Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
several were found missing; among others the courageous Frenchman, `
` whose devotion had just saved them. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXX `
` `
` IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SIMPLY DOES HIS DUTY `
` `
` `
` Three passengers including Passepartout had disappeared. Had they been `
` killed in the struggle? Were they taken prisoners by the Sioux? `
` It was impossible to tell. `
` `
` There were many wounded, but none mortally. Colonel Proctor was one `
` of the most seriously hurt; he had fought bravely, and a ball had entered `
` his groin. He was carried into the station with the other wounded passengers, `
` to receive such attention as could be of avail. `
` `
` Aouda was safe; and Phileas Fogg, who had been in the thickest `
` of the fight, had not received a scratch. Fix was slightly `
` wounded in the arm. But Passepartout was not to be found, `
` and tears coursed down Aouda's cheeks. `
` `
` All the passengers had got out of the train, the wheels `
` of which were stained with blood. From the tyres and spokes `
` hung ragged pieces of flesh. As far as the eye could reach `
` on the white plain behind, red trails were visible. The last Sioux `
` were disappearing in the south, along the banks of Republican River. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, with folded arms, remained motionless. He had a serious `
` decision to make. Aouda, standing near him, looked at him without speaking, `
` and he understood her look. If his servant was a prisoner, ought he not `
` to risk everything to rescue him from the Indians? "I will find him, `
` living or dead," said he quietly to Aouda. `
` `
` "Ah, Mr.--Mr. Fogg!" cried she, clasping his hands `
` and covering them with tears. `
` `
` "Living," added Mr. Fogg, "if we do not lose a moment." `
` `
` Phileas Fogg, by this resolution, inevitably sacrificed himself; `
` he pronounced his own doom. The delay of a single day would make `
` him lose the steamer at New York, and his bet would be certainly lost. `
` But as he thought, "It is my duty," he did not hesitate. `
` `
` The commanding officer of Fort Kearney was there. A hundred `
` of his soldiers had placed themselves in a position to defend `
` the station, should the Sioux attack it. `
` `
` "Sir," said Mr. Fogg to the captain, "three passengers have disappeared." `
` `
` "Dead?" asked the captain. `
` `
` "Dead or prisoners; that is the uncertainty which must be solved. `
` Do you propose to pursue the Sioux?" `
` `
` "That's a serious thing to do, sir," returned the captain. `
` "These Indians may retreat beyond the Arkansas, and I cannot `
` leave the fort unprotected." `
` `
` "The lives of three men are in question, sir," said Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` "Doubtless; but can I risk the lives of fifty men to save three?" `
` `
` "I don't know whether you can, sir; but you ought to do so." `
` `
` "Nobody here," returned the other, "has a right to teach me my duty." `
` `
` "Very well," said Mr. Fogg, coldly. "I will go alone." `
` `
` "You, sir!" cried Fix, coming up; "you go alone in pursuit of the Indians?" `
` `
` "Would you have me leave this poor fellow to perish-- `
` him to whom every one present owes his life? I shall go." `
` `
` "No, sir, you shall not go alone," cried the captain, `
` touched in spite of himself. "No! you are a brave man. `
` Thirty volunteers!" he added, turning to the soldiers. `
` `
` The whole company started forward at once. The captain had `
` only to pick his men. Thirty were chosen, and an old sergeant `
` placed at their head. `
` `
` "Thanks, captain," said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "Will you let me go with you?" asked Fix. `
` `
` "Do as you please, sir. But if you wish to do me a favour, `
` you will remain with Aouda. In case anything should happen to me--" `
` `
` A sudden pallor overspread the detective's face. Separate himself `
` from the man whom he had so persistently followed step by step! `
` Leave him to wander about in this desert! Fix gazed attentively `
` at Mr. Fogg, and, despite his suspicions and of the struggle `
` which was going on within him, he lowered his eyes before that calm `
` and frank look. `
` `
` "I will stay," said he. `
` `
` A few moments after, Mr. Fogg pressed the young woman's hand, and, `
` having confided to her his precious carpet-bag, went off with the sergeant `
` and his little squad. But, before going, he had said to the soldiers, `
` "My friends, I will divide five thousand dollars among you, if we save `
` the prisoners." `
` `
` It was then a little past noon. `
` `
` Aouda retired to a waiting-room, and there she waited alone, `
` thinking of the simple and noble generosity, the tranquil courage `
` of Phileas Fogg. He had sacrificed his fortune, and was now `
` risking his life, all without hesitation, from duty, in silence. `
` `
` Fix did not have the same thoughts, and could scarcely conceal `
` his agitation. He walked feverishly up and down the platform, `
` but soon resumed his outward composure. He now saw the folly of which `
` he had been guilty in letting Fogg go alone. What! This man, `
` whom he had just followed around the world, was permitted now to `
` separate himself from him! He began to accuse and abuse himself, `
` and, as if he were director of police, administered to himself `
` a sound lecture for his greenness. `
` `
` "I have been an idiot!" he thought, "and this man will see it. `
` He has gone, and won't come back! But how is it that I, Fix, `
` who have in my pocket a warrant for his arrest, have been `
` so fascinated by him? Decidedly, I am nothing but an ass!" `
` `
` So reasoned the detective, while the hours crept by all too slowly. `
` He did not know what to do. Sometimes he was tempted to tell Aouda all; `
` but he could not doubt how the young woman would receive his confidences. `
` What course should he take? He thought of pursuing Fogg across `
` the vast white plains; it did not seem impossible that he might overtake him. `
` Footsteps were easily printed on the snow! But soon, under a new sheet, `
` every imprint would be effaced. `
` `
` Fix became discouraged. He felt a sort of insurmountable longing `
` to abandon the game altogether. He could now leave Fort Kearney station, `
` and pursue his journey homeward in peace. `
` `
` Towards two o'clock in the afternoon, while it was snowing hard, `
` long whistles were heard approaching from the east. A great shadow, `
` preceded by a wild light, slowly advanced, appearing still larger `
` through the mist, which gave it a fantastic aspect. No train `
` was expected from the east, neither had there been time for the succour `
` asked for by telegraph to arrive; the train from Omaha to San Francisco `
` was not due till the next day. The mystery was soon explained. `
` `
` The locomotive, which was slowly approaching with deafening whistles, `
` was that which, having been detached from the train, had continued `
` its route with such terrific rapidity, carrying off the unconscious `
` engineer and stoker. It had run several miles, when, the fire becoming `
` low for want of fuel, the steam had slackened; and it had finally stopped `
` an hour after, some twenty miles beyond Fort Kearney. Neither the engineer `
` nor the stoker was dead, and, after remaining for some time in their swoon, `
` had come to themselves. The train had then stopped. The engineer, when he `
` found himself in the desert, and the locomotive without cars, understood `
` what had happened. He could not imagine how the locomotive had become `
` separated from the train; but he did not doubt that the train left behind `
` was in distress. `
` `
` He did not hesitate what to do. It would be prudent to continue `
` on to Omaha, for it would be dangerous to return to the train, `
` which the Indians might still be engaged in pillaging. `
` Nevertheless, he began to rebuild the fire in the furnace; `
` the pressure again mounted, and the locomotive returned, `
` running backwards to Fort Kearney. This it was which was whistling `
` in the mist. `
` `
` The travellers were glad to see the locomotive resume its `
` place at the head of the train. They could now continue `
` the journey so terribly interrupted. `
` `
` Aouda, on seeing the locomotive come up, hurried out of the station, `
` and asked the conductor, "Are you going to start?" `
` `
` "At once, madam." `
` `
` "But the prisoners, our unfortunate fellow-travellers--" `
` `
` "I cannot interrupt the trip," replied the conductor. `
` "We are already three hours behind time." `
` `
` "And when will another train pass here from San Francisco?" `
` `
` "To-morrow evening, madam." `
` `
` "To-morrow evening! But then it will be too late! We must wait--" `
` `
` "It is impossible," responded the conductor. "If you wish to go, `
` please get in." `
` `
` "I will not go," said Aouda. `
` `
` Fix had heard this conversation. A little while before, when there `
` was no prospect of proceeding on the journey, he had made up his mind `
` to leave Fort Kearney; but now that the train was there, ready to start, `
` and he had only to take his seat in the car, an irresistible influence `
` held him back. The station platform burned his feet, and he could not stir. `
` The conflict in his mind again began; anger and failure stifled him. `
` He wished to struggle on to the end. `
` `
`
` whose devotion had just saved them. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXX `
` `
` IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SIMPLY DOES HIS DUTY `
` `
` `
` Three passengers including Passepartout had disappeared. Had they been `
` killed in the struggle? Were they taken prisoners by the Sioux? `
` It was impossible to tell. `
` `
` There were many wounded, but none mortally. Colonel Proctor was one `
` of the most seriously hurt; he had fought bravely, and a ball had entered `
` his groin. He was carried into the station with the other wounded passengers, `
` to receive such attention as could be of avail. `
` `
` Aouda was safe; and Phileas Fogg, who had been in the thickest `
` of the fight, had not received a scratch. Fix was slightly `
` wounded in the arm. But Passepartout was not to be found, `
` and tears coursed down Aouda's cheeks. `
` `
` All the passengers had got out of the train, the wheels `
` of which were stained with blood. From the tyres and spokes `
` hung ragged pieces of flesh. As far as the eye could reach `
` on the white plain behind, red trails were visible. The last Sioux `
` were disappearing in the south, along the banks of Republican River. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, with folded arms, remained motionless. He had a serious `
` decision to make. Aouda, standing near him, looked at him without speaking, `
` and he understood her look. If his servant was a prisoner, ought he not `
` to risk everything to rescue him from the Indians? "I will find him, `
` living or dead," said he quietly to Aouda. `
` `
` "Ah, Mr.--Mr. Fogg!" cried she, clasping his hands `
` and covering them with tears. `
` `
` "Living," added Mr. Fogg, "if we do not lose a moment." `
` `
` Phileas Fogg, by this resolution, inevitably sacrificed himself; `
` he pronounced his own doom. The delay of a single day would make `
` him lose the steamer at New York, and his bet would be certainly lost. `
` But as he thought, "It is my duty," he did not hesitate. `
` `
` The commanding officer of Fort Kearney was there. A hundred `
` of his soldiers had placed themselves in a position to defend `
` the station, should the Sioux attack it. `
` `
` "Sir," said Mr. Fogg to the captain, "three passengers have disappeared." `
` `
` "Dead?" asked the captain. `
` `
` "Dead or prisoners; that is the uncertainty which must be solved. `
` Do you propose to pursue the Sioux?" `
` `
` "That's a serious thing to do, sir," returned the captain. `
` "These Indians may retreat beyond the Arkansas, and I cannot `
` leave the fort unprotected." `
` `
` "The lives of three men are in question, sir," said Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` "Doubtless; but can I risk the lives of fifty men to save three?" `
` `
` "I don't know whether you can, sir; but you ought to do so." `
` `
` "Nobody here," returned the other, "has a right to teach me my duty." `
` `
` "Very well," said Mr. Fogg, coldly. "I will go alone." `
` `
` "You, sir!" cried Fix, coming up; "you go alone in pursuit of the Indians?" `
` `
` "Would you have me leave this poor fellow to perish-- `
` him to whom every one present owes his life? I shall go." `
` `
` "No, sir, you shall not go alone," cried the captain, `
` touched in spite of himself. "No! you are a brave man. `
` Thirty volunteers!" he added, turning to the soldiers. `
` `
` The whole company started forward at once. The captain had `
` only to pick his men. Thirty were chosen, and an old sergeant `
` placed at their head. `
` `
` "Thanks, captain," said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "Will you let me go with you?" asked Fix. `
` `
` "Do as you please, sir. But if you wish to do me a favour, `
` you will remain with Aouda. In case anything should happen to me--" `
` `
` A sudden pallor overspread the detective's face. Separate himself `
` from the man whom he had so persistently followed step by step! `
` Leave him to wander about in this desert! Fix gazed attentively `
` at Mr. Fogg, and, despite his suspicions and of the struggle `
` which was going on within him, he lowered his eyes before that calm `
` and frank look. `
` `
` "I will stay," said he. `
` `
` A few moments after, Mr. Fogg pressed the young woman's hand, and, `
` having confided to her his precious carpet-bag, went off with the sergeant `
` and his little squad. But, before going, he had said to the soldiers, `
` "My friends, I will divide five thousand dollars among you, if we save `
` the prisoners." `
` `
` It was then a little past noon. `
` `
` Aouda retired to a waiting-room, and there she waited alone, `
` thinking of the simple and noble generosity, the tranquil courage `
` of Phileas Fogg. He had sacrificed his fortune, and was now `
` risking his life, all without hesitation, from duty, in silence. `
` `
` Fix did not have the same thoughts, and could scarcely conceal `
` his agitation. He walked feverishly up and down the platform, `
` but soon resumed his outward composure. He now saw the folly of which `
` he had been guilty in letting Fogg go alone. What! This man, `
` whom he had just followed around the world, was permitted now to `
` separate himself from him! He began to accuse and abuse himself, `
` and, as if he were director of police, administered to himself `
` a sound lecture for his greenness. `
` `
` "I have been an idiot!" he thought, "and this man will see it. `
` He has gone, and won't come back! But how is it that I, Fix, `
` who have in my pocket a warrant for his arrest, have been `
` so fascinated by him? Decidedly, I am nothing but an ass!" `
` `
` So reasoned the detective, while the hours crept by all too slowly. `
` He did not know what to do. Sometimes he was tempted to tell Aouda all; `
` but he could not doubt how the young woman would receive his confidences. `
` What course should he take? He thought of pursuing Fogg across `
` the vast white plains; it did not seem impossible that he might overtake him. `
` Footsteps were easily printed on the snow! But soon, under a new sheet, `
` every imprint would be effaced. `
` `
` Fix became discouraged. He felt a sort of insurmountable longing `
` to abandon the game altogether. He could now leave Fort Kearney station, `
` and pursue his journey homeward in peace. `
` `
` Towards two o'clock in the afternoon, while it was snowing hard, `
` long whistles were heard approaching from the east. A great shadow, `
` preceded by a wild light, slowly advanced, appearing still larger `
` through the mist, which gave it a fantastic aspect. No train `
` was expected from the east, neither had there been time for the succour `
` asked for by telegraph to arrive; the train from Omaha to San Francisco `
` was not due till the next day. The mystery was soon explained. `
` `
` The locomotive, which was slowly approaching with deafening whistles, `
` was that which, having been detached from the train, had continued `
` its route with such terrific rapidity, carrying off the unconscious `
` engineer and stoker. It had run several miles, when, the fire becoming `
` low for want of fuel, the steam had slackened; and it had finally stopped `
` an hour after, some twenty miles beyond Fort Kearney. Neither the engineer `
` nor the stoker was dead, and, after remaining for some time in their swoon, `
` had come to themselves. The train had then stopped. The engineer, when he `
` found himself in the desert, and the locomotive without cars, understood `
` what had happened. He could not imagine how the locomotive had become `
` separated from the train; but he did not doubt that the train left behind `
` was in distress. `
` `
` He did not hesitate what to do. It would be prudent to continue `
` on to Omaha, for it would be dangerous to return to the train, `
` which the Indians might still be engaged in pillaging. `
` Nevertheless, he began to rebuild the fire in the furnace; `
` the pressure again mounted, and the locomotive returned, `
` running backwards to Fort Kearney. This it was which was whistling `
` in the mist. `
` `
` The travellers were glad to see the locomotive resume its `
` place at the head of the train. They could now continue `
` the journey so terribly interrupted. `
` `
` Aouda, on seeing the locomotive come up, hurried out of the station, `
` and asked the conductor, "Are you going to start?" `
` `
` "At once, madam." `
` `
` "But the prisoners, our unfortunate fellow-travellers--" `
` `
` "I cannot interrupt the trip," replied the conductor. `
` "We are already three hours behind time." `
` `
` "And when will another train pass here from San Francisco?" `
` `
` "To-morrow evening, madam." `
` `
` "To-morrow evening! But then it will be too late! We must wait--" `
` `
` "It is impossible," responded the conductor. "If you wish to go, `
` please get in." `
` `
` "I will not go," said Aouda. `
` `
` Fix had heard this conversation. A little while before, when there `
` was no prospect of proceeding on the journey, he had made up his mind `
` to leave Fort Kearney; but now that the train was there, ready to start, `
` and he had only to take his seat in the car, an irresistible influence `
` held him back. The station platform burned his feet, and he could not stir. `
` The conflict in his mind again began; anger and failure stifled him. `
` He wished to struggle on to the end. `
` `
`