The train pursued its course, that evening, without interruption, passing Fort Saunders, crossing Cheyene Pass, and reaching Evans Pass. The road here attained the highest elevation of the journey, eight thousand and ninety-one 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.
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 behindhand.
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.
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 civilization, 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.
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 Fiver, 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 one hundred and first meridian was passed.
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.
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.'
Mr Fogg, Aouda and Fix raised their heads, and beheld Colonel Proctor.
Stamp Proctor and Phileas Fogg recognized each other at once.
`Ah! it's you, is it, Englishman?' cried the colonel. `It's you who are going to play a spade!'
`And who plays it,' replied Phileas Fogg coolly, throwing down the ten of spades.
`Well, it pleases me to have it diamonds,' replied Colonel Proctor, in an insolent tone.
He made a movement as if to seize the card which had just been played, adding, `You don't understand anything about whist.'
`Perhaps I do, as well as another,' said Phileas Fogg, rising.
`You have only to try, son of John Bull,' replied the colonel.
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!'
`Mr Fix,' said Mr Fogg, `pardon me, but this affair is mine, and mine only. The colonel has again insulted me, by insisting that I should not play a spade, and he shall give me satisfaction for it.'
`When and where you will,' replied the American, `and with whatever weapon you choose.'
Aouda in vain attempted to retain Mr Fogg; ash vainly did the detective endeavour to make the quarrel his. Passepartout wished to throw the colonel out of the window, but a sign from his master checked him. Phileas Fogg left the car, and the American followed him upon the platform.
`Sir,' said Mr Fogg to his adversary, `I am in a great hurry to get back to Europe, and any delay whatever will be greatly to my disadvantage.'
`Well, what's that to me?' replied Colonel Proctor.
`Sir,' said Mr Fogg, very politely; `after our meeting at San Francisco, I determined to return to America and find you as soon as I had completed the business which called me to England.'
`Really!'
`Will you appoint a meeting for six months hence?'
`Why not ten years hence?'
`I say six months,' returned Phileas Fogg; `and I shall be at the place of meeting promptly.'
`All this is an evasion,' cried Stamp Proctor. `Now or never!'
`Very good. You are going to New York?'
`No.'
`To Chicago?'
`No.'
`To Omaha?'
`What difference is it to you? Do you know Plum Creek?'
`No,' replied Mr Fogg.
`It's the next station. The train will be there in an hour, and will stop there ten minutes. In ten minutes several revolver-shots could be exchanged.'
`Very well,' said Mr Fogg. `I will stop at Plum Creek.'
`And I guess you'll stay there too,' added the American insolently.
`Who knows?' replied Mr Fogg, returning to the car as coolly as usual. He began to reassure Aouda, telling her that blusterers were never to be feared, and begged Fix to be his second at the approaching duel, a request which the detective could not refuse. Mr Fogg resumed the interrupted game with perfect calmness.
At eleven o'clock the locomotive's whistle announced that they were approaching Plum Creek station. Mr Fogg rose, and, followed by Fix, went out upon the platform. Passepartout accompanied him, carrying a pair of revolvers. Aouda remained in the car............