Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
going down there, we are forced to refuse food and drink to the `
` travelers who come to the house; so that our hostelry is daily `
` going to ruin. If your friend remains another week in my cellar `
` I shall be a ruined man." `
` `
` "And not more than justice, either, you ass! Could you not `
` perceive by our appearance that we were people of quality, and `
` not coiners--say?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, you are right," said the host. "But, hark, hark! `
` There he is!" `
` `
` "Somebody has disturbed him, without doubt," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "But he must be disturbed," cried the host; "Here are two English `
` gentlemen just arrived." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, the English like good wine, as you may know, monsieur; `
` these have asked for the best. My wife has perhaps requested `
` permission of Monsieur Athos to go into the cellar to satisfy `
` these gentlemen; and he, as usual, has refused. Ah, good heaven! `
` There is the hullabaloo louder than ever!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan, in fact, heard a great noise on the side next the `
` cellar. He rose, and preceded by the host wringing his hands, `
` and followed by Planchet with his musketoon ready for use, he `
` approached the scene of action. `
` `
` The two gentlemen were exasperated; they had had a long ride, and `
` were dying with hunger and thirst. `
` `
` "But this is tyranny!" cried one of them, in very good French, `
` though with a foreign accent, "that this madman will not allow `
` these good people access to their own wine! Nonsense, let us `
` break open the door, and if he is too far gone in his madness, `
` well, we will kill him!" `
` `
` "Softly, gentlemen!" said d'Artagnan, drawing his pistols from `
` his belt, "you will kill nobody, if you please!" `
` `
` "Good, good!" cried the calm voice of Athos, from the other side `
` of the door, "let them just come in, these devourers of little `
` children, and we shall see!" `
` `
` Brave as they appeared to be, the two English gentlemen looked at `
` each other hesitatingly. One might have thought there was in `
` that cellar one of those famished ogres--the gigantic heroes of `
` popular legends, into whose cavern nobody could force their way `
` with impunity. `
` `
` There was a moment of silence; but at length the two Englishmen `
` felt ashamed to draw back, and the angrier one descended the five `
` or six steps which led to the cellar, and gave a kick against the `
` door enough to split a wall. `
` `
` "Planchet," said d'Artagnan, cocking his pistols, "I will take `
` charge of the one at the top; you look to the one below. Ah, `
` gentlemen, you want battle; and you shall have it." `
` `
` "Good God!" cried the hollow voice of Athos, "I can hear `
` d'Artagnan, I think." `
` `
` "Yes," cried d'Artagnan, raising his voice in turn, "I am here, `
` my friend." `
` `
` "Ah, good, then," replied Athos, "we will teach them, these door `
` breakers!" `
` `
` The gentlemen had drawn their swords, but they found themselves `
` taken between two fires. They still hesitated an instant; but, as `
` before, pride prevailed, and a second kick split the door from `
` bottom to top. `
` `
` "Stand on one side, d'Artagnan, stand on one side," cried Athos. `
` "I am going to fire!" `
` `
` "Gentlemen," exclaimed d'Artagnan, whom reflection never `
` abandoned, "gentlemen, think of what you are about. Patience, `
` Athos! You are running your heads into a very silly affair; you `
` will be riddled. My lackey and I will have three shots at you, `
` and you will get as many from the cellar. You will then have our `
` swords, with which, I can assure you, my friend and I can play `
` tolerably well. Let me conduct your business and my own. You `
` shall soon have something to drink; I give you my word." `
` `
` "If there is any left," grumbled the jeering voice of Athos. `
` `
` The host felt a cold sweat creep down his back. `
` `
` "How! 'If there is any left!'" murmured he. `
` `
` "What the devil! There must be plenty left," replied d'Artagnan. `
` "Be satisfied of that; these two cannot have drunk all the `
` cellar. Gentlemen, return your swords to their scabbards." `
` `
` "Well, provided you replace your pistols in your belt." `
` `
` "Willingly." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan set the example. Then, turning toward Planchet, `
` he made him a sign to uncock his musketoon. `
` `
` The Englishmen, convinced of these peaceful proceedings, sheathed `
` their swords grumblingly. The history of Athos's imprisonment `
` was then related to them; and as they were really gentlemen, they `
` pronounced the host in the wrong. `
` `
` "Now, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "go up to your room again; and `
` in ten minutes, I will answer for it, you shall have all you `
` desire." `
` `
` The Englishmen bowed and went upstairs. `
` `
` "Now I am alone, my dear Athos," said d'Artagnan; "open the door, `
` I beg of you." `
` `
` "Instantly," said Athos. `
` `
` Then was heard a great noise of fagots being removed and of the `
` groaning of posts; these were the counterscarps and bastions of `
` Athos, which the besieged himself demolished. `
` `
` An instant after, the broken door was removed, and the pale face `
` of Athos appeared, who with a rapid glance took a survey of the `
` surroundings. `
` `
` D'Artagnan threw himself on his neck and embraced him tenderly. `
` He then tried to draw him from his moist abode, but to his `
` surprise he perceived that Athos staggered. `
` `
` "You are wounded," said he. `
` `
` "I! Not at all. I am dead drunk, that's all, and never did a `
` man more strongly set about getting so. By the Lord, my good `
` host! I must at least have drunk for my part a hundred and fifty `
` bottles." `
` `
` "Mercy!" cried the host, "if the lackey has drunk only half as `
` much as the master, I am a ruined man." `
` `
` "Grimaud is a well-bred lackey. He would never think of faring `
` in the same manner as his master; he only drank from the cask. `
` Hark! I don't think he put the faucet in again. Do you hear it? `
` It is running now." `
` `
` D'Artagnan burst into a laugh which changed the shiver of the `
` host into a burning fever. `
` `
` In the meantime, Grimaud appeared in his turn behind his master, `
` with the musketoon on his shoulder, and his head shaking. Like `
` one of those drunken satyrs in the pictures of Rubens. He was `
` moistened before and behind with a greasy liquid which the host `
` recognized as his best olive oil. `
` `
` The four crossed the public room and proceeded to take possession `
` of the best apartment in the house, which d'Artagnan occupied `
` with authority. `
` `
` In the meantime the host and his wife hurried down with lamps `
` into the cellar, which had so long been interdicted to them and `
` where a frightful spectacle awaited them. `
` `
` Beyond the fortifications through which Athos had made a breach `
` in order to get out, and which were composed of fagots, planks, `
` and empty casks, heaped up according to all the rules of the `
` strategic art, they found, swimming in puddles of oil and wine, `
` the bones and fragments of all the hams they had eaten; while a `
` heap of broken bottles filled the whole left-hand corner of the `
` cellar, and a tun, the cock of which was left running, was `
` yielding, by this means, the last drop of its blood. "The image `
` of devastation and death," as the ancient poet says, "reigned as `
` over a field of battle." `
` `
` Of fifty large sausages, suspended from the joists, scarcely ten `
` remained. `
` `
` Then the lamentations of the host and hostess pierced the vault `
` of the cellar. D'Artagnan himself was moved by them. Athos did `
` not even turn his head. `
` `
` To grief succeeded rage. The host armed himself with a spit, and `
` rushed into the chamber occupied by the two friends. `
` `
` "Some wine!" said Athos, on perceiving the host. `
` `
` "Some wine!" cried the stupefied host, "some wine? Why you have `
` drunk more than a hundred pistoles' worth! I am a ruined man, `
` lost, destroyed!" `
` `
` "Bah," said Athos, "we were always dry." `
` `
` "If you had been contented with drinking, well and good; but you `
` have broken all the bottles." `
` `
` "You pushed me upon a heap which rolled down. That was your `
` fault." `
` `
` "All my oil is lost!" `
` `
`
` travelers who come to the house; so that our hostelry is daily `
` going to ruin. If your friend remains another week in my cellar `
` I shall be a ruined man." `
` `
` "And not more than justice, either, you ass! Could you not `
` perceive by our appearance that we were people of quality, and `
` not coiners--say?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, you are right," said the host. "But, hark, hark! `
` There he is!" `
` `
` "Somebody has disturbed him, without doubt," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "But he must be disturbed," cried the host; "Here are two English `
` gentlemen just arrived." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, the English like good wine, as you may know, monsieur; `
` these have asked for the best. My wife has perhaps requested `
` permission of Monsieur Athos to go into the cellar to satisfy `
` these gentlemen; and he, as usual, has refused. Ah, good heaven! `
` There is the hullabaloo louder than ever!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan, in fact, heard a great noise on the side next the `
` cellar. He rose, and preceded by the host wringing his hands, `
` and followed by Planchet with his musketoon ready for use, he `
` approached the scene of action. `
` `
` The two gentlemen were exasperated; they had had a long ride, and `
` were dying with hunger and thirst. `
` `
` "But this is tyranny!" cried one of them, in very good French, `
` though with a foreign accent, "that this madman will not allow `
` these good people access to their own wine! Nonsense, let us `
` break open the door, and if he is too far gone in his madness, `
` well, we will kill him!" `
` `
` "Softly, gentlemen!" said d'Artagnan, drawing his pistols from `
` his belt, "you will kill nobody, if you please!" `
` `
` "Good, good!" cried the calm voice of Athos, from the other side `
` of the door, "let them just come in, these devourers of little `
` children, and we shall see!" `
` `
` Brave as they appeared to be, the two English gentlemen looked at `
` each other hesitatingly. One might have thought there was in `
` that cellar one of those famished ogres--the gigantic heroes of `
` popular legends, into whose cavern nobody could force their way `
` with impunity. `
` `
` There was a moment of silence; but at length the two Englishmen `
` felt ashamed to draw back, and the angrier one descended the five `
` or six steps which led to the cellar, and gave a kick against the `
` door enough to split a wall. `
` `
` "Planchet," said d'Artagnan, cocking his pistols, "I will take `
` charge of the one at the top; you look to the one below. Ah, `
` gentlemen, you want battle; and you shall have it." `
` `
` "Good God!" cried the hollow voice of Athos, "I can hear `
` d'Artagnan, I think." `
` `
` "Yes," cried d'Artagnan, raising his voice in turn, "I am here, `
` my friend." `
` `
` "Ah, good, then," replied Athos, "we will teach them, these door `
` breakers!" `
` `
` The gentlemen had drawn their swords, but they found themselves `
` taken between two fires. They still hesitated an instant; but, as `
` before, pride prevailed, and a second kick split the door from `
` bottom to top. `
` `
` "Stand on one side, d'Artagnan, stand on one side," cried Athos. `
` "I am going to fire!" `
` `
` "Gentlemen," exclaimed d'Artagnan, whom reflection never `
` abandoned, "gentlemen, think of what you are about. Patience, `
` Athos! You are running your heads into a very silly affair; you `
` will be riddled. My lackey and I will have three shots at you, `
` and you will get as many from the cellar. You will then have our `
` swords, with which, I can assure you, my friend and I can play `
` tolerably well. Let me conduct your business and my own. You `
` shall soon have something to drink; I give you my word." `
` `
` "If there is any left," grumbled the jeering voice of Athos. `
` `
` The host felt a cold sweat creep down his back. `
` `
` "How! 'If there is any left!'" murmured he. `
` `
` "What the devil! There must be plenty left," replied d'Artagnan. `
` "Be satisfied of that; these two cannot have drunk all the `
` cellar. Gentlemen, return your swords to their scabbards." `
` `
` "Well, provided you replace your pistols in your belt." `
` `
` "Willingly." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan set the example. Then, turning toward Planchet, `
` he made him a sign to uncock his musketoon. `
` `
` The Englishmen, convinced of these peaceful proceedings, sheathed `
` their swords grumblingly. The history of Athos's imprisonment `
` was then related to them; and as they were really gentlemen, they `
` pronounced the host in the wrong. `
` `
` "Now, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "go up to your room again; and `
` in ten minutes, I will answer for it, you shall have all you `
` desire." `
` `
` The Englishmen bowed and went upstairs. `
` `
` "Now I am alone, my dear Athos," said d'Artagnan; "open the door, `
` I beg of you." `
` `
` "Instantly," said Athos. `
` `
` Then was heard a great noise of fagots being removed and of the `
` groaning of posts; these were the counterscarps and bastions of `
` Athos, which the besieged himself demolished. `
` `
` An instant after, the broken door was removed, and the pale face `
` of Athos appeared, who with a rapid glance took a survey of the `
` surroundings. `
` `
` D'Artagnan threw himself on his neck and embraced him tenderly. `
` He then tried to draw him from his moist abode, but to his `
` surprise he perceived that Athos staggered. `
` `
` "You are wounded," said he. `
` `
` "I! Not at all. I am dead drunk, that's all, and never did a `
` man more strongly set about getting so. By the Lord, my good `
` host! I must at least have drunk for my part a hundred and fifty `
` bottles." `
` `
` "Mercy!" cried the host, "if the lackey has drunk only half as `
` much as the master, I am a ruined man." `
` `
` "Grimaud is a well-bred lackey. He would never think of faring `
` in the same manner as his master; he only drank from the cask. `
` Hark! I don't think he put the faucet in again. Do you hear it? `
` It is running now." `
` `
` D'Artagnan burst into a laugh which changed the shiver of the `
` host into a burning fever. `
` `
` In the meantime, Grimaud appeared in his turn behind his master, `
` with the musketoon on his shoulder, and his head shaking. Like `
` one of those drunken satyrs in the pictures of Rubens. He was `
` moistened before and behind with a greasy liquid which the host `
` recognized as his best olive oil. `
` `
` The four crossed the public room and proceeded to take possession `
` of the best apartment in the house, which d'Artagnan occupied `
` with authority. `
` `
` In the meantime the host and his wife hurried down with lamps `
` into the cellar, which had so long been interdicted to them and `
` where a frightful spectacle awaited them. `
` `
` Beyond the fortifications through which Athos had made a breach `
` in order to get out, and which were composed of fagots, planks, `
` and empty casks, heaped up according to all the rules of the `
` strategic art, they found, swimming in puddles of oil and wine, `
` the bones and fragments of all the hams they had eaten; while a `
` heap of broken bottles filled the whole left-hand corner of the `
` cellar, and a tun, the cock of which was left running, was `
` yielding, by this means, the last drop of its blood. "The image `
` of devastation and death," as the ancient poet says, "reigned as `
` over a field of battle." `
` `
` Of fifty large sausages, suspended from the joists, scarcely ten `
` remained. `
` `
` Then the lamentations of the host and hostess pierced the vault `
` of the cellar. D'Artagnan himself was moved by them. Athos did `
` not even turn his head. `
` `
` To grief succeeded rage. The host armed himself with a spit, and `
` rushed into the chamber occupied by the two friends. `
` `
` "Some wine!" said Athos, on perceiving the host. `
` `
` "Some wine!" cried the stupefied host, "some wine? Why you have `
` drunk more than a hundred pistoles' worth! I am a ruined man, `
` lost, destroyed!" `
` `
` "Bah," said Athos, "we were always dry." `
` `
` "If you had been contented with drinking, well and good; but you `
` have broken all the bottles." `
` `
` "You pushed me upon a heap which rolled down. That was your `
` fault." `
` `
` "All my oil is lost!" `
` `
`