Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
they were passing through the Rue Caisserie, and by the Rue `
` Saint-Laurent and the Rue Taramis, to the port. Soon he saw `
` the lights of La Consigne. `
` `
` The carriage stopped, the officer descended, approached the `
` guardhouse, a dozen soldiers came out and formed themselves `
` in order; Dantes saw the reflection of their muskets by the `
` light of the lamps on the quay. `
` `
` "Can all this force be summoned on my account?" thought he. `
` `
` The officer opened the door, which was locked, and, without `
` speaking a word, answered Dantes' question; for he saw `
` between the ranks of the soldiers a passage formed from the `
` carriage to the port. The two gendarmes who were opposite to `
` him descended first, then he was ordered to alight and the `
` gendarmes on each side of him followed his example. They `
` advanced towards a boat, which a custom-house officer held `
` by a chain, near the quay. `
` `
` The soldiers looked at Dantes with an air of stupid `
` curiosity. In an instant he was placed in the stern-sheets `
` of the boat, between the gendarmes, while the officer `
` stationed himself at the bow; a shove sent the boat adrift, `
` and four sturdy oarsmen impelled it rapidly towards the `
` Pilon. At a shout from the boat, the chain that closes the `
` mouth of the port was lowered and in a second they were, as `
` Dantes knew, in the Frioul and outside the inner harbor. `
` `
` The prisoner's first feeling was of joy at again breathing `
` the pure air -- for air is freedom; but he soon sighed, for `
` he passed before La Reserve, where he had that morning been `
` so happy, and now through the open windows came the laughter `
` and revelry of a ball. Dantes folded his hands, raised his `
` eyes to heaven, and prayed fervently. `
` `
` The boat continued her voyage. They had passed the Tete de `
` Morte, were now off the Anse du Pharo, and about to double `
` the battery. This manoeuvre was incomprehensible to Dantes. `
` `
` "Whither are you taking me?" asked he. `
` `
` "You will soon know." `
` `
` "But still" -- `
` `
` "We are forbidden to give you any explanation." Dantes, `
` trained in discipline, knew that nothing would be more `
` absurd than to question subordinates, who were forbidden to `
` reply; and so he remained silent. `
` `
` The most vague and wild thoughts passed through his mind. `
` The boat they were in could not make a long voyage; there `
` was no vessel at anchor outside the harbor; he thought, `
` perhaps, they were going to leave him on some distant point. `
` He was not bound, nor had they made any attempt to handcuff `
` him; this seemed a good augury. Besides, had not the deputy, `
` who had been so kind to him, told him that provided he did `
` not pronounce the dreaded name of Noirtier, he had nothing `
` to apprehend? Had not Villefort in his presence destroyed `
` the fatal letter, the only proof against him? `
` `
` He waited silently, striving to pierce through the darkness. `
` `
` They had left the Ile Ratonneau, where the lighthouse stood, `
` on the right, and were now opposite the Point des Catalans. `
` It seemed to the prisoner that he could distinguish a `
` feminine form on the beach, for it was there Mercedes dwelt. `
` How was it that a presentiment did not warn Mercedes that `
` her lover was within three hundred yards of her? `
` `
` One light alone was visible; and Dantes saw that it came `
` from Mercedes' chamber. Mercedes was the only one awake in `
` the whole settlement. A loud cry could be heard by her. But `
` pride restrained him and he did not utter it. What would his `
` guards think if they heard him shout like a madman? `
` `
` He remained silent, his eyes fixed upon the light; the boat `
` went on, but the prisoner thought only of Mercedes. An `
` intervening elevation of land hid the light. Dantes turned `
` and perceived that they had got out to sea. While he had `
` been absorbed in thought, they had shipped their oars and `
` hoisted sail; the boat was now moving with the wind. `
` `
` In spite of his repugnance to address the guards, Dantes `
` turned to the nearest gendarme, and taking his hand, -- `
` `
` "Comrade," said he, "I adjure you, as a Christian and a `
` soldier, to tell me where we are going. I am Captain Dantes, `
` a loyal Frenchman, thought accused of treason; tell me where `
` you are conducting me, and I promise you on my honor I will `
` submit to my fate." `
` `
` The gendarme looked irresolutely at his companion, who `
` returned for answer a sign that said, "I see no great harm `
` in telling him now," and the gendarme replied, -- `
` `
` "You are a native of Marseilles, and a sailor, and yet you `
` do not know where you are going?" `
` `
` "On my honor, I have no idea." `
` `
` "Have you no idea whatever?" `
` `
` "None at all." `
` `
` "That is impossible." `
` `
` "I swear to you it is true. Tell me, I entreat." `
` `
` "But my orders." `
` `
` "Your orders do not forbid your telling me what I must know `
` in ten minutes, in half an hour, or an hour. You see I `
` cannot escape, even if I intended." `
` `
` "Unless you are blind, or have never been outside the `
` harbor, you must know." `
` `
` "I do not." `
` `
` "Look round you then." Dantes rose and looked forward, when `
` he saw rise within a hundred yards of him the black and `
` frowning rock on which stands the Chateau d'If. This gloomy `
` fortress, which has for more than three hundred years `
` furnished food for so many wild legends, seemed to Dantes `
` like a scaffold to a malefactor. `
` `
` "The Chateau d'If?" cried he, "what are we going there for?" `
` The gendarme smiled. `
` `
` "I am not going there to be imprisoned," said Dantes; "it is `
` only used for political prisoners. I have committed no `
` crime. Are there any magistrates or judges at the Chateau `
` d'If?" `
` `
` "There are only," said the gendarme, "a governor, a `
` garrison, turnkeys, and good thick walls. Come, come, do not `
` look so astonished, or you will make me think you are `
` laughing at me in return for my good nature." Dantes pressed `
` the gendarme's hand as though he would crush it. `
` `
` "You think, then," said he, "that I am taken to the Chateau `
` d'If to be imprisoned there?" `
` `
` "It is probable; but there is no occasion to squeeze so `
` hard." `
` `
` "Without any inquiry, without any formality?" `
` `
` "All the formalities have been gone through; the inquiry is `
` already made." `
` `
` "And so, in spite of M. de Villefort's promises?" `
` `
` "I do not know what M. de Villefort promised you," said the `
` gendarme, "but I know we are taking you to the Chateau d'If. `
` But what are you doing? Help, comrades, help!" `
` `
` By a rapid movement, which the gendarme's practiced eye had `
` perceived, Dantes sprang forward to precipitate himself into `
` the sea; but four vigorous arms seized him as his feet `
` quitted the bottom of the boat. He fell back cursing with `
` rage. `
` `
` "Good!" said the gendarme, placing his knee on his chest; `
` "believe soft-spoken gentlemen again! Harkye, my friend, I `
` have disobeyed my first order, but I will not disobey the `
` second; and if you move, I will blow your brains out." And `
` he levelled his carbine at Dantes, who felt the muzzle `
` against his temple. `
` `
` For a moment the idea of struggling crossed his mind, and of `
` so ending the unexpected evil that had overtaken him. But he `
` bethought him of M. de Villefort's promise; and, besides, `
` death in a boat from the hand of a gendarme seemed too `
` terrible. He remained motionless, but gnashing his teeth and `
` wringing his hands with fury. `
` `
` At this moment the boat came to a landing with a violent `
` shock. One of the sailors leaped on shore, a cord creaked as `
` it ran through a pulley, and Dantes guessed they were at the `
` end of the voyage, and that they were mooring the boat. `
` `
` His guards, taking him by the arms and coat-collar, forced `
` him to rise, and dragged him towards the steps that lead to `
` the gate of the fortress, while the police officer carrying `
` a musket with fixed bayonet followed behind. `
` `
` Dantes made no resistance; he was like a man in a dream: he `
` saw soldiers drawn up on the embankment; he knew vaguely `
` that he was ascending a flight of steps; he was conscious `
` that he passed through a door, and that the door closed `
` behind him; but all this indistinctly as through a mist. He `
` did not even see the ocean, that terrible barrier against `
` freedom, which the prisoners look upon with utter despair. `
` `
` They halted for a minute, during which he strove to collect `
` his thoughts. He looked around; he was in a court surrounded `
` by high walls; he heard the measured tread of sentinels, and `
` as they passed before the light he saw the barrels of their `
`
` Saint-Laurent and the Rue Taramis, to the port. Soon he saw `
` the lights of La Consigne. `
` `
` The carriage stopped, the officer descended, approached the `
` guardhouse, a dozen soldiers came out and formed themselves `
` in order; Dantes saw the reflection of their muskets by the `
` light of the lamps on the quay. `
` `
` "Can all this force be summoned on my account?" thought he. `
` `
` The officer opened the door, which was locked, and, without `
` speaking a word, answered Dantes' question; for he saw `
` between the ranks of the soldiers a passage formed from the `
` carriage to the port. The two gendarmes who were opposite to `
` him descended first, then he was ordered to alight and the `
` gendarmes on each side of him followed his example. They `
` advanced towards a boat, which a custom-house officer held `
` by a chain, near the quay. `
` `
` The soldiers looked at Dantes with an air of stupid `
` curiosity. In an instant he was placed in the stern-sheets `
` of the boat, between the gendarmes, while the officer `
` stationed himself at the bow; a shove sent the boat adrift, `
` and four sturdy oarsmen impelled it rapidly towards the `
` Pilon. At a shout from the boat, the chain that closes the `
` mouth of the port was lowered and in a second they were, as `
` Dantes knew, in the Frioul and outside the inner harbor. `
` `
` The prisoner's first feeling was of joy at again breathing `
` the pure air -- for air is freedom; but he soon sighed, for `
` he passed before La Reserve, where he had that morning been `
` so happy, and now through the open windows came the laughter `
` and revelry of a ball. Dantes folded his hands, raised his `
` eyes to heaven, and prayed fervently. `
` `
` The boat continued her voyage. They had passed the Tete de `
` Morte, were now off the Anse du Pharo, and about to double `
` the battery. This manoeuvre was incomprehensible to Dantes. `
` `
` "Whither are you taking me?" asked he. `
` `
` "You will soon know." `
` `
` "But still" -- `
` `
` "We are forbidden to give you any explanation." Dantes, `
` trained in discipline, knew that nothing would be more `
` absurd than to question subordinates, who were forbidden to `
` reply; and so he remained silent. `
` `
` The most vague and wild thoughts passed through his mind. `
` The boat they were in could not make a long voyage; there `
` was no vessel at anchor outside the harbor; he thought, `
` perhaps, they were going to leave him on some distant point. `
` He was not bound, nor had they made any attempt to handcuff `
` him; this seemed a good augury. Besides, had not the deputy, `
` who had been so kind to him, told him that provided he did `
` not pronounce the dreaded name of Noirtier, he had nothing `
` to apprehend? Had not Villefort in his presence destroyed `
` the fatal letter, the only proof against him? `
` `
` He waited silently, striving to pierce through the darkness. `
` `
` They had left the Ile Ratonneau, where the lighthouse stood, `
` on the right, and were now opposite the Point des Catalans. `
` It seemed to the prisoner that he could distinguish a `
` feminine form on the beach, for it was there Mercedes dwelt. `
` How was it that a presentiment did not warn Mercedes that `
` her lover was within three hundred yards of her? `
` `
` One light alone was visible; and Dantes saw that it came `
` from Mercedes' chamber. Mercedes was the only one awake in `
` the whole settlement. A loud cry could be heard by her. But `
` pride restrained him and he did not utter it. What would his `
` guards think if they heard him shout like a madman? `
` `
` He remained silent, his eyes fixed upon the light; the boat `
` went on, but the prisoner thought only of Mercedes. An `
` intervening elevation of land hid the light. Dantes turned `
` and perceived that they had got out to sea. While he had `
` been absorbed in thought, they had shipped their oars and `
` hoisted sail; the boat was now moving with the wind. `
` `
` In spite of his repugnance to address the guards, Dantes `
` turned to the nearest gendarme, and taking his hand, -- `
` `
` "Comrade," said he, "I adjure you, as a Christian and a `
` soldier, to tell me where we are going. I am Captain Dantes, `
` a loyal Frenchman, thought accused of treason; tell me where `
` you are conducting me, and I promise you on my honor I will `
` submit to my fate." `
` `
` The gendarme looked irresolutely at his companion, who `
` returned for answer a sign that said, "I see no great harm `
` in telling him now," and the gendarme replied, -- `
` `
` "You are a native of Marseilles, and a sailor, and yet you `
` do not know where you are going?" `
` `
` "On my honor, I have no idea." `
` `
` "Have you no idea whatever?" `
` `
` "None at all." `
` `
` "That is impossible." `
` `
` "I swear to you it is true. Tell me, I entreat." `
` `
` "But my orders." `
` `
` "Your orders do not forbid your telling me what I must know `
` in ten minutes, in half an hour, or an hour. You see I `
` cannot escape, even if I intended." `
` `
` "Unless you are blind, or have never been outside the `
` harbor, you must know." `
` `
` "I do not." `
` `
` "Look round you then." Dantes rose and looked forward, when `
` he saw rise within a hundred yards of him the black and `
` frowning rock on which stands the Chateau d'If. This gloomy `
` fortress, which has for more than three hundred years `
` furnished food for so many wild legends, seemed to Dantes `
` like a scaffold to a malefactor. `
` `
` "The Chateau d'If?" cried he, "what are we going there for?" `
` The gendarme smiled. `
` `
` "I am not going there to be imprisoned," said Dantes; "it is `
` only used for political prisoners. I have committed no `
` crime. Are there any magistrates or judges at the Chateau `
` d'If?" `
` `
` "There are only," said the gendarme, "a governor, a `
` garrison, turnkeys, and good thick walls. Come, come, do not `
` look so astonished, or you will make me think you are `
` laughing at me in return for my good nature." Dantes pressed `
` the gendarme's hand as though he would crush it. `
` `
` "You think, then," said he, "that I am taken to the Chateau `
` d'If to be imprisoned there?" `
` `
` "It is probable; but there is no occasion to squeeze so `
` hard." `
` `
` "Without any inquiry, without any formality?" `
` `
` "All the formalities have been gone through; the inquiry is `
` already made." `
` `
` "And so, in spite of M. de Villefort's promises?" `
` `
` "I do not know what M. de Villefort promised you," said the `
` gendarme, "but I know we are taking you to the Chateau d'If. `
` But what are you doing? Help, comrades, help!" `
` `
` By a rapid movement, which the gendarme's practiced eye had `
` perceived, Dantes sprang forward to precipitate himself into `
` the sea; but four vigorous arms seized him as his feet `
` quitted the bottom of the boat. He fell back cursing with `
` rage. `
` `
` "Good!" said the gendarme, placing his knee on his chest; `
` "believe soft-spoken gentlemen again! Harkye, my friend, I `
` have disobeyed my first order, but I will not disobey the `
` second; and if you move, I will blow your brains out." And `
` he levelled his carbine at Dantes, who felt the muzzle `
` against his temple. `
` `
` For a moment the idea of struggling crossed his mind, and of `
` so ending the unexpected evil that had overtaken him. But he `
` bethought him of M. de Villefort's promise; and, besides, `
` death in a boat from the hand of a gendarme seemed too `
` terrible. He remained motionless, but gnashing his teeth and `
` wringing his hands with fury. `
` `
` At this moment the boat came to a landing with a violent `
` shock. One of the sailors leaped on shore, a cord creaked as `
` it ran through a pulley, and Dantes guessed they were at the `
` end of the voyage, and that they were mooring the boat. `
` `
` His guards, taking him by the arms and coat-collar, forced `
` him to rise, and dragged him towards the steps that lead to `
` the gate of the fortress, while the police officer carrying `
` a musket with fixed bayonet followed behind. `
` `
` Dantes made no resistance; he was like a man in a dream: he `
` saw soldiers drawn up on the embankment; he knew vaguely `
` that he was ascending a flight of steps; he was conscious `
` that he passed through a door, and that the door closed `
` behind him; but all this indistinctly as through a mist. He `
` did not even see the ocean, that terrible barrier against `
` freedom, which the prisoners look upon with utter despair. `
` `
` They halted for a minute, during which he strove to collect `
` his thoughts. He looked around; he was in a court surrounded `
` by high walls; he heard the measured tread of sentinels, and `
` as they passed before the light he saw the barrels of their `
`