Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
`
` "Certainly," returned the conductor, "besides, it will take us as long `
` as that to reach Medicine Bow on foot." `
` `
` "But it is only a mile from here," said one of the passengers. `
` `
` "Yes, but it's on the other side of the river." `
` `
` "And can't we cross that in a boat?" asked the colonel. `
` `
` "That's impossible. The creek is swelled by the rains. It is a rapid, `
` and we shall have to make a circuit of ten miles to the north to find a ford." `
` `
` The colonel launched a volley of oaths, denouncing the railway `
` company and the conductor; and Passepartout, who was furious, `
` was not disinclined to make common cause with him. Here was `
` an obstacle, indeed, which all his master's banknotes could not remove. `
` `
` There was a general disappointment among the passengers, who, `
` without reckoning the delay, saw themselves compelled to trudge `
` fifteen miles over a plain covered with snow. They grumbled and `
` protested, and would certainly have thus attracted Phileas Fogg's `
` attention if he had not been completely absorbed in his game. `
` `
` Passepartout found that he could not avoid telling his master what `
` had occurred, and, with hanging head, he was turning towards the car, `
` when the engineer, a true Yankee, named Forster called out, `
` "Gentlemen, perhaps there is a way, after all, to get over." `
` `
` "On the bridge?" asked a passenger. `
` `
` "On the bridge." `
` `
` "With our train?" `
` `
` "With our train." `
` `
` Passepartout stopped short, and eagerly listened to the engineer. `
` `
` "But the bridge is unsafe," urged the conductor. `
` `
` "No matter," replied Forster; "I think that by putting on the `
` very highest speed we might have a chance of getting over." `
` `
` "The devil!" muttered Passepartout. `
` `
` But a number of the passengers were at once attracted by the `
` engineer's proposal, and Colonel Proctor was especially delighted, `
` and found the plan a very feasible one. He told stories about `
` engineers leaping their trains over rivers without bridges, `
` by putting on full steam; and many of those present avowed `
` themselves of the engineer's mind. `
` `
` "We have fifty chances out of a hundred of getting over," said one. `
` `
` "Eighty! ninety!" `
` `
` Passepartout was astounded, and, though ready to attempt anything to get `
` over Medicine Creek, thought the experiment proposed a little too American. `
` "Besides," thought he, "there's a still more simple way, and it does not even `
` occur to any of these people! Sir," said he aloud to one of the passengers, `
` "the engineer's plan seems to me a little dangerous, but--" `
` `
` "Eighty chances!" replied the passenger, turning his back on him. `
` `
` "I know it," said Passepartout, turning to another passenger, `
` "but a simple idea--" `
` `
` "Ideas are no use," returned the American, shrugging his shoulders, `
` "as the engineer assures us that we can pass." `
` `
` "Doubtless," urged Passepartout, "we can pass, but perhaps it would `
` be more prudent--" `
` `
` "What! Prudent!" cried Colonel Proctor, whom this word seemed `
` to excite prodigiously. "At full speed, don't you see, at full speed!" `
` `
` "I know--I see," repeated Passepartout; "but it would be, if not more prudent, `
` since that word displeases you, at least more natural--" `
` `
` "Who! What! What's the matter with this fellow?" cried several. `
` `
` The poor fellow did not know to whom to address himself. `
` `
` "Are you afraid?" asked Colonel Proctor. `
` `
` "I afraid? Very well; I will show these people that a Frenchman `
` can be as American as they!" `
` `
` "All aboard!" cried the conductor. `
` `
` "Yes, all aboard!" repeated Passepartout, and immediately. `
` "But they can't prevent me from thinking that it would be more natural `
` for us to cross the bridge on foot, and let the train come after!" `
` `
` But no one heard this sage reflection, nor would anyone have acknowledged `
` its justice. The passengers resumed their places in the cars. `
` Passepartout took his seat without telling what had passed. `
` The whist-players were quite absorbed in their game. `
` `
` The locomotive whistled vigorously; the engineer, reversing the steam, `
` backed the train for nearly a mile--retiring, like a jumper, in order `
` to take a longer leap. Then, with another whistle, he began to move forward; `
` the train increased its speed, and soon its rapidity became frightful; `
` a prolonged screech issued from the locomotive; the piston worked up and down `
` twenty strokes to the second. They perceived that the whole train, rushing `
` on at the rate of a hundred miles an hour, hardly bore upon the rails at all. `
` `
` And they passed over! It was like a flash. No one saw the bridge. `
` The train leaped, so to speak, from one bank to the other, `
` and the engineer could not stop it until it had gone five miles `
` beyond the station. But scarcely had the train passed the river, `
` when the bridge, completely ruined, fell with a crash into the rapids `
` of Medicine Bow. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXIX `
` `
` IN WHICH CERTAIN INCIDENTS ARE NARRATED `
` WHICH ARE ONLY TO BE MET WITH ON AMERICAN RAILROADS `
` `
` `
` The train pursued its course, that evening, without interruption, `
` passing Fort Saunders, crossing Cheyne Pass, and reaching Evans Pass. `
` The road here attained the highest elevation of the journey, `
` eight thousand and ninety-two feet above the level of the sea. `
` The travellers had now only to descend to the Atlantic by limitless plains, `
` levelled by nature. A branch of the "grand trunk" led off southward to Denver, `
` the capital of Colorado. The country round about is rich in gold and silver, `
` and more than fifty thousand inhabitants are already settled there. `
` `
` Thirteen hundred and eighty-two miles had been passed over from San Francisco, `
` in three days and three nights; four days and nights more would probably `
` bring them to New York. Phileas Fogg was not as yet behind-hand. `
` `
` During the night Camp Walbach was passed on the left; Lodge Pole Creek `
` ran parallel with the road, marking the boundary between the territories `
` of Wyoming and Colorado. They entered Nebraska at eleven, passed near `
` Sedgwick, and touched at Julesburg, on the southern branch of the Platte River. `
` `
` It was here that the Union Pacific Railroad was inaugurated on `
` the 23rd of October, 1867, by the chief engineer, General Dodge. `
` Two powerful locomotives, carrying nine cars of invited guests, `
` amongst whom was Thomas C. Durant, vice-president of the road, `
` stopped at this point; cheers were given, the Sioux and Pawnees `
` performed an imitation Indian battle, fireworks were let off, `
` and the first number of the Railway Pioneer was printed by a press `
` brought on the train. Thus was celebrated the inauguration `
` of this great railroad, a mighty instrument of progress `
` and civilisation, thrown across the desert, and destined to link `
` together cities and towns which do not yet exist. The whistle `
` of the locomotive, more powerful than Amphion's lyre, was about `
` to bid them rise from American soil. `
` `
` Fort McPherson was left behind at eight in the morning, `
` and three hundred and fifty-seven miles had yet to be traversed `
` before reaching Omaha. The road followed the capricious windings `
` of the southern branch of the Platte River, on its left bank. `
` At nine the train stopped at the important town of North Platte, `
` built between the two arms of the river, which rejoin each other `
` around it and form a single artery, a large tributary, whose waters `
` empty into the Missouri a little above Omaha. `
` `
` The one hundred and first meridian was passed. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg and his partners had resumed their game; no one--not even the dummy-- `
` complained of the length of the trip. Fix had begun by winning several `
` guineas, which he seemed likely to lose; but he showed himself a not less `
` eager whist-player than Mr. Fogg. During the morning, chance distinctly `
` favoured that gentleman. Trumps and honours were showered upon his hands. `
` `
` Once, having resolved on a bold stroke, he was on the point of playing a spade, `
` when a voice behind him said, "I should play a diamond." `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Fix raised their heads, and beheld Colonel Proctor. `
` `
` Stamp Proctor and Phileas Fogg recognised each other at once. `
` `
` "Ah! it's you, is it, Englishman?" cried the colonel; `
` "it's you who are going to play a spade!" `
` `
` "And who plays it," replied Phileas Fogg coolly, `
` throwing down the ten of spades. `
` `
` "Well, it pleases me to have it diamonds," `
` replied Colonel Proctor, in an insolent tone. `
` `
` He made a movement as if to seize the card which had just been played, `
` adding, "You don't understand anything about whist." `
` `
` "Perhaps I do, as well as another," said Phileas Fogg, rising. `
` `
` "You have only to try, son of John Bull," replied the colonel. `
` `
` Aouda turned pale, and her blood ran cold. She seized Mr. Fogg's `
` arm and gently pulled him back. Passepartout was ready to pounce `
` upon the American, who was staring insolently at his opponent. `
` But Fix got up, and, going to Colonel Proctor said, "You forget `
` that it is I with whom you have to deal, sir; for it was I `
`
` "Certainly," returned the conductor, "besides, it will take us as long `
` as that to reach Medicine Bow on foot." `
` `
` "But it is only a mile from here," said one of the passengers. `
` `
` "Yes, but it's on the other side of the river." `
` `
` "And can't we cross that in a boat?" asked the colonel. `
` `
` "That's impossible. The creek is swelled by the rains. It is a rapid, `
` and we shall have to make a circuit of ten miles to the north to find a ford." `
` `
` The colonel launched a volley of oaths, denouncing the railway `
` company and the conductor; and Passepartout, who was furious, `
` was not disinclined to make common cause with him. Here was `
` an obstacle, indeed, which all his master's banknotes could not remove. `
` `
` There was a general disappointment among the passengers, who, `
` without reckoning the delay, saw themselves compelled to trudge `
` fifteen miles over a plain covered with snow. They grumbled and `
` protested, and would certainly have thus attracted Phileas Fogg's `
` attention if he had not been completely absorbed in his game. `
` `
` Passepartout found that he could not avoid telling his master what `
` had occurred, and, with hanging head, he was turning towards the car, `
` when the engineer, a true Yankee, named Forster called out, `
` "Gentlemen, perhaps there is a way, after all, to get over." `
` `
` "On the bridge?" asked a passenger. `
` `
` "On the bridge." `
` `
` "With our train?" `
` `
` "With our train." `
` `
` Passepartout stopped short, and eagerly listened to the engineer. `
` `
` "But the bridge is unsafe," urged the conductor. `
` `
` "No matter," replied Forster; "I think that by putting on the `
` very highest speed we might have a chance of getting over." `
` `
` "The devil!" muttered Passepartout. `
` `
` But a number of the passengers were at once attracted by the `
` engineer's proposal, and Colonel Proctor was especially delighted, `
` and found the plan a very feasible one. He told stories about `
` engineers leaping their trains over rivers without bridges, `
` by putting on full steam; and many of those present avowed `
` themselves of the engineer's mind. `
` `
` "We have fifty chances out of a hundred of getting over," said one. `
` `
` "Eighty! ninety!" `
` `
` Passepartout was astounded, and, though ready to attempt anything to get `
` over Medicine Creek, thought the experiment proposed a little too American. `
` "Besides," thought he, "there's a still more simple way, and it does not even `
` occur to any of these people! Sir," said he aloud to one of the passengers, `
` "the engineer's plan seems to me a little dangerous, but--" `
` `
` "Eighty chances!" replied the passenger, turning his back on him. `
` `
` "I know it," said Passepartout, turning to another passenger, `
` "but a simple idea--" `
` `
` "Ideas are no use," returned the American, shrugging his shoulders, `
` "as the engineer assures us that we can pass." `
` `
` "Doubtless," urged Passepartout, "we can pass, but perhaps it would `
` be more prudent--" `
` `
` "What! Prudent!" cried Colonel Proctor, whom this word seemed `
` to excite prodigiously. "At full speed, don't you see, at full speed!" `
` `
` "I know--I see," repeated Passepartout; "but it would be, if not more prudent, `
` since that word displeases you, at least more natural--" `
` `
` "Who! What! What's the matter with this fellow?" cried several. `
` `
` The poor fellow did not know to whom to address himself. `
` `
` "Are you afraid?" asked Colonel Proctor. `
` `
` "I afraid? Very well; I will show these people that a Frenchman `
` can be as American as they!" `
` `
` "All aboard!" cried the conductor. `
` `
` "Yes, all aboard!" repeated Passepartout, and immediately. `
` "But they can't prevent me from thinking that it would be more natural `
` for us to cross the bridge on foot, and let the train come after!" `
` `
` But no one heard this sage reflection, nor would anyone have acknowledged `
` its justice. The passengers resumed their places in the cars. `
` Passepartout took his seat without telling what had passed. `
` The whist-players were quite absorbed in their game. `
` `
` The locomotive whistled vigorously; the engineer, reversing the steam, `
` backed the train for nearly a mile--retiring, like a jumper, in order `
` to take a longer leap. Then, with another whistle, he began to move forward; `
` the train increased its speed, and soon its rapidity became frightful; `
` a prolonged screech issued from the locomotive; the piston worked up and down `
` twenty strokes to the second. They perceived that the whole train, rushing `
` on at the rate of a hundred miles an hour, hardly bore upon the rails at all. `
` `
` And they passed over! It was like a flash. No one saw the bridge. `
` The train leaped, so to speak, from one bank to the other, `
` and the engineer could not stop it until it had gone five miles `
` beyond the station. But scarcely had the train passed the river, `
` when the bridge, completely ruined, fell with a crash into the rapids `
` of Medicine Bow. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXIX `
` `
` IN WHICH CERTAIN INCIDENTS ARE NARRATED `
` WHICH ARE ONLY TO BE MET WITH ON AMERICAN RAILROADS `
` `
` `
` The train pursued its course, that evening, without interruption, `
` passing Fort Saunders, crossing Cheyne Pass, and reaching Evans Pass. `
` The road here attained the highest elevation of the journey, `
` eight thousand and ninety-two feet above the level of the sea. `
` The travellers had now only to descend to the Atlantic by limitless plains, `
` levelled by nature. A branch of the "grand trunk" led off southward to Denver, `
` the capital of Colorado. The country round about is rich in gold and silver, `
` and more than fifty thousand inhabitants are already settled there. `
` `
` Thirteen hundred and eighty-two miles had been passed over from San Francisco, `
` in three days and three nights; four days and nights more would probably `
` bring them to New York. Phileas Fogg was not as yet behind-hand. `
` `
` During the night Camp Walbach was passed on the left; Lodge Pole Creek `
` ran parallel with the road, marking the boundary between the territories `
` of Wyoming and Colorado. They entered Nebraska at eleven, passed near `
` Sedgwick, and touched at Julesburg, on the southern branch of the Platte River. `
` `
` It was here that the Union Pacific Railroad was inaugurated on `
` the 23rd of October, 1867, by the chief engineer, General Dodge. `
` Two powerful locomotives, carrying nine cars of invited guests, `
` amongst whom was Thomas C. Durant, vice-president of the road, `
` stopped at this point; cheers were given, the Sioux and Pawnees `
` performed an imitation Indian battle, fireworks were let off, `
` and the first number of the Railway Pioneer was printed by a press `
` brought on the train. Thus was celebrated the inauguration `
` of this great railroad, a mighty instrument of progress `
` and civilisation, thrown across the desert, and destined to link `
` together cities and towns which do not yet exist. The whistle `
` of the locomotive, more powerful than Amphion's lyre, was about `
` to bid them rise from American soil. `
` `
` Fort McPherson was left behind at eight in the morning, `
` and three hundred and fifty-seven miles had yet to be traversed `
` before reaching Omaha. The road followed the capricious windings `
` of the southern branch of the Platte River, on its left bank. `
` At nine the train stopped at the important town of North Platte, `
` built between the two arms of the river, which rejoin each other `
` around it and form a single artery, a large tributary, whose waters `
` empty into the Missouri a little above Omaha. `
` `
` The one hundred and first meridian was passed. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg and his partners had resumed their game; no one--not even the dummy-- `
` complained of the length of the trip. Fix had begun by winning several `
` guineas, which he seemed likely to lose; but he showed himself a not less `
` eager whist-player than Mr. Fogg. During the morning, chance distinctly `
` favoured that gentleman. Trumps and honours were showered upon his hands. `
` `
` Once, having resolved on a bold stroke, he was on the point of playing a spade, `
` when a voice behind him said, "I should play a diamond." `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Fix raised their heads, and beheld Colonel Proctor. `
` `
` Stamp Proctor and Phileas Fogg recognised each other at once. `
` `
` "Ah! it's you, is it, Englishman?" cried the colonel; `
` "it's you who are going to play a spade!" `
` `
` "And who plays it," replied Phileas Fogg coolly, `
` throwing down the ten of spades. `
` `
` "Well, it pleases me to have it diamonds," `
` replied Colonel Proctor, in an insolent tone. `
` `
` He made a movement as if to seize the card which had just been played, `
` adding, "You don't understand anything about whist." `
` `
` "Perhaps I do, as well as another," said Phileas Fogg, rising. `
` `
` "You have only to try, son of John Bull," replied the colonel. `
` `
` Aouda turned pale, and her blood ran cold. She seized Mr. Fogg's `
` arm and gently pulled him back. Passepartout was ready to pounce `
` upon the American, who was staring insolently at his opponent. `
` But Fix got up, and, going to Colonel Proctor said, "You forget `
` that it is I with whom you have to deal, sir; for it was I `
`