanthat。HerheartsankwithinherwhensherecognizedthemanwhomMrFoggdesired,soonerorlater,tocalltoaccountforhisconduct。Chancealone,itwasclear,hadbroughtColonelProctoronthistrain;buttherehewas,anditwasnecessary,atallhazards,thatPhileasFoggshouldnotperceivehisadversary。
AoudaseizedamomentwhenMrFoggwasasleeptotellFixandPassepartoutwhomshehadseen。
`ThatProctoronthistrain!'criedFix。`Well,reassureyourself,madam:
beforehesettleswithMrFogg,hehasgottodealwithme!ItseemstomethatIwasthemoreinsultedofthetwo。'
`Andbesides,'addedPassepartout,`I'lltakechargeofhim,colonelasheis。'
`MrFix,'resumedAouda,`MrFoggwillallownoonetoavengehim。HesaidthathewouldcomebacktoAmericatofindthisman。ShouldheperceiveColonelProctor,wecouldnotpreventacollisionwhichmighthaveterribleresults。Hemustnotseehim。'
`Youareright,madam,'repliedFix;`ameetingbetweenthemmightruinall。Whetherhewerevictoriousorbeaten,MrFoggwouldbedelayed,and——'
`And,'addedPassepartout,`thatwouldplaythegameofthegentlemenoftheReformClub。InfourdaysweshallbeinNewYork。Well,ifmymasterdoesnotleavethiscarduringthosefourdays,wemayhopethatchancewillnotbringhimfacetofacewiththisconfoundedAmerican。Wemust,Ifpossible,preventhisstirringoutofit。'
Theconversationdropped。MrFogghadjustwokenup,andwaslookingoutofthewindow。SoonafterPassepartout,withoutbeingheardbyhismasterorAouda,whisperedtothedetective,`Wouldyoureallyfightforhim?'
`Iwoulddoanything,'repliedFix,inatonewhichbetrayeddeterminedwill,`togethimbacklivingtoEurope!'
Passepartoutfeltsomethinglikeashuddershootthroughhisframe,buthisconfidenceinhismasterremainedunbroken。
WasthereanymeansofdetainingMrFogginthecar,toavoidameetingbetweenhimandthecolonel?Itoughtnottobeadifficulttask,sincethatgentlemanwasnaturallysedentaryandlittlecurious。Thedetective,atleast,seemedtohavefoundaway;for,afterafewmoments,hesaidtoMrFogg,`Thesearelongandslowhours,sir,thatwearepassingontherailway。'
`Yes,'repliedMrFogg;`buttheypass。'
`Youwereinthehabitofplayingwhist,'resumedFix,`onthesteamers。'
`Yes;butitwouldbedifficulttodosohere。Ihaveneithercardsnorpartners。'
`Oh,butwecaneasilybuysomecards,fortheyaresoldonalltheAmericantrains。Andasforpartners,ifmadamplays——'
`Certainly,sir,'Aoudaquicklyreplied;`Iunderstandwhist。ItispartofanEnglisheducation。'
`Imyselfhavesomepretensionstoplayingagoodgame。Well,herearethreeofus,andadummy——'
`Asyouplease,sir,'repliedPhileasFogg,heartilygladtoresumehisfavouritepastime-evenontherailway。
Passepartoutwasdespatchedinsearchofthesteward,andsoonreturnedwithtwopacksofcards,somepins,counters,andashelfcoveredwithcloth。
Thegamecommenced。Aouda,understoodwhistsufficientlywell,andevenreceivedsomecomplimentsonherplayingfromMrFogg。Asforthedetective,hewassimplyanadept,andworthyofbeingmatchedagainsthispresentopponent。
`Now,'thoughtPassepartout,`we'vegothim。Hewon'tbudge。'
AteleveninthemorningthetrainhadreachedthedividingridgeofthewatersatBridgerPass,seventhousandfivehundredandtwenty-fourfeetabovethelevelofthesea,oneofthehighestpointsattainedbythetrackincrossingtheRockyMountains。Aftergoingabouttwohundredmiles,thetravellersatlastfoundthemselvesononeofthosevastplainswhichextendtotheAtlantic,andwhichnaturehasmadesopropitiousforlayingtheironroad。
OnthedeclivityoftheAtlanticbasinthefirststreams,branchesoftheNorthPlatteRiver,alreadyappeared。ThewholenorthernandeasternhorizonwasboundedbytheimmensesemicircularcurtainwhichisformedbythesouthernportionoftheRockyMountains,thehighestbeingLaramiePeak。Betweenthisandtherailwayextendedvastplains,plentifullyirrigated。
OntherightrosethelowerspursofthemountainousmasswhichextendssouthwardtothesourcesoftheArkansasRiver,oneofthegreattributariesoftheMissouri。
Athalf-pasttwelvethetravellerscaughtsightforaninstantofFortHalleck,whichcommandsthatsection;andinafewmorehourstheRockyMountainswerecrossed。Therewasreasontohope,then,thatnoaccidentwouldmarkthejourneythroughthisdifficultcountry。Thesnowhadceasedfalling,andtheairbecamecrispandcold。Largebirds,frightenedbythelocomotive,roseandflewoffinthedistance。Nowildbeastappearedontheplain。Itwasadesertinitsvastnakedness。
Afteracomfortablebreakfast,servedinthecar,MrFoggandhispartnershadjustresumedwhist,whenaviolentwhistlingwasheard,andthetrainstopped。Passepartoutputhisheadoutofthedoor,butsawnothingtocausethedelay;nostationwasinview。
AoudaandFixfearedthatMrFoggmighttakeitintohisheadtogetout;butthatgentlemancontentedhimselfwithsayingtohisservant,`Seewhatisthematter。'
Passepartoutrushedoutofthecar。Thirtyorfortypassengershadalreadydescended,amongstthemColonelStampproctor。
Thetrainhadstoppedbeforearedsignalwhichblockedtheway。Theengineerandconductorweretalkingexcitedlywithasignal-man,whomthestation-masteratMedicineBow,thenextstoppingplace,hadsentonbefore。
Thepassengersdrewaroundandtookpartinthediscussion,inwhichColonelProctor,withhisinsolentmanner,wasconspicuous。
Passepartout,joiningthegroup,heardthesignalmansay,`No!youcan'tpass。ThebridgeatMedicineBowisshaky,andwouldnotbeartheweightofthetrain。'
Thiswasasuspension-bridgethrownoversomerapids,aboutamilefromtheplacewheretheynowwere。Accordingtothesignal-man,itwasinaruinouscondition,severaloftheironwiresbeingbroken;anditwasimpossibletoriskthepassage。Hedidnotinanywayexaggeratetheconditionofthebridge。Itmaybetakenforgrantedthat,rashastheAmericansusuallyare,whentheyareprudentthereisgoodreasonforit。
Passepartout,notdaringtoapprisehismasterofwhatheheard,listenedwithsetteeth,immovableasastatue。
`Hum!'criedColonelProctor;`butwearenotgoingtostayhere,I
imagine,andtakerootinthesnow?'
`Colonel,'repliedtheconductor,`wehavetelegraphedtoOmahaforatrain,butitisnotlikelythatitwillreachMedicineBowinlessthansixhours。
`Sixhours!'criedPassepartout。
`Certainly,'returnedtheconductor。`Besides,itwilltakeusaslongasthattoreachMedicineBowonfoot。'
`Butitisonlyamilefromhere,'saidoneofthepassengers。
`Yes,butit'sontheothersideoftheriver。'
`Andcan'twecrossthatinaboat?'askedthecolonel。
`That'simpossible。Thecreekisswelledbytherains。Itisarapid,andweshallhavetomakeacircuitoftenmilestothenorthtofindaford。'
Thecolonellaunchedavolleyofoaths,denouncingtherailwaycompanyandtheconductor;andPassepartout,whowasfurious,wasnotdisinclinedtomakecommoncausewithhim。Herewasanobstacle,indeed,whichallhismaster'sbank-notescouldnotremove。
Therewasageneraldisappointmentamongthepassengers,who,withoutreckoningthedelay,sawthemselvescompelledtotrudgefifteenmilesoveraplaincoveredwithsnow。Theygrumbledandprotested,andwouldcertainlyhavethusattractedPhileasFogg'sattentionifhehadnotbeencompletelyabsorbedinhisgame。
Passepartoutfoundthathecouldnotavoidtellinghismasterwhathadoccurred,and,withhangingheadhewasturningtowardsthecar,whentheengineer-atrueYankee,namedForster-calledout,`Gentlemen,perhapsthereisaway,afterall,togetover。'
`Onthebridge?'askedapassenger。
`Onthebridge。'
`Withourtrain?'
`Withourtrain。'
Passepartoutstoppedshort,andeagerlylistenedtotheengineer。
`Butthebridgeisunsafe,'urgedtheconductor。
`Nomatter,'repliedForster;`Ithinkthatbyputtingontheveryhighestspeedwemighthaveachanceofgettingover。'
`Thedevil!'mutteredPassepartout。
Butanumberofthepassengerswereatonceattractedbytheengineer'sproposal,andColonelProctorwasespeciallydelighted,andfoundtheplanaveryfeasibleone。Hetoldstoriesaboutengineersleapingtheirtrainsoverriverswithoutbridges,byputtingonfullsteam;andmanyofthosepresentavowed。themselvesoftheengineer'smind。
`Wehavefiftychancesoutofahundredofgettingover,'saidone。
`Eighty!Ninety!'
Passepartoutwasastounded,and,thoughreadytoattemptanythingtogetoverMedicineCreek,thoughttheexperimentproposedalittletooAmerican。
`Besides,'thoughthe,`there'sastillmoresimpleway,anditdoesnotevenoccurtoanyofthesepeople!Sir,'saidhealoudtooneofthepassengers,`theengineer'splanseemstomealittledangerous,but——'
`Eightychances!'repliedthepassenger,turninghisbackonhim。
`Iknowit,'saidPassepartout,turningtoanotherpassenger,`butasimpleidea——'
`Ideasarenouse,'returnedtheAmerican,shrugginghisshoulders,`astheengineerassuresusthatwecanpass。'
`Doubtless,'urgedPassepartout,`wecanpass,butperhapsitwouldbemoreprudent——'
`What!Prudent!'criedColonelProctor,whomthiswordseemedtoexciteprodigiously。`Atfullspeed,don'tyousee,atfullspeed!'
`Iknow-Isee,'repeatedPassepartout;`butitwouldbe,ifnotmoreprudent,sincethatworddispleasesyou,atleastmorenatural——'
`Who!What!What'sthematterwiththisfellow?'criedseveral。
Thepoorfellowdidnotknowtowhomtoaddresshimself。
`Areyouafraid?'askedColonelProctor。
`Iafraid!Verywell;IwillshowthesepeoplethataFrenchmancanbeasAmericanasthey!'
`Allaboard!'criedtheconductor。
`Yes,allaboard!'repeatedPassepartout,andimmediately。`Buttheycan'tpreventmefromthinkingthatitwouldbemorenaturalforustocrossthebridgeonfoot,andletthetraincomeafter!'
Butnooneheardthissagereflection,norwouldanyonehaveacknowledgeditsjustice。Thepassengersresumedtheirplacesinthecars。Passepartouttookhisseatwithouttellingwhathadpassed。Thewhist-playerswerequiteabsorbedintheirgame。
Thelocomotivewhistledvigorously;theengineer,reversingthesteam,backedthetrainfornearlyamile-retiring,likeajumper,inordertotakealongerleap。Then,withanotherwhistle,hebegantomoveforward;
thetrainincreaseditsspeed,andsoonitsrapiditybecamefrightful;
aprolongedscreechissuedfromthelocomotive;thepistonworkedupanddowntwentystrokestothesecond。Theyperceivedthatthewholetrain,rushingonattherateofahundredmilesanhour,hardlyboreupontherailsatall。
Andtheypassedover!Itwaslikeaflash。Noonesawthebridge。Thetrainleaped,sotospeak,fromonebanktotheother,andtheengineercouldnotstopituntilithadgonefivemilesbeyondthestation。Butscarcelyhadthetrainpassedtheriver,whenthebridge,completelyruined,fellwithacrashintotherapidsofMedicineBow。
CHAPTERXXIXINWHICHCERTAININCIDENTSARENARRATEDWHICHAREONLYTOBEMETWITHON
AMERICANRAILROADS。
Thetrainpursueditscourse,thatevening,withoutinterruption,passingFortSaunders,crossingCheyenePass,andreachingEvansPass。Theroadhereattainedthehighestelevationofthejourney,eightthousandandninety-onefeetabovethelevelofthesea。ThetravellershadnowonlytodescendtotheAtlanticbylimitlessplains,levelledbynature。Abranchofthe`grandtrunk'ledoffsouthwardtoDenver,thecapitalofColorado。
Thecountryroundaboutisrichingoldandsilver,andmorethanfiftythousandinhabitantsarealreadysettledthere。
Thirteenhundredandeighty-twomileshadbeenpassedoverfromSanFrancisco,inthreedaysandthreenights;fourdaysandnightsmorewouldprobablybringthemtoNewYork。PhileasFoggwasnotasyetbehindhand。
DuringthenightCampWalbachwaspassedontheleft;LodgePoleCreekranparallelwiththeroad,markingtheboundarybetweentheterritoriesofWyomingandColorado。TheyenteredNebraskaateleven,passednearSedgwick,andtouchedatJulesburg,onthesouthernbranchofthePlatteRiver。
ItwasherethattheUnionPacificRailroadwasinauguratedonthe23rdofOctober,1867,bythechiefengineer,GeneralDodge。Twopowerfullocomotives,carryingninecarsofinvitedguests,amongstwhomwasThomasC。Durant,vice-presidentoftheroad,stoppedatthispoint;cheersweregiven,theSiouxandPawneesperformedanimitationIndianbattle,fireworkswereletoff,andthefirstnumberoftheRailwayPioneerwasprintedbyapressbroughtonthetrain。Thuswascelebratedtheinaugurationofthisgreatrailroad,amightyinstrumentofprogressandcivilization,thrownacrossthedesert,anddestinedtolinktogethercitiesandtownswhichdonotyetexist。Thewhistleofthelocomotive,morepowerfulthanAmphion'slyre,wasabouttobidthemrisefromAmericansoil。
FortMcPhersonwasleftbehindateightinthemorning,andthreehundredandfifty-sevenmileshadyettobetraversedbeforereachingOmaha。TheroadfollowedthecapriciouswindingsofthesouthernbranchofthePlatteFiver,onitsleftbank。AtninethetrainstoppedattheimportanttownofNorthPlatte,builtbetweenthetwoarmsoftheriver,whichrejoineachotherarounditandformasingleartery,-alargetributarywhosewatersemptyintotheMissourialittleaboveOmaha。
Theonehundredandfirstmeridianwaspassed。
MrFoggandhispartnershadresumedtheirgame;noone-noteventhedummy-complainedofthelengthofthetrip。Fixhadbegunbywinningseveralguineas,whichheseemedlikelytolose;butheshowedhimselfanotlesseagerwhist-playerthanMrFogg。Duringthemorning,chancedistinctlyfavouredthatgentleman。Trumpsandhonourswereshowereduponhishands。
Once,havingresolvedonaboldstroke,hewasonthepointofplayingaspade,whenavoicebehindhimsaid,`Ishouldplayadiamond。'
MrFogg,AoudaandFixraisedtheirheads,andbeheldColonelProctor。
StampProctorandPhileasFoggrecognizedeachotheratonce。
`Ah!it'syou,isit,Englishman?'criedthecolonel。`It'syouwhoaregoingtoplayaspade!'
`Andwhoplaysit,'repliedPhileasFoggcoolly,throwingdownthetenofspades。
`Well,itpleasesmetohaveitdiamonds,'repliedColonelProctor,inaninsolenttone。
Hemadeamovementasiftoseizethecardwhichhadjustbeenplayed,adding,`Youdon'tunderstandanythingaboutwhist。'
`PerhapsIdo,aswellasanother,'saidPhileasFogg,rising。
`Youhaveonlytotry,sonofJohnBull,'repliedthecolonel。
Aoudaturnedpale,andherbloodrancold。SheseizedMrFogg'sarmandgentlypulledhimback。PassepartoutwasreadytopounceupontheAmerican,whowasstaringinsolentlyathisopponent。ButFixgotup,andgoingtoColonelProctorsaid,`YouforgetthatitisIwithwhomyouhavetodeal,sir;foritwasIwhomyounotonlyinsulted,butstruck!'
`MrFix,'saidMrFogg,`pardonme,butthisaffairismine,andmineonly。Thecolonelhasagaininsultedme,byinsistingthatIshouldnotplayaspade,andheshallgivemesatisfactionforit。'
`Whenandwhereyouwill,'repliedtheAmerican,`andwithwhateverweaponyouchoose。'
AoudainvainattemptedtoretainMrFogg;ashvainlydidthedetectiveendeavourtomakethequarrelhis。Passepartoutwishedtothrowthecoloneloutofthewindow,butasignfromhismastercheckedhim。PhileasFoggleftthecar,andtheAmericanfollowedhimupontheplatform。
`Sir,'saidMrFoggtohisadversary,`IaminagreathurrytogetbacktoEurope,andanydelaywhateverwillbegreatlytomydisadvantage。'
`Well,what'sthattome?'repliedColonelProctor。
`Sir,'saidMrFogg,verypolitely;`afterourmeetingatSanFrancisco,IdeterminedtoreturntoAmericaandfindyouassoonasIhadcompletedthebusinesswhichcalledmetoEngland。'
`Really!'
`Willyouappointameetingforsixmonthshence?'
`Whynottenyearshence?'
`Isaysixmonths,'returnedPhileasFogg;`andIshallbeattheplaceofmeetingpromptly。'
`Allthisisanevasion,'criedStampProctor。`Nowornever!'
`Verygood。YouaregoingtoNewYork?'
`No。'
`ToChicago?'
`No。'
`ToOmaha?'
`Whatdifferenceisittoyou?DoyouknowPlumCreek?'
`No,'repliedMrFogg。
`It'sthenextstation。Thetrainwillbethereinanhour,andwillstoptheretenminutes。Intenminutesseveralrevolver-shotscouldbeexchanged。'
`Verywell,'saidMrFogg。`IwillstopatPlumCreek。'
`AndIguessyou'llstaytheretoo,'addedtheAmericaninsolently。
`Whoknows?'repliedMrFogg,returningtothecarascoollyasusual。
HebegantoreassureAouda,tellingherthatblustererswerenevertobefeared,andbeggedFixtobehissecondattheapproachingduel,arequestwhichthedetectivecouldnotrefuse。MrFoggresumedtheinterruptedgamewithperfectcalmness。
Ateleveno'clockthelocomotive'swhistleannouncedthattheywereapproachingPlumCreekstation。MrFoggrose,and,followedbyFix,wentoutupontheplatform。Passepartoutaccompaniedhim,carryingapairofrevolvers。Aoudaremainedinthecar,aspaleasdeath。
Thedoorofthenextcaropened,andColonelProctorappearedontheplatform,attendedbyaYankeeofhisownstampashissecond。Butjustasthecombatantswereabouttostepfromthetrain,theconductorhurriedup,andshouted,`Youcan'tgetoff,gentlemen!'
`Whynot?'askedthecolonel。
`Wearetwentyminuteslate,andweshallnotstop。'
`ButIamgoingtofightaduelwiththisgentleman。'
`Iamsorry,'saidtheconductor;`butweshallbeoffatonce。There'sthebellringingnow。'
Thetrainstarted。
`I'mreallyverysorry,gentlemen,'saidtheconductor。`UnderanyothercircumstancesIshouldhavebeenhappytoobligeyou。But,afterall,asyouhavenothadtimetofighthere,whynotfightaswegoalong?'
`Thatwouldn'tbeconvenient,perhaps,forthisgentleman,'saidthecolonel,inajeeringtone。
`Itwouldbeperfectlyso,'repliedPhileasFogg。
`Well,wearereallyinAmerica,'thoughtPassepartout,`andtheconductorisagentlemanofthefirstorder!'
Somuttering,hefollowedhismaster。
Thetwocombatants,theirseconds,andtheconductorpassedthroughthecarstotherearofthetrain。Thelastcarwasonlyoccupiedbyadozenpassengers,whomtheconductorpolitelyaskediftheywouldnotbesokindastoleaveitvacantforafewmoments,astwogentlemenhadanaffairofhonourtosettle。Thepassengersgrantedtherequestwithalacrity,andstraightawaydisappearedontheplatform。
Thecar,whichwassomefiftyfeetlong,wasveryconvenientfortheirpurpose。Theadversariesmightmarchoneachotherintheaisle,andfireattheirease。Neverwasduelmoreeasilyarranged。MrFoggandColonelProctor,eachprovidedwithtwosix-barrelledrevolvers,enteredthecar。
Theseconds,remainingoutside,shutthemin。Theyweretobeginfiringatthefirstwhistleofthelocomotive。Afteranintervaloftwominutes,whatremainedofthetwogentlemenwouldbetakenfromthecar。
Nothingcouldbemoresimple。Indeed,itwasallsosimplethatFixandPassepartoutfelttheirheartsbeatingasiftheywouldcrack。Theywerelisteningforthewhistleagreedupon,whensuddenlysavagecriesresoundedintheair,accompaniedbyreportswhichcertainlydidnotissuefromthecarwheretheduellistswere。Thereportscontinuedinfrontand~thewholelengthofthetrain。Criesofterrorproceededfromtheinteriorofthecars。
ColonelProctorandMrFogg,revolversinhand,hastilyquittedtheirprison,andrushedforwardwherethenoisewasmostclamorous。TheythenperceivedthatthetrainwasattackedbyabandofSioux。
ThiswasnotthefirstattemptofthesedaringIndians,formorethanoncetheyhadwaylaidtrainsontheroad。Ahundredofthemhad,accordingtotheirhabit,jumpeduponthestepswithoutstoppingthetrain,withtheeaseofaclownmountingahorseatfullgallop。
TheSiouxwerearmedwithguns,fromwhichcamethereports,towhichthepassengerswhowerealmostallarmed,respondedbyrevolver-shots。
TheIndianshadfirstmountedtheengine,andhalfstunnedtheengineerandstokerwithblowsfromtheirmuskets。ASiouxchief,wishingtostopthetrain,butnotknowinghowtoworktheregulator,hadopenedwideinsteadofclosingthesteam-valve,andthelocomotivewasplungingforwardwithterrificvelocity。
TheSiouxhadatthesametimeinvadedthecars,skippinglikeenragedmonkeysovertheroofs,thrustingopenthedoors,andfightinghandtohandwiththepassengers。Penetratingthebaggage-car,theypillagedit,throwingthetrunksoutofthetrain。Thecriesandshotswereconstant。
Thetravellersdefendedthemselvesbravely;someofthecarswerebarricaded,andsustainedasiege,likemovingforts,carriedalongataspeedofahundredmilesanhour。
Aoudabehavedcourageouslyfromthefirst。Shedefendedherselflikeatrueheroinewitharevolver,whichsheshotthroughthebrokenwindowswheneverasavagemadehisappearance。TwentySiouxhadfallenmortallywoundedtotheground,andthewheelscrushedthosewhofellupontherailsasiftheyhadbeenworms。Severalpassengers,shotorstunned,layontheseats。
Itwasnecessarytoputanendtothestruggle,whichhadlastedfortenminutes,andwhichwouldresultinthetriumphoftheSiouxifthetrainwasnotstopped。FortKearneystation,wheretherewasagarrison,wasonlytwomilesdistant;but,thatoncepassed,theSiouxwouldbemastersofthetrainbetweenFortKearneyandthestationbeyond。
TheconductorwasfightingbesideMrFogg,whenhewasshotandfell。
Atthesamemomenthecried,`Unlessthetrainisstoppedinfiveminutes,wearelost!'
`Itshallbestopped,'saidPhileasFogg,preparingtorushfromthecar。
`Stay,monsieur,'criedPassepartout;`Iwillgo。'
MrFogghadnottimetostopthebravefellow,who,openingadoorunperceivedbytheIndians,succeededinslippingunderthecar;andwhilethestrugglecontinued,andtheballswhizzedacrosseachotheroverhishead,hemadeuseofhisoldacrobaticexperience,andwithamazingagilityworkedhiswayunderthecars,holdingontothechains,aidinghimselfbythebrakesandedgesofthesashes,creepingfromonecartoanotherwithmarvellousskill,andthusgainingtheforwardendofthetrain。
There,suspendedbyonehandbetweenthebaggage-carandthetender,withtheotherheloosenedthesafetychains;but,owingtothetraction,hewouldneverhavesucceededinunscrewingtheyoking-bar,hadnotaviolentconcussionjoltedthisbarout。Thetrain,nowdetachedfromtheengine,remainedalittlebehind,whilstthelocomotiverushedforwardwithincreasedspeed。
Carriedonbytheforcealreadyacquired,thetrainstillmovedforseveralminutes;butthebrakeswereworked,andatlasttheystopped,lessthanahundredfeetfromKearneystation。
Thesoldiersofthefort,attractedbytheshots,hurriedup;theSiouxhadnotexpectedthem,anddecampedinabodybeforethetrainentirelystopped。
Butwhenthepassengerscountedeachotheronthestationplatformseveralwerefoundmissing;amongothersthecourageousFrenchman,whosedevotionhadjustsavedthem。
CHAPTERXXXINWHICHPHILEASFOGGSIMPLYDOESHISDUTY。
Threepassengers-includingPassepartout-haddisappeared。HadtheybeenkilledintheStruggle?WeretheytakenprisonersbytheSioux?Itwasimpossibletotell。
Thereweremanywounded,butnonemortally。ColonelProctorwasoneofthemostSeriouslyhurt;hehadfoughtbravely,andaballhadenteredhisgroin。Hewascarriedintothestationwiththeotherwoundedpassengers,toreceivesuchattentionascouldbeofavail。
Aoudawassafe;andPhileasFogg,whohadbeeninthethickestofthefight,hadnotreceivedascratch。Fixwasslightlywoundedinthearm。
ButPassepartoutwasnottobefound,andtearscourseddownAouda'scheeks。
Allthepassengershadgotoutofthetrain,thewheelsofwhichwerestainedwithblood。Fromthetiresandspokeshungraggedpiecesofflesh。
Asfarastheeyecouldreachonthewhiteplainbehind,redtrailswerevisible。ThelastSiouxweredisappearinginthesouth,alongthebanksofRepublicanRiver。
MrFogg,withfoldedarms,remainedmotionless。Hehadaseriousdecisiontomake。Aouda,standingnearhim,lookedathimwithoutspeaking,andheunderstoodherlook。IfhisServantwasaprisoner,oughthenottoriskeverythingtorescuehimfromtheIndians?`Iwillfindhim,livingordead,'saidhequietlytoAouda。
`Ah,Mr-MrFogg!'criedshe,claspinghishandsandcoveringthemwithtears。
`Living,'addedMrFogg,`ifwedonotloseamoment。'
PhileasFogg,bythisresolution,inevitablysacrificedhimself;hepronouncedhisowndoom。ThedelayofasingledaywouldmakehimlosethesteameratNewYork,andhisbetwouldbecertainlylost。Butashethought,`Itismyduty,'hedidnothesitate。
ThecommandingofficerofFortKearneywasthere。Ahundredofhissoldiershadplacedthemselvesinapositiontodefendthestation,shouldtheSiouxattackit。
`Sir,'saidMrFoggtothecaptain,`threepassengershavedisappeared。'
`Dead?'askedthecaptain。
`Deadorprisoners;thatistheuncertaintywhichmustbesolved。DoyouproposetopursuetheSioux?'
`That'saseriousthingtodo,sir,'returnedthecaptain。`TheseIndiansmayretreatbeyondtheArkansas,andIcannotleavethefortunprotected。'
`Thelivesofthreemenareinquestion,sir,'saidPhileasFogg。
`Doubtless;butcanIriskthelivesoffiftymentosavethree?'
`Idon'tknowwhetheryoucan,sir;butyououghttodoso。'
`Nobodyhere,'returnedtheother,`hasarighttoteachmemyduty。'
`Verywell,'saidMrFogg,coldly。`Iwillgoalone。'
`You,sir!'criedFixcomingup;`yougoaloneinpursuitoftheIndians?'
`Wouldyouhavemeleavethispoorfellowtoperish-himtowhomeveryonepresentoweshislife?Ishallgo。'
`No,Sir,youshallnotgoalone,'criedthecaptain,touchedinspiteofhimself。`No!youareabraveman。Thirtyvolunteers!'headded,turningtothesoldiers。
Thewholecompanystartedforwardatonce。Thecaptainhadonlytopickhismen。Thirtywerechosen,andanoldsergeantplacedattheirhead。
`Thanks,captain,'saidMrFogg。
`Willyouletmegowithyou?'askedMr,Fix。
`Doasyouplease,sir。Butifyouwishtodomeafavour,youwillremainwithAouda。Incaseanythingshouldhappentome——'
Asuddenpalloroverspreadthedetective'sface。Separatehimselffromthemanwhomhehadsopersistentlyfollowedstepbystep!Leavehimtowanderaboutinthisdesert!FixgazedattentivelyatMr,Fogg,and,despitehissuspicionsandofthestrugglewhichwasgoingonwithinhim,heloweredhiseyesbeforethatcalmandfranklook。
`Iwillstay,'saidhe。