man who had devoted himself to save them.

CHAPTER XXX.

In which Phileas Fogg simply does his Duty.

Three of the travellers, including Passe-partout, had disappeared, but
it was impossible to say whether they had been killed or taken
prisoners.

Several were wounded, but none mortally. Colonel Proctor was one of
the most severely hurt; he had fought bravely, and was carried with
the other wounded into the station, where he was attended to as well
as the circumstances admitted of.

Mrs. Aouda was safe, and Phileas Fogg, who had been in the midst of
the fight, had not received a scratch. Fix had a flesh-wound in the
arm, but Passe-partout was missing, and Aouda could not help weeping.
Meanwhile the travellers all got out of the train, the wheels of which
were covered with blood and jagged pieces of flesh. Red tracks were
visible on the whitened plain. The Indians were disappearing in the
south along the Republican River.

Mr. Fogg was standing motionless with folded arms, and Aouda looked at
him without speaking, but he understood her; he had to make up his
mind. If his servant were a prisoner, ought he not to rescue him from
the Indians?

"I will find him, living or dead," he said simply to Aouda.

"Oh Mr. Fogg!" exclaimed the young lady, seizing his hands, upon which
her tears fell fast.

"Living," added Mr. Fogg, "if we lose no time."

By this resolution Phileas Fogg sacrificed everything, he pronounced
his own ruin. A delay of even one day would lose the steamer at New
York and his wager. But he thought it was his duty, and did not
hesitate.

The commandant of Fort Kearney was present; his company were under
arms to repel any further attack.

"Sir," said Mr. Fogg to him, "three passengers are missing."

"Dead?" asked the captain.

"Dead or prisoners," replied Fogg; "I must find out which. Is it your
intention to pursue the Sioux?"

"That would be a very serious thing," replied the captain. "The
Indians may retreat beyond the Arkansas, and I cannot leave the fort
undefended."

"Sir," replied Fogg, "the lives of three men are in question."

"No doubt; but can I risk fifty to save three?"

"I do not know if you can, sir; but I know you ought."

"Sir," replied the captain, "no one here is fit to teach me my duty."

"Very well," said Fogg coldly, "I will go alone."

"You, sir!" exclaimed Fix, who now approached. "Do you mean to go
alone in pursuit of the Indians?"

"Do you wish m