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。
返回顶部