Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
retard the certainty of deception. At last, after renewed `
` hesitation, Dantes entered the second grotto. The second `
` grotto was lower and more gloomy than the first; the air `
` that could only enter by the newly formed opening had the `
` mephitic smell Dantes was surprised not to find in the outer `
` cavern. He waited in order to allow pure air to displace the `
` foul atmosphere, and then went on. At the left of the `
` opening was a dark and deep angle. But to Dantes' eye there `
` was no darkness. He glanced around this second grotto; it `
` was, like the first, empty. `
` `
` The treasure, if it existed, was buried in this corner. The `
` time had at length arrived; two feet of earth removed, and `
` Dantes' fate would be decided. He advanced towards the `
` angle, and summoning all his resolution, attacked the ground `
` with the pickaxe. At the fifth or sixth blow the pickaxe `
` struck against an iron substance. Never did funeral knell, `
` never did alarm-bell, produce a greater effect on the `
` hearer. Had Dantes found nothing he could not have become `
` more ghastly pale. He again struck his pickaxe into the `
` earth, and encountered the same resistance, but not the same `
` sound. "It is a casket of wood bound with iron," thought he. `
` At this moment a shadow passed rapidly before the opening; `
` Dantes seized his gun, sprang through the opening, and `
` mounted the stair. A wild goat had passed before the mouth `
` of the cave, and was feeding at a little distance. This `
` would have been a favorable occasion to secure his dinner; `
` but Dantes feared lest the report of his gun should attract `
` attention. `
` `
` He thought a moment, cut a branch of a resinous tree, `
` lighted it at the fire at which the smugglers had prepared `
` their breakfast, and descended with this torch. He wished to `
` see everything. He approached the hole he had dug, and now, `
` with the aid of the torch, saw that his pickaxe had in `
` reality struck against iron and wood. He planted his torch `
` in the ground and resumed his labor. In an instant a space `
` three feet long by two feet broad was cleared, and Dantes `
` could see an oaken coffer, bound with cut steel; in the `
` middle of the lid he saw engraved on a silver plate, which `
` was still untarnished, the arms of the Spada family -- viz., `
` a sword, pale, on an oval shield, like all the Italian `
` armorial bearings, and surmounted by a cardinal's hat; `
` Dantes easily recognized them, Faria had so often drawn them `
` for him. There was no longer any doubt: the treasure was `
` there -- no one would have been at such pains to conceal an `
` empty casket. In an instant he had cleared every obstacle `
` away, and he saw successively the lock, placed between two `
` padlocks, and the two handles at each end, all carved as `
` things were carved at that epoch, when art rendered the `
` commonest metals precious. Dantes seized the handles, and `
` strove to lift the coffer; it was impossible. He sought to `
` open it; lock and padlock were fastened; these faithful `
` guardians seemed unwilling to surrender their trust. Dantes `
` inserted the sharp end of the pickaxe between the coffer and `
` the lid, and pressing with all his force on the handle, `
` burst open the fastenings. The hinges yielded in their turn `
` and fell, still holding in their grasp fragments of the `
` wood, and the chest was open. `
` `
` Edmond was seized with vertigo; he cocked his gun and laid `
` it beside him. He then closed his eyes as children do in `
` order that they may see in the resplendent night of their `
` own imagination more stars than are visible in the `
` firmament; then he re-opened them, and stood motionless with `
` amazement. Three compartments divided the coffer. In the `
` first, blazed piles of golden coin; in the second, were `
` ranged bars of unpolished gold, which possessed nothing `
` attractive save their value; in the third, Edmond grasped `
` handfuls of diamonds, pearls, and rubies, which, as they `
` fell on one another, sounded like hail against glass. After `
` having touched, felt, examined these treasures, Edmond `
` rushed through the caverns like a man seized with frenzy; he `
` leaped on a rock, from whence he could behold the sea. He `
` was alone -- alone with these countless, these unheard-of `
` treasures! was he awake, or was it but a dream? `
` `
` He would fain have gazed upon his gold, and yet he had not `
` strength enough; for an instant he leaned his head in his `
` hands as if to prevent his senses from leaving him, and then `
` rushed madly about the rocks of Monte Cristo, terrifying the `
` wild goats and scaring the sea-fowls with his wild cries and `
` gestures; then he returned, and, still unable to believe the `
` evidence of his senses, rushed into the grotto, and found `
` himself before this mine of gold and jewels. This time he `
` fell on his knees, and, clasping his hands convulsively, `
` uttered a prayer intelligible to God alone. He soon became `
` calmer and more happy, for only now did he begin to realize `
` his felicity. He then set himself to work to count his `
` fortune. There were a thousand ingots of gold, each weighing `
` from two to three pounds; then he piled up twenty-five `
` thousand crowns, each worth about eighty francs of our `
` money, and bearing the effigies of Alexander VI. and his `
` predecessors; and he saw that the complement was not half `
` empty. And he measured ten double handfuls of pearls, `
` diamonds, and other gems, many of which, mounted by the most `
` famous workmen, were valuable beyond their intrinsic worth. `
` Dantes saw the light gradually disappear, and fearing to be `
` surprised in the cavern, left it, his gun in his hand. A `
` piece of biscuit and a small quantity of rum formed his `
` supper, and he snatched a few hours' sleep, lying over the `
` mouth of the cave. `
` `
` It was a night of joy and terror, such as this man of `
` stupendous emotions had already experienced twice or thrice `
` in his lifetime. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 25 `
` The Unknown. `
` `
` Day, for which Dantes had so eagerly and impatiently waited `
` with open eyes, again dawned. With the first light Dantes `
` resumed his search. Again he climbed the rocky height he had `
` ascended the previous evening, and strained his view to `
` catch every peculiarity of the landscape; but it wore the `
` same wild, barren aspect when seen by the rays of the `
` morning sun which it had done when surveyed by the fading `
` glimmer of eve. Descending into the grotto, he lifted the `
` stone, filled his pockets with gems, put the box together as `
` well and securely as he could, sprinkled fresh sand over the `
` spot from which it had been taken, and then carefully trod `
` down the earth to give it everywhere a uniform appearance; `
` then, quitting the grotto, he replaced the stone, heaping on `
` it broken masses of rocks and rough fragments of crumbling `
` granite, filling the interstices with earth, into which he `
` deftly inserted rapidly growing plants, such as the wild `
` myrtle and flowering thorn, then carefully watering these `
` new plantations, he scrupulously effaced every trace of `
` footsteps, leaving the approach to the cavern as `
` savage-looking and untrodden as he had found it. This done, `
` he impatiently awaited the return of his companions. To wait `
` at Monte Cristo for the purpose of watching like a dragon `
` over the almost incalculable riches that had thus fallen into `
` his possession satisfied not the cravings of his heart, `
` which yearned to return to dwell among mankind, and to `
` assume the rank, power, and influence which are always `
` accorded to wealth -- that first and greatest of all the `
` forces within the grasp of man. `
` `
` On the sixth day, the smugglers returned. From a distance `
` Dantes recognized the rig and handling of The Young Amelia, `
` and dragging himself with affected difficulty towards the `
` landing-place, he met his companions with an assurance that, `
` although considerably better than when they quitted him, he `
` still suffered acutely from his late accident. He then `
` inquired how they had fared in their trip. To this question `
` the smugglers replied that, although successful in landing `
` their cargo in safety, they had scarcely done so when they `
` received intelligence that a guard-ship had just quitted the `
` port of Toulon and was crowding all sail towards them. This `
` obliged them to make all the speed they could to evade the `
` enemy, when they could but lament the absence of Dantes, `
` whose superior skill in the management of a vessel would `
` have availed them so materially. In fact, the pursuing `
` vessel had almost overtaken them when, fortunately, night `
` came on, and enabled them to double the Cape of Corsica, and `
` so elude all further pursuit. Upon the whole, however, the `
` trip had been sufficiently successful to satisfy all `
` concerned; while the crew, and particularly Jacopo, `
` expressed great regrets that Dantes had not been an equal `
` sharer with themselves in the profits, which amounted to no `
` less a sum than fifty piastres each. `
` `
` Edmond preserved the most admirable self-command, not `
` suffering the faintest indication of a smile to escape him `
` at the enumeration of all the benefits he would have reaped `
` had he been able to quit the island; but as The Young Amelia `
` had merely come to Monte Cristo to fetch him away, he `
` embarked that same evening, and proceeded with the captain `
` to Leghorn. Arrived at Leghorn, he repaired to the house of `
` a Jew, a dealer in precious stones, to whom he disposed of `
` four of his smallest diamonds for five thousand francs each. `
` Dantes half feared that such valuable jewels in the hands of `
` a poor sailor like himself might excite suspicion; but the `
` cunning purchaser asked no troublesome questions concerning `
` a bargain by which he gained a round profit of at least `
` eighty per cent. `
` `
` The following day Dantes presented Jacopo with an entirely `
` new vessel, accompanying the gift by a donation of one `
` hundred piastres, that he might provide himself with a `
` suitable crew and other requisites for his outfit, upon `
` condition that he would go at once to Marseilles for the `
` purpose of inquiring after an old man named Louis Dantes, `
` residing in the Allees de Meillan, and also a young woman `
` called Mercedes, an inhabitant of the Catalan village. `
` Jacopo could scarcely believe his senses at receiving this `
` magnificent present, which Dantes hastened to account for by `
` saying that he had merely been a sailor from whim and a `
` desire to spite his family, who did not allow him as much `
` money as he liked to spend; but that on his arrival at `
` Leghorn he had come into possession of a large fortune, left `
` him by an uncle, whose sole heir he was. The superior `
` education of Dantes gave an air of such extreme probability `
` to this statement that it never once occurred to Jacopo to `
` doubt its accuracy. The term for which Edmond had engaged to `
` serve on board The Young Amelia having expired, Dantes took `
` leave of the captain, who at first tried all his powers of `
` persuasion to induce him to remain as one of the crew, but `
`
` hesitation, Dantes entered the second grotto. The second `
` grotto was lower and more gloomy than the first; the air `
` that could only enter by the newly formed opening had the `
` mephitic smell Dantes was surprised not to find in the outer `
` cavern. He waited in order to allow pure air to displace the `
` foul atmosphere, and then went on. At the left of the `
` opening was a dark and deep angle. But to Dantes' eye there `
` was no darkness. He glanced around this second grotto; it `
` was, like the first, empty. `
` `
` The treasure, if it existed, was buried in this corner. The `
` time had at length arrived; two feet of earth removed, and `
` Dantes' fate would be decided. He advanced towards the `
` angle, and summoning all his resolution, attacked the ground `
` with the pickaxe. At the fifth or sixth blow the pickaxe `
` struck against an iron substance. Never did funeral knell, `
` never did alarm-bell, produce a greater effect on the `
` hearer. Had Dantes found nothing he could not have become `
` more ghastly pale. He again struck his pickaxe into the `
` earth, and encountered the same resistance, but not the same `
` sound. "It is a casket of wood bound with iron," thought he. `
` At this moment a shadow passed rapidly before the opening; `
` Dantes seized his gun, sprang through the opening, and `
` mounted the stair. A wild goat had passed before the mouth `
` of the cave, and was feeding at a little distance. This `
` would have been a favorable occasion to secure his dinner; `
` but Dantes feared lest the report of his gun should attract `
` attention. `
` `
` He thought a moment, cut a branch of a resinous tree, `
` lighted it at the fire at which the smugglers had prepared `
` their breakfast, and descended with this torch. He wished to `
` see everything. He approached the hole he had dug, and now, `
` with the aid of the torch, saw that his pickaxe had in `
` reality struck against iron and wood. He planted his torch `
` in the ground and resumed his labor. In an instant a space `
` three feet long by two feet broad was cleared, and Dantes `
` could see an oaken coffer, bound with cut steel; in the `
` middle of the lid he saw engraved on a silver plate, which `
` was still untarnished, the arms of the Spada family -- viz., `
` a sword, pale, on an oval shield, like all the Italian `
` armorial bearings, and surmounted by a cardinal's hat; `
` Dantes easily recognized them, Faria had so often drawn them `
` for him. There was no longer any doubt: the treasure was `
` there -- no one would have been at such pains to conceal an `
` empty casket. In an instant he had cleared every obstacle `
` away, and he saw successively the lock, placed between two `
` padlocks, and the two handles at each end, all carved as `
` things were carved at that epoch, when art rendered the `
` commonest metals precious. Dantes seized the handles, and `
` strove to lift the coffer; it was impossible. He sought to `
` open it; lock and padlock were fastened; these faithful `
` guardians seemed unwilling to surrender their trust. Dantes `
` inserted the sharp end of the pickaxe between the coffer and `
` the lid, and pressing with all his force on the handle, `
` burst open the fastenings. The hinges yielded in their turn `
` and fell, still holding in their grasp fragments of the `
` wood, and the chest was open. `
` `
` Edmond was seized with vertigo; he cocked his gun and laid `
` it beside him. He then closed his eyes as children do in `
` order that they may see in the resplendent night of their `
` own imagination more stars than are visible in the `
` firmament; then he re-opened them, and stood motionless with `
` amazement. Three compartments divided the coffer. In the `
` first, blazed piles of golden coin; in the second, were `
` ranged bars of unpolished gold, which possessed nothing `
` attractive save their value; in the third, Edmond grasped `
` handfuls of diamonds, pearls, and rubies, which, as they `
` fell on one another, sounded like hail against glass. After `
` having touched, felt, examined these treasures, Edmond `
` rushed through the caverns like a man seized with frenzy; he `
` leaped on a rock, from whence he could behold the sea. He `
` was alone -- alone with these countless, these unheard-of `
` treasures! was he awake, or was it but a dream? `
` `
` He would fain have gazed upon his gold, and yet he had not `
` strength enough; for an instant he leaned his head in his `
` hands as if to prevent his senses from leaving him, and then `
` rushed madly about the rocks of Monte Cristo, terrifying the `
` wild goats and scaring the sea-fowls with his wild cries and `
` gestures; then he returned, and, still unable to believe the `
` evidence of his senses, rushed into the grotto, and found `
` himself before this mine of gold and jewels. This time he `
` fell on his knees, and, clasping his hands convulsively, `
` uttered a prayer intelligible to God alone. He soon became `
` calmer and more happy, for only now did he begin to realize `
` his felicity. He then set himself to work to count his `
` fortune. There were a thousand ingots of gold, each weighing `
` from two to three pounds; then he piled up twenty-five `
` thousand crowns, each worth about eighty francs of our `
` money, and bearing the effigies of Alexander VI. and his `
` predecessors; and he saw that the complement was not half `
` empty. And he measured ten double handfuls of pearls, `
` diamonds, and other gems, many of which, mounted by the most `
` famous workmen, were valuable beyond their intrinsic worth. `
` Dantes saw the light gradually disappear, and fearing to be `
` surprised in the cavern, left it, his gun in his hand. A `
` piece of biscuit and a small quantity of rum formed his `
` supper, and he snatched a few hours' sleep, lying over the `
` mouth of the cave. `
` `
` It was a night of joy and terror, such as this man of `
` stupendous emotions had already experienced twice or thrice `
` in his lifetime. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 25 `
` The Unknown. `
` `
` Day, for which Dantes had so eagerly and impatiently waited `
` with open eyes, again dawned. With the first light Dantes `
` resumed his search. Again he climbed the rocky height he had `
` ascended the previous evening, and strained his view to `
` catch every peculiarity of the landscape; but it wore the `
` same wild, barren aspect when seen by the rays of the `
` morning sun which it had done when surveyed by the fading `
` glimmer of eve. Descending into the grotto, he lifted the `
` stone, filled his pockets with gems, put the box together as `
` well and securely as he could, sprinkled fresh sand over the `
` spot from which it had been taken, and then carefully trod `
` down the earth to give it everywhere a uniform appearance; `
` then, quitting the grotto, he replaced the stone, heaping on `
` it broken masses of rocks and rough fragments of crumbling `
` granite, filling the interstices with earth, into which he `
` deftly inserted rapidly growing plants, such as the wild `
` myrtle and flowering thorn, then carefully watering these `
` new plantations, he scrupulously effaced every trace of `
` footsteps, leaving the approach to the cavern as `
` savage-looking and untrodden as he had found it. This done, `
` he impatiently awaited the return of his companions. To wait `
` at Monte Cristo for the purpose of watching like a dragon `
` over the almost incalculable riches that had thus fallen into `
` his possession satisfied not the cravings of his heart, `
` which yearned to return to dwell among mankind, and to `
` assume the rank, power, and influence which are always `
` accorded to wealth -- that first and greatest of all the `
` forces within the grasp of man. `
` `
` On the sixth day, the smugglers returned. From a distance `
` Dantes recognized the rig and handling of The Young Amelia, `
` and dragging himself with affected difficulty towards the `
` landing-place, he met his companions with an assurance that, `
` although considerably better than when they quitted him, he `
` still suffered acutely from his late accident. He then `
` inquired how they had fared in their trip. To this question `
` the smugglers replied that, although successful in landing `
` their cargo in safety, they had scarcely done so when they `
` received intelligence that a guard-ship had just quitted the `
` port of Toulon and was crowding all sail towards them. This `
` obliged them to make all the speed they could to evade the `
` enemy, when they could but lament the absence of Dantes, `
` whose superior skill in the management of a vessel would `
` have availed them so materially. In fact, the pursuing `
` vessel had almost overtaken them when, fortunately, night `
` came on, and enabled them to double the Cape of Corsica, and `
` so elude all further pursuit. Upon the whole, however, the `
` trip had been sufficiently successful to satisfy all `
` concerned; while the crew, and particularly Jacopo, `
` expressed great regrets that Dantes had not been an equal `
` sharer with themselves in the profits, which amounted to no `
` less a sum than fifty piastres each. `
` `
` Edmond preserved the most admirable self-command, not `
` suffering the faintest indication of a smile to escape him `
` at the enumeration of all the benefits he would have reaped `
` had he been able to quit the island; but as The Young Amelia `
` had merely come to Monte Cristo to fetch him away, he `
` embarked that same evening, and proceeded with the captain `
` to Leghorn. Arrived at Leghorn, he repaired to the house of `
` a Jew, a dealer in precious stones, to whom he disposed of `
` four of his smallest diamonds for five thousand francs each. `
` Dantes half feared that such valuable jewels in the hands of `
` a poor sailor like himself might excite suspicion; but the `
` cunning purchaser asked no troublesome questions concerning `
` a bargain by which he gained a round profit of at least `
` eighty per cent. `
` `
` The following day Dantes presented Jacopo with an entirely `
` new vessel, accompanying the gift by a donation of one `
` hundred piastres, that he might provide himself with a `
` suitable crew and other requisites for his outfit, upon `
` condition that he would go at once to Marseilles for the `
` purpose of inquiring after an old man named Louis Dantes, `
` residing in the Allees de Meillan, and also a young woman `
` called Mercedes, an inhabitant of the Catalan village. `
` Jacopo could scarcely believe his senses at receiving this `
` magnificent present, which Dantes hastened to account for by `
` saying that he had merely been a sailor from whim and a `
` desire to spite his family, who did not allow him as much `
` money as he liked to spend; but that on his arrival at `
` Leghorn he had come into possession of a large fortune, left `
` him by an uncle, whose sole heir he was. The superior `
` education of Dantes gave an air of such extreme probability `
` to this statement that it never once occurred to Jacopo to `
` doubt its accuracy. The term for which Edmond had engaged to `
` serve on board The Young Amelia having expired, Dantes took `
` leave of the captain, who at first tried all his powers of `
` persuasion to induce him to remain as one of the crew, but `
`