In the lingering darkness of the dawn, Passepartout had climbed up the funeral pyre from the back, where he couldn't be seen.
Then, profiting from the billows of smoke, he had braved the flames and saved the woman from death!
Without losing a moment, the four men disappeared into the jungle with Aouda.
They returned to the elephant and, thanks to their skillful guide, escaped quickly.
For the first hour, Passepartout laughed happily at his success.
Sir Francis shook his hand heartily. Fogg said simply, "Well done!" which, from him, was high praise, indeed.
Wrapped in a traveling blanket, Aouda rested on Kiouni's back until they reached the train station at Allahabad.
It was ten o'clock, and the journey to Calcutta would take 24 hours.
They would have just enough time to catch the steamer for Hong Kong on October 25 at noon.
Passepartout was sent to purchase some necessities for Aouda, including a dress and a shawl.
While he was away, Mr. Fogg and Sir Francis helped Aouda to a waiting room in the station.
They watched her anxiously, waiting for her to revive from her long slumber.
She had delicate cheeks, long silken lashes, fine white teeth, and smiling lips.
The men could not help but notice how charming she was.
Passepartout returned a little before the train was about to leave.
Outside the station Mr. Fogg was paying the guide, who stood with Kiouni.
"You have been a great help," he was saying.
"I have paid you for your service but not for your devotion.
Would you like to have this elephant? He is yours."
The guide's eyes glistened. "You are giving me a fortune!" he cried.
Mr. Fogg and his friends then boarded the train.
Kiouni trumpeted good-bye, and the guide waved as the train left the station.
Phileas Fogg, Sir Francis Cromarty, Passepartout, and Aouda were soon seated in their car, traveling at full speed.
It took two hours to reach the train's first stop at Benares, and during the journey, Aouda fully recovered from her drowsiness.
She was astonished to find herself in a car on a train, dressed in European clothing, and surrounded by strangers.
Her companions immediately told her what had transpired.
With tears in her eyes, she thanked her saviors repeatedly.
She knew, however, that her husband's family would not stop searching for her.
Danger would follow her as long as she remained in India.
When she explained that she had a merchant relative in Hong Kong, Mr. Fogg offered to escort her there safely.
At half-past 12, the train arrived in Benares. This was Sir Francis' destination.
He wished them all success on their journey and said good-bye.
From Benares the train passed through the valley of the Ganges River.
The travelers could see mountains; fields of barley, wheat, and corn; and jungles with green alligators.
They passed villages at the edges of thick forests and elephants bathing in sacred rivers.
Night fell and the train continued at full speed.
In the dark the passengers heard the roars of tigers, bears, and wolves, which fled at the sound of the locomotive.
The train reached Calcutta at seven in the morning on October 25.
According to Mr. Fogg's journal, that was the exact date scheduled for his arrival.
He was neither behind nor ahead of time.
The two days he had gained between London and Bombay had been lost in the journey across India.
But Phileas Fogg did not regret the loss in the least!
The train entered the station, and Passepartout jumped out first.
Mr. Fogg followed and held out his arm to help his fair companion down from the train.
Mr. Fogg intended to proceed at once to the Hong Kong steamer so that Aouda could get comfortably settled for the voyage.
He was unwilling to leave her side while she remained on dangerous ground.
Just as they were leaving the station, a policeman approached Mr. Fogg and said, "Mr. Phileas Fogg?"
"I am he," replied Fogg.
"Is this your servant?" asked the policeman, pointing to Passepartout.
"Yes," said Mr. Fogg.
"Both of you, be good enough to follow me," commanded the policeman.
Mr. Fogg betrayed no surprise or alarm.
Passepartout tried to explain that they had no minutes to spare,
but the policeman tapped him with his stick, and Mr. Fogg gave Passepartout a signal to obey.
"May this young lady come with us?" asked Mr. Fogg.
"She may," replied the policeman.
Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout were conducted to a four-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses.
They took their seats next to the policeman and were soon on their way.
During the twenty-minutes that elapsed between leaving the train station and arriving at the courthouse, no one spoke.
As our train traveled to Calcutta, we saw the famous Ganges River. I must say, it was beautiful.
The river runs a little more than 1,500 miles, from the Himalayas all the way to the Bay of Bengal,
through some of the most fertile and populated land in the world.
According to Hinduism, the Ganges River is the holiest of rivers.
Its water is considered holy, and Hindus believe that bathing in it will wash away sin.
As a result many Indians travel great distances every year to drink and bathe in the river's holy water.
It is also believed that spreading one's ashes in the river after death leads to quicker salvation.