The snow had ceased falling, and the air became crisp and cold.

Large birds, frightened by the locomotive, rose and flew off in the distance.
No wild beast appeared on the plain.

It was a desert in its vast nakedness.
After a comfortable breakfast, served in the car, Mr.Fogg and his partners had just resumed whist, when a violent whistling was heard, and the train stopped.

Passepartout put his head out of the door, but saw nothing to cause the delay; no station was in view.
Aouda and Fix feared that Mr.Fogg might take it into his head to get out; but that gentleman contented himself with saying to his servant, "See what is the matter." Passepartout rushed out of the car.

Thirty or forty passengers had already descended, amongst them Colonel Stamp Proctor.
The train had stopped before a red signal which blocked the way.