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 perceived Fix with Mr. Fogg he frowned, but when Mrs. Aouda had told him all that had passed his brow cleared. Fix evidently was no longer an enemy; he was an ally, and was adhering to his agreement. After dinner they took a carriage and drove to the railway-station. As Mr. Fogg was getting into the cab he said to Fix, "Have you seen that Colonel Proctor since?" "No," replied Fix. "I will make a point of coming back to America to find him out," replied Fogg coolly. "It would never do for an Englishman to allow himself to be treated as he treated us." The detective smiled, but made no reply. It was evident, however, that Mr. Fogg was of that race of Britons who, though they do not permit duelling at home, fight in foreign countries when their honour is in any way attacked. At a quarter to six the travellers reached the railway-station, and found the train ready. Mr. Fogg called a porter and asked him the reason of the excitement that afternoon. "It was a meeting, sir," replied the porter. "I thought there was some great commotion in the streets." "It was merely an election meeting." "For a commander-in-chief, no doubt?" suggested Mr. Fogg. "Oh dear no," replied the man. "It was for a justice of the peace." On this reply Phileas Fogg entered the train, which started almost immediately. CHAPTER XXVI. Showing how Mr. Fogg and Party journeyed in the Pacific Express.