Part 23 (2/2)
Men were going about carrying large posters, and flags and strea in the wind; while loud cries were heard on every hand
”Hurrah for Camerfield!”
”Hurrah for Mandiboy!”
It was a political , ”Perhaps we had better not er in it”
”Yes,” returned Mr Fogg; ”and blows, even if they are political are still blows”
Fix smiled at this re jostled about, the party took up a position on the top of a flight of steps situated at the upper end of Montgomery Street
Opposite them, on the other side of the street, between a coal wharf and a petroleue platform had been erected in the open air, towards which the current of the crowd see? What was the occasion of this excited asseine Was it to noress? It was not iitated was the multitude before them
Just at this moment there was an unusual stir in the huhtly closed, seeetic way, no doubt, of casting a vote The croayed back, the banners and flags wavered, disappeared an instant, then reappeared in tatters The undulations of the hue reached the steps, while all the heads floundered on the surface like a sea agitated by a squall Many of the black hats disappeared, and the greater part of the crowd seeht
”It is evidently aone I should not wonder if it were about the Alabama, despite the fact that that question is settled”
”Perhaps,” replied Mr Fogg, simply
”At least, there are two champions in presence of each other, the Honourable Mr Camerfield and the Honourable Mr Mandiboy”
Aouda, leaning upon Mr Fogg's arm, observed the tumultuous scene with surprise, while Fix asked a man near him what the cause of it all was
Before the itation arose; hurrahs and excited shouts were heard; the staffs of the banners began to be used as offensive weapons; and fists flew about in every direction Thues and omnibuses which had been blocked up in the crowd Boots and shoes hirling through the air, and Mr Fogg thought he even heard the crack of revolversin the din, the rout approached the stairway, and flowed over the lower step One of the parties had evidently been repulsed; but the mere lookers-on could not tell whether Mandiboy or Caained the upper hand
”It would be prudent for us to retire,” said Fix, as anxious that Mr Fogg should not receive any injury, at least until they got back to London ”If there is any question about England in all this, and ere recognised, I fear it would go hard with us”
”An English subject--” began Mr Fogg
He did not finish his sentence; for a terrific hubbub now arose on the terrace behind the flight of steps where they stood, and there were frantic shouts of, ”Hurrah for Mandiboy! Hip, hip, hurrah!”
It was a band of voters co the Ca, Aouda, and Fix found themselves between two fires; it was too late to escape The torrent of men, armed with loaded canes and sticks, was irresistible Phileas Fogg and Fix were roughly hustled in their attempts to protect their fair companion; the former, as cool as ever, tried to defend himself with the weapons which nature has placed at the end of every English brawny felloith a red beard, flushed face, and broad shoulders, who seemed to be the chief of the band, raised his clenched fist to strike Mr Fogg, who blow, had not Fix rushed in and received it in his stead An enormous bruise immediately made its appearance under the detective's silk hat, which was co, darting a contelishain!”
”When you please”
”What is your na And yours?”
”Colonel Stamp Proctor”
The huot upon his feet again, though with tattered clothes Happily, he was not seriously hurt His travelling overcoat was divided into two unequal parts, and his trousers resembled those of certain Indians, which fit less compactly than they are easy to put on Aouda had escaped unharmed, and Fix alone bore marks of the fray in his black and blue bruise