Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
`
` `
` The train, on leaving Great Salt Lake at Ogden, passed northward `
` for an hour as far as Weber River, having completed nearly nine `
` hundred miles from San Francisco. From this point it took `
` an easterly direction towards the jagged Wahsatch Mountains. `
` It was in the section included between this range and the `
` Rocky Mountains that the American engineers found the most `
` formidable difficulties in laying the road, and that the government `
` granted a subsidy of forty-eight thousand dollars per mile, `
` instead of sixteen thousand allowed for the work done on the plains. `
` But the engineers, instead of violating nature, avoided its difficulties `
` by winding around, instead of penetrating the rocks. One tunnel only, `
` fourteen thousand feet in length, was pierced in order to arrive `
` at the great basin. `
` `
` The track up to this time had reached its highest elevation at `
` the Great Salt Lake. From this point it described a long curve, `
` descending towards Bitter Creek Valley, to rise again to the `
` dividing ridge of the waters between the Atlantic and the Pacific. `
` There were many creeks in this mountainous region, and it was necessary `
` to cross Muddy Creek, Green Creek, and others, upon culverts. `
` `
` Passepartout grew more and more impatient as they went on, `
` while Fix longed to get out of this difficult region, and was more `
` anxious than Phileas Fogg himself to be beyond the danger of delays `
` and accidents, and set foot on English soil. `
` `
` At ten o'clock at night the train stopped at Fort Bridger station, `
` and twenty minutes later entered Wyoming Territory, following the `
` valley of Bitter Creek throughout. The next day, 7th December, `
` they stopped for a quarter of an hour at Green River station. `
` Snow had fallen abundantly during the night, but, being mixed with rain, `
` it had half melted, and did not interrupt their progress. The bad weather, `
` however, annoyed Passepartout; for the accumulation of snow, by blocking `
` the wheels of the cars, would certainly have been fatal to Mr. Fogg's tour. `
` `
` "What an idea!" he said to himself. "Why did my master make `
` this journey in winter? Couldn't he have waited for the good `
` season to increase his chances?" `
` `
` While the worthy Frenchman was absorbed in the state of the sky `
` and the depression of the temperature, Aouda was experiencing `
` fears from a totally different cause. `
` `
` Several passengers had got off at Green River, and were walking up and down `
` the platforms; and among these Aouda recognised Colonel Stamp Proctor, `
` the same who had so grossly insulted Phileas Fogg at the San Francisco meeting. `
` Not wishing to be recognised, the young woman drew back from the window, `
` feeling much alarm at her discovery. She was attached to the man who, `
` however coldly, gave her daily evidences of the most absolute devotion. `
` She did not comprehend, perhaps, the depth of the sentiment with which `
` her protector inspired her, which she called gratitude, but which, `
` though she was unconscious of it, was really more than that. `
` Her heart sank within her when she recognised the man whom `
` Mr. Fogg desired, sooner or later, to call to account for his conduct. `
` Chance alone, it was clear, had brought Colonel Proctor on this train; `
` but there he was, and it was necessary, at all hazards, that Phileas Fogg `
` should not perceive his adversary. `
` `
` Aouda seized a moment when Mr. Fogg was asleep to tell Fix and Passepartout `
` whom she had seen. `
` `
` "That Proctor on this train!" cried Fix. "Well, reassure yourself, `
` madam; before he settles with Mr. Fogg; he has got to deal with me! `
` It seems to me that I was the more insulted of the two." `
` `
` "And, besides," added Passepartout, "I'll take charge of him, `
` colonel as he is." `
` `
` "Mr. Fix," resumed Aouda, "Mr. Fogg will allow no one to avenge him. `
` He said that he would come back to America to find this man. `
` Should he perceive Colonel Proctor, we could not prevent a collision `
` which might have terrible results. He must not see him." `
` `
` "You are right, madam," replied Fix; "a meeting between them `
` might ruin all. Whether he were victorious or beaten, Mr. Fogg `
` would be delayed, and--" `
` `
` "And," added Passepartout, "that would play the game of the gentlemen `
` of the Reform Club. In four days we shall be in New York. Well, `
` if my master does not leave this car during those four days, `
` we may hope that chance will not bring him face to face with this `
` confounded American. We must, if possible, prevent his stirring out of it." `
` `
` The conversation dropped. Mr. Fogg had just woke up, `
` and was looking out of the window. Soon after Passepartout, `
` without being heard by his master or Aouda, whispered to the detective, `
` "Would you really fight for him?" `
` `
` "I would do anything," replied Fix, in a tone which betrayed determined will, `
` "to get him back living to Europe!" `
` `
` Passepartout felt something like a shudder shoot through his frame, `
` but his confidence in his master remained unbroken. `
` `
` Was there any means of detaining Mr. Fogg in the car, to avoid a meeting `
` between him and the colonel? It ought not to be a difficult task, `
` since that gentleman was naturally sedentary and little curious. `
` The detective, at least, seemed to have found a way; for, after a few moments, `
` he said to Mr. Fogg, "These are long and slow hours, sir, that we are passing `
` on the railway." `
` `
` "Yes," replied Mr. Fogg; "but they pass." `
` `
` "You were in the habit of playing whist," resumed Fix, "on the steamers." `
` `
` "Yes; but it would be difficult to do so here. I have neither cards `
` nor partners." `
` `
` "Oh, but we can easily buy some cards, for they are sold `
` on all the American trains. And as for partners, if madam plays--" `
` `
` "Certainly, sir," Aouda quickly replied; "I understand whist. `
` It is part of an English education." `
` `
` "I myself have some pretensions to playing a good game. `
` Well, here are three of us, and a dummy--" `
` `
` "As you please, sir," replied Phileas Fogg, heartily glad `
` to resume his favourite pastime even on the railway. `
` `
` Passepartout was dispatched in search of the steward, `
` and soon returned with two packs of cards, some pins, `
` counters, and a shelf covered with cloth. `
` `
` The game commenced. Aouda understood whist sufficiently well, `
` and even received some compliments on her playing from Mr. Fogg. `
` As for the detective, he was simply an adept, and worthy of being `
` matched against his present opponent. `
` `
` "Now," thought Passepartout, "we've got him. He won't budge." `
` `
` At eleven in the morning the train had reached the dividing ridge of the waters `
` at Bridger Pass, seven thousand five hundred and twenty-four feet above `
` the level of the sea, one of the highest points attained by the track `
` in crossing the Rocky Mountains. After going about two hundred miles, `
` the travellers at last found themselves on one of those vast plains `
` which extend to the Atlantic, and which nature has made so propitious `
` for laying the iron road. `
` `
` On the declivity of the Atlantic basin the first streams, `
` branches of the North Platte River, already appeared. `
` The whole northern and eastern horizon was bounded by the immense `
` semi-circular curtain which is formed by the southern portion `
` of the Rocky Mountains, the highest being Laramie Peak. `
` Between this and the railway extended vast plains, `
` plentifully irrigated. On the right rose the lower spurs `
` of the mountainous mass which extends southward to the sources `
` of the Arkansas River, one of the great tributaries of the Missouri. `
` `
` At half-past twelve the travellers caught sight for an instant of Fort Halleck, `
` which commands that section; and in a few more hours the Rocky Mountains `
` were crossed. There was reason to hope, then, that no accident would mark `
` the journey through this difficult country. The snow had ceased falling, `
` and the air became crisp and cold. Large birds, frightened by the locomotive, `
` rose and flew off in the distance. No wild beast appeared on the plain. `
` It was a desert in its vast nakedness. `
` `
` After a comfortable breakfast, served in the car, Mr. Fogg and his partners had `
` just resumed whist, when a violent whistling was heard, and the train stopped. `
` Passepartout put his head out of the door, but saw nothing to cause the delay; `
` no station was in view. `
` `
` Aouda and Fix feared that Mr. Fogg might take it into his head to get out; `
` but that gentleman contented himself with saying to his servant, `
` "See what is the matter." `
` `
` Passepartout rushed out of the car. Thirty or forty passengers `
` had already descended, amongst them Colonel Stamp Proctor. `
` `
` The train had stopped before a red signal which blocked the way. `
` The engineer and conductor were talking excitedly with a signal-man, `
` whom the station-master at Medicine Bow, the next stopping place, `
` had sent on before. The passengers drew around and took part `
` in the discussion, in which Colonel Proctor, with his insolent manner, `
` was conspicuous. `
` `
` Passepartout, joining the group, heard the signal-man say, `
` "No! you can't pass. The bridge at Medicine Bow is shaky, `
` and would not bear the weight of the train." `
` `
` This was a suspension-bridge thrown over some rapids, about a `
` mile from the place where they now were. According to the `
` signal-man, it was in a ruinous condition, several of the iron `
` wires being broken; and it was impossible to risk the passage. `
` He did not in any way exaggerate the condition of the bridge. `
` It may be taken for granted that, rash as the Americans usually are, `
` when they are prudent there is good reason for it. `
` `
` Passepartout, not daring to apprise his master of what he heard, `
` listened with set teeth, immovable as a statue. `
` `
` "Hum!" cried Colonel Proctor; "but we are not going to stay here, `
` I imagine, and take root in the snow?" `
` `
` "Colonel," replied the conductor, "we have telegraphed to Omaha for a train, `
` but it is not likely that it will reach Medicine Bow is less than six hours." `
` `
` "Six hours!" cried Passepartout. `
` `
`
` `
` The train, on leaving Great Salt Lake at Ogden, passed northward `
` for an hour as far as Weber River, having completed nearly nine `
` hundred miles from San Francisco. From this point it took `
` an easterly direction towards the jagged Wahsatch Mountains. `
` It was in the section included between this range and the `
` Rocky Mountains that the American engineers found the most `
` formidable difficulties in laying the road, and that the government `
` granted a subsidy of forty-eight thousand dollars per mile, `
` instead of sixteen thousand allowed for the work done on the plains. `
` But the engineers, instead of violating nature, avoided its difficulties `
` by winding around, instead of penetrating the rocks. One tunnel only, `
` fourteen thousand feet in length, was pierced in order to arrive `
` at the great basin. `
` `
` The track up to this time had reached its highest elevation at `
` the Great Salt Lake. From this point it described a long curve, `
` descending towards Bitter Creek Valley, to rise again to the `
` dividing ridge of the waters between the Atlantic and the Pacific. `
` There were many creeks in this mountainous region, and it was necessary `
` to cross Muddy Creek, Green Creek, and others, upon culverts. `
` `
` Passepartout grew more and more impatient as they went on, `
` while Fix longed to get out of this difficult region, and was more `
` anxious than Phileas Fogg himself to be beyond the danger of delays `
` and accidents, and set foot on English soil. `
` `
` At ten o'clock at night the train stopped at Fort Bridger station, `
` and twenty minutes later entered Wyoming Territory, following the `
` valley of Bitter Creek throughout. The next day, 7th December, `
` they stopped for a quarter of an hour at Green River station. `
` Snow had fallen abundantly during the night, but, being mixed with rain, `
` it had half melted, and did not interrupt their progress. The bad weather, `
` however, annoyed Passepartout; for the accumulation of snow, by blocking `
` the wheels of the cars, would certainly have been fatal to Mr. Fogg's tour. `
` `
` "What an idea!" he said to himself. "Why did my master make `
` this journey in winter? Couldn't he have waited for the good `
` season to increase his chances?" `
` `
` While the worthy Frenchman was absorbed in the state of the sky `
` and the depression of the temperature, Aouda was experiencing `
` fears from a totally different cause. `
` `
` Several passengers had got off at Green River, and were walking up and down `
` the platforms; and among these Aouda recognised Colonel Stamp Proctor, `
` the same who had so grossly insulted Phileas Fogg at the San Francisco meeting. `
` Not wishing to be recognised, the young woman drew back from the window, `
` feeling much alarm at her discovery. She was attached to the man who, `
` however coldly, gave her daily evidences of the most absolute devotion. `
` She did not comprehend, perhaps, the depth of the sentiment with which `
` her protector inspired her, which she called gratitude, but which, `
` though she was unconscious of it, was really more than that. `
` Her heart sank within her when she recognised the man whom `
` Mr. Fogg desired, sooner or later, to call to account for his conduct. `
` Chance alone, it was clear, had brought Colonel Proctor on this train; `
` but there he was, and it was necessary, at all hazards, that Phileas Fogg `
` should not perceive his adversary. `
` `
` Aouda seized a moment when Mr. Fogg was asleep to tell Fix and Passepartout `
` whom she had seen. `
` `
` "That Proctor on this train!" cried Fix. "Well, reassure yourself, `
` madam; before he settles with Mr. Fogg; he has got to deal with me! `
` It seems to me that I was the more insulted of the two." `
` `
` "And, besides," added Passepartout, "I'll take charge of him, `
` colonel as he is." `
` `
` "Mr. Fix," resumed Aouda, "Mr. Fogg will allow no one to avenge him. `
` He said that he would come back to America to find this man. `
` Should he perceive Colonel Proctor, we could not prevent a collision `
` which might have terrible results. He must not see him." `
` `
` "You are right, madam," replied Fix; "a meeting between them `
` might ruin all. Whether he were victorious or beaten, Mr. Fogg `
` would be delayed, and--" `
` `
` "And," added Passepartout, "that would play the game of the gentlemen `
` of the Reform Club. In four days we shall be in New York. Well, `
` if my master does not leave this car during those four days, `
` we may hope that chance will not bring him face to face with this `
` confounded American. We must, if possible, prevent his stirring out of it." `
` `
` The conversation dropped. Mr. Fogg had just woke up, `
` and was looking out of the window. Soon after Passepartout, `
` without being heard by his master or Aouda, whispered to the detective, `
` "Would you really fight for him?" `
` `
` "I would do anything," replied Fix, in a tone which betrayed determined will, `
` "to get him back living to Europe!" `
` `
` Passepartout felt something like a shudder shoot through his frame, `
` but his confidence in his master remained unbroken. `
` `
` Was there any means of detaining Mr. Fogg in the car, to avoid a meeting `
` between him and the colonel? It ought not to be a difficult task, `
` since that gentleman was naturally sedentary and little curious. `
` The detective, at least, seemed to have found a way; for, after a few moments, `
` he said to Mr. Fogg, "These are long and slow hours, sir, that we are passing `
` on the railway." `
` `
` "Yes," replied Mr. Fogg; "but they pass." `
` `
` "You were in the habit of playing whist," resumed Fix, "on the steamers." `
` `
` "Yes; but it would be difficult to do so here. I have neither cards `
` nor partners." `
` `
` "Oh, but we can easily buy some cards, for they are sold `
` on all the American trains. And as for partners, if madam plays--" `
` `
` "Certainly, sir," Aouda quickly replied; "I understand whist. `
` It is part of an English education." `
` `
` "I myself have some pretensions to playing a good game. `
` Well, here are three of us, and a dummy--" `
` `
` "As you please, sir," replied Phileas Fogg, heartily glad `
` to resume his favourite pastime even on the railway. `
` `
` Passepartout was dispatched in search of the steward, `
` and soon returned with two packs of cards, some pins, `
` counters, and a shelf covered with cloth. `
` `
` The game commenced. Aouda understood whist sufficiently well, `
` and even received some compliments on her playing from Mr. Fogg. `
` As for the detective, he was simply an adept, and worthy of being `
` matched against his present opponent. `
` `
` "Now," thought Passepartout, "we've got him. He won't budge." `
` `
` At eleven in the morning the train had reached the dividing ridge of the waters `
` at Bridger Pass, seven thousand five hundred and twenty-four feet above `
` the level of the sea, one of the highest points attained by the track `
` in crossing the Rocky Mountains. After going about two hundred miles, `
` the travellers at last found themselves on one of those vast plains `
` which extend to the Atlantic, and which nature has made so propitious `
` for laying the iron road. `
` `
` On the declivity of the Atlantic basin the first streams, `
` branches of the North Platte River, already appeared. `
` The whole northern and eastern horizon was bounded by the immense `
` semi-circular curtain which is formed by the southern portion `
` of the Rocky Mountains, the highest being Laramie Peak. `
` Between this and the railway extended vast plains, `
` plentifully irrigated. On the right rose the lower spurs `
` of the mountainous mass which extends southward to the sources `
` of the Arkansas River, one of the great tributaries of the Missouri. `
` `
` At half-past twelve the travellers caught sight for an instant of Fort Halleck, `
` which commands that section; and in a few more hours the Rocky Mountains `
` were crossed. There was reason to hope, then, that no accident would mark `
` the journey through this difficult country. The snow had ceased falling, `
` and the air became crisp and cold. Large birds, frightened by the locomotive, `
` rose and flew off in the distance. No wild beast appeared on the plain. `
` It was a desert in its vast nakedness. `
` `
` After a comfortable breakfast, served in the car, Mr. Fogg and his partners had `
` just resumed whist, when a violent whistling was heard, and the train stopped. `
` Passepartout put his head out of the door, but saw nothing to cause the delay; `
` no station was in view. `
` `
` Aouda and Fix feared that Mr. Fogg might take it into his head to get out; `
` but that gentleman contented himself with saying to his servant, `
` "See what is the matter." `
` `
` Passepartout rushed out of the car. Thirty or forty passengers `
` had already descended, amongst them Colonel Stamp Proctor. `
` `
` The train had stopped before a red signal which blocked the way. `
` The engineer and conductor were talking excitedly with a signal-man, `
` whom the station-master at Medicine Bow, the next stopping place, `
` had sent on before. The passengers drew around and took part `
` in the discussion, in which Colonel Proctor, with his insolent manner, `
` was conspicuous. `
` `
` Passepartout, joining the group, heard the signal-man say, `
` "No! you can't pass. The bridge at Medicine Bow is shaky, `
` and would not bear the weight of the train." `
` `
` This was a suspension-bridge thrown over some rapids, about a `
` mile from the place where they now were. According to the `
` signal-man, it was in a ruinous condition, several of the iron `
` wires being broken; and it was impossible to risk the passage. `
` He did not in any way exaggerate the condition of the bridge. `
` It may be taken for granted that, rash as the Americans usually are, `
` when they are prudent there is good reason for it. `
` `
` Passepartout, not daring to apprise his master of what he heard, `
` listened with set teeth, immovable as a statue. `
` `
` "Hum!" cried Colonel Proctor; "but we are not going to stay here, `
` I imagine, and take root in the snow?" `
` `
` "Colonel," replied the conductor, "we have telegraphed to Omaha for a train, `
` but it is not likely that it will reach Medicine Bow is less than six hours." `
` `
` "Six hours!" cried Passepartout. `
` `
`