But, farther on, the cuttings began again; and Jacques and Pecqueux, who had felt La Lison touch, stiffened themselves against the cold, erect at their posts, which even, were they dying, they could not desert. Once more the engine lost speed; it had got between two talus, and the stoppage came slowly and without a shock. It seemed as if glued there, exhausted; as though all its wheels were clogged, tighter and tighter. It ceased moving, the end had come; the snow held the engine powerless. "It's all up!" growled Jacques with an oath. He remained a few seconds longer at his post, his hand on the wheel, opening everything to see if the obstacle would yield. Then, hearing La Lison spitting and snorting in vain, he shut the regulator, and, in his fury, swore worse than ever. The headguard leant out from the door of his van, and Pecqueux, turning round, shouted to him: "It's all up! We're stuck!" Briskly the guard sprang into the snow, which reached to his knees. He approached, and the three men consulted together. "The only thing we can do is to try and dig it out," said the driver at last. "Fortunately, we have some shovels. Call the second guard at the end of the train, and between us four we shall be able to clear the wheels." They gave a sign to the other guard behind, who had also left his van. He made his way to them with great difficulty, getting at times half buried in the snow. But this stoppage in the open country, amid this pallid solitude, this clear sound of voices discussing what must be done, the guard floundering along beside the train with laborious strides had made the passengers uneasy. The windows went down; the people called out and questioned one another; a regular confusion ensued--vague, as yet, but becoming more pronounced. "Where are we? Why have they stopped? What is the matter? Good heavens! is there an accident?" The guard found it necessary to allay the alarm; and just as he advanced to the carriages, the English lady, whose fat red face was flanked by the charming countenances of her daughters, inquired with a strong accent: "Guard, is there any danger?" "No, no, madam," he replied. "It's only a little snow. We shall be going on at once." And the window went up again amid the bright twittering of the young girls--that music of English syllables which is so sparkling on rosy lips. Both were laughing, very much amused. But the elderly gentleman, who was farther on, also called the guard, while his young wife risked her pretty dark head behind him. "How was it that no precautions were taken? It is unbearable. I am returning from London. My business requires my presence in Paris this morning, and I warn you that I shall make the company responsible for any delay." "We shall be going on again in three minutes, sir," said the guard.