disturbance when
the uproar increased to a terrific extent. The crowd became more
excited, blows were exchanged, boots and shoes were sent whirling
through the air, and the spectators thought they could hear the crack
of revolvers mingling with the cries of men. The combatants approached
the steps on which the party had taken refuge. One of the candidates
had evidently been repulsed, but whether Camerfield or Maudiboy had
got the best of it, mere spectators could not tell.

"I think we had better retire," said Fix; "if there is any discussion
about England, and we were recognised, we might receive some injury."

"An Englishman--" began Mr. Fogg.

But he never finished the sentence, for a tremendous uproar arose on
the terrace just behind them, and there were loud shouts for Maudiboy,
a party of whose adherents were taking their opponents in the flank.

Our travellers were now between two fires; it was too late to escape;
the torrent of men armed with life-preservers and sticks could not be
withstood. Phileas Fogg and Fix did all they could to protect their
fair companions with the weapons nature had provided, but
unsuccessfully. A great ruffian, with a red beard, who appeared to be
the chief of the band, was about to strike Mr. Fogg, and would
probably have done him serious injury if Fix had not stepped in and
received the blow in his stead, thereby getting his hat completely
smashed.

"You low Yankee!" exclaimed Mr. Fogg contemptuously.

"You English beast!" replied the other.

"We shall meet again."

"Whenever you please."

"What is your name?"

"Phileas Fogg; and yours?"

"Colonel Stamp Proctor."

And the tide of humanity swept past, overturning Fix, who, however,
speedily regained his feet, and though much dishevelled was not
seriously hurt. His overcoat was torn in two, and his trousers were
more like those worn by the Indians; but fortunately Aouda had
escaped, and Fix only showed any traces of the encounter.

"Thank you," said Mr. Fogg to the detective when they were out of the
crowd.

"Don't mention it," replied Fix; "let us go on."

"Where to?"

"To a tailor's."

In fact this course had become necessary, for the clothes of both men
were torn as badly as if they had taken an active part in the contest,
but in an hour they were newly clad and safely back at the hotel
again.

There they found Passe-partout waiting and armed with a dozen
six-barrelled central-fire revolvers. When he percei