by Verne, Jules, 1828-1905
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Mr. Fogg, with folded arms, remained motionless. He had a serious decision to make. Aouda, standing near him, looked at him without speaking, and he understood her look. If his servant was a prisoner, ought he not to risk everything to rescue him from the Indians ? " I will find him, living or dead," said he quietly to Aouda.
"Ah, Mr.?Mr. Fogg!" cried she, clasping his hands and coverins^ them wdth tears.
" Living," added Mr. Fogg, " if we do not lose a moment."
Phileas Fogg, by this resolution, inevitably sacrificed himself; he pronounced his own doom. The delay of a single day would make him lose the steamer at New York, and his bet would be certainly lost. But as he thought, " It is my duty," he did not hesitate.
The commanding officer of Fort Kearney was there. A hundred of his soldiers had placed themselves in a position to defend the station, should the Sioux attack it.
" Sir," said Mr. Fogg to the captain, " three passengers have disappeared."
" Dead .?" asked the captain.
" Dead or prisoners ; that is the uncertainty which must be solved. Do you propose to pursue the Sioux .^"
" That's a serious thing to do, sir," returned the captain.
" These Indians may retreat beyond the Arkansas, and I cannot leave the fort unprotected."
" The hves of three men are in question, sir," said Phileas
'' Doubtless ; but can I risk the lives of fifty men to save three.?"
'' I don't know whether you can, sir ; but you ought to do so,"
'' Nobody here," returned the other, ''has a right to teach me my duty."
"Very well," said Mr. Fogg, coldly. " I will go alone."
"You, sir!" cried Fix coming up; "you go alone in pursuit of the Indians r'
"Would you have me leave this poor fellow to perish, ?him to whom every one present ow^es his life ? I shall go."
"No, sir, you shall not go alone," cried the captain, touched in spite of himself. " No ! you are a brave man. Thirty volunteers \" he added, turning to the soldiers.
The whole company started forward at once. The captain had only to pick his men. Thirty were chosen, and an old sergeant placed at their head.
" Thanks, captain," said Mr. Fogg.
"Will you let me go with you .'*" asked Fix.
" Do as you please, sir. But if you wish to do me a favour, you will remain with Aouda. In case anything should happen to me?"
A sudden pallor overspread the detective's face. Separate himself from the man whom he had so persistently followed step by step ! Leave him to wander about in this desert! Fix gazed attentively at Mr. Fogg, and, despite his suspicions and of the struggle which was going on within him, he lowered his eyes before that calm and frank look.
" I will stay," said he.
A few moments after, Mr. Fogg pressed the young woman's hand, and, having confided to her his precious carpet-bag, went off with the sergeant and his little squad. But, before going, he had said to the soldiers, *' My friends, I will divide five thousand dollars among you, if we save the prisoners."
It was then a little past noon.
Aouda retired to a waiting-room, and there she waited alone, thinking of the simple and noble generosity, the tranquil courage of Phileas Fogg. He had sacrificed his fortune, and was now risking his life, all without hesitation, from duty, in silence.
Fix did not have the same thoughts, and could scarcely conceal his agitation. He walked feverishly up and down the platform, but soon resumed his outward composure. He now saw the folly of which he had been guilty in letting Fogg go alone. What! This man, whom he had just followed around the world, was permitted now to separate
himself from him ! He began to accuse and abuse himself, and, as if he were director of police, administered to himself a sound lecture for his greenness.
" I have been an idiot!" he thought, '' and this man will see it. He has gone, and won't come back! But how is it that I, Fix, who have in my pocket a warrant for his arrest, have been so fascinated by him ? Decidedly, I am nothing but an ass !"
