The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-04


Fogg.
"However, do you know" replied the
Parsee, "that we not only risk our
lives, but horrib punishments if we
are takenP So see"
'sThat is SEEM" replied Mr.. Fogg.
81 think that we shall have to wait for
night to act"
II think so, too,'' replied the guide.
The brave Hindoo then gave some de-
tails as to the victim She was an In
dian of celebrated beauty, of the Psrsee
race, the daughter of rich merchant of
Bombay. She had received in that city
an absolutely English education, and
from her manners and cultivation she
would have been thought a European.
Her name was Aouda.
An orphan, she was married against
her will TO this old Rajah of Bundel-
cund. Three months after she was a
widow. Knowing the fate that awaited
her, she fled, was retaken Immediately,
and the relatives of the Raiah, who had
an interest in her death, devoted her to
this sacrifice from which it seemed that
she could not escape.
This narrative could only strengthen
Mr. Fogg and his companions in their
generous resolution. 1t was decided
that the guide should turn the elephant
toward the pagoda of Pilliji, which he
should approach as near as possible.
A half hour afterward a halt was
made under thick clump of trees, five
hundred PAGES from the pagoda, which
they could not see, but they heard dis
tinctly the ceilings of the fanatics.
The means of reaching the victim
were then discussed. The guide was
acquainted with the pagoda, in which
he asserted that the young woman was
imprisoned. Could they enter by one
of the doors, when the whole band
was plunged in the sleep of drunken
ness, OF would they have to make
hole through the wall? This could be
decided only at the moment and the
place. But there could be no doubt
that the abduction must be accom-
plished This very night, and not when.
daylight arrived, the victim would be
led to the sacrifice. Then no human
intervention could save her.
Mr.. Fogg and his companions waited
for night As soon as the shadows fell,
toward six o'clock in the evening, they
determined to make a reconnaissance
around the pagoda. The last cries of
the fakirs had died out According to
their customs, these Indians were
plunged in the heavy intoXication of
''hang," liquid opium mixed with an
infusion of hemp, and it would erhaps
be possible to slip in between them to
the temple
The Parsee guiding, Mr. Fogg, Sir
| Francis Cromarty, and Fassepartout
advanced noiselessly through the for
est. After ten minutes creeping under
the branches, they arrived on the edge
of small river, and there by the hight
of iron torches at the end of which was
burning pitch, they saw pile of wood.
1t was the funeral pile, made of costly
sandal wood. and already saturated
with perfumed OIL On its upper part
the embalmed body OF the Rajah was
resting. which was TO be burned at the
same tune as his widow At one hun
dred PAGES from THIS pile rose the
pagoda, whose minarets in the dark
ness pierced the tops of the trees.
Gomez said the guide, in a low voice.
Soon the guide stopped at the end of
a clearing, lit up by few torches. The
ground was covered with groups of
sleepers, heavy with drunkenness.
In the background, among the trees.
the temple of Pillaji stood out indis-
tinctly. But to the great disappoint-
ment of the guide, the guards of the
Rajshs. lighted by smoky torches. were
Watching at the doors, and pacing up
and down with drawn sabers. Phileas
Fogg and Sir Francis Cromarty under
stood as well rs himself that they could
attempt nothing on this side. They
stopped and talked in low tone.
''Let us wait" said the Brigadiel-
General, :" it is not eight o'clock yet,
and it is possible that these guards may
'uccumb to sleep"
THAT is possible, indeed" replied
che Parsee.
Phileas Fogg and his companions
stretched themselves out at the foot OF
tree and waited.
They waited thus until midnight.
The situation did not change. The
same watching outside. 1t was evident
that they could not count on the drow-
siness of the guards.
After a final conversation, the guide
said he was ready to start. Mr.. Fogg,
Sir Francis and Passepartout followed
him. They made pretty long detour,
so as to reach the pagoda by the rear.
About half hour past midnight they
arrived at the foot of the walls, without
having met any one. No watch had
been established on this side, but win
dows and doors were entirely wanting.
But it was not sufficient to reach the
foot of the walls, it was necessary to
make an opening there. For this oper-
alton Phileas Fogg and his companions
had nothing at all but their pocket
knives. Fortunately, the temple walls
were composed of mixture OF bricks
and wood, which could not be difficult
to make a hole through. The first brick
once taken out, the others would easily
follow.
They went at it, making as little noise
as possible. The Parsee, from one side.
and Passepartout, from the other.
worked to rnfasten the bricks, so as to
get an opening two feet wide,
The work was progressing, but-un-
fortunate mischance-sOme guards
showed themselves at the rear of the
pagoda, and established themselves
there so as to hinder an approach.
It.would be difficult to describe the
disappointment of these. four men.
stopped in their work.
What can we do but leaveP" asked
the General in low voice.
I'VE can only leave,p replied the
guide.
Wait" said Fogg. g 1t will do if |
reach Allahabad tomorrow before
Aoon.'
But what hope have youP" replied
Sir Francis Cromarty. twill soon be
daylight, and"
1.-The chance which escapes us now
may return at the last moment
The General would have liked to read
Phileas Fogg's eyes.
What was this cold-blooded English
man counting on? Would he, at the
moment of the sacrifice rush towards