by Verne, Jules, 1828-1905
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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 Julcsburg, 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 Raihvay 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 River, on its left bank. At nine the train stopped at the important town of North Platte, built between the two arms of the river, which rejoin each other around it and form a
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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 Avere 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, Enghshman .^" cried the colonel; '' it's you who are going to play a spade !"
" And who plays it," replied Phileas Fogg coolly, throvv'-ing 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."
1 SnoULD TLAT A DIAMOND.
'' 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 ]\Ir. Fogg; as vainly did the detective endeavour to make the quarrel his. Passepartout wished to throw the colonel out of the window, but a sign from his master checked him. Phileas Fogg left the car, and the American followed him upon the platform.
'' Sir," said I\Ir. 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 1 "
" \Vh}^ not ten years hence } "
'' I say six months," returned Phileas Fogg, " and I shall be at the place of meeting promptly."
