he was speaking the train started.

"I am really extremely grieved, gentlemen," said the guard, "and under
any other circumstances I should have been able to have obliged you.
But though you cannot stop to fight, there is nothing to prevent your
doing so as you go along."

"Perhaps that would not suit that gentleman," said the Colonel in a
jeering tone.

"It will suit me quite well," replied Phileas Fogg.

"Well, we are actually in America, I see," thought Passe-partout; "and
the guard is a gentleman of the highest standing."

The two adversaries, their seconds, and the guard passed down to the
rear of the train. The last car had only about a dozen passengers in
it, and the conductor asked them if they would mind moving, as the two
gentlemen had a little affair of honour to settle.

The passengers were very glad to oblige the gentlemen, and they
retired accordingly.

The car, about fifty feet long, was very suitable for the purpose. The
combatants could advance towards one another between the seats, and
fire at their leisure. Never had there been a duel more easy to
arrange. Mr. Fogg and Colonel Proctor, each carrying a six-barrelled
revolver, entered the car. Their seconds, having locked them in,
withdrew to the platform. The duellists were to begin to fire at the
first whistle of the engine, then, after a lapse of two minutes, what
remained of the two gentlemen would be taken from the car.

Nothing could be easier. It was even so simple, that Fix and
Passe-partout could hear their hearts beating as they listened.

Everyone was on the _qui vive_ for the first whistle, when suddenly
savage cries resounded, accompanied by shots, which certainly did not
come from the duellists. On the contrary, the reports rose all along
the train; cries of terror were heard inside the cars.

Colonel Proctor and Mr. Fogg, revolvers in hand, were hastily
released, and rushed forward into the thick of the struggle, when they
perceived that the train had been attacked by a band of Sioux. This
was not the first time that this hardy tribe had attacked the train.
According to custom, they leaped on the footboards as the train
proceeded, as easy as a circus-rider would mount a horse at full
gallop. The Sioux were armed with guns, to which the passengers
replied with revolvers. The Indians had first mounted the engine, and
stunned the engine-driver and firemen with blows on the head. A chief
wished to stop the train, but not knowing h