第3章

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。