The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-19
CHAPTER xxx.

CHAPTER xxx.
The same evening, following its route with
out hndrance, the train passed Fort Sanders,
crossed the Cheyenne Pass and reached the
Evans Pass. Here the road reaches its high
est altitude, about 500 feet above the level of
the sea. The travellers had now only to
descend TO the Atlantic over imitless plains
leveled by nature. At this point, they crossed
branch road leading to Denver City, Colora-
do. This territory is rich in mines of gold and
silver; and its population numbers, already,
more than $4,000 inhabitants. 1880 miles
had been passed since leaving San Francisco,
in three days and nights-fonr days and
nights would suffice to reach New York.
Phileas Fogg would be on time. During the
night, they passed on the left Camp Walbah.
Lodge-pole Creek runs parallel with the road,
following with it the frontier line common to
the States of Wyoming and Colorado. At
eleven O'clock they entered Nebraska, passed
near Sedgewick and touched at Julesburg,
situated on the southern branch of the Platte
river. The celebration of the completion of
the "Union Pacific Road' was held here the
18th October, 1867. General j. NJ. Dodge.
chief engineer. Two powerful locomotives
stopped with their trains of invited guests,
among whom were the Vice President, Thorn
as c. Durant, and many others. Shouts and
acclamatiors resounded. The Sioux and
Pawnees gave spectacle of Indian warfare.
Bonfires were lighted and from portable
press they issued the first number of the
Railway Pioneer. Thus was celebrated the
Inauguration Of this great iron road-instru-
ment ofprogress and civilization, thrown across
the desert, and destined to connect cities and
towns which at present have no existence
The whistle of the locomotive, more powerful
than the Tyre of Amphion, will soon people
the American soil.
AT eight in the morning, they passed Fort
Macpherson, only 300 miles from Omaha.
The road followed, upon its left bank, the
windings of the Southern branch of the
Platte. Soon they reached the important
city of North Platte, situated between the
two great arms of great river, whose waters
meet, forming one of the tributaries of the
Missouri, little below Omaha. They cross
ed the 101st meridian. Mr.. Fogg and his
partners recommended their game; they COM
planned no longer of the WEAKNESS of the
journey.
Fix began Ivy winning some guineas. which
he soon lost. but he showed as little distur-
bance as Mr. Fogg. During the evening
chance had favored sngulary that gentleman.
Trumps and honors rained into his hand. At
certain moment, after having arranged a
great stroke or finesse, he led a spade, When
some one behind the seat, said, 81! should
play diamonds"
Madame Aouda, Mr.. Fogg, and Fix raised
their heads, Col. Stamp Proctor stood near
them. Stamp Proctor and Phileas Fogg rec
ognized each other.
"Ah! 1t is you Mr.. Englishman. who plays
the spader'
81 play it," replied Phieas Fogg indiffer-
ently, throwing down ten ofthat suit.
''Well wish to play diamonds said the Col.
in an irritated voice; and he made motion
as if to take up the card, adding-"Do you
mean anything by this play"
Perhaps | may be more successful in
said Mr.. Fogg, rising.
You can try it, son of John Bull" replied
the man rudely, drawing from his pocket a
revolver and aiming it,
Madame Aouda became pale-her heart
ceased beating--she caught the arm of Mr..
ogg, VINO put her softly away. Passepar-
tout was ready to throw himself upon the |
American, who watched his adversary with n |
most insulting air; when suddenly war |
whoops were heard, accompanied bv tbe
sound OF guns; reports sounded all alono A.,
line; cries of alright were heard fron9S , III
cars, which had slackened their speed, CoI
Proctor and Mr. Fogg, revolver in hand. went
out of the car, and rushed to the front. Thev |
comprehended that the train had been AT. |
tackled by band of Sioux.
1t was not their first attempt-more than
once already they had stopped the trains.
Following their habit, they jumped upon the
platforms to the number of a hundred. |
scaled the cars, as clown springs upon a |
running horse. These Sioux were armed |
with guns, from whence the reports. which |
the passengers answered with their reyolyers.
The engineer and fireman had been half !