首页 >出版文学> AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS>第7章
  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。