第3章
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  Athalf-pasttwelvethetrainstoppedatBurhampoor,wherePassepartoutwasabletopurchasesomeIndianslippers,ornamentedwithfalsepearls,inwhich,withevidentvanity,heproceededtoincasehisfeet。ThetravellersmadeahastybreakfastandstartedoffforAssurghur,afterskirtingforalittlethebanksofthesmallriverTapty,whichemptiesintotheGulfofCambray,nearSurat。

  Passepartoutwasnowplungedintoabsorbingreverie。UptohisarrivalatBombay,hehadentertainedhopesthattheirjourneywouldendthere;

  butnowthattheywereplainlywhirlingacrossIndiaatfullspeed,asuddenchangehadcomeoverthespiritofhisdreams。Hisoldvagabondnaturereturnedtohim;thefantasticideasofhisyouthoncemoretookpossessionofhim。Hecarnetoregardhismaster\'sprojectasintendedingoodearnest,believedintherealityofthebet,andthereforeinthetouroftheworldsandthenecessityofmakingitwithoutfailwithinthedesignatedperiod。

  Alreadyhebegantoworryaboutpossibledelays,andaccidentswhichmighthappenontheway。Herecognizedhimselfasbeingpersonallyinterestedinthewager,andtrembledatthethoughtthathemighthavebeenthemeansoflosingitbyhisunpardonablefollyofthenightbefore。Beingmuchlesscool-headedthanMrFogg,hewasmuchmorerestless,countingandrecountingthedayspassedover,utteringmaledictionswhenthetrainstopped,andaccusingitofsluggishness,andmentallyblamingMrFoggfornothavingbribedtheengineer。Theworthyfellowwasignorantthat,whileitwaspossiblebysuchmeanstohastentherateofasteamer,itcouldnotbedoneontherailway。

  ThetrainenteredthedefilesoftheSutpourMountains,whichseparatetheKhandeishfromBundelcund,towardsevening。ThenextdaySirFrancisCromartyaskedPassepartoutwhattimeitwas;towhich,onconsultinghiswatch,herepliedthatitwasthreeinthemorning。Thisfamoustimepiece,alwaysregulatedontheGreenwichmeridian,whichwasnowsomeseventy-sevendegreeswestward,wasatleastfourhoursslow。SirFranciscorrectedPassepartout\'stime,whereuponthelattermadethesameremarkthathehaddonetoFix;

  anduponthegeneralinsistingthatthewatchshouldberegulatedineachnewmeridian,sincehewasconstantlygoingeast-ward,thatisinthefaceofthesun,andthereforethedayswereshorterbyfourminutesforeachdegreegoneover,Passepartoutobstinatelyrefusedtoalterhiswatch,whichhekeptatLondontime。Itwasaninnocentdelusionwhichcouldharmnoone。

  Thetrainstopped,ateighto\'clock,inthemidstofagladesomefifteenmilesbeyondRothal,wheretherewereseveralbungalowsandworkmen\'scabins。

  Theconductor,passingalongthecarriages,shouted,`Passengerswillgetouthere!\'

  PhileasFogglookedatSirFrancisCromartyforanexplanation;butthegeneralcouldnottellwhatmeantahaltinthemidstofthisforestofdatesandacacias。

  Passepartout,notlesssurprised,rushedoutandspeedilyreturned,crying:`Monsieur,nomorerailway!\'

  `Whatdoyoumean?\'askedSirFrancis。

  `Imeantosaythatthetrainisn\'tgoingon。\'

  Thegeneralatoncesteppedout,whilePhileasFoggcalmlyfollowedhim,andtheyproceededtogethertotheconductor。

  `Wherearewe?\'askedSirFrancis。

  `AtthehamletofKholby。\'

  `Dowestophere?\'

  `Certainly。Therailwayisn\'tfinished。\'

  `What!notfinished?\'

  `No。There\'sstillamatteroffiftymilestobelaidfromheretoAllahabad,wherethelinebeginsagain。\'

  `Butthepapersannouncedtheopeningoftherailwaythroughout。\'

  `Whatwouldyouhave,officer?Thepapersweremistaken。\'

  `YetyousellticketsfromBombaytoCalcutta,\'retortedSirFrancis,whowasgrowingwarm。

  `Nodoubt,\'repliedtheconductor;`butthepassengersknowthattheymustprovidemeansoftransportationforthemselvesfromKholbytoAllahabad。\'

  SirFranciswasfurious。Passepartoutwouldwillinglyhaveknockedtheconductordown,anddidnotdaretolookathismaster。

  `SirFrancis,\'saidMrFoggquietly,`wewill,ifyouplease,lookaboutforsomemeansofconveyancetoAllahabad。\'

  `MrFogg,thisisadelaygreatlytoyourdisadvantage。\'

  `No,SirFrancis;itwasforeseen。\'

  `What!Youknewthattheway——\'

  `Notatall;butIknewthatsomeobstacleorotherwouldsoonerorlaterariseonmyroute。Nothing,therefore,islost。Ihavetwodays,whichIhavealreadygained,tosacrifice。AsteamerleavesCalcuttaforHongKongatnoon,onthe25th。Thisisthe22nd,andweshallreachCalcuttaintime。\'

  Therewasnothingtosaytosoconfidentaresponse。

  Itwasbuttootruethattherailwaycametoaterminationatthispoint。

  Thepaperswerelikesomewatches,whichhaveawayofgettingtoofast,andhadbeenprematureintheirannouncementofthecompletionoftheline。

  Thegreaterpartofthetravellerswereawareofthisinterruption,andleavingthetrain,theybegantoengagesuchvehiclesasthevillagecouldprovide-four-wheeledpalkigharis,waggonsdrawnbyzebus,carriagesthatlookedlikeperambulatingpagodas,palanquins,poniesandwhatnot。

  MrFoggandSirFrancisCromarty,aftersearchingthevillagefromendtoend,camebackwithouthavingfoundanything。

  `Ishallgoafoot,\'saidPhileasFogg。

  Passepartout,whohadnowrejoinedhismaster,madeawrygrimace,ashethoughtofhismagnificent,buttoofrailIndianshoes。Happilyhetoohadbeenlookingabouthim,and,afteramoment\'shesitation,said,`Monsieur,IthinkIhavefoundameansofconveyance。\'

  `What?\'

  `Anelephant!AnelephantthatbelongstoanIndianwholivesbutahundredstepsfromhere。\'

  `Let\'sgoandseetheelephant,\'repliedMrFogg。

  Theysoonreachedasmallhut,nearwhich,enclosedwithinsomehighPalings,wastheanimalinquestion。AnIndiancameoutofthehut,and,attheirrequest,conductedthemwithintheenclosure。Theelephant,whichitsownerhadreared,notforabeastofburden,butforwarlikepurposes,washalldomesticated。TheIndianhadbegunalready,byoftenirritatinghim,andfeedinghimeverythreemonthsonsugarandbutter,toimparttohimaferocitynotinhisnature,thismethodbeingoftenemployedbythosewhotraintheIndianelephantsforbattle。Happily,however,forMrFogg,theanimal\'sinstructioninthisdirectionhadnotgonefar,andtheelephantstillpreservedhisnaturalgentleness。Kiouni-thiswasthenameofthebeast-coulddoubtlesstravelrapidlyforalongtime,and,indefaultofanyothermeansofConveyance,MrFoggresolvedtohirehim。ButelephantsarefarfromcheapinIndia,wheretheyarebecomingscarce;themales,whichalonearesuitableforcircusshows,aremuchsought,especiallyasbutfewofthemaredomesticated。When,therefore,MrFoggproposedtotheIndiantohireKiouni,herefusedpoint-blank。

  MrFoggpersisted,offeringtheexcessivesumoftenpoundsanhourfortheloanofthebeasttoAllahabad。Refused。Twentypounds?Refusedalso。

  Fortypounds?Stillrefused。Passepartoutjumpedateachadvance;buttheIndiandeclinedtobetempted。Yettheofferwasanalluringone,for,supposingittooktheelephantfifteenhourstoreachAllahabad,hisownerwouldreceivenolessthansixhundredpoundssterling。

  PhileasFogg,withoutgettingintheleastflurried,thenproposedtopurchasetheanimaloutright,andatfirstofferedathousandpoundsforhim。TheIndian,perhapsthinkinghewasgoingtomakeagreatbargain,stillrefused。

  SirFrancisCromartytookMrFoggaside,andbeggedhimtoreflectbeforehewentanyfurther;towhichthatgentlemanrepliedthathewasnotinthehabitofactingrashly,thatabetoftwentythousandpoundswasatstake,thattheelephantwasabsolutelynecessarytohim,andthathewouldsecurehimifhehadtopaytwentytimeshisvalue。ReturningtotheIndian,whosesmall,sharpeyes,glisteningwithavarice,betrayedthatwithhimitwasonlyaquestionofhowgreatapricehecouldobtain,MrFoggofferedfirsttwelvehundred,thenfifteenhundred,eighteenhundred,twothousandpounds。Passepartout,usuallysorubicund,wasfairlywhitewithsuspense。

  AttwothousandpoundstheIndianyielded。

  `Whataprice,goodheaven!\'criedPassepartout,`foranelephant!\'

  Itonlyremainednowtofindaguide,whichwascomparativelyeasy。

  AyoungParsee,withanintelligentface,offeredhisservices,whichMrFoggaccepted,promisingsogenerousarewardastomateriallystimulatehiszeal。Theelephantwasledoutandequipped。TheParsee,whowasanaccomplishedelephantdriver,coveredhisbackwithasortofsaddle-cloth,andattachedtoeachofhisflankssomecuriouslyuncomfortablehowdahs。

  PhileasFoggpaidtheIndianwithsomebank-noteswhichheextractedfromthefamouscarpet-bag,aproceedingthatseemedtodeprivepoorPassepartoutofhisvitals。ThenheofferedtocarrySirFrancistoAllahabad,whichthebrigadiergratefullyaccepted,asonetravellerthemorewouldnotbelikelytofatiguethegiganticbeast。ProvisionswerepurchasedatKholby,andwhileSirFrancisandMrFoggtookthehowdahsoneitherside,Passepartoutgotastridethesaddle-clothbetweenthem。TheParseeperchedhimselfontheelephant\'sneck,andatnineo\'clocktheysetoutfromthevillage,theanimalmarchingoffthroughthedenseforestofpalmsbytheshortestcut。

  CHAPTERXIIINWHICHPHILEASFOGGANDHISCOMPANIONSVENTUREACROSSTHEINDIANFORESTS,ANDWHATENSUED。

  Inordertoshortenthejourney,theguidepassedtotheleftofthelinewheretherailwaywasstillinprocessofbeingbuilt。ThislinedowingtothecapriciousturningsoftheVindhiaMountains,didnotpursueastraightcourse。TheParsee,whowasquitefamiliarwiththeroadsandpathsinthedistrict,declaredthattheywouldgaintwentymilesbystrikingdirectlythroughtheforest。

  PhileasFoggandSirFrancisCromartyplungedtotheneckinthepeculiarhowdahsprovidedforthemewerehorriblyjostledbytheswifttrottingoftheelephant,spurredonashewasbytheskilfulParsee;buttheyenduredthediscomfortwithtrueBritishphlegm,talkinglittle,andscarcelyabletocatchaglimpseofeachother。AsforPassepartout,whowasmountedonthebeast\'sback,andreceivedthedirectforceofeachconcussionashetrodalong,hewasverycareful,inaccordancewithhismaster\'sadvice,tokeephistonguefrombetweenhisteeth,asitwouldotherhavebeenbittenoffshort。Theworthyfellowbouncedfromtheelephant\'snecktohisrump,andvaultedlikeaclownonaspring-board;yethelaughedinthemidstofhisbouncing,andfromtimetotimetookapieceofsugaroutofhispocket,andinserteditinKiouni\'strunkswhoreceiveditwithoutintheleastslackeninghisregulartrot。

  Aftertwohourstheguidestoppedtheelephant,andgavehimanhourforrest,duringwhichKiouni,afterquenchinghisthirstataneighbouringspring,settodevouringthebranchesandshrubsroundabouthim。NeitherSirFrancisnorMrFoggregrettedthedelay,andbothdescendedwithafeelingofrelief。`Why,he\'smadeofiron!\'exclaimedthegeneral,gazingadmiringlyonKiouni。

  `Of-forgediron,\'repliedPassepartout,ashesetaboutpreparingahastybreakfast。

  AtnoontheParseegavethesignalofdeparture。

  Thecountrysoonpresentedaverysavageaspect。Copsesofdatesanddwarf-palmssucceededthedenseforests;thenvast,dryplains,dottedwithscantyshrubs,andsownwithgreatblocksofsyenite。AllthisportionofBundelcund,whichislittlefrequentedbytravellers,isinhabitedbyafanaticalpopulation,hardenedinthemosthorriblepracticesoftheHindoofaith。TheEnglishhavenotbeenabletosecurecompletedominionoverthisterritory,whichissubjectedtotheinfluenceofrajahs,whomitisalmostimpossibletoreachintheirinaccessiblemountainfastnesses。

  ThetravellersseveraltimessawbandsofferociousIndians,who,whentheyperceivedtheelephantstridingacrosscountry,madeangryandthreateningmotions。TheParseeavoidedthemasmuchaspossible。Fewanimalswereobservedontheroute;eventhemonkeyshurriedfromtheirpathwithcontortionsandgrimaceswhichconvulsedPassepartoutwithlaughter。

  Inthemidstofhisgaiety,however,onethoughttroubledtheworthyservant。WhatwouldMrFoggdowiththeelephant,whenhegottoAllahabad?

  Wouldhecarryhimonwithhim?Impossible!Thecostoftransportinghimwouldmakehimruinouslyexpensive。Wouldhesellhim,orsethimfree?

  Theestimablebeastcertainlydeservedsomeconsideration。ShouldMrFoggchoosetomakehim,Passepartout,apresentofKiouni,hewouldbeverymuchembarrassed;andthesethoughtsdidnotceaseworryinghimforalongtime。

  TheprincipalchainoftheVindhiaswascrossedbyeightintheevening,andanotherhaltwasmadeonthenorthernslope,inaBedbungalow。Theyhadgonenearlytwenty-fivemilesthatday,andanequaldistancestillseparatedthemfromthestationofAllahabad。

  Thenightwascold。TheParseelitafireinthebungalowwithafewdrybranches,andthewarmthwasverygrateful。TheprovisionspurchasedatKholbysufficedforsupper,andthetravellersateravenously。Theconversation,beginningwithafewdisconnectedphrases,soongaveplacetoloudandsteadysnores。TheguidewatchedKiouni,whosleptstanding,bolsteringhimselfagainstthetrunkofalargetree。Nothingoccurredduringthenighttodisturbtheslumberers,althoughoccasionalgrowlsfrompanthersandchatteringsofmonkeysbrokethesilence;themoreformidablebeastsmadenocriesorhostiledemonstrationagainsttheoccupantsofthebungalow。

  SirFrancissleptheavily,likeanhonestsoldierovercomewithfatigue。

  Passepartoutwaswrappedinuneasydreamsofthebouncingofthedaybefore。

  AsforMrFogg,heslumberedaspeakfullyasifhehadbeeninhisserenemansioninSavilleRow。

  Thejourneywasresumedatsixinthemorning;theguidehopedtoreachAllahabadbyevening。Inthatcase,MrFoggwouldonlyloseapartoftheforty-eighthourssavedsincethebeginningofthetour。Kiouni,resuminghisrapidgait,soondescendedthelowerspursoftheVindhias,andtowardsnoontheypassedbytheageofKallenger,ontheCani,oneofthebranchesoftheGanges。Theguideavoidedinhabitedplaces,tagitsafertokeeptheopencountry,whichliesalongthefirstdepressionsofthebasinofthegreatriver。Allahabadwasnowonlytwelvemilestothenortheast。

  Theystoppedunderaclumpofbananas,thefruitofwhich,ashealthyasbreadandassucculentascream,wasamplypartakenofandappreciated。

  Attwoo\'clocktheguideenteredathickforestwhichextendedseveralmiles;hepreferredtotravelundercoverofthewoods。Theyhadnotasyethadanyunpleasantencounters,andthejourneyseemedonthepointofbeingsuccessfullyaccomplished,whentheelephant,becomingrestless,suddenlystopped。

  Itwasthenfouro\'clock。

  `What\'sthematter?\'askedSirFrancis,puttingouthishead。

  `Idon\'tknow,officer,\'repliedtheParsee,listeningattentivelytoaconfusedmurmurwhichcamethroughthethickbranches。

  Themurmursoonbecamemoredistinct;itnowseemedlikeadistantconcertofhumanvoicesaccompaniedbybrassinstruments。Passepartoutwasalleyesandears。MrFoggpatientlywaitedwithoutaword。TheParseejumpedtotheground,fastenedtheelephanttoatree,andplungedintothethicket。

  Hesoonreturned,saying,`AprocessionofBrahminsiscomingthisway。Wemustpreventtheirseeingus,ifpossible。\'

  Theguideunloosedtheelephantandledhimintoathicket,atthesametimeaskingthetravellersnottostir。Heheldhimselfreadytobestridetheanimalatamoment\'snotice,shouldflightbecomenecessary;butheevidentlythoughtthattheprocessionofthefaithfulwouldpasswithoutperceivingthemamidthethickfoliage,inwhichtheywerewhollyconcealed。

  Thediscordanttonesofthevoicesandinstrumentsdrewnearer,andnowdroningsongsmingledwiththesoundofthetambourinesandcymbals。

  Theheadoftheprocessionsoonappearedbeneaththetrees,ahundredpacesaway;andthestrangefigureswhoperformedthereligiousceremonywereeasilydistinguishedthroughthebranches。Firstcamethepriests,withmitresontheirheads,andclothedinlonglacerobes。Theyweresurroundedbymen,women,andchildren,whosangakindoflugubriouspsalm,interruptedatregularintervalsbythetambourinesandcymbals;whilebehindthemwasdrawnacarwithlargewheels,thespokesofwhichrepresentedserpentsentwinedwitheachother。Uponthecar,whichwasdrawnbyfourrichlycaparisonedzebusstoodahideousstatuewithfourarms,thebodycolouredadullred,withhaggardeyes,dishevelledhair,protrudingtongue,andlipstintedwithbetel。Itstooduprightuponthefigureofaprostrateandheadlessgiant。

  SirFrancis,recognizingthestatue,whispered,`ThegoddessKali;thegoddessofloveanddeath。\'

  `Ofdeath,perhaps,\'mutteredbackPassepartout,`butoflove-thatuglyoldhag?Never!\'

  TheParseemadeamotiontokeepsilence。

  Agroupofoldfakirswerecaperingandmakingawildadoroundthestatue;tewerestripedwithochre,andcoveredwithcutswhencetheirbloodissueddropbydrop-stupidfanatics,who,inthegreatIndianceremonies,stillthrowthemselvesunderthewheelsofJuggernaut。SomeBrahmins,cladinallthesumptuousnessofOrientalapparel,andleadingawomanwhofalteredateverystep,followed。Thiswomanwasyoung,andasfairasaEuropean。

  Herheadandneck,shoulders,ears,arms,handsandtoes,wereloadeddownwithjewelsandgems,-withbracelets,earrings,andrings;whileatunicborderedwithgold,andcoveredwithalightmuslinrobe,betrayedtheoutlineofherform。

  Theguardswhofollowedtheyoungwomanpresentedaviolentcontrasttoher,armedastheywerewithnakedsabreshungattheirwaists,andlongdamascenedpistols,andbearingacorpseonapalanquin。Itwasthebodyofanoldman,gorgeouslyarrayedinthehabilimentsofarajah,wearing,asinlife,aturbanembroideredwithpearls,arobeoftissueofsilkandgold,ascarfofcashmeresewedwithdiamonds,andthemagnificentweaponsofaHindooprince。Nextcamethemusiciansandarearguardofcaperingfakirs,whosecriessometimesdrownedthenoiseoftheinstruments;

  theseclosedtheprocession。

  SirFranciswatchedtheprocessionwithasadcountenance,and,turningtotheguide,said,`Asuttee。\'

  TheParseenodded,andputhisfingertohislips。Theprocessionslowlywoundunderthetrees,andsoonitslastranksdisappearedinthedepthsofthewood。Thesongsgraduallydiedaway;occasionallycrieswereheardinthedistance,untilatlastallwassilenceagain。

  PhileasFogghadheardwhatSirFrancissaid,and,assoonastheprocessionhaddisappeared,asked:

  `Whatisa\"suttee\"?\'

  `Asuttee,\'returnedthegeneral,`isahumansacrificebutavoluntaryone。Thewomanyouhavejustseenwillbeburnedtomorrowatthedawnofday。\'

  `Oh,thescoundrels!\'criedPassepartout,whocouldnotrepresshisindignation。

  `Andthecorpse?\'askedMrFogg。

  `Isthatoftheprince,herhusband,\'saidtheguide;`anindependentrajahofBundelcund。\'

  `Isitpossible,\'resumedPhileasFogg,hisvoicebetrayingnottheleastemotion,`thatthesebarbarouscustomsstillexistinIndia,andthattheEnglishhavebeenunabletoputastoptothem?\'

  `ThesesacrificesdonotoccurinthelargerportionofIndia,\'repliedSirFrancis;`butwehavenopoweroverthesesavageterritories,andespeciallyhereinBundelcund。ThewholedistrictnorthoftheVindhiasisthetheatreofincessantmurdersandpillage。\'

  `Thepoorwretch!\'exclaimedPassepartout。`Tobeburnedalive!\'

  `Yes,\'returnedSirFrancis,`burnedalive。Andifshewerenot,youcannotconceivewhattreatmentshewouldbeobligedtosubmittofromherrelatives。Theywouldshaveoffherhairfeedheronascantyallowanceofrice,treatherwithcontempt;shewouldbelookeduponasanuncleancreature,andwoulddieinsomecorner,likeascurvydog。Theprospectofsofrightfulanexistencedrivesthesepoorcreaturestothesacrificemuchmorethanloveorreligiousfanaticism。Sometimes,however,thesacrificeisreallyvoluntary,anditrequirestheactiveinterferenceoftheGovernmenttopreventit。Severalyearsago,whenIwaslivingatBombay,ayoungwidowaskedpermissionofthegovernortobeburnedalongwithherhusband\'sbody;but,asyoumayimagine,herefused。Thewomanleftthetown,tookrefugewithanindependentrajah,andtherecarriedoutherself-devotedpurpose。\'

  WhileSirFranciswasspeaking,theguideshookhisheadseveraltimes,andnowsaid:`Thesacrificewhichwilltakeplacetomorrowatdawnisnotavoluntaryone。\'

  `Howdoyouknow?\'

  `EverybodyknowsaboutthisaffairinBundelcund。\'

  `Butthewretchedcreaturedidnotseemtobemakinganyresistance,\'

  observedSirFrancis。

  `Thatwasbecausetheyhadintoxicatedherwithfumesofhempandopium。\'

  `Butwherearetheytakingher?\'

  TothepagodaofPillaji,twomilesfromhere;shewillpassthenightthere。\'

  `Andthesacrificewilltakeplace——\'

  `To-morrow,atthefirstlightofdawn。\'

  Theguidenowledtheelephantoutofthethicket,andleapeduponhisneck。JustatthemomentthathewasabouttourgeKiouniforwardwithapeculiarwhistle,MrFoggstoppedhim,and,turningtoSirFrancisCromarty,said,`Supposewesavethiswoman。\'

  `Savethewoman,MrFogg!\'

  `Ihaveyettwelvehourstospare;Icandevotethemtothat。\'

  `Why,youareamanofheart!\'

  `Sometimes,\'repliedPhileasFogg,quietly;`whenIhavethetime。\'

  CHAPTERXIIIINWHICHPASSEPARTOUTRECEIVESANEWPROOFTHATFORTUNEFAVOURSTHEBRAVE。

  Theprojectwasaboldone,fullofdifficulty,perhapsimpracticable。

  MrFoggwasgoingtorisklife,oratleastliberty,andthereforethesuccessofhistour。Buthedidnothesitate,andhefoundinSirFrancisCromartyanenthusiastically。

  AsforPassepartout,hewasreadyforanythingthatmightbeproposed。

  Hismaster\'sideacharmedhim;heperceivedaheart,asoul,underthaticyexterior。HebegantolovePhileasFogg。

  Thereremainedtheguide:whatcoursewouldheadopt?WouldhenottakepartwiththeIndians?Indefaultofhisassistance,itwasnecessarytobeassuredofhisneutrality。

  SirFrancisfranklyputthequestiontohim。

  `Officers,\'repliedtheguide,`IamaParsee,andthiswomanisaParsee。

  Commandmeasyouwill。\'

  `Excellent,\'saidMrFogg。

  `However,\'resumedtheguide;`itiscertain,notonlythatweshallriskourlives,buthorribletortures,ifwearetaken。\'

  `Thatisforeseen,\'repliedMrFogg。`Ithinkwemustwaittillnightbeforeacting。\'

  `Ithinkso,\'saidtheguide。

  TheworthyIndianthengavesomeaccountofthevictim,who,hesaid,wasacelebratedbeautyoftheParseerace,andthedaughterofawealthyBombaymerchant。ShehadreceivedathoroughlyEnglisheducationinthatcity,and,fromhermannersandintelligence,wouldbethoughtanEuropean。

  HernamewasAouda。Leftanorphan,shewasmarriedagainstherwilltotheoldrajahofBundelcund;and,knowingthefatethatawaitedher,sheescaped,wasretaken,anddevotedbytherajah\'srelatives,whohadaninterestinherdeath,tothesacrificefromwhichitseemedshecouldnotescape。

  TheParsee\'snarrativeonlyconfirmedMrFoggandhiscompanionsintheirgenerousdesign。ItwasdecidedthattheguideshoulddirecttheelephanttowardsthepagodaofPillaji,whichheaccordinglyapproachedasquicklyaspossible。Theyhalted,half-an-hourafterwards,inacopse,somefivehundredfeetfromthepagoda,wheretheywerewellconcealed;

  buttheycouldhearthegroansandcriesofthefakirsdistinctly。

  Theythendiscussedthemeansofgettingatthevictim。TheguidewasfamiliarwiththepagodaofPillaji,inwhich,ashedeclared,theyoungwomanwasimprisoned。CouldtheyenteranyofitsdoorswhilethewholepartyofIndianswasplungedinadrunkensleeporwasitsafertoattempttomakeaholeinthewalls?Thiscouldonlybedeterminedatthemomentandtheplacethemselves;butitwascertainthattheabductionmustbemadethatnight,andnotwhen,atbreakofday,thevictimwasledtoherfuneralpyre。Thennohumaninterventioncouldsaveher。

  Assoonasnightfell,aboutsixo\'clock,theydecidedtomakeareconnaissancearoundthepagoda。Thecriesofthefakirswerejustceasing;theIndianswereintheactofplungingthemselvesintothedrunkennesscausedbyliquidOpiummingledwithhemp,anditmightbepossibletoslipbetweenthemtothetempleitself。

  TheParsee,leadingtheothers,noiselesslycreptthroughthewood,andintenminutestheyfoundthemselvesonthebanksofasmallstream,whence,bythelightoftherosintorches,theyperceivedapyreofwood,onthetopofwhichlaytheembalmedbodyoftherajah,whichwastobeburnedwithhiswife。Thepagoda,whoseminaretsloomedabovethetreesinthedeepeningdusk,Stoodahundredstepsaway。

  `Come!\'whisperedtheguide。

  Heslippedmorecautiouslythaneverthroughthebrush,followedbyhiscompanions;thesilencearoundwasonlybrokenbythelowmurmuringofthewindamongthebranches。

  SoontheParseestoppedonthebordersoftheglade,whichwaslitupbythetorches。ThegroundwascoveredbygroupsoftheIndians,motionlessintheirdrunkensleep;itseemedabattle-fieldstrewnwiththedead。

  Men,women,andchildrenlaytogether。

  Inthebackground,amongthetrees,thepagodaofPillajiloomedindistinctly。

  Muchtotheguide\'sdisappointment,theguardsoftherajah,lightedbytorches,werewatchingatthedoorsandmarchingtoandfrowithnakedsabres;probablythepriests,too,werewatchingwithin。

  TheParsee,nowconvincedthatitwasimpossibletoforceanentrancetothetemple,advancednofarther,butledhiscompanionsbackagain。

  PhileasFoggandSirFrancisCromartyalsosawthatnothingcouldbeattemptedinthatdirection。Theystopped,andengagedinawhisperedcolloquy。

  `Itisonlyeightnow,\'saidthebrigadier,`andtheseguardsmayalsogotosleep。\'

  `Itisnotimpossible,\'returnedtheParsee。Theylaydownatthefootofatree,andwaited。

  Thetimeseemedlong;theguideeverandanonleftthemtotakeanobservationontheedgeofthewood,buttheguardswatchedsteadilybytheglareofthetorches,andadimlightcreptthroughthewindowsofthepagoda。

  Theywaitedtillmidnight;butnochangetookplaceamongtheguards,anditbecameapparentthattheiryieldingtosleepcouldnotbecountedon。Theotherplanmustbecarriedout;anopeninginthewallsofthepagodamustbemade。Itremainedtoascertainwhetherthepriestswerewatchingbythesideoftheirvictimasassiduouslyaswerethesoldiersatthedoor。

  Afteralastconsultation,theguideannouncedthathewasreadyfortheattempt,andadvanced,followedbytheothers。Theytookaroundaboutway,soastogetatthepagodaontherear。Theyreachedthewallsabouthalf-pasttwelve,withouthavingmetanyone;heretherewasnoguard,norwerethereeitherwindowsordoors。

  Thenightwasdark。Themoon,onthewane,scarcelyleftthehorizon,andwascoveredwithheavyclouds;theheightofthetreesdeepenedthedarkness。

  Itwasnotenoughtoreachthewalls;anopeninginthemmustbeaccomplished,andtoattainthispurposethepartyonlyhadtheirpocket-knives。Happilythetemplewallswerebuiltofbrickandwood,whichcouldbepenetratedwithlittledifficulty;afteronebrickhadbeentakenout,therestwouldyieldeasily。

  Theysetnoiselesslytowork,andtheParseeononesideandPassepartoutontheotherbegantoloosenthebrickssoastomakeanaperturetwofeetwide。Theyweregettingonrapidly,whensuddenlyacrywasheardintheinteriorofthetemple,followedalmostinstantlybyothercriesreplyingfromtheoutside。Passepartoutandtheguidestopped。Hadtheybeenheard?

  Wasthealarmbeinggiven?Commonprudenceurgedthemtoretire,andtheydidso,followedbyPhileasFoggandSirFrancis。Theyagainhidthemselvesinthewood,andwaitedtillthedisturbance,whateveritmightbe,ceased,holdingthemselvesreadytoresumetheirattemptwithoutdelay。But,awkwardlyenough,theguardsnowappearedattherearofthetemple,andthereinstalledthemselves,inreadinesstopreventasurprise。

  Itwouldbedifficulttodescribethedisappointmentoftheparty,thusinterruptedintheirwork。Theycouldnotnowreachthevictim;how,then,couldtheysaveher?SirFrancisshookhisfists,Passepartoutwasbesidehimself,andtheguidegnashedhisteethwithrage。ThetranquilFoggwaited,withoutbetrayinganyemotion。

  `Wehavenothingtodobuttogoaway,\'whisperedSirFrancis。

  `Nothingbuttogoaway,\'echoedtheguide。

  `Stop,\'saidFogg。`IamonlydueatAllahabadto-morrowbeforenoon。

  `Butwhatcanyouhopetodo?\'askedSirFrancis。`Inafewhoursitwillbedaylight,and——\'

  `Thechancewhichnowseemslostmaypresentitselfatthelastmoment。\'

  SirFranciswouldhavelikedtoreadPhileasFogg\'seyes。

  WhatwasthiscoolEnglishmanthinkingof?Washeplanningtomakearushfortheyoungwomanattheverymomentofthesacrifice,andboldlysnatchherfromherexecutioners?

  Thiswouldbeutterfolly,anditwashardtoadmitthatFoggwassuchafool。SirFrancisconsented,however,toremaintotheendofthisterribledrama。Theguideledthemtotherearoftheglade,wheretheywereabletoobservethesleepinggroups。

  MeanwhilePassepartout,whohadperchedhimselfonthelowerbranchesofatree,wasresolvinganideawhichhadatfirststruckhimlikeaflash,andwhichwasnowfirmlylodgedinhisbrain。

  Hehadcommencedbysayingtohimself,`Whatfolly!\'andthenherepeated,`Whynot,afterall?It\'sachance-perhapstheonlyone;andwithsuchsots!\'Thinkingthus,heslipped,withthesupplenessofaserpent,tothelowestbranches,theendsofwhichbentalmosttotheground。

  Thehourspassed,andthelightershadesnowannouncedtheapproachofday,thoughitwasnotyetlight。Thiswasthemoment。Theslumberingmultitudebecameanimated,thetambourinessounded,songsandcriesarose;

  thehourofthesacrificehadcome。Thedoorsofthepagodaswungopen,andabrightlightescapedfromitsinterior,inthe-midstofwhichMrFoggandSirFrancisespiedthevictim。Sheseemed,havingshakenoffthestuporofintoxication,tobestrivingtoescapefromherexecutioner。

  SirFrancis\'sheartthrobbed;andconvulsivelyseizingMrFogg\'shand,foundinitanopenknife。Justatthismomentthecrowdbegantomove。

  Theyoungwomanhadagainfallenintoastuporcausedbythefumesofhemp,andpassedamongthefakirs,whoescortedherwiththeirwild,religiouscries。

  PhileasFoggandhiscompanions,minglingintherearranksofthecrowd,followed;andintwominutestheyreachedthebanksofthestream,andstoppedfiftypacesfromthepyre,uponwhichstilllaytherajah\'scorpse。

  Inthesemi-obscuritytheysawthevictim,quitesenseless,stretchedoutbesideherhusband\'sbody。Thenatorchwasbrought,andthewood,soldwithoil,instantlytookfire。

  AtthismomentSirFrancisandtheguideseizedPhileasFogg,who,inaninstantofmadgenerosity,wasabouttorushuponthepyre。Buthehadquicklypushedthemaside,whenthewholescenesuddenlychanged。Acryofterrorarose。Thewholemultitudeprostratedthemselves,terror-stricken,ontheground。

  Theoldrajahwasnotdead,then,sinceheroseofasudden,likeaspectre,tookuphiswifeinhisarms,anddescendedfromthepyreinthemidstofthecloudsofsmoke,whichonlyheightenedhisghostlyappearance。

  Fakirsandsoldiersandpriests,seizedwithinstantterror,laythere,withtheirfacesontheground,notdaringtolifttheireyesandbeholdsuchaprodigy。

  Theinanimatevictimwasbornealongbythevigorousarmswhichsupportedher,andwhichshedidnotseemintheleasttoburden。MrFoggandSirFrancisstooderect,theParseebowedhishead,andPassepartoutwas,nodoubt,scarcelylessstupefied。

  TheresuscitatedrajahapproachedSirFrancisandMrFogg,and,inanabrupttone,said,`Letusbeoff!\'

  ItwasPassepartouthimself,whohadslippeduponthepyreinthemidstofthesmokeand,profitingbythestilloverhangingdarkness,haddeliveredtheyoungwomanfromdeath!ItwasPassepartoutwho,playinghispartwithahappyaudacity,hadpassedthroughthecrowdamidthegeneralterror。

  Amomentafterallfourofthepartyhaddisappearedinthewoods,andtheelephantwasbearingthemawayatarapidpace。Butthecriesandnoise,andaballwhichwhizzedthroughPhileasFogg\'shat,apprisedthemthatthetrickhadbeendiscovered。

  Theoldrajah\'sbody,indeed,nowappearedupontheburningpyre;andthepriests,recoveredfromtheirterror,perceivedthatanabductionhadtakenplace。Theyhastenedintotheforest,followedbythesoldiers,whofiredavolleyafterthefugitives;butthelatterrapidlyincreasedthedistancebetweenthem,anderelongfoundthemselvesbeyondthereachofthebulletsandarrows。

  CHAPTERXIVINWHICHPHILEASFOGGDESCENDSTHEWHOLELENGTHOFTHEBEAUTIFULVALLEY

  OFTHEGANGESWITHOUTEVERTHINKINGOFSEEINGIT。

  Therashexploithadbeenaccomplished;andforanhourPassepartoutlaughedgailyathissuccess。SirFrancispressedtheworthyfellow\'shand,andhismastersaid,`Welldone!\'which,fromhim,washighcommendation;

  towhichPassepartoutrepliedthatallthecreditoftheaffairbelongedtoMrFogg。Asforhim,hehadonlybeenstruckwitha`queer\'idea;andhelaughedtothinkthatforafewmomentshe,Passepartout,theex-gymnast,ex-sergeantfireman,hadbeenthespouseofacharmingwoman,avenerable,embalmedrajah!AsfortheyoungIndianwoman,shehadbeenunconsciousthroughoutofwhatwaspassing,andnow,wrappedupinatravelling-blanket,wasreposinginoneofthehowdahs。

  Theelephant,thankstotheskilfulguidanceoftheParsee,wasadvancingrapidlythroughthestilldark-someforest,and,anhourafterleavingthepagoda,hadcrossedavastplain。Theymadeahaltatseveno\'clock,theyoungwomanbeingstillinastateofcompleteprostration。Theguidemadeherdrinkalittlebrandyandwater,butthedrowsinesswhichstupefiedhercouldnotyetbeshakenoff。SirFrancis,whowasfamiliarwiththeeffectsoftheintoxicationproducedbythefumesofhemp,reassuredhiscompanionsonheraccount。Buthewasmoredisturbedattheprospectofherfuturefate。HetoldPhileasFoggthat,shouldAoudaremaininIndia,shewouldinevitablyfallagainintothehandsofherexecutioners。Thesefanaticswerescatteredthroughoutthecountry,andwould,despitetheEnglishpolice,recovertheirvictimatMadras,Bombay,orCalcutta。ShewouldonlybesafebyquittingIndiaforever。

  PhileasFoggrepliedthathewouldreflectuponthematter。

  ThestationatAllahabadwasreachedaboutteno\'clock,andtheinterruptedlineofrailwaybeingresumed,wouldenablethemtoreachCalcuttainlessthantwenty-fourhours。PhileasFoggwouldthusbeabletoarriveintimetotakethesteamerwhichleftCalcuttathenextday,October25th,atnoon,forHongKong。

  Theyoungwomanwasplacedinoneofthewaiting-roomsofthestation,whilstPassepartoutwaschargedwithpurchasingforhervariousarticlesoftoilet,adress,shawl,andsomefurs;forwhichhismastergavehimunlimitedcredit。Passepartoutstartedoffforthwith,andfoundhimselfinthestreetsofAllahabad,thatis,the`CityofGod\',oneofthemostveneratedinIndia,beingbuiltatthejunctionofthetwosacredrivers,GangesandJumna,thewatersofwhichattractpilgrimsfromeverypartofthepeninsula。TheGanges,accordingtothelegendsoftheRamayana,risesinheaven,whenceowingtoBrahma\'sagency,itdescendstotheearth。

  Passepartoutmadeitapoint,ashemadehispurchases,totakeagoodlookatthecity。Itwasformerlydefendedbyanoblefort,whichhassincebecomeastateprison;itscommercehasdwindledaway,andPassepartoutinvainlookedabouthimforsuchabazaarasheusedtofrequentinRegentStreet。Atlasthecameuponanelderly,crustyJew,whosoldsecond-handarticles,andfromwhomhepurchasedadressofScotchstuff,alargemantle,andafineotter-skinpelisse,forwhichhedidnothesitatetopayseventy-fivepounds。Hethenreturnedtriumphantlytothestation。

  TheinfluencetowhichthepriestsofPillajihadsubjectedAoudabegangraduallytoyield,andshebecamemoreherself,sothatherfineeyesresumedalltheirsoftIndianexpression。

  Whenthepoet-king,UcafUddaul,celebratesthecharmsofthequeenofAhmehnagara,hespeaksthus:——

  `Hershiningtresses,dividedintwoparts,encircletheharmoniouscontourofherwhiteanddelicatecheeks,brilliantintheirglowandfreshness。

  HerebonybrowshavetheformandcharmofthebowofKama,thegodoflove,andbeneathherlongsilkenlashesthepurestreflectionsandacelestiallightswim,asinthesacredlakesofHimalaya,intheblackpupilsofhergreatcleareyes。Herteeth,fine,equalandwhite,glitterbetweenhersmilinglipslikedew-dropsinapassion-flower\'shalf-envelopedbreast。

  Herdelicatelyformedears,hervermillionhands,herlittlefeet,curvedandtenderasthelotus-bud,glitterwiththebrilliancyoftheloveliestpearlsofCeylon,themostdazzlingdiamondsofGolconda。Hernarrowandsupplewaist,whichahandmayclasparound,setsforththeoutlineofherroundedfigureandthebeautyofherbosom,whereyouthinitsflowerdisplaysthewealthofitstreasures;andbeneaththesilkenfoldsofhertunicsheseemstohavebeenmodelledinpuresilverbythegodlikehandofVicvarcarma,theimmortalsculptor。\'

  Itisenoughtosay,withoutapplyingthispoeticalrhapsodytoAouda,thatshewasacharmingwoman,inalltheEuropeanacceptationofthephrase。

  ShespokeEnglishwithgreatpurity,andtheguidehadnotexaggeratedinsayingthattheyoungParseehadbeentransformedbyherbringingup。

  ThetrainwasabouttostartfromAllahabad,andMrFoggproceededtopaytheguidethepriceagreedforhisservice,andnotafarthingmore;

  whichastonishedPassepartout,whorememberedallthatthismasterowedtotheguide\'sdevotion。Hehad,indeed,riskedhislifeintheadventureatPillaji,andheshouldbecaughtafterwardsbytheIndians,hewouldwithdifficultyescapetheirvengeance。Kiouni,also,mustbedisposedof。Whatshouldbedonewiththeelephant,whichhadbeensodearlypurchased?

  PhileasFogghadalreadydeterminedthisquestion。

  `Parsee,\'saidhetotheguide,`youhavebeenserviceableanddevoted。

  Ihavepaidforyourservice,butnotforyourdevotion。Wouldyouliketohavethiselephant?Heisyours。\'

  Theguide\'seyesglistened。

  `Yourhonourisgivingmeafortune!\'criedhe。

  `Takehim,guide,\'returnedMrFogg,`andIshallstillbeyourdebtor。\'

  `Good!\'exclaimedPassepartout。`Takehim,friend。Kiouniisabraveandfaithfulbeast。\'And,goinguptotheelephant,hegavehimseverallumpsofsugar,saying,`Here,Kiouni,here,here。\'

  Theelephantgruntedouthissatisfaction,and,claspingPassepartoutaroundthewaistwithhistrunk,liftedhimashighashishead。Passepartout,notintheleastalarmed,caressedtheanimal,whichreplacedhimgentlyontheground。

  Soonafter,PhileasFogg,SirFrancisCromarty,andPassepartout,installedinacarriagewithAouda,whohadthebestseat,werewhirlingatfullspeedtowardsBenares。Itwasarunofeightymiles,andwasaccomplishedintwohours。Duringthejourney,theyoungwomanfullyrecoveredhersenses。

  Whatwasherastonishmenttofindherselfinthiscarriage,ontherailway,dressedinEuropeanhabiliments,andwithtravellerswhowerequitestrangerstoher!Hercompanionsfirstsetaboutfullyrevivingherwithalittleliquor,andthenSirFrancisnarratedtoherwhathadpassed,dwellinguponthecouragewithwhichPhileasFogghadnothesitatedtoriskhislifetosaveher,andrecountingthehappysequeloftheventure,theresultofPassepartout\'srashidea。MrFoggsaidnothing;whilePassepartout,abashed,keptrepeatingthat`itwasn\'tworthtelling\'。

  Aoudapatheticallythankedherdeliverers,ratherwithtearsthanwords;

  herfineeyesinterpretedhergratitudebetterthanherlips。Then,asherthoughtsstrayedbacktothesceneofthesacrifice,andrecalledthedangerswhichstillmenacedher,sheshudderedwithterror。

  PhileasFoggunderstoodwhatwaspassinginAouda\'smind,andoffered,inordertoreassureher,toescorthertoHongKong,whereshemightremainsafelyuntiltheaffairwashushedup-anofferwhichsheeagerlyandgratefullyaccepted。Shehad,itseems,aParseerelation,whowasoneoftheprincipalmerchantsofHongKong,whichiswhollyanEnglishcity,thoughonanislandontheChinesecoast。

  Athalf-pasttwelvethetrainstoppedatBenares。TheBrahminlegendsassertthatthiscityisbuiltonthesiteoftheancientCasi,which,likeMahomet\'stomb,wasoncesuspendedbetweenheavenandearth;thoughtheBenaresofto-day,whichtheOrientalistscalltheAthensofIndia,standsquiteunpoeticallyonthesolidearth。Passepartoutcaughtglimpsesofitsbrickhousesandclayhuts,givinganaspectofdesolationtotheplace,asthetrainenteredit。

  BenareswasSirFrancisCromarty\'sdestination,thetroopshewasrejoiningbeingencampedsomemilesnorthwardofthecity。HebadeadieutoPhileasFogg,wishinghimallsuccess,andexpressingthehopethathewouldcomethatwayagaininalessoriginalbutmoreprofitablefashion。MrFogglightlypressedhimbythehand。ThepartingofAouda,whodidnotforgetwhatsheowedtoSirFrancis,betrayedmorewarmth;and,asforPassepartout,hereceivedaheartyshakeofthehandfromthegallantgeneral。

  Therailway,onleavingBenares,passedforawhilealongthevalleyoftheGanges。ThroughthewindowsoftheircarriagethetravellershadglimpsesofthediversifiedlandscapeofBehar,withitsmountainsclothedinverdure,itsfieldsofbarley,wheat,andcorn,itsjunglespeopledwithgreenalligators,itsneatvillages,anditsstillthickly-leavedforests。Elephantswerebathinginthewatersofthesacredriver,andgroupsofIndians,despitetheadvancedseasonandchillyair,wereperformingsolemnlytheirpiousablutions。ThesewereferventBrahmins,thebitterestfoesofBuddhism,theirdeitiesbeingVishnu,thesolargod,Shiva,thedivineimpersonationofnaturalforces,andBrahma,thesupremerulerofpriestsandlegislators。WhatwouldthesedivinitiesthinkofIndia,anglicizedasitisto-day,withsteamerswhistlingandscuddingalongtheGanges,frighteningthegullswhichfloatuponitssurface,theturtlesswarmingalongitsbanks,andthefaithfuldwellinguponitsborders?

  Thepanoramapassedbeforetheireyeslikeaflash,savewhenthesteamconcealeditfitfullyfromtheview;thetravellerscouldscarcelydiscernthefortofChupenie,twentymilessouth-westwardfromBenares,theancientstrongholdoftherajahsofBehar;orGhazipuranditsfamousrose-waterfactories;orthetombofLordCornwallis,risingontheleftbankoftheGanges;thefortifiedtownofBuxar,orPatna,alargemanufacturingandtradingplace,whereisheldtheprincipalopiummarketofIndia;orMonghir,amorethanEuropeantown,foritisasEnglishasManchesterorBirmingham,withitsironfoundries,edge-toolfactories,andhighchimneyspuffingcloudsofblacksmokeheavenward。

  Nightcameon;thetrainpassedonatfullspeed,inthemidstoftheroaringoftigers,bears,andwolveswhichfledbeforethelocomotive;

  andthemarvelsofBengal,Golconda,ruinedGour,Murshedabad,theancientcapital,Burdwan,Hugly,andtheFrenchtownofChandernagor,wherePassepartoutwouldhavebeenproudtoseehiscountry\'sflagflying,werehiddenfromtheirviewinthedarkness。

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