Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
`
` The patron of The Young Amelia proposed as a place of `
` landing the Island of Monte Cristo, which being completely `
` deserted, and having neither soldiers nor revenue officers, `
` seemed to have been placed in the midst of the ocean since `
` the time of the heathen Olympus by Mercury, the god of `
` merchants and robbers, classes of mankind which we in modern `
` times have separated if not made distinct, but which `
` antiquity appears to have included in the same category. At `
` the mention of Monte Cristo Dantes started with joy; he rose `
` to conceal his emotion, and took a turn around the smoky `
` tavern, where all the languages of the known world were `
` jumbled in a lingua franca. When he again joined the two `
` persons who had been discussing the matter, it had been `
` decided that they should touch at Monte Cristo and set out `
` on the following night. Edmond, being consulted, was of `
` opinion that the island afforded every possible security, `
` and that great enterprises to be well done should be done `
` quickly. Nothing then was altered in the plan, and orders `
` were given to get under weigh next night, and, wind and `
` weather permitting, to make the neutral island by the `
` following day. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 23 `
` The Island of Monte Cristo. `
` `
` Thus, at length, by one of the unexpected strokes of fortune `
` which sometimes befall those who have for a long time been `
` the victims of an evil destiny, Dantes was about to secure `
` the opportunity he wished for, by simple and natural means, `
` and land on the island without incurring any suspicion. One `
` night more and he would be on his way. `
` `
` The night was one of feverish distraction, and in its `
` progress visions good and evil passed through Dantes' mind. `
` If he closed his eyes, he saw Cardinal Spada's letter `
` written on the wall in characters of flame -- if he slept `
` for a moment the wildest dreams haunted his brain. He `
` ascended into grottos paved with emeralds, with panels of `
` rubies, and the roof glowing with diamond stalactites. `
` Pearls fell drop by drop, as subterranean waters filter in `
` their caves. Edmond, amazed, wonderstruck, filled his `
` pockets with the radiant gems and then returned to daylight, `
` when be discovered that his prizes had all changed into `
` common pebbles. He then endeavored to re-enter the `
` marvellous grottos, but they had suddenly receded, and now `
` the path became a labyrinth, and then the entrance vanished, `
` and in vain did he tax his memory for the magic and `
` mysterious word which opened the splendid caverns of Ali `
` Baba to the Arabian fisherman. All was useless, the treasure `
` disappeared, and had again reverted to the genii from whom `
` for a moment he had hoped to carry it off. The day came at `
` length, and was almost as feverish as the night had been, `
` but it brought reason to the aid of imagination, and Dantes `
` was then enabled to arrange a plan which had hitherto been `
` vague and unsettled in his brain. Night came, and with it `
` the preparation for departure, and these preparations served `
` to conceal Dantes' agitation. He had by degrees assumed such `
` authority over his companions that he was almost like a `
` commander on board; and as his orders were always clear, `
` distinct, and easy of execution, his comrades obeyed him `
` with celerity and pleasure. `
` `
` The old patron did not interfere, for he too had recognized `
` the superiority of Dantes over the crew and himself. He saw `
` in the young man his natural successor, and regretted that `
` he had not a daughter, that he might have bound Edmond to `
` him by a more secure alliance. At seven o'clock in the `
` evening all was ready, and at ten minutes past seven they `
` doubled the lighthouse just as the beacon was kindled. The `
` sea was calm, and, with a fresh breeze from the south-east, `
` they sailed beneath a bright blue sky, in which God also `
` lighted up in turn his beacon lights, each of which is a `
` world. Dantes told them that all hands might turn in, and he `
` would take the helm. When the Maltese (for so they called `
` Dantes) had said this, it was sufficient, and all went to `
` their bunks contentedly. This frequently happened. Dantes, `
` cast from solitude into the world, frequently experienced an `
` imperious desire for solitude; and what solitude is more `
` complete, or more poetical, than that of a ship floating in `
` isolation on the sea during the obscurity of the night, in `
` the silence of immensity, and under the eye of heaven? `
` `
` Now this solitude was peopled with his thoughts, the night `
` lighted up by his illusions, and the silence animated by his `
` anticipations. When the patron awoke, the vessel was `
` hurrying on with every sail set, and every sail full with `
` the breeze. They were making nearly ten knots an hour. The `
` Island of Monte Cristo loomed large in the horizon. Edmond `
` resigned the lugger to the master's care, and went and lay `
` down in his hammock; but, in spite of a sleepless night, he `
` could not close his eyes for a moment. Two hours afterwards `
` he came on deck, as the boat was about to double the Island `
` of Elba. They were just abreast of Mareciana, and beyond the `
` flat but verdant Island of La Pianosa. The peak of Monte `
` Cristo reddened by the burning sun, was seen against the `
` azure sky. Dantes ordered the helmsman to put down his helm, `
` in order to leave La Pianosa to starboard, as he knew that `
` he should shorten his course by two or three knots. About `
` five o'clock in the evening the island was distinct, and `
` everything on it was plainly perceptible, owing to that `
` clearness of the atmosphere peculiar to the light which the `
` rays of the sun cast at its setting. `
` `
` Edmond gazed very earnestly at the mass of rocks which gave `
` out all the variety of twilight colors, from the brightest `
` pink to the deepest blue; and from time to time his cheeks `
` flushed, his brow darkened, and a mist passed over his eyes. `
` Never did gamester, whose whole fortune is staked on one `
` cast of the die, experience the anguish which Edmond felt in `
` his paroxysms of hope. Night came, and at ten o'clock they `
` anchored. The Young Amelia was first at the rendezvous. In `
` spite of his usual command over himself, Dantes could not `
` restrain his impetuosity. He was the first to jump on shore; `
` and had he dared, he would, like Lucius Brutus, have "kissed `
` his mother earth." It was dark, but at eleven o'clock the `
` moon rose in the midst of the ocean, whose every wave she `
` silvered, and then, "ascending high," played in floods of `
` pale light on the rocky hills of this second Pelion. `
` `
` The island was familiar to the crew of The Young Amelia, -- `
` it was one of her regular haunts. As to Dantes, he had `
` passed it on his voyage to and from the Levant, but never `
` touched at it. He questioned Jacopo. "Where shall we pass `
` the night?" he inquired. `
` `
` "Why, on board the tartan," replied the sailor. `
` `
` "Should we not do better in the grottos?" `
` `
` "What grottos?" `
` `
` "Why, the grottos -- caves of the island." `
` `
` "I do not know of any grottos," replied Jacopo. The cold `
` sweat sprang forth on Dantes' brow. `
` `
` "What, are there no grottos at Monte Cristo?" he asked. `
` `
` "None." `
` `
` For a moment Dantes was speechless; then he remembered that `
` these caves might have been filled up by some accident, or `
` even stopped up, for the sake of greater security, by `
` Cardinal Spada. The point was, then, to discover the hidden `
` entrance. It was useless to search at night, and Dantes `
` therefore delayed all investigation until the morning. `
` Besides, a signal made half a league out at sea, and to `
` which The Young Amelia replied by a similar signal, `
` indicated that the moment for business had come. The boat `
` that now arrived, assured by the answering signal that all `
` was well, soon came in sight, white and silent as a phantom, `
` and cast anchor within a cable's length of shore. `
` `
` Then the landing began. Dantes reflected, as he worked, on `
` the shout of joy which, with a single word, he could evoke `
` from all these men, if he gave utterance to the one `
` unchanging thought that pervaded his heart; but, far from `
` disclosing this precious secret, he almost feared that he `
` had already said too much, and by his restlessness and `
` continual questions, his minute observations and evident `
` pre-occupation, aroused suspicions. Fortunately, as regarded `
` this circumstance at least, his painful past gave to his `
` countenance an indelible sadness, and the glimmerings of `
` gayety seen beneath this cloud were indeed but transitory. `
` `
` No one had the slightest suspicion; and when next day, `
` taking a fowling-piece, powder, and shot, Dantes declared `
` his intention to go and kill some of the wild goats that `
` were seen springing from rock to rock, his wish was `
` construed into a love of sport, or a desire for solitude. `
` However, Jacopo insisted on following him, and Dantes did `
` not oppose this, fearing if he did so that he might incur `
` distrust. Scarcely, however, had they gone a quarter of a `
` league when, having killed a kid, he begged Jacopo to take `
` it to his comrades, and request them to cook it, and when `
` ready to let him know by firing a gun. This and some dried `
` fruits and a flask of Monte Pulciano, was the bill of fare. `
` Dantes went on, looking from time to time behind and around `
` about him. Having reached the summit of a rock, he saw, a `
` thousand feet beneath him, his companions, whom Jacopo had `
` rejoined, and who were all busy preparing the repast which `
` Edmond's skill as a marksman had augmented with a capital `
` dish. `
` `
` Edmond looked at them for a moment with the sad and gentle `
` smile of a man superior to his fellows. "In two hours' `
` time," said he, "these persons will depart richer by fifty `
` piastres each, to go and risk their lives again by `
` endeavoring to gain fifty more; then they will return with a `
` fortune of six hundred francs, and waste this treasure in `
` some city with the pride of sultans and the insolence of `
` nabobs. At this moment hope makes me despise their riches, `
` which seem to me contemptible. Yet perchance to-morrow `
` deception will so act on me, that I shall, on compulsion, `
` consider such a contemptible possession as the utmost `
` happiness. Oh, no!" exclaimed Edmond, "that will not be. The `
` wise, unerring Faria could not be mistaken in this one `
` thing. Besides, it were better to die than to continue to `
`
` The patron of The Young Amelia proposed as a place of `
` landing the Island of Monte Cristo, which being completely `
` deserted, and having neither soldiers nor revenue officers, `
` seemed to have been placed in the midst of the ocean since `
` the time of the heathen Olympus by Mercury, the god of `
` merchants and robbers, classes of mankind which we in modern `
` times have separated if not made distinct, but which `
` antiquity appears to have included in the same category. At `
` the mention of Monte Cristo Dantes started with joy; he rose `
` to conceal his emotion, and took a turn around the smoky `
` tavern, where all the languages of the known world were `
` jumbled in a lingua franca. When he again joined the two `
` persons who had been discussing the matter, it had been `
` decided that they should touch at Monte Cristo and set out `
` on the following night. Edmond, being consulted, was of `
` opinion that the island afforded every possible security, `
` and that great enterprises to be well done should be done `
` quickly. Nothing then was altered in the plan, and orders `
` were given to get under weigh next night, and, wind and `
` weather permitting, to make the neutral island by the `
` following day. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 23 `
` The Island of Monte Cristo. `
` `
` Thus, at length, by one of the unexpected strokes of fortune `
` which sometimes befall those who have for a long time been `
` the victims of an evil destiny, Dantes was about to secure `
` the opportunity he wished for, by simple and natural means, `
` and land on the island without incurring any suspicion. One `
` night more and he would be on his way. `
` `
` The night was one of feverish distraction, and in its `
` progress visions good and evil passed through Dantes' mind. `
` If he closed his eyes, he saw Cardinal Spada's letter `
` written on the wall in characters of flame -- if he slept `
` for a moment the wildest dreams haunted his brain. He `
` ascended into grottos paved with emeralds, with panels of `
` rubies, and the roof glowing with diamond stalactites. `
` Pearls fell drop by drop, as subterranean waters filter in `
` their caves. Edmond, amazed, wonderstruck, filled his `
` pockets with the radiant gems and then returned to daylight, `
` when be discovered that his prizes had all changed into `
` common pebbles. He then endeavored to re-enter the `
` marvellous grottos, but they had suddenly receded, and now `
` the path became a labyrinth, and then the entrance vanished, `
` and in vain did he tax his memory for the magic and `
` mysterious word which opened the splendid caverns of Ali `
` Baba to the Arabian fisherman. All was useless, the treasure `
` disappeared, and had again reverted to the genii from whom `
` for a moment he had hoped to carry it off. The day came at `
` length, and was almost as feverish as the night had been, `
` but it brought reason to the aid of imagination, and Dantes `
` was then enabled to arrange a plan which had hitherto been `
` vague and unsettled in his brain. Night came, and with it `
` the preparation for departure, and these preparations served `
` to conceal Dantes' agitation. He had by degrees assumed such `
` authority over his companions that he was almost like a `
` commander on board; and as his orders were always clear, `
` distinct, and easy of execution, his comrades obeyed him `
` with celerity and pleasure. `
` `
` The old patron did not interfere, for he too had recognized `
` the superiority of Dantes over the crew and himself. He saw `
` in the young man his natural successor, and regretted that `
` he had not a daughter, that he might have bound Edmond to `
` him by a more secure alliance. At seven o'clock in the `
` evening all was ready, and at ten minutes past seven they `
` doubled the lighthouse just as the beacon was kindled. The `
` sea was calm, and, with a fresh breeze from the south-east, `
` they sailed beneath a bright blue sky, in which God also `
` lighted up in turn his beacon lights, each of which is a `
` world. Dantes told them that all hands might turn in, and he `
` would take the helm. When the Maltese (for so they called `
` Dantes) had said this, it was sufficient, and all went to `
` their bunks contentedly. This frequently happened. Dantes, `
` cast from solitude into the world, frequently experienced an `
` imperious desire for solitude; and what solitude is more `
` complete, or more poetical, than that of a ship floating in `
` isolation on the sea during the obscurity of the night, in `
` the silence of immensity, and under the eye of heaven? `
` `
` Now this solitude was peopled with his thoughts, the night `
` lighted up by his illusions, and the silence animated by his `
` anticipations. When the patron awoke, the vessel was `
` hurrying on with every sail set, and every sail full with `
` the breeze. They were making nearly ten knots an hour. The `
` Island of Monte Cristo loomed large in the horizon. Edmond `
` resigned the lugger to the master's care, and went and lay `
` down in his hammock; but, in spite of a sleepless night, he `
` could not close his eyes for a moment. Two hours afterwards `
` he came on deck, as the boat was about to double the Island `
` of Elba. They were just abreast of Mareciana, and beyond the `
` flat but verdant Island of La Pianosa. The peak of Monte `
` Cristo reddened by the burning sun, was seen against the `
` azure sky. Dantes ordered the helmsman to put down his helm, `
` in order to leave La Pianosa to starboard, as he knew that `
` he should shorten his course by two or three knots. About `
` five o'clock in the evening the island was distinct, and `
` everything on it was plainly perceptible, owing to that `
` clearness of the atmosphere peculiar to the light which the `
` rays of the sun cast at its setting. `
` `
` Edmond gazed very earnestly at the mass of rocks which gave `
` out all the variety of twilight colors, from the brightest `
` pink to the deepest blue; and from time to time his cheeks `
` flushed, his brow darkened, and a mist passed over his eyes. `
` Never did gamester, whose whole fortune is staked on one `
` cast of the die, experience the anguish which Edmond felt in `
` his paroxysms of hope. Night came, and at ten o'clock they `
` anchored. The Young Amelia was first at the rendezvous. In `
` spite of his usual command over himself, Dantes could not `
` restrain his impetuosity. He was the first to jump on shore; `
` and had he dared, he would, like Lucius Brutus, have "kissed `
` his mother earth." It was dark, but at eleven o'clock the `
` moon rose in the midst of the ocean, whose every wave she `
` silvered, and then, "ascending high," played in floods of `
` pale light on the rocky hills of this second Pelion. `
` `
` The island was familiar to the crew of The Young Amelia, -- `
` it was one of her regular haunts. As to Dantes, he had `
` passed it on his voyage to and from the Levant, but never `
` touched at it. He questioned Jacopo. "Where shall we pass `
` the night?" he inquired. `
` `
` "Why, on board the tartan," replied the sailor. `
` `
` "Should we not do better in the grottos?" `
` `
` "What grottos?" `
` `
` "Why, the grottos -- caves of the island." `
` `
` "I do not know of any grottos," replied Jacopo. The cold `
` sweat sprang forth on Dantes' brow. `
` `
` "What, are there no grottos at Monte Cristo?" he asked. `
` `
` "None." `
` `
` For a moment Dantes was speechless; then he remembered that `
` these caves might have been filled up by some accident, or `
` even stopped up, for the sake of greater security, by `
` Cardinal Spada. The point was, then, to discover the hidden `
` entrance. It was useless to search at night, and Dantes `
` therefore delayed all investigation until the morning. `
` Besides, a signal made half a league out at sea, and to `
` which The Young Amelia replied by a similar signal, `
` indicated that the moment for business had come. The boat `
` that now arrived, assured by the answering signal that all `
` was well, soon came in sight, white and silent as a phantom, `
` and cast anchor within a cable's length of shore. `
` `
` Then the landing began. Dantes reflected, as he worked, on `
` the shout of joy which, with a single word, he could evoke `
` from all these men, if he gave utterance to the one `
` unchanging thought that pervaded his heart; but, far from `
` disclosing this precious secret, he almost feared that he `
` had already said too much, and by his restlessness and `
` continual questions, his minute observations and evident `
` pre-occupation, aroused suspicions. Fortunately, as regarded `
` this circumstance at least, his painful past gave to his `
` countenance an indelible sadness, and the glimmerings of `
` gayety seen beneath this cloud were indeed but transitory. `
` `
` No one had the slightest suspicion; and when next day, `
` taking a fowling-piece, powder, and shot, Dantes declared `
` his intention to go and kill some of the wild goats that `
` were seen springing from rock to rock, his wish was `
` construed into a love of sport, or a desire for solitude. `
` However, Jacopo insisted on following him, and Dantes did `
` not oppose this, fearing if he did so that he might incur `
` distrust. Scarcely, however, had they gone a quarter of a `
` league when, having killed a kid, he begged Jacopo to take `
` it to his comrades, and request them to cook it, and when `
` ready to let him know by firing a gun. This and some dried `
` fruits and a flask of Monte Pulciano, was the bill of fare. `
` Dantes went on, looking from time to time behind and around `
` about him. Having reached the summit of a rock, he saw, a `
` thousand feet beneath him, his companions, whom Jacopo had `
` rejoined, and who were all busy preparing the repast which `
` Edmond's skill as a marksman had augmented with a capital `
` dish. `
` `
` Edmond looked at them for a moment with the sad and gentle `
` smile of a man superior to his fellows. "In two hours' `
` time," said he, "these persons will depart richer by fifty `
` piastres each, to go and risk their lives again by `
` endeavoring to gain fifty more; then they will return with a `
` fortune of six hundred francs, and waste this treasure in `
` some city with the pride of sultans and the insolence of `
` nabobs. At this moment hope makes me despise their riches, `
` which seem to me contemptible. Yet perchance to-morrow `
` deception will so act on me, that I shall, on compulsion, `
` consider such a contemptible possession as the utmost `
` happiness. Oh, no!" exclaimed Edmond, "that will not be. The `
` wise, unerring Faria could not be mistaken in this one `
` thing. Besides, it were better to die than to continue to `
`