Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
that it is I with whom you have to deal, sir; for it was I `
` whom you not only insulted, but struck!" `
` `
` "Mr. Fix," said Mr. Fogg, "pardon me, but this affair is mine, `
` and mine only. The colonel has again insulted me, by insisting `
` that I should not play a spade, and he shall give me satisfaction for it." `
` `
` "When and where you will," replied the American, "and with whatever `
` weapon you choose." `
` `
` Aouda in vain attempted to retain Mr. Fogg; as vainly did the `
` detective endeavour to make the quarrel his. Passepartout wished `
` to throw the colonel out of the window, but a sign from his master `
` checked him. Phileas Fogg left the car, and the American followed `
` him upon the platform. "Sir," said Mr. Fogg to his adversary, `
` "I am in a great hurry to get back to Europe, and any delay whatever `
` will be greatly to my disadvantage." `
` `
` "Well, what's that to me?" replied Colonel Proctor. `
` `
` "Sir," said Mr. Fogg, very politely, "after our meeting at San Francisco, `
` I determined to return to America and find you as soon as I had completed `
` the business which called me to England." `
` `
` "Really!" `
` `
` "Will you appoint a meeting for six months hence?" `
` `
` "Why not ten years hence?" `
` `
` "I say six months," returned Phileas Fogg; "and I shall be `
` at the place of meeting promptly." `
` `
` "All this is an evasion," cried Stamp Proctor. "Now or never!" `
` `
` "Very good. You are going to New York?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To Chicago?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To Omaha?" `
` `
` "What difference is it to you? Do you know Plum Creek?" `
` `
` "No," replied Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "It's the next station. The train will be there in an hour, `
` and will stop there ten minutes. In ten minutes several `
` revolver-shots could be exchanged." `
` `
` "Very well," said Mr. Fogg. "I will stop at Plum Creek." `
` `
` "And I guess you'll stay there too," added the American insolently. `
` `
` "Who knows?" replied Mr. Fogg, returning to the car as coolly as usual. `
` He began to reassure Aouda, telling her that blusterers were never `
` to be feared, and begged Fix to be his second at the approaching duel, `
` a request which the detective could not refuse. Mr. Fogg resumed `
` the interrupted game with perfect calmness. `
` `
` At eleven o'clock the locomotive's whistle announced that they were `
` approaching Plum Creek station. Mr. Fogg rose, and, followed by Fix, `
` went out upon the platform. Passepartout accompanied him, carrying `
` a pair of revolvers. Aouda remained in the car, as pale as death. `
` `
` The door of the next car opened, and Colonel Proctor appeared on the platform, `
` attended by a Yankee of his own stamp as his second. But just as the `
` combatants were about to step from the train, the conductor hurried up, `
` and shouted, "You can't get off, gentlemen!" `
` `
` "Why not?" asked the colonel. `
` `
` "We are twenty minutes late, and we shall not stop." `
` `
` "But I am going to fight a duel with this gentleman." `
` `
` "I am sorry," said the conductor; "but we shall be off at once. `
` There's the bell ringing now." `
` `
` The train started. `
` `
` "I'm really very sorry, gentlemen," said the conductor. `
` "Under any other circumstances I should have been happy to oblige you. `
` But, after all, as you have not had time to fight here, `
` why not fight as we go along?" `
` `
` "That wouldn't be convenient, perhaps, for this gentleman," `
` said the colonel, in a jeering tone. `
` `
` "It would be perfectly so," replied Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` "Well, we are really in America," thought Passepartout, `
` "and the conductor is a gentleman of the first order!" `
` `
` So muttering, he followed his master. `
` `
` The two combatants, their seconds, and the conductor passed through `
` the cars to the rear of the train. The last car was only occupied `
` by a dozen passengers, whom the conductor politely asked if they would `
` not be so kind as to leave it vacant for a few moments, as two gentlemen `
` had an affair of honour to settle. The passengers granted the request `
` with alacrity, and straightway disappeared on the platform. `
` `
` The car, which was some fifty feet long, was very convenient `
` for their purpose. The adversaries might march on each other `
` in the aisle, and fire at their ease. Never was duel more easily `
` arranged. Mr. Fogg and Colonel Proctor, each provided with two `
` six-barrelled revolvers, entered the car. The seconds, remaining `
` outside, shut them in. They were to begin firing at the first `
` whistle of the locomotive. After an interval of two minutes, `
` what remained of the two gentlemen would be taken from the car. `
` `
` Nothing could be more simple. Indeed, it was all so simple `
` that Fix and Passepartout felt their hearts beating as if they `
` would crack. They were listening for the whistle agreed upon, `
` when suddenly savage cries resounded in the air, accompanied `
` by reports which certainly did not issue from the car where `
` the duellists were. The reports continued in front and the whole `
` length of the train. Cries of terror proceeded from the interior `
` of the cars. `
` `
` Colonel Proctor and Mr. Fogg, revolvers in hand, hastily quitted `
` their prison, and rushed forward where the noise was most clamorous. `
` They then perceived that the train was attacked by a band of Sioux. `
` `
` This was not the first attempt of these daring Indians, for more than `
` once they had waylaid trains on the road. A hundred of them had, `
` according to their habit, jumped upon the steps without stopping `
` the train, with the ease of a clown mounting a horse at full gallop. `
` `
` The Sioux were armed with guns, from which came the reports, `
` to which the passengers, who were almost all armed, responded `
` by revolver-shots. `
` `
` The Indians had first mounted the engine, and half stunned `
` the engineer and stoker with blows from their muskets. `
` A Sioux chief, wishing to stop the train, but not knowing `
` how to work the regulator, had opened wide instead of closing `
` the steam-valve, and the locomotive was plunging forward `
` with terrific velocity. `
` `
` The Sioux had at the same time invaded the cars, skipping like `
` enraged monkeys over the roofs, thrusting open the doors, `
` and fighting hand to hand with the passengers. Penetrating the `
` baggage-car, they pillaged it, throwing the trunks out of the train. `
` The cries and shots were constant. The travellers defended `
` themselves bravely; some of the cars were barricaded, `
` and sustained a siege, like moving forts, carried along `
` at a speed of a hundred miles an hour. `
` `
` Aouda behaved courageously from the first. She defended herself `
` like a true heroine with a revolver, which she shot through the broken `
` windows whenever a savage made his appearance. Twenty Sioux had fallen `
` mortally wounded to the ground, and the wheels crushed those who fell `
` upon the rails as if they had been worms. Several passengers, `
` shot or stunned, lay on the seats. `
` `
` It was necessary to put an end to the struggle, which had lasted `
` for ten minutes, and which would result in the triumph of the Sioux `
` if the train was not stopped. Fort Kearney station, where there was `
` a garrison, was only two miles distant; but, that once passed, `
` the Sioux would be masters of the train between Fort Kearney `
` and the station beyond. `
` `
` The conductor was fighting beside Mr. Fogg, when he was shot and fell. `
` At the same moment he cried, "Unless the train is stopped in five minutes, `
` we are lost!" `
` `
` "It shall be stopped," said Phileas Fogg, preparing to rush from the car. `
` `
` "Stay, monsieur," cried Passepartout; "I will go." `
` `
` Mr. Fogg had not time to stop the brave fellow, who, opening a door `
` unperceived by the Indians, succeeded in slipping under the car; `
` and while the struggle continued and the balls whizzed across each `
` other over his head, he made use of his old acrobatic experience, `
` and with amazing agility worked his way under the cars, holding on `
` to the chains, aiding himself by the brakes and edges of the sashes, `
` creeping from one car to another with marvellous skill, `
` and thus gaining the forward end of the train. `
` `
` There, suspended by one hand between the baggage-car and the tender, `
` with the other he loosened the safety chains; but, owing to the traction, `
` he would never have succeeded in unscrewing the yoking-bar, `
` had not a violent concussion jolted this bar out. The train, `
` now detached from the engine, remained a little behind, `
` whilst the locomotive rushed forward with increased speed. `
` `
` Carried on by the force already acquired, the train still moved `
` for several minutes; but the brakes were worked and at last they stopped, `
` less than a hundred feet from Kearney station. `
` `
` The soldiers of the fort, attracted by the shots, hurried up; `
` the Sioux had not expected them, and decamped in a body before `
` the train entirely stopped. `
` `
` But when the passengers counted each other on the station platform `
` several were found missing; among others the courageous Frenchman, `
`
` whom you not only insulted, but struck!" `
` `
` "Mr. Fix," said Mr. Fogg, "pardon me, but this affair is mine, `
` and mine only. The colonel has again insulted me, by insisting `
` that I should not play a spade, and he shall give me satisfaction for it." `
` `
` "When and where you will," replied the American, "and with whatever `
` weapon you choose." `
` `
` Aouda in vain attempted to retain Mr. Fogg; as vainly did the `
` detective endeavour to make the quarrel his. Passepartout wished `
` to throw the colonel out of the window, but a sign from his master `
` checked him. Phileas Fogg left the car, and the American followed `
` him upon the platform. "Sir," said Mr. Fogg to his adversary, `
` "I am in a great hurry to get back to Europe, and any delay whatever `
` will be greatly to my disadvantage." `
` `
` "Well, what's that to me?" replied Colonel Proctor. `
` `
` "Sir," said Mr. Fogg, very politely, "after our meeting at San Francisco, `
` I determined to return to America and find you as soon as I had completed `
` the business which called me to England." `
` `
` "Really!" `
` `
` "Will you appoint a meeting for six months hence?" `
` `
` "Why not ten years hence?" `
` `
` "I say six months," returned Phileas Fogg; "and I shall be `
` at the place of meeting promptly." `
` `
` "All this is an evasion," cried Stamp Proctor. "Now or never!" `
` `
` "Very good. You are going to New York?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To Chicago?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To Omaha?" `
` `
` "What difference is it to you? Do you know Plum Creek?" `
` `
` "No," replied Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "It's the next station. The train will be there in an hour, `
` and will stop there ten minutes. In ten minutes several `
` revolver-shots could be exchanged." `
` `
` "Very well," said Mr. Fogg. "I will stop at Plum Creek." `
` `
` "And I guess you'll stay there too," added the American insolently. `
` `
` "Who knows?" replied Mr. Fogg, returning to the car as coolly as usual. `
` He began to reassure Aouda, telling her that blusterers were never `
` to be feared, and begged Fix to be his second at the approaching duel, `
` a request which the detective could not refuse. Mr. Fogg resumed `
` the interrupted game with perfect calmness. `
` `
` At eleven o'clock the locomotive's whistle announced that they were `
` approaching Plum Creek station. Mr. Fogg rose, and, followed by Fix, `
` went out upon the platform. Passepartout accompanied him, carrying `
` a pair of revolvers. Aouda remained in the car, as pale as death. `
` `
` The door of the next car opened, and Colonel Proctor appeared on the platform, `
` attended by a Yankee of his own stamp as his second. But just as the `
` combatants were about to step from the train, the conductor hurried up, `
` and shouted, "You can't get off, gentlemen!" `
` `
` "Why not?" asked the colonel. `
` `
` "We are twenty minutes late, and we shall not stop." `
` `
` "But I am going to fight a duel with this gentleman." `
` `
` "I am sorry," said the conductor; "but we shall be off at once. `
` There's the bell ringing now." `
` `
` The train started. `
` `
` "I'm really very sorry, gentlemen," said the conductor. `
` "Under any other circumstances I should have been happy to oblige you. `
` But, after all, as you have not had time to fight here, `
` why not fight as we go along?" `
` `
` "That wouldn't be convenient, perhaps, for this gentleman," `
` said the colonel, in a jeering tone. `
` `
` "It would be perfectly so," replied Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` "Well, we are really in America," thought Passepartout, `
` "and the conductor is a gentleman of the first order!" `
` `
` So muttering, he followed his master. `
` `
` The two combatants, their seconds, and the conductor passed through `
` the cars to the rear of the train. The last car was only occupied `
` by a dozen passengers, whom the conductor politely asked if they would `
` not be so kind as to leave it vacant for a few moments, as two gentlemen `
` had an affair of honour to settle. The passengers granted the request `
` with alacrity, and straightway disappeared on the platform. `
` `
` The car, which was some fifty feet long, was very convenient `
` for their purpose. The adversaries might march on each other `
` in the aisle, and fire at their ease. Never was duel more easily `
` arranged. Mr. Fogg and Colonel Proctor, each provided with two `
` six-barrelled revolvers, entered the car. The seconds, remaining `
` outside, shut them in. They were to begin firing at the first `
` whistle of the locomotive. After an interval of two minutes, `
` what remained of the two gentlemen would be taken from the car. `
` `
` Nothing could be more simple. Indeed, it was all so simple `
` that Fix and Passepartout felt their hearts beating as if they `
` would crack. They were listening for the whistle agreed upon, `
` when suddenly savage cries resounded in the air, accompanied `
` by reports which certainly did not issue from the car where `
` the duellists were. The reports continued in front and the whole `
` length of the train. Cries of terror proceeded from the interior `
` of the cars. `
` `
` Colonel Proctor and Mr. Fogg, revolvers in hand, hastily quitted `
` their prison, and rushed forward where the noise was most clamorous. `
` They then perceived that the train was attacked by a band of Sioux. `
` `
` This was not the first attempt of these daring Indians, for more than `
` once they had waylaid trains on the road. A hundred of them had, `
` according to their habit, jumped upon the steps without stopping `
` the train, with the ease of a clown mounting a horse at full gallop. `
` `
` The Sioux were armed with guns, from which came the reports, `
` to which the passengers, who were almost all armed, responded `
` by revolver-shots. `
` `
` The Indians had first mounted the engine, and half stunned `
` the engineer and stoker with blows from their muskets. `
` A Sioux chief, wishing to stop the train, but not knowing `
` how to work the regulator, had opened wide instead of closing `
` the steam-valve, and the locomotive was plunging forward `
` with terrific velocity. `
` `
` The Sioux had at the same time invaded the cars, skipping like `
` enraged monkeys over the roofs, thrusting open the doors, `
` and fighting hand to hand with the passengers. Penetrating the `
` baggage-car, they pillaged it, throwing the trunks out of the train. `
` The cries and shots were constant. The travellers defended `
` themselves bravely; some of the cars were barricaded, `
` and sustained a siege, like moving forts, carried along `
` at a speed of a hundred miles an hour. `
` `
` Aouda behaved courageously from the first. She defended herself `
` like a true heroine with a revolver, which she shot through the broken `
` windows whenever a savage made his appearance. Twenty Sioux had fallen `
` mortally wounded to the ground, and the wheels crushed those who fell `
` upon the rails as if they had been worms. Several passengers, `
` shot or stunned, lay on the seats. `
` `
` It was necessary to put an end to the struggle, which had lasted `
` for ten minutes, and which would result in the triumph of the Sioux `
` if the train was not stopped. Fort Kearney station, where there was `
` a garrison, was only two miles distant; but, that once passed, `
` the Sioux would be masters of the train between Fort Kearney `
` and the station beyond. `
` `
` The conductor was fighting beside Mr. Fogg, when he was shot and fell. `
` At the same moment he cried, "Unless the train is stopped in five minutes, `
` we are lost!" `
` `
` "It shall be stopped," said Phileas Fogg, preparing to rush from the car. `
` `
` "Stay, monsieur," cried Passepartout; "I will go." `
` `
` Mr. Fogg had not time to stop the brave fellow, who, opening a door `
` unperceived by the Indians, succeeded in slipping under the car; `
` and while the struggle continued and the balls whizzed across each `
` other over his head, he made use of his old acrobatic experience, `
` and with amazing agility worked his way under the cars, holding on `
` to the chains, aiding himself by the brakes and edges of the sashes, `
` creeping from one car to another with marvellous skill, `
` and thus gaining the forward end of the train. `
` `
` There, suspended by one hand between the baggage-car and the tender, `
` with the other he loosened the safety chains; but, owing to the traction, `
` he would never have succeeded in unscrewing the yoking-bar, `
` had not a violent concussion jolted this bar out. The train, `
` now detached from the engine, remained a little behind, `
` whilst the locomotive rushed forward with increased speed. `
` `
` Carried on by the force already acquired, the train still moved `
` for several minutes; but the brakes were worked and at last they stopped, `
` less than a hundred feet from Kearney station. `
` `
` The soldiers of the fort, attracted by the shots, hurried up; `
` the Sioux had not expected them, and decamped in a body before `
` the train entirely stopped. `
` `
` But when the passengers counted each other on the station platform `
` several were found missing; among others the courageous Frenchman, `
`