said he aloud to one of the passengers, “the engineer's plan seems to me a little dangerous, but — ”

“Eighty chances!” replied the passenger, turning his back on him.

“I know it,” said Passepartout, turning to another passenger, “but a simple idea — ”

“Ideas are no use,” returned the American, shrugging his shoulders, “as the engineer assures us that we can pass.”

“Doubtless,” urged Passepartout, “we can pass, but perhaps it would be more prudent — ”

“What!

Prudent!” cried Colonel Proctor, whom this word seemed to excite prodigiously.