Incidents Found Only 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.

That evening, the train continued without stopping. It passed Fort Saunders, crossed Cheyne Pass, and reached Evans Pass. Here, the railway reached the highest point of the journey, 8,092 feet above sea level. From there, the travelers had only to descend to the Atlantic across vast, naturally level plains. A branch of the “grand trunk” led south to Denver, the capital of Colorado. The surrounding country is rich in gold and silver, and more than 50,000 people have 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.

They had traveled 1,382 miles from San Francisco in three days and three nights. Four more days and nights would probably bring them to New York. Phileas Fogg was not yet behind schedule.

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.

During the night, they passed Camp Walbach on their left. Lodge Pole Creek ran alongside the road, marking the boundary between the territories of Wyoming and Colorado. At eleven, they entered Nebraska. They passed near Sedgwick and stopped 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.

Here, on October 23, 1867, chief engineer General Dodge inaugurated the Union Pacific Railroad. Two powerful locomotives pulling nine cars of invited guests stopped at this point. Among the guests was Thomas C. Durant, vice-president of the railroad. People cheered, the Sioux and Pawnees staged a mock Indian battle, and fireworks were set off. The first issue of the Railway Pioneer was printed on a press brought on the train. This was how they celebrated the inauguration of the great railroad. It was a mighty instrument of progress and civilization, laid across the desert and destined to link cities and towns that did not yet exist. The locomotive’s whistle, more powerful than Amphion’s lyre, was about to call those cities and towns up 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 train left Fort McPherson behind at eight in the morning, with 357 miles still to travel before reaching Omaha. The route followed the winding left bank of the Platte River’s southern branch. At nine, the train stopped at the important town of North Platte, built between the river’s two branches. The branches join again around the town, forming a single large tributary that flows into the Missouri just above Omaha.

The one hundred and first meridian was passed.

The 101st meridian was crossed.

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.

Mr. Fogg and his partners had resumed their game. No one complained about the length of the trip, not even the dummy. Fix had won several guineas at first, though he seemed likely to lose them. But he was just as eager a whist player as Mr. Fogg. During the morning, luck clearly favored Mr. Fogg. He was dealt plenty of trumps and honors.

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.”

Once, he decided to make a bold move. He was about to play a spade when a voice behind him said, “I would play a diamond.”

Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Fix raised their heads, and beheld Colonel Proctor.

Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Fix looked up and saw Colonel Proctor.

Stamp Proctor and Phileas Fogg recognised each other at once.

Stamp Proctor and Phileas Fogg recognized each other immediately.

“Ah! it’s you, is it, Englishman?” cried the colonel; “it’s you who are going to play a spade!”

“Ah! So it’s you, Englishman?” cried the colonel. “You’re going to play a spade!”

“And who plays it,” replied Phileas Fogg coolly, throwing down the ten of spades.

“And who plays it,” Phileas Fogg replied calmly, laying down the ten of spades.

“Well, it pleases me to have it diamonds,” replied Colonel Proctor, in an insolent tone.

“Well, I want it to be diamonds,” Colonel Proctor replied rudely.

He made a movement as if to seize the card which had just been played, adding, “You don’t understand anything about whist.”

He moved as if to grab the card that had just been played, adding, “You don’t understand anything about whist.”

“Perhaps I do, as well as another,” said Phileas Fogg, rising.

“Perhaps I do, as well as anyone else,” said Phileas Fogg, standing up.

“You have only to try, son of John Bull,” replied the colonel.

“Just try it, son of John Bull,” the colonel replied.

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 whom you not only insulted, but struck!”

Aouda turned pale, and her blood ran cold. She grabbed Mr. Fogg’s arm and gently pulled him back. Passepartout was ready to pounce on the American, who was staring defiantly at his opponent. But Fix stood up and went over to Colonel Proctor. “You forget that I’m the one you have to deal with, sir. I’m the one 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.”

“Mr. Fix,” said Mr. Fogg, “excuse me, but this matter is mine alone. The colonel has insulted me again by insisting that I should not play a spade. He must answer for the insult.”

“When and where you will,” replied the American, “and with whatever weapon you choose.”

“Whenever and wherever you like,” 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.”

Aouda tried in vain to hold Mr. Fogg back. The detective also tried in vain to take up the quarrel himself. Passepartout wanted to throw the colonel out of the window, but a sign from his master stopped him. Phileas Fogg left the car, and the American followed him onto the platform. “Sir,” Mr. Fogg said to his opponent, “I am in a great hurry to get back to Europe. Any delay would put me at a great disadvantage.”

“Well, what’s that to me?” replied Colonel Proctor.

“Well, what does that have to do with me?” Colonel Proctor replied.

“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.”

“Sir,” said Mr. Fogg very politely, “after we met in San Francisco, I decided to return to America and find you. I planned to do so as soon as I had finished the business that brought me to England.”

“Really!”

“Really!”

“Will you appoint a meeting for six months hence?”

“Will you schedule a meeting six months from now?”

“Why not ten years hence?”

“Why not ten years from now?”

“I say six months,” returned Phileas Fogg; “and I shall be at the place of meeting promptly.”

“Six months, I say,” replied Phileas Fogg. “And I will be at the meeting place on time.”

“All this is an evasion,” cried Stamp Proctor. “Now or never!”

“All of this is just avoiding the issue,” shouted Stamp Proctor. “Now or never!”

“Very good. You are going to New York?”

“Very good. Are you going to New York?”

“No.”

“No.”

“To Chicago?”

“To Chicago?”

“No.”

“No.”

“To Omaha?”

“To Omaha?”

“What difference is it to you? Do you know Plum Creek?”

“What difference does it make to you? Do you know Plum Creek?”

“No,” replied Mr. Fogg.

“No,” said 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.”

“It’s the next station. The train will arrive in an hour and stop for ten minutes. Several revolver shots could be exchanged in that time.”

“Very well,” said Mr. Fogg. “I will stop at Plum Creek.”

“All right,” said Mr. Fogg. “I’ll stop at Plum Creek.”

“And I guess you’ll stay there too,” added the American insolently.

“And I guess you’ll stay there too,” the American added rudely.

“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.

“Who knows?” replied Mr. Fogg, returning to the car as calmly as ever. He began to reassure Aouda, telling her that people who made threats were never to be feared. He asked Fix to be his second at the upcoming duel, and the detective could not refuse. Mr. Fogg resumed the interrupted game with perfect calm.

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.

At eleven o’clock, the locomotive’s whistle announced that the train was approaching Plum Creek station. Mr. Fogg stood up and went out onto the platform, followed by Fix. Passepartout went with him, carrying two revolvers. Aouda stayed in the train 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!”

The door of the next train car opened, and Colonel Proctor appeared on the platform. Another Yankee like him accompanied him as his second. But just as the opponents were about to step off the train, the conductor hurried over and shouted, “You can’t get off, gentlemen!”

“Why not?” asked the colonel.

“Why not?” asked the colonel.

“We are twenty minutes late, and we shall not stop.”

“We're twenty minutes late, and we won't stop.”

“But I am going to fight a duel with this gentleman.”

“But I’m going to fight a duel with this man.”

“I am sorry,” said the conductor; “but we shall be off at once. There’s the bell ringing now.”

“I’m sorry,” said the conductor, “but we’re leaving right away. The bell is ringing now.”

The train started.

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?”

“I’m really very sorry, gentlemen,” said the conductor. “Under any other circumstances, I would have been happy to help you. But since you haven’t had time to fight here, why not fight while we travel?”

“That wouldn’t be convenient, perhaps, for this gentleman,” said the colonel, in a jeering tone.

“Perhaps that wouldn’t be convenient for this gentleman,” the colonel said mockingly.

“It would be perfectly so,” replied Phileas Fogg.

“That would be exactly right,” said Phileas Fogg.

“Well, we are really in America,” thought Passepartout, “and the conductor is a gentleman of the first order!”

“Well, we really are in America,” thought Passepartout, “and the conductor is a first-rate gentleman!”

So muttering, he followed his master.

Still 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 two combatants, their seconds, and the conductor walked through the cars to the rear of the train. Only a dozen passengers occupied the last car. The conductor politely asked them to leave it empty for a few moments, because two gentlemen had a matter of honor to settle. The passengers readily agreed and immediately disappeared onto 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.

The car was about fifty feet long and well suited to their purpose. The opponents could walk toward each other down the aisle and fire easily. Never had a duel been so easy to arrange. Mr. Fogg and Colonel Proctor entered the car, each carrying two six-shot revolvers. Their seconds stayed outside and shut them in. The two men were to begin firing at the locomotive’s first whistle. After two minutes, whatever 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.

Nothing could have been simpler. In fact, it was all so simple that Fix and Passepartout felt their hearts beating as if they would burst. They were listening for the agreed signal, a whistle, when suddenly wild cries rang out. Gunshots followed, and they certainly did not come from the car where the duelists were. The shots continued at the front and along the entire length of the train. Cries of terror came from inside 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.

Colonel Proctor and Mr. Fogg hurried out of their prison, revolvers in hand, and rushed toward the loudest noise. They saw that a band of Sioux was attacking the train.

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.

This was not the first attack by these daring Indians. They had ambushed trains along the route more than once. As usual, a hundred of them jumped onto the steps without stopping the train. They did it as easily as 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 Sioux were armed with guns, and the gunshots came from them. Almost all the passengers were armed, and they fired back with revolvers.

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 Indians had first climbed onto the engine and nearly stunned the engineer and fireman with blows from their muskets. A Sioux chief wanted to stop the train, but he did not know how to operate the controls. Instead of closing the steam valve, he opened it wide, and the locomotive raced forward at a tremendous speed.

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.

At the same time, the Sioux invaded the train cars. They leaped over the roofs like enraged monkeys, forced open doors, and fought the passengers hand to hand. They broke into the baggage car and looted it, throwing trunks off the train. Cries and gunshots rang out constantly. The passengers defended themselves bravely. Some cars were barricaded and held out under siege, like moving forts racing along at 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.

Aouda was brave from the start. She defended herself like a true heroine, firing a revolver through the broken windows whenever a Sioux attacker appeared. Twenty Sioux had fallen to the ground, fatally wounded. The wheels crushed those who fell on the rails as if they were worms. Several passengers lay on the seats, shot or stunned.

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 struggle had to be brought to an end. It had lasted ten minutes, and the Sioux would win if the train was not stopped. Fort Kearney station was only two miles away, and troops were stationed there. But if the train passed the station, the Sioux would control it all the way to the next station.

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!”

The conductor was fighting beside Mr. Fogg when he was shot and fell. At the same moment, he cried, “Unless the train stops in five minutes, we're lost!”

“It shall be stopped,” said Phileas Fogg, preparing to rush from the car.

“It will be stopped,” said Phileas Fogg, preparing to rush out of the car.

“Stay, monsieur,” cried Passepartout; “I will go.”

“Wait, sir,” cried Passepartout. “I’ll 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.

Mr. Fogg had no time to stop the brave fellow. He opened a door without the Indians noticing and slipped under the car. The struggle continued, and bullets whizzed back and forth over his head. Drawing on his old acrobatic experience, he worked his way beneath the cars with amazing agility. He held on to the chains and used the brakes and edges of the window frames for support. With marvelous skill, he crawled from one car to another and reached the front 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.

There, hanging by one hand between the baggage car and the tender, he loosened the safety chains with the other. But the pull of the train made it impossible to unscrew the coupling bar. He would never have succeeded if a violent jolt had not knocked the bar loose. The train was now detached from the engine and fell a little behind, while the locomotive rushed forward faster.

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 train’s momentum kept it moving for several minutes. But the brakes were applied, and the train finally 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.

Hearing the shots, the soldiers from the fort rushed over. The Sioux had not expected them and all fled before the train came to a complete stop.

But when the passengers counted each other on the station platform several were found missing; among others the courageous Frenchman, whose devotion had just saved them.

But when the passengers counted each other on the station platform, several were missing. Among them was the courageous Frenchman, whose devotion had just saved them.