Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/305

 The detective smiled and did not answer him. But it is seen that Mr. Fogg was one of those Englishmen, who, while they do not tolerate dueling at home, will fight abroad, when it is necessary to maintain their honor.

At a quarter before six the travelers reached the station and found the train ready to start. At the moment that Mr. Fogg was going to get into the cars, he called a porter and asked him, "Was there not some disturbance in San Francisco to-day?"

"It was a political meeting, sir," replied the porter.

"But I thought I noticed some excitement in the streets."

"It was simply a meeting for an election."

"The election of a general-in-chief, doubtless?" asked Mr. Fogg.

"No, sir, of a justice of the peace."

Upon this reply, Phileas Fogg jumped aboard the car, and the train started at full speed.

Ocean to Ocean"—so say the Americans, and these four words ought to be the general name of the "grand trunk," which traverses the United States in their greatest breadth. But, in reality, the Pacific Railroad is divided into two distinct parts; the Central Pacific from San Francisco to Ogden, and the Union Pacific from Ogden to Omaha. At that point five distinct lines meet, which place Omaha in frequent communication with New York.

New York and San Francisco are therefore now united by an uninterrupted metal ribbon, measuring not less than three thousand seven hundred and eighty-six miles. Between Omaha and the Pacific, the railroad traverses a country still frequented by the Indians and wild animals—a vast extent of territory which the Mormons commenced to colonize about 1845, after they were driven out of Illinois.

Formerly, under the most favorable circumstances, it took six months to go from New York to San Francisco. Now it is done in seven days. It was in 1862, notwithstanding the opposition of the Southern Congressmen, who wished a