The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-16

the train stopped entirely the whole
band had decamped.
But when the passengers counted
each other on the platform of the sta
ton, they noticed that several were
missing, and among others the courage
Gus Frenchman, whose devotion had
Just saved them.
CHAPTER xxx.
IN WHICH PHILEAs FoGG SIMPLY DOES HIS
DUTY.
Three passengers, including Passe-
partout, had disappeared. Had they
been killed in the fight? Were they
taken prisoners by the Sioux? AS yet
it could not be told.
The wounded were quite numerous,
but none MORALLY. The one most seri-
ously hurt was ColOne! Proctor, who
had fought bravely, and who fell struck
by ball in the groin. lie was carried
to the station with the other passen-
gers, whose condition demanded imme-
date care.
Mrs. Aouda was safe. Phileas Fogg.
who had not spared himself had not a
scratch. Fix was wounded in the arm
but it was an unimportant wound.
Bat, Passepartout was missing, and
tears flowed from the young woman's
eyes.
Meanwhile, all the passengers had
left the train. The wheels of the cars
were stained with blood. To the hubs
and spokes hung ragged pieces of flesh.
As far as the eye could reach long red
trails were seen on the white plain.
The last Indians were then disappear
ING in the south, along the banks of
Republican River.
Mr.. Fogg, with folded arms. stood
motionless. He had serious decision
to make. Mrs. Aouda, near him, looked
at him without uttering a word. He
understood her look. If his servant
was a prisoner ought he not to risk ev-
erything'to rescue him from the In
dians?
81 will find him dead or alive" he
said, simply, to Mrs, Aouda.
"Ah! Mr.. Foge-Mr. Foggr' cried
the young woman, SEEING her compan-
ions hands and covering them with
tears.
"Aliver' added Mr.. Fogg, "if we do
not lose minute!
With this resolution Phileas Fogg sac
ri6ced himself entirely. He had just
pronounced his ruin. A single days
delay would make him miss the steam
er from New York. His bet would be
irrevocably lost. But in the face of the
thought: at is my dutyH' he did not
hesitate.
The Captain commanding Fort Kear-
ney was there. His soldiers about q
hundred men had put themselves on
the defensive in the event of the Sioux
max ne a direct attack upon the sta
ton.
"S;r," said Mr.. Fogg to the Cap
tain, "three passengers have disap
peared."
Killed." asked the Captain.
KILLED or prisoners. replied Mr.
Fogg. THAT is an uncertainty which
we must bring to an end. 1t is your
intention to pursue the Sioux
- 1t is a grave matter, sir," said the
Captain. These Indians may fly be-
yond the Arkansas! could not aban'
don the fort entrusted to me-"
"Sir," replied Phileas Fogg, sit is
question of the life of three men,"
Doubtless but can | risk the life
of fifty to save three?'
AZ do not know whether you can, but
you ought"
Sir" replied the Captain, mo one
here has the right to tell me what my
duty is.
LET it be SOP said Phileas Foggr
coldly, 81 will 90 alone"
You, sirr' cried Fix, who ap
preached, Ego alone in pursuit OF the
Indiansr'
"DO you wish me, then, to allow to
perish the unfortunate man to whom
every one of us that is living owes his
lifeP shall 60"
well, no, you shall not 60 alone!
cried the Captain, moved in spite o
himself mo! you are brave heart
Thirty volunteersr' he added, turning
to his soldiers
The whole company advanced in
body. The Captain had to select from
these brave fellows. Thirty soldier:
/ were plCkbu Oub, anu III Old hoOi SCsAh
put at their head.
Thanks, Captainr' said Mr.. Fogg
"You will permit me to accompany
your Fix asked the gentleman.
You will do as you please" replied
Phileas Fogg. But if you wish to dc
NE service, you will remain by Mrs
Aouda. In case anything should hap
pen to me"
A sudden paleness overcast the de
tective's face. To separate himself
from the man whom he had followed
step by step and with so much persist
encel To let him venture so much il
the desert Fix looked closely at thu
gentleman, and whatever he may have
thought, IN spite of his preiudices, il
spite of his inward struggle, he dropped
his eyes before that quiet, frank look
al will remain, he said.
A few moments after, Mr.. Fog:
pressed the young woman's hand; then
having placed in her care his precIou
travelling bag, he set out with the Der
geant and his little band.
But before starting, he said TO tn
soldiers:
"My friends, there are five Thousand
dollars for you if you save the prison
ersr'
1t was then few minutes past noon
Mrs. Aoudaretired into a sitting room
of the station, and there, alone. sh
waited, thinking of Phileas Fogg, hi
simple and grand generosity, his quie
courage Mr.. Fogg had sacrificed hi
fortune, and now he was stalking hi
life-and all this without hesitation
from a sense duty, without words
phileas Fogg was hero in her eyes.
The detective (Fix) was not thinkin,
thus, and he could not restrain his ag
tation. He walked feverishly up an