Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.I-VI
`
` "How do you know?" `
` `
` "Everybody knows about this affair in Bundelcund." `
` `
` "But the wretched creature did not seem to be making any resistance," `
` observed Sir Francis. `
` `
` "That was because they had intoxicated her with fumes of hemp and opium." `
` `
` "But where are they taking her?" `
` `
` "To the pagoda of Pillaji, two miles from here; she will pass the night there." `
` `
` "And the sacrifice will take place--" `
` `
` "To-morrow, at the first light of dawn." `
` `
` The guide now led the elephant out of the thicket, and leaped upon his neck. `
` Just at the moment that he was about to urge Kiouni forward with a peculiar `
` whistle, Mr. Fogg stopped him, and, turning to Sir Francis Cromarty, said, `
` "Suppose we save this woman." `
` `
` "Save the woman, Mr. Fogg!" `
` `
` "I have yet twelve hours to spare; I can devote them to that." `
` `
` "Why, you are a man of heart!" `
` `
` "Sometimes," replied Phileas Fogg, quietly; "when I have the time." `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XIII `
` `
` IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT RECEIVES A NEW PROOF `
` THAT FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE `
` `
` `
` The project was a bold one, full of difficulty, perhaps impracticable. `
` Mr. Fogg was going to risk life, or at least liberty, and therefore `
` the success of his tour. But he did not hesitate, and he found in `
` Sir Francis Cromarty an enthusiastic ally. `
` `
` As for Passepartout, he was ready for anything that might be proposed. `
` His master's idea charmed him; he perceived a heart, a soul, under that `
` icy exterior. He began to love Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` There remained the guide: what course would he adopt? Would he `
` not take part with the Indians? In default of his assistance, `
` it was necessary to be assured of his neutrality. `
` `
` Sir Francis frankly put the question to him. `
` `
` "Officers," replied the guide, "I am a Parsee, and this woman is a Parsee. `
` Command me as you will." `
` `
` "Excellent!" said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "However," resumed the guide, "it is certain, not only that `
` we shall risk our lives, but horrible tortures, if we are taken." `
` `
` "That is foreseen," replied Mr. Fogg. "I think we must wait till night `
` before acting." `
` `
` "I think so," said the guide. `
` `
` The worthy Indian then gave some account of the victim, who, `
` he said, was a celebrated beauty of the Parsee race, and the `
` daughter of a wealthy Bombay merchant. She had received a `
` thoroughly English education in that city, and, from her manners `
` and intelligence, would be thought an European. Her name was Aouda. `
` Left an orphan, she was married against her will to the old rajah `
` of Bundelcund; and, knowing the fate that awaited her, she escaped, `
` was retaken, and devoted by the rajah's relatives, who had an interest `
` in her death, to the sacrifice from which it seemed she could not escape. `
` `
` The Parsee's narrative only confirmed Mr. Fogg and his companions `
` in their generous design. It was decided that the guide should direct `
` the elephant towards the pagoda of Pillaji, which he accordingly approached `
` as quickly as possible. They halted, half an hour afterwards, in a copse, `
` some five hundred feet from the pagoda, where they were well concealed; `
` but they could hear the groans and cries of the fakirs distinctly. `
` `
` They then discussed the means of getting at the victim. The guide `
` was familiar with the pagoda of Pillaji, in which, as he declared, `
` the young woman was imprisoned. Could they enter any of its doors `
` while the whole party of Indians was plunged in a drunken sleep, `
` or was it safer to attempt to make a hole in the walls? `
` This could only be determined at the moment and the place themselves; `
` but it was certain that the abduction must be made that night, `
` and not when, at break of day, the victim was led to her funeral pyre. `
` Then no human intervention could save her. `
` `
` As soon as night fell, about six o'clock, they decided to make `
` a reconnaissance around the pagoda. The cries of the fakirs were `
` just ceasing; the Indians were in the act of plunging themselves `
` into the drunkenness caused by liquid opium mingled with hemp, `
` and it might be possible to slip between them to the temple itself. `
` `
` The Parsee, leading the others, noiselessly crept through the wood, `
` and in ten minutes they found themselves on the banks of a small stream, `
` whence, by the light of the rosin torches, they perceived a pyre of wood, `
` on the top of which lay the embalmed body of the rajah, which was to be `
` burned with his wife. The pagoda, whose minarets loomed above the trees `
` in the deepening dusk, stood a hundred steps away. `
` `
` "Come!" whispered the guide. `
` `
` He slipped more cautiously than ever through the brush, `
` followed by his companions; the silence around was only broken `
` by the low murmuring of the wind among the branches. `
` `
` Soon the Parsee stopped on the borders of the glade, which was lit up `
` by the torches. The ground was covered by groups of the Indians, `
` motionless in their drunken sleep; it seemed a battlefield strewn `
` with the dead. Men, women, and children lay together. `
` `
` In the background, among the trees, the pagoda of Pillaji `
` loomed distinctly. Much to the guide's disappointment, `
` the guards of the rajah, lighted by torches, were watching `
` at the doors and marching to and fro with naked sabres; `
` probably the priests, too, were watching within. `
` `
` The Parsee, now convinced that it was impossible to force `
` an entrance to the temple, advanced no farther, but led his `
` companions back again. Phileas Fogg and Sir Francis Cromarty `
` also saw that nothing could be attempted in that direction. `
` They stopped, and engaged in a whispered colloquy. `
` `
` "It is only eight now," said the brigadier, "and these guards `
` may also go to sleep." `
` `
` "It is not impossible," returned the Parsee. `
` `
` They lay down at the foot of a tree, and waited. `
` `
` The time seemed long; the guide ever and anon left them `
` to take an observation on the edge of the wood, but the guards `
` watched steadily by the glare of the torches, and a dim light `
` crept through the windows of the pagoda. `
` `
` They waited till midnight; but no change took place among the guards, `
` and it became apparent that their yielding to sleep could not be counted on. `
` The other plan must be carried out; an opening in the walls of the pagoda `
` must be made. It remained to ascertain whether the priests were watching `
` by the side of their victim as assiduously as were the soldiers at the door. `
` `
` After a last consultation, the guide announced that he was ready `
` for the attempt, and advanced, followed by the others. They took `
` a roundabout way, so as to get at the pagoda on the rear. `
` They reached the walls about half-past twelve, without having met anyone; `
` here there was no guard, nor were there either windows or doors. `
` `
` The night was dark. The moon, on the wane, scarcely left the horizon, `
` and was covered with heavy clouds; the height of the trees deepened `
` the darkness. `
` `
` It was not enough to reach the walls; an opening in them must `
` be accomplished, and to attain this purpose the party only had `
` their pocket-knives. Happily the temple walls were built of brick `
` and wood, which could be penetrated with little difficulty; `
` after one brick had been taken out, the rest would yield easily. `
` `
` They set noiselessly to work, and the Parsee on one side `
` and Passepartout on the other began to loosen the bricks `
` so as to make an aperture two feet wide. They were getting on rapidly, `
` when suddenly a cry was heard in the interior of the temple, `
` followed almost instantly by other cries replying from the outside. `
` Passepartout and the guide stopped. Had they been heard? Was the `
` alarm being given? Common prudence urged them to retire, and they `
` did so, followed by Phileas Fogg and Sir Francis. They again hid `
` themselves in the wood, and waited till the disturbance, whatever `
` it might be, ceased, holding themselves ready to resume their attempt `
` without delay. But, awkwardly enough, the guards now appeared `
` at the rear of the temple, and there installed themselves, `
` in readiness to prevent a surprise. `
` `
` It would be difficult to describe the disappointment of the party, `
` thus interrupted in their work. They could not now reach the victim; `
` how, then, could they save her? Sir Francis shook his fists, `
` Passepartout was beside himself, and the guide gnashed his teeth with rage. `
` The tranquil Fogg waited, without betraying any emotion. `
` `
` "We have nothing to do but to go away," whispered Sir Francis. `
` `
` "Nothing but to go away," echoed the guide. `
` `
` "Stop," said Fogg. "I am only due at Allahabad tomorrow before noon." `
` `
` "But what can you hope to do?" asked Sir Francis. "In a few hours `
` it will be daylight, and--" `
` `
` "The chance which now seems lost may present itself at the last moment." `
` `
` Sir Francis would have liked to read Phileas Fogg's eyes. `
` What was this cool Englishman thinking of? Was he planning `
` to make a rush for the young woman at the very moment `
` of the sacrifice, and boldly snatch her from her executioners? `
` `
`
` "How do you know?" `
` `
` "Everybody knows about this affair in Bundelcund." `
` `
` "But the wretched creature did not seem to be making any resistance," `
` observed Sir Francis. `
` `
` "That was because they had intoxicated her with fumes of hemp and opium." `
` `
` "But where are they taking her?" `
` `
` "To the pagoda of Pillaji, two miles from here; she will pass the night there." `
` `
` "And the sacrifice will take place--" `
` `
` "To-morrow, at the first light of dawn." `
` `
` The guide now led the elephant out of the thicket, and leaped upon his neck. `
` Just at the moment that he was about to urge Kiouni forward with a peculiar `
` whistle, Mr. Fogg stopped him, and, turning to Sir Francis Cromarty, said, `
` "Suppose we save this woman." `
` `
` "Save the woman, Mr. Fogg!" `
` `
` "I have yet twelve hours to spare; I can devote them to that." `
` `
` "Why, you are a man of heart!" `
` `
` "Sometimes," replied Phileas Fogg, quietly; "when I have the time." `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XIII `
` `
` IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT RECEIVES A NEW PROOF `
` THAT FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE `
` `
` `
` The project was a bold one, full of difficulty, perhaps impracticable. `
` Mr. Fogg was going to risk life, or at least liberty, and therefore `
` the success of his tour. But he did not hesitate, and he found in `
` Sir Francis Cromarty an enthusiastic ally. `
` `
` As for Passepartout, he was ready for anything that might be proposed. `
` His master's idea charmed him; he perceived a heart, a soul, under that `
` icy exterior. He began to love Phileas Fogg. `
` `
` There remained the guide: what course would he adopt? Would he `
` not take part with the Indians? In default of his assistance, `
` it was necessary to be assured of his neutrality. `
` `
` Sir Francis frankly put the question to him. `
` `
` "Officers," replied the guide, "I am a Parsee, and this woman is a Parsee. `
` Command me as you will." `
` `
` "Excellent!" said Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "However," resumed the guide, "it is certain, not only that `
` we shall risk our lives, but horrible tortures, if we are taken." `
` `
` "That is foreseen," replied Mr. Fogg. "I think we must wait till night `
` before acting." `
` `
` "I think so," said the guide. `
` `
` The worthy Indian then gave some account of the victim, who, `
` he said, was a celebrated beauty of the Parsee race, and the `
` daughter of a wealthy Bombay merchant. She had received a `
` thoroughly English education in that city, and, from her manners `
` and intelligence, would be thought an European. Her name was Aouda. `
` Left an orphan, she was married against her will to the old rajah `
` of Bundelcund; and, knowing the fate that awaited her, she escaped, `
` was retaken, and devoted by the rajah's relatives, who had an interest `
` in her death, to the sacrifice from which it seemed she could not escape. `
` `
` The Parsee's narrative only confirmed Mr. Fogg and his companions `
` in their generous design. It was decided that the guide should direct `
` the elephant towards the pagoda of Pillaji, which he accordingly approached `
` as quickly as possible. They halted, half an hour afterwards, in a copse, `
` some five hundred feet from the pagoda, where they were well concealed; `
` but they could hear the groans and cries of the fakirs distinctly. `
` `
` They then discussed the means of getting at the victim. The guide `
` was familiar with the pagoda of Pillaji, in which, as he declared, `
` the young woman was imprisoned. Could they enter any of its doors `
` while the whole party of Indians was plunged in a drunken sleep, `
` or was it safer to attempt to make a hole in the walls? `
` This could only be determined at the moment and the place themselves; `
` but it was certain that the abduction must be made that night, `
` and not when, at break of day, the victim was led to her funeral pyre. `
` Then no human intervention could save her. `
` `
` As soon as night fell, about six o'clock, they decided to make `
` a reconnaissance around the pagoda. The cries of the fakirs were `
` just ceasing; the Indians were in the act of plunging themselves `
` into the drunkenness caused by liquid opium mingled with hemp, `
` and it might be possible to slip between them to the temple itself. `
` `
` The Parsee, leading the others, noiselessly crept through the wood, `
` and in ten minutes they found themselves on the banks of a small stream, `
` whence, by the light of the rosin torches, they perceived a pyre of wood, `
` on the top of which lay the embalmed body of the rajah, which was to be `
` burned with his wife. The pagoda, whose minarets loomed above the trees `
` in the deepening dusk, stood a hundred steps away. `
` `
` "Come!" whispered the guide. `
` `
` He slipped more cautiously than ever through the brush, `
` followed by his companions; the silence around was only broken `
` by the low murmuring of the wind among the branches. `
` `
` Soon the Parsee stopped on the borders of the glade, which was lit up `
` by the torches. The ground was covered by groups of the Indians, `
` motionless in their drunken sleep; it seemed a battlefield strewn `
` with the dead. Men, women, and children lay together. `
` `
` In the background, among the trees, the pagoda of Pillaji `
` loomed distinctly. Much to the guide's disappointment, `
` the guards of the rajah, lighted by torches, were watching `
` at the doors and marching to and fro with naked sabres; `
` probably the priests, too, were watching within. `
` `
` The Parsee, now convinced that it was impossible to force `
` an entrance to the temple, advanced no farther, but led his `
` companions back again. Phileas Fogg and Sir Francis Cromarty `
` also saw that nothing could be attempted in that direction. `
` They stopped, and engaged in a whispered colloquy. `
` `
` "It is only eight now," said the brigadier, "and these guards `
` may also go to sleep." `
` `
` "It is not impossible," returned the Parsee. `
` `
` They lay down at the foot of a tree, and waited. `
` `
` The time seemed long; the guide ever and anon left them `
` to take an observation on the edge of the wood, but the guards `
` watched steadily by the glare of the torches, and a dim light `
` crept through the windows of the pagoda. `
` `
` They waited till midnight; but no change took place among the guards, `
` and it became apparent that their yielding to sleep could not be counted on. `
` The other plan must be carried out; an opening in the walls of the pagoda `
` must be made. It remained to ascertain whether the priests were watching `
` by the side of their victim as assiduously as were the soldiers at the door. `
` `
` After a last consultation, the guide announced that he was ready `
` for the attempt, and advanced, followed by the others. They took `
` a roundabout way, so as to get at the pagoda on the rear. `
` They reached the walls about half-past twelve, without having met anyone; `
` here there was no guard, nor were there either windows or doors. `
` `
` The night was dark. The moon, on the wane, scarcely left the horizon, `
` and was covered with heavy clouds; the height of the trees deepened `
` the darkness. `
` `
` It was not enough to reach the walls; an opening in them must `
` be accomplished, and to attain this purpose the party only had `
` their pocket-knives. Happily the temple walls were built of brick `
` and wood, which could be penetrated with little difficulty; `
` after one brick had been taken out, the rest would yield easily. `
` `
` They set noiselessly to work, and the Parsee on one side `
` and Passepartout on the other began to loosen the bricks `
` so as to make an aperture two feet wide. They were getting on rapidly, `
` when suddenly a cry was heard in the interior of the temple, `
` followed almost instantly by other cries replying from the outside. `
` Passepartout and the guide stopped. Had they been heard? Was the `
` alarm being given? Common prudence urged them to retire, and they `
` did so, followed by Phileas Fogg and Sir Francis. They again hid `
` themselves in the wood, and waited till the disturbance, whatever `
` it might be, ceased, holding themselves ready to resume their attempt `
` without delay. But, awkwardly enough, the guards now appeared `
` at the rear of the temple, and there installed themselves, `
` in readiness to prevent a surprise. `
` `
` It would be difficult to describe the disappointment of the party, `
` thus interrupted in their work. They could not now reach the victim; `
` how, then, could they save her? Sir Francis shook his fists, `
` Passepartout was beside himself, and the guide gnashed his teeth with rage. `
` The tranquil Fogg waited, without betraying any emotion. `
` `
` "We have nothing to do but to go away," whispered Sir Francis. `
` `
` "Nothing but to go away," echoed the guide. `
` `
` "Stop," said Fogg. "I am only due at Allahabad tomorrow before noon." `
` `
` "But what can you hope to do?" asked Sir Francis. "In a few hours `
` it will be daylight, and--" `
` `
` "The chance which now seems lost may present itself at the last moment." `
` `
` Sir Francis would have liked to read Phileas Fogg's eyes. `
` What was this cool Englishman thinking of? Was he planning `
` to make a rush for the young woman at the very moment `
` of the sacrifice, and boldly snatch her from her executioners? `
` `
`