Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
within itself. `
` `
` To the elegance of a nervous and slight form had succeeded `
` the solidity of a rounded and muscular figure. As to his `
` voice, prayers, sobs, and imprecations had changed it so `
` that at times it was of a singularly penetrating sweetness, `
` and at others rough and almost hoarse. Moreover, from being `
` so long in twilight or darkness, his eyes had acquired the `
` faculty of distinguishing objects in the night, common to `
` the hyena and the wolf. Edmond smiled when he beheld `
` himself: it was impossible that his best friend -- if, `
` indeed, he had any friend left -- could recognize him; he `
` could not recognize himself. `
` `
` The master of The Young Amelia, who was very desirous of `
` retaining amongst his crew a man of Edmond's value, had `
` offered to advance him funds out of his future profits, `
` which Edmond had accepted. His next care on leaving the `
` barber's who had achieved his first metamorphosis was to `
` enter a shop and buy a complete sailor's suit -- a garb, as `
` we all know, very simple, and consisting of white trousers, `
` a striped shirt, and a cap. It was in this costume, and `
` bringing back to Jacopo the shirt and trousers he had lent `
` him, that Edmond reappeared before the captain of the `
` lugger, who had made him tell his story over and over again `
` before he could believe him, or recognize in the neat and `
` trim sailor the man with thick and matted beard, hair `
` tangled with seaweed, and body soaking in seabrine, whom he `
` had picked up naked and nearly drowned. Attracted by his `
` prepossessing appearance, he renewed his offers of an `
` engagement to Dantes; but Dantes, who had his own projects, `
` would not agree for a longer time than three months. `
` `
` The Young Amelia had a very active crew, very obedient to `
` their captain, who lost as little time as possible. He had `
` scarcely been a week at Leghorn before the hold of his `
` vessel was filled with printed muslins, contraband cottons, `
` English powder, and tobacco on which the excise had `
` forgotten to put its mark. The master was to get all this `
` out of Leghorn free of duties, and land it on the shores of `
` Corsica, where certain speculators undertook to forward the `
` cargo to France. They sailed; Edmond was again cleaving the `
` azure sea which had been the first horizon of his youth, and `
` which he had so often dreamed of in prison. He left Gorgone `
` on his right and La Pianosa on his left, and went towards `
` the country of Paoli and Napoleon. The next morning going on `
` deck, as he always did at an early hour, the patron found `
` Dantes leaning against the bulwarks gazing with intense `
` earnestness at a pile of granite rocks, which the rising sun `
` tinged with rosy light. It was the Island of Monte Cristo. `
` The Young Amelia left it three-quarters of a league to the `
` larboard, and kept on for Corsica. `
` `
` Dantes thought, as they passed so closely to the island `
` whose name was so interesting to him, that he had only to `
` leap into the sea and in half an hour be at the promised `
` land. But then what could he do without instruments to `
` discover his treasure, without arms to defend himself? `
` Besides, what would the sailors say? What would the patron `
` think? He must wait. `
` `
` Fortunately, Dantes had learned how to wait; he had waited `
` fourteen years for his liberty, and now he was free he could `
` wait at least six months or a year for wealth. Would he not `
` have accepted liberty without riches if it had been offered `
` to him? Besides, were not those riches chimerical? -- `
` offspring of the brain of the poor Abbe Faria, had they not `
` died with him? It is true, the letter of the Cardinal Spada `
` was singularly circumstantial, and Dantes repeated it to `
` himself, from one end to the other, for he had not forgotten `
` a word. `
` `
` Evening came, and Edmond saw the island tinged with the `
` shades of twilight, and then disappear in the darkness from `
` all eyes but his own, for he, with vision accustomed to the `
` gloom of a prison, continued to behold it last of all, for `
` he remained alone upon deck. The next morn broke off the `
` coast of Aleria; all day they coasted, and in the evening `
` saw fires lighted on land; the position of these was no `
` doubt a signal for landing, for a ship's lantern was hung up `
` at the mast-head instead of the streamer, and they came to `
` within a gunshot of the shore. Dantes noticed that the `
` captain of The Young Amelia had, as he neared the land, `
` mounted two small culverins, which, without making much `
` noise, can throw a four ounce ball a thousand paces or so. `
` `
` But on this occasion the precaution was superfluous, and `
` everything proceeded with the utmost smoothness and `
` politeness. Four shallops came off with very little noise `
` alongside the lugger, which, no doubt, in acknowledgement of `
` the compliment, lowered her own shallop into the sea, and `
` the five boats worked so well that by two o'clock in the `
` morning all the cargo was out of The Young Amelia and on `
` terra firma. The same night, such a man of regularity was `
` the patron of The Young Amelia, the profits were divided, `
` and each man had a hundred Tuscan livres, or about eighty `
` francs. But the voyage was not ended. They turned the `
` bowsprit towards Sardinia, where they intended to take in a `
` cargo, which was to replace what had been discharged. The `
` second operation was as successful as the first, The Young `
` Amelia was in luck. This new cargo was destined for the `
` coast of the Duchy of Lucca, and consisted almost entirely `
` of Havana cigars, sherry, and Malaga wines. `
` `
` There they had a bit of a skirmish in getting rid of the `
` duties; the excise was, in truth, the everlasting enemy of `
` the patron of The Young Amelia. A customs officer was laid `
` low, and two sailors wounded; Dantes was one of the latter, `
` a ball having touched him in the left shoulder. Dantes was `
` almost glad of this affray, and almost pleased at being `
` wounded, for they were rude lessons which taught him with `
` what eye he could view danger, and with what endurance he `
` could bear suffering. He had contemplated danger with a `
` smile, and when wounded had exclaimed with the great `
` philosopher, "Pain, thou art not an evil." He had, moreover, `
` looked upon the customs officer wounded to death, and, `
` whether from heat of blood produced by the encounter, or the `
` chill of human sentiment, this sight had made but slight `
` impression upon him. Dantes was on the way he desired to `
` follow, and was moving towards the end he wished to achieve; `
` his heart was in a fair way of petrifying in his bosom. `
` Jacopo, seeing him fall, had believed him killed, and `
` rushing towards him raised him up, and then attended to him `
` with all the kindness of a devoted comrade. `
` `
` This world was not then so good as Doctor Pangloss believed `
` it, neither was it so wicked as Dantes thought it, since `
` this man, who had nothing to expect from his comrade but the `
` inheritance of his share of the prize-money, manifested so `
` much sorrow when he saw him fall. Fortunately, as we have `
` said, Edmond was only wounded, and with certain herbs `
` gathered at certain seasons, and sold to the smugglers by `
` the old Sardinian women, the wound soon closed. Edmond then `
` resolved to try Jacopo, and offered him in return for his `
` attention a share of his prize-money, but Jacopo refused it `
` indignantly. `
` `
` As a result of the sympathetic devotion which Jacopo had `
` from the first bestowed on Edmond, the latter was moved to a `
` certain degree of affection. But this sufficed for Jacopo, `
` who instinctively felt that Edmond had a right to `
` superiority of position -- a superiority which Edmond had `
` concealed from all others. And from this time the kindness `
` which Edmond showed him was enough for the brave seaman. `
` `
` Then in the long days on board ship, when the vessel, `
` gliding on with security over the azure sea, required no `
` care but the hand of the helmsman, thanks to the favorable `
` winds that swelled her sails, Edmond, with a chart in his `
` hand, became the instructor of Jacopo, as the poor Abbe `
` Faria had been his tutor. He pointed out to him the bearings `
` of the coast, explained to him the variations of the `
` compass, and taught him to read in that vast book opened `
` over our heads which they call heaven, and where God writes `
` in azure with letters of diamonds. And when Jacopo inquired `
` of him, "What is the use of teaching all these things to a `
` poor sailor like me?" Edmond replied, "Who knows? You may `
` one day be the captain of a vessel. Your fellow-countryman, `
` Bonaparte, became emperor." We had forgotten to say that `
` Jacopo was a Corsican. `
` `
` Two months and a half elapsed in these trips, and Edmond had `
` become as skilful a coaster as he had been a hardy seaman; `
` he had formed an acquaintance with all the smugglers on the `
` coast, and learned all the Masonic signs by which these half `
` pirates recognize each other. He had passed and re-passed `
` his Island of Monte Cristo twenty times, but not once had he `
` found an opportunity of landing there. He then formed a `
` resolution. As soon as his engagement with the patron of The `
` Young Amelia ended, he would hire a small vessel on his own `
` account -- for in his several voyages he had amassed a `
` hundred piastres -- and under some pretext land at the `
` Island of Monte Cristo. Then he would be free to make his `
` researches, not perhaps entirely at liberty, for he would be `
` doubtless watched by those who accompanied him. But in this `
` world we must risk something. Prison had made Edmond `
` prudent, and he was desirous of running no risk whatever. `
` But in vain did he rack his imagination; fertile as it was, `
` he could not devise any plan for reaching the island without `
` companionship. `
` `
` Dantes was tossed about on these doubts and wishes, when the `
` patron, who had great confidence in him, and was very `
` desirous of retaining him in his service, took him by the `
` arm one evening and led him to a tavern on the Via del' `
` Oglio, where the leading smugglers of Leghorn used to `
` congregate and discuss affairs connected with their trade. `
` Already Dantes had visited this maritime Bourse two or three `
` times, and seeing all these hardy free-traders, who supplied `
` the whole coast for nearly two hundred leagues in extent, he `
` had asked himself what power might not that man attain who `
` should give the impulse of his will to all these contrary `
` and diverging minds. This time it was a great matter that `
` was under discussion, connected with a vessel laden with `
` Turkey carpets, stuffs of the Levant, and cashmeres. It was `
` necessary to find some neutral ground on which an exchange `
` could be made, and then to try and land these goods on the `
` coast of France. If the venture was successful the profit `
` would be enormous, there would be a gain of fifty or sixty `
` piastres each for the crew. `
` `
`
` `
` To the elegance of a nervous and slight form had succeeded `
` the solidity of a rounded and muscular figure. As to his `
` voice, prayers, sobs, and imprecations had changed it so `
` that at times it was of a singularly penetrating sweetness, `
` and at others rough and almost hoarse. Moreover, from being `
` so long in twilight or darkness, his eyes had acquired the `
` faculty of distinguishing objects in the night, common to `
` the hyena and the wolf. Edmond smiled when he beheld `
` himself: it was impossible that his best friend -- if, `
` indeed, he had any friend left -- could recognize him; he `
` could not recognize himself. `
` `
` The master of The Young Amelia, who was very desirous of `
` retaining amongst his crew a man of Edmond's value, had `
` offered to advance him funds out of his future profits, `
` which Edmond had accepted. His next care on leaving the `
` barber's who had achieved his first metamorphosis was to `
` enter a shop and buy a complete sailor's suit -- a garb, as `
` we all know, very simple, and consisting of white trousers, `
` a striped shirt, and a cap. It was in this costume, and `
` bringing back to Jacopo the shirt and trousers he had lent `
` him, that Edmond reappeared before the captain of the `
` lugger, who had made him tell his story over and over again `
` before he could believe him, or recognize in the neat and `
` trim sailor the man with thick and matted beard, hair `
` tangled with seaweed, and body soaking in seabrine, whom he `
` had picked up naked and nearly drowned. Attracted by his `
` prepossessing appearance, he renewed his offers of an `
` engagement to Dantes; but Dantes, who had his own projects, `
` would not agree for a longer time than three months. `
` `
` The Young Amelia had a very active crew, very obedient to `
` their captain, who lost as little time as possible. He had `
` scarcely been a week at Leghorn before the hold of his `
` vessel was filled with printed muslins, contraband cottons, `
` English powder, and tobacco on which the excise had `
` forgotten to put its mark. The master was to get all this `
` out of Leghorn free of duties, and land it on the shores of `
` Corsica, where certain speculators undertook to forward the `
` cargo to France. They sailed; Edmond was again cleaving the `
` azure sea which had been the first horizon of his youth, and `
` which he had so often dreamed of in prison. He left Gorgone `
` on his right and La Pianosa on his left, and went towards `
` the country of Paoli and Napoleon. The next morning going on `
` deck, as he always did at an early hour, the patron found `
` Dantes leaning against the bulwarks gazing with intense `
` earnestness at a pile of granite rocks, which the rising sun `
` tinged with rosy light. It was the Island of Monte Cristo. `
` The Young Amelia left it three-quarters of a league to the `
` larboard, and kept on for Corsica. `
` `
` Dantes thought, as they passed so closely to the island `
` whose name was so interesting to him, that he had only to `
` leap into the sea and in half an hour be at the promised `
` land. But then what could he do without instruments to `
` discover his treasure, without arms to defend himself? `
` Besides, what would the sailors say? What would the patron `
` think? He must wait. `
` `
` Fortunately, Dantes had learned how to wait; he had waited `
` fourteen years for his liberty, and now he was free he could `
` wait at least six months or a year for wealth. Would he not `
` have accepted liberty without riches if it had been offered `
` to him? Besides, were not those riches chimerical? -- `
` offspring of the brain of the poor Abbe Faria, had they not `
` died with him? It is true, the letter of the Cardinal Spada `
` was singularly circumstantial, and Dantes repeated it to `
` himself, from one end to the other, for he had not forgotten `
` a word. `
` `
` Evening came, and Edmond saw the island tinged with the `
` shades of twilight, and then disappear in the darkness from `
` all eyes but his own, for he, with vision accustomed to the `
` gloom of a prison, continued to behold it last of all, for `
` he remained alone upon deck. The next morn broke off the `
` coast of Aleria; all day they coasted, and in the evening `
` saw fires lighted on land; the position of these was no `
` doubt a signal for landing, for a ship's lantern was hung up `
` at the mast-head instead of the streamer, and they came to `
` within a gunshot of the shore. Dantes noticed that the `
` captain of The Young Amelia had, as he neared the land, `
` mounted two small culverins, which, without making much `
` noise, can throw a four ounce ball a thousand paces or so. `
` `
` But on this occasion the precaution was superfluous, and `
` everything proceeded with the utmost smoothness and `
` politeness. Four shallops came off with very little noise `
` alongside the lugger, which, no doubt, in acknowledgement of `
` the compliment, lowered her own shallop into the sea, and `
` the five boats worked so well that by two o'clock in the `
` morning all the cargo was out of The Young Amelia and on `
` terra firma. The same night, such a man of regularity was `
` the patron of The Young Amelia, the profits were divided, `
` and each man had a hundred Tuscan livres, or about eighty `
` francs. But the voyage was not ended. They turned the `
` bowsprit towards Sardinia, where they intended to take in a `
` cargo, which was to replace what had been discharged. The `
` second operation was as successful as the first, The Young `
` Amelia was in luck. This new cargo was destined for the `
` coast of the Duchy of Lucca, and consisted almost entirely `
` of Havana cigars, sherry, and Malaga wines. `
` `
` There they had a bit of a skirmish in getting rid of the `
` duties; the excise was, in truth, the everlasting enemy of `
` the patron of The Young Amelia. A customs officer was laid `
` low, and two sailors wounded; Dantes was one of the latter, `
` a ball having touched him in the left shoulder. Dantes was `
` almost glad of this affray, and almost pleased at being `
` wounded, for they were rude lessons which taught him with `
` what eye he could view danger, and with what endurance he `
` could bear suffering. He had contemplated danger with a `
` smile, and when wounded had exclaimed with the great `
` philosopher, "Pain, thou art not an evil." He had, moreover, `
` looked upon the customs officer wounded to death, and, `
` whether from heat of blood produced by the encounter, or the `
` chill of human sentiment, this sight had made but slight `
` impression upon him. Dantes was on the way he desired to `
` follow, and was moving towards the end he wished to achieve; `
` his heart was in a fair way of petrifying in his bosom. `
` Jacopo, seeing him fall, had believed him killed, and `
` rushing towards him raised him up, and then attended to him `
` with all the kindness of a devoted comrade. `
` `
` This world was not then so good as Doctor Pangloss believed `
` it, neither was it so wicked as Dantes thought it, since `
` this man, who had nothing to expect from his comrade but the `
` inheritance of his share of the prize-money, manifested so `
` much sorrow when he saw him fall. Fortunately, as we have `
` said, Edmond was only wounded, and with certain herbs `
` gathered at certain seasons, and sold to the smugglers by `
` the old Sardinian women, the wound soon closed. Edmond then `
` resolved to try Jacopo, and offered him in return for his `
` attention a share of his prize-money, but Jacopo refused it `
` indignantly. `
` `
` As a result of the sympathetic devotion which Jacopo had `
` from the first bestowed on Edmond, the latter was moved to a `
` certain degree of affection. But this sufficed for Jacopo, `
` who instinctively felt that Edmond had a right to `
` superiority of position -- a superiority which Edmond had `
` concealed from all others. And from this time the kindness `
` which Edmond showed him was enough for the brave seaman. `
` `
` Then in the long days on board ship, when the vessel, `
` gliding on with security over the azure sea, required no `
` care but the hand of the helmsman, thanks to the favorable `
` winds that swelled her sails, Edmond, with a chart in his `
` hand, became the instructor of Jacopo, as the poor Abbe `
` Faria had been his tutor. He pointed out to him the bearings `
` of the coast, explained to him the variations of the `
` compass, and taught him to read in that vast book opened `
` over our heads which they call heaven, and where God writes `
` in azure with letters of diamonds. And when Jacopo inquired `
` of him, "What is the use of teaching all these things to a `
` poor sailor like me?" Edmond replied, "Who knows? You may `
` one day be the captain of a vessel. Your fellow-countryman, `
` Bonaparte, became emperor." We had forgotten to say that `
` Jacopo was a Corsican. `
` `
` Two months and a half elapsed in these trips, and Edmond had `
` become as skilful a coaster as he had been a hardy seaman; `
` he had formed an acquaintance with all the smugglers on the `
` coast, and learned all the Masonic signs by which these half `
` pirates recognize each other. He had passed and re-passed `
` his Island of Monte Cristo twenty times, but not once had he `
` found an opportunity of landing there. He then formed a `
` resolution. As soon as his engagement with the patron of The `
` Young Amelia ended, he would hire a small vessel on his own `
` account -- for in his several voyages he had amassed a `
` hundred piastres -- and under some pretext land at the `
` Island of Monte Cristo. Then he would be free to make his `
` researches, not perhaps entirely at liberty, for he would be `
` doubtless watched by those who accompanied him. But in this `
` world we must risk something. Prison had made Edmond `
` prudent, and he was desirous of running no risk whatever. `
` But in vain did he rack his imagination; fertile as it was, `
` he could not devise any plan for reaching the island without `
` companionship. `
` `
` Dantes was tossed about on these doubts and wishes, when the `
` patron, who had great confidence in him, and was very `
` desirous of retaining him in his service, took him by the `
` arm one evening and led him to a tavern on the Via del' `
` Oglio, where the leading smugglers of Leghorn used to `
` congregate and discuss affairs connected with their trade. `
` Already Dantes had visited this maritime Bourse two or three `
` times, and seeing all these hardy free-traders, who supplied `
` the whole coast for nearly two hundred leagues in extent, he `
` had asked himself what power might not that man attain who `
` should give the impulse of his will to all these contrary `
` and diverging minds. This time it was a great matter that `
` was under discussion, connected with a vessel laden with `
` Turkey carpets, stuffs of the Levant, and cashmeres. It was `
` necessary to find some neutral ground on which an exchange `
` could be made, and then to try and land these goods on the `
` coast of France. If the venture was successful the profit `
` would be enormous, there would be a gain of fifty or sixty `
` piastres each for the crew. `
` `
`