Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
`
` "Hello, Grimaud! Planchet! Mousqueton! Bazin!" cried the four `
` young men, calling their lackeys, "clean my boots, and fetch the `
` horses from the hotel." `
` `
` Each Musketeer was accustomed to leave at the general hotel, as `
` at a barrack, his own horse and that of his lackey. Planchet, `
` Grimaud, Mousqueton, and Bazin set off at full speed. `
` `
` "Now let us lay down the plan of campaign," said Porthos. "Where `
` do we go first?" `
` `
` "To Calais," said d'Artagnan; "that is the most direct line to `
` London." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "this is my advice--" `
` `
` "Speak!" `
` `
` "Four men traveling together would be suspected. D'Artagnan will `
` give each of us his instructions. I will go by the way of `
` Boulogne to clear the way; Athos will set out two hours after, by `
` that of Amiens; Aramis will follow us by that of Noyon; as to `
` d'Artagnan, he will go by what route he thinks is best, in `
` Planchet's clothes, while Planchet will follow us like `
` d'Artagnan, in the uniform of the Guards." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Athos, "my opinion is that it is not proper to `
` allow lackeys to have anything to do in such an affair. A secret `
` may, by chance, be betrayed by gentlemen; but it is almost `
` always sold by lackeys." `
` `
` "Porthos's plan appears to me to be impracticable," said `
` d'Artagnan, "inasmuch as I am myself ignorant of what `
` instructions I can give you. I am the bearer of a letter, that `
` is all. I have not, and I cannot make three copies of that `
` letter, because it is sealed. We must, then, as it appears to `
` me, travel in company. This letter is here, in this pocket," and `
` he pointed to the pocket which contained the letter. "If I `
` should be killed, one of you must take it, and continue the `
` route; if he be killed, it will be another's turn, and so on-- `
` provided a single one arrives, that is all that is required." `
` `
` "Bravo, d'Artagnan, your opinion is mine," cried Athos, "Besides, `
` we must be consistent; I am going to take the waters, you will `
` accompany me. Instead of taking the waters of Forges, I go and `
` take sea waters; I am free to do so. If anyone wishes to stop `
` us, I will show Monsieur de Treville's letter, and you will show `
` your leaves of absence. If we are attacked, we will defend `
` ourselves; if we are tried, we will stoutly maintain that we were `
` only anxious to dip ourselves a certain number of times in the `
` sea. They would have an easy bargain of four isolated men; `
` whereas four men together make a troop. We will arm our four `
` lackeys with pistols and musketoons; if they send an army out `
` against us, we will give battle, and the survivor, as d'Artagnan `
` says, will carry the letter." `
` `
` "Well said," cried Aramis; "you don't often speak, Athos, but `
` when you do speak, it is like St. John of the Golden Mouth. I `
` agree to Athos's plan. And you, Porthos?" `
` `
` "I agree to it, too," said Porthos, "if d'Artagnan approves of `
` it. D'Artagnan, being the bearer of the letter, is naturally the `
` head of the enterprise; let him decide, and we will execute." `
` `
` "Well," said d'Artagnan, "I decide that we should adopt Athos's `
` plan, and that we set off in half an hour." `
` `
` "Agreed!" shouted the three Musketeers in chorus. `
` `
` Each one, stretching out his hand to the bag, took his seventy- `
` five pistoles, and made his preparations to set out at the time `
` appointed. `
` `
` `
` `
` 20 THE JOURNEY `
` `
` At two o'clock in the morning, our four adventurers left Paris by `
` the Barriere St. Denis. As long as it was dark they remained `
` silent; in spite of themselves they submitted to the influence of `
` the obscurity, and apprehended ambushes on every side. `
` `
` With the first rays of day their tongues were loosened; with the `
` sun gaiety revived. It was like the eve of a battle; the heart `
` beat, the eyes laughed, and they felt that the life they were `
` perhaps going to lose, was, after all, a good thing. `
` `
` Besides, the appearance of the caravan was formidable. The black `
` horses of the Musketeers, their martial carriage, with the `
` regimental step of these noble companions of the soldier, would `
` have betrayed the most strict incognito. The lackeys followed, `
` armed to the teeth. `
` `
` All went well till they arrived at Chantilly, which they reached `
` about eight o'clock in the morning. They needed breakfast, and `
` alighted at the door of an AUBERGE, recommended by a sign `
` representing St. Martin giving half his cloak to a poor man. `
` They ordered the lackeys not to unsaddle the horses, and to hold `
` themselves in readiness to set off again immediately. `
` `
` They entered the common hall, and placed themselves at table. A `
` gentleman, who had just arrived by the route of Dammartin, was `
` seated at the same table, and was breakfasting. He opened the `
` conversation about rain and fine weather; the travelers replied. `
` He drank to their good health, and the travelers returned his `
` politeness. `
` `
` But at the moment Mousqueton came to announce that the horses `
` were ready, and they were arising from table, the stranger `
` proposed to Porthos to drink the health of the cardinal. Porthos `
` replied that he asked no better if the stranger, in his turn, `
` would drink the health of the king. The stranger cried that he `
` acknowledged no other king but his Eminence. Porthos called him `
` drunk, and the stranger drew his sword. `
` `
` "You have committed a piece of folly," said Athos, "but it can't `
` be helped; there is no drawing back. Kill the fellow, and rejoin `
` us as soon as you can." `
` `
` All three remounted their horses, and set out at a good pace, `
` while Porthos was promising his adversary to perforate him with `
` all the thrusts known in the fencing schools. `
` `
` "There goes one!" cried Athos, at the end of five hundred paces. `
` `
` "But why did that man attack Porthos rather than any other one of `
` us?" asked Aramis. `
` `
` "Because, as Porthos was talking louder than the rest of us, he `
` took him for the chief," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I always said that this cadet from Gascony was a well of `
` wisdom," murmured Athos; and the travelers continued their route. `
` `
` At Beauvais they stopped two hours, as well to breathe their `
` horses a little as to wait for Porthos. At the end of two hours, `
` as Porthos did not come, not any news of him, they resumed their `
` journey. `
` `
` At a league from Beauvais, where the road was confined between `
` two high banks, they fell in with eight or ten men who, taking `
` advantage of the road being unpaved in this spot, appeared to be `
` employed in digging holes and filling up the ruts with mud. `
` `
` Aramis, not liking to soil his boots with this artificial mortar, `
` apostrophized them rather sharply. Athos wished to restrain him, `
` but it was too late. The laborers began to jeer the travelers `
` and by their insolence disturbed the equanimity even of the cool `
` Athos, who urged on his horse against one of them. `
` `
` Then each of these men retreated as far as the ditch, from which `
` each took a concealed musket; the result was that our seven `
` travelers were outnumbered in weapons. Aramis received a ball `
` which passed through his shoulder, and Mousqueton another ball `
` which lodged in the fleshy part which prolongs the lower portion `
` of the loins. Therefore Mousqueton alone fell from his horse, `
` not because he was severely wounded, but not being able to see `
` the wound, he judged it to be more serious than it really was. `
` `
` "It was an ambuscade!" shouted d'Artagnan. "Don't waste a `
` charge! Forward!" `
` `
` Aramis, wounded as he was, seized the mane of his horse, which `
` carried him on with the others. Mousqueton's horse rejoined `
` them, and galloped by the side of his companions. `
` `
` "That will serve us for a relay," said Athos. `
` `
` "I would rather have had a hat," said d'Artagnan. "Mine was `
` carried away by a ball. By my faith, it is very fortunate that `
` the letter was not in it." `
` `
` "They'll kill poor Porthos when he comes up," said Aramis. `
` `
` "If Porthos were on his legs, he would have rejoined us by this `
` time," said Athos. "My opinion is that on the ground the drunken `
` man was not intoxicated." `
` `
` They continued at their best speed for two hours, although the `
` horses were so fatigued that it was to be feared they would soon `
` refuse service. `
` `
` The travelers had chosen crossroads in the hope that they might `
` meet with less interruption; but at Crevecoeur, Aramis declared `
` he could proceed no farther. In fact, it required all the `
` courage which he concealed beneath his elegant form and polished `
` manners to bear him so far. He grew more pale every minute, and `
` they were obliged to support him on his horse. They lifted him `
` off at the door of a cabaret, left Bazin with him, who, besides, `
` in a skirmish was more embarrassing than useful, and set forward `
` again in the hope of sleeping at Amiens. `
` `
` "MORBLEU," said Athos, as soon as they were again in motion, `
` "reduced to two masters and Grimaud and Planchet! MORBLEU! I `
` won't be their dupe, I will answer for it. I will neither open `
` my mouth nor draw my sword between this and Calais. I swear `
` by--" `
` `
` "Don't waste time in swearing," said d'Artagnan; "let us gallop, `
` if our horses will consent." `
`
` "Hello, Grimaud! Planchet! Mousqueton! Bazin!" cried the four `
` young men, calling their lackeys, "clean my boots, and fetch the `
` horses from the hotel." `
` `
` Each Musketeer was accustomed to leave at the general hotel, as `
` at a barrack, his own horse and that of his lackey. Planchet, `
` Grimaud, Mousqueton, and Bazin set off at full speed. `
` `
` "Now let us lay down the plan of campaign," said Porthos. "Where `
` do we go first?" `
` `
` "To Calais," said d'Artagnan; "that is the most direct line to `
` London." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "this is my advice--" `
` `
` "Speak!" `
` `
` "Four men traveling together would be suspected. D'Artagnan will `
` give each of us his instructions. I will go by the way of `
` Boulogne to clear the way; Athos will set out two hours after, by `
` that of Amiens; Aramis will follow us by that of Noyon; as to `
` d'Artagnan, he will go by what route he thinks is best, in `
` Planchet's clothes, while Planchet will follow us like `
` d'Artagnan, in the uniform of the Guards." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Athos, "my opinion is that it is not proper to `
` allow lackeys to have anything to do in such an affair. A secret `
` may, by chance, be betrayed by gentlemen; but it is almost `
` always sold by lackeys." `
` `
` "Porthos's plan appears to me to be impracticable," said `
` d'Artagnan, "inasmuch as I am myself ignorant of what `
` instructions I can give you. I am the bearer of a letter, that `
` is all. I have not, and I cannot make three copies of that `
` letter, because it is sealed. We must, then, as it appears to `
` me, travel in company. This letter is here, in this pocket," and `
` he pointed to the pocket which contained the letter. "If I `
` should be killed, one of you must take it, and continue the `
` route; if he be killed, it will be another's turn, and so on-- `
` provided a single one arrives, that is all that is required." `
` `
` "Bravo, d'Artagnan, your opinion is mine," cried Athos, "Besides, `
` we must be consistent; I am going to take the waters, you will `
` accompany me. Instead of taking the waters of Forges, I go and `
` take sea waters; I am free to do so. If anyone wishes to stop `
` us, I will show Monsieur de Treville's letter, and you will show `
` your leaves of absence. If we are attacked, we will defend `
` ourselves; if we are tried, we will stoutly maintain that we were `
` only anxious to dip ourselves a certain number of times in the `
` sea. They would have an easy bargain of four isolated men; `
` whereas four men together make a troop. We will arm our four `
` lackeys with pistols and musketoons; if they send an army out `
` against us, we will give battle, and the survivor, as d'Artagnan `
` says, will carry the letter." `
` `
` "Well said," cried Aramis; "you don't often speak, Athos, but `
` when you do speak, it is like St. John of the Golden Mouth. I `
` agree to Athos's plan. And you, Porthos?" `
` `
` "I agree to it, too," said Porthos, "if d'Artagnan approves of `
` it. D'Artagnan, being the bearer of the letter, is naturally the `
` head of the enterprise; let him decide, and we will execute." `
` `
` "Well," said d'Artagnan, "I decide that we should adopt Athos's `
` plan, and that we set off in half an hour." `
` `
` "Agreed!" shouted the three Musketeers in chorus. `
` `
` Each one, stretching out his hand to the bag, took his seventy- `
` five pistoles, and made his preparations to set out at the time `
` appointed. `
` `
` `
` `
` 20 THE JOURNEY `
` `
` At two o'clock in the morning, our four adventurers left Paris by `
` the Barriere St. Denis. As long as it was dark they remained `
` silent; in spite of themselves they submitted to the influence of `
` the obscurity, and apprehended ambushes on every side. `
` `
` With the first rays of day their tongues were loosened; with the `
` sun gaiety revived. It was like the eve of a battle; the heart `
` beat, the eyes laughed, and they felt that the life they were `
` perhaps going to lose, was, after all, a good thing. `
` `
` Besides, the appearance of the caravan was formidable. The black `
` horses of the Musketeers, their martial carriage, with the `
` regimental step of these noble companions of the soldier, would `
` have betrayed the most strict incognito. The lackeys followed, `
` armed to the teeth. `
` `
` All went well till they arrived at Chantilly, which they reached `
` about eight o'clock in the morning. They needed breakfast, and `
` alighted at the door of an AUBERGE, recommended by a sign `
` representing St. Martin giving half his cloak to a poor man. `
` They ordered the lackeys not to unsaddle the horses, and to hold `
` themselves in readiness to set off again immediately. `
` `
` They entered the common hall, and placed themselves at table. A `
` gentleman, who had just arrived by the route of Dammartin, was `
` seated at the same table, and was breakfasting. He opened the `
` conversation about rain and fine weather; the travelers replied. `
` He drank to their good health, and the travelers returned his `
` politeness. `
` `
` But at the moment Mousqueton came to announce that the horses `
` were ready, and they were arising from table, the stranger `
` proposed to Porthos to drink the health of the cardinal. Porthos `
` replied that he asked no better if the stranger, in his turn, `
` would drink the health of the king. The stranger cried that he `
` acknowledged no other king but his Eminence. Porthos called him `
` drunk, and the stranger drew his sword. `
` `
` "You have committed a piece of folly," said Athos, "but it can't `
` be helped; there is no drawing back. Kill the fellow, and rejoin `
` us as soon as you can." `
` `
` All three remounted their horses, and set out at a good pace, `
` while Porthos was promising his adversary to perforate him with `
` all the thrusts known in the fencing schools. `
` `
` "There goes one!" cried Athos, at the end of five hundred paces. `
` `
` "But why did that man attack Porthos rather than any other one of `
` us?" asked Aramis. `
` `
` "Because, as Porthos was talking louder than the rest of us, he `
` took him for the chief," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I always said that this cadet from Gascony was a well of `
` wisdom," murmured Athos; and the travelers continued their route. `
` `
` At Beauvais they stopped two hours, as well to breathe their `
` horses a little as to wait for Porthos. At the end of two hours, `
` as Porthos did not come, not any news of him, they resumed their `
` journey. `
` `
` At a league from Beauvais, where the road was confined between `
` two high banks, they fell in with eight or ten men who, taking `
` advantage of the road being unpaved in this spot, appeared to be `
` employed in digging holes and filling up the ruts with mud. `
` `
` Aramis, not liking to soil his boots with this artificial mortar, `
` apostrophized them rather sharply. Athos wished to restrain him, `
` but it was too late. The laborers began to jeer the travelers `
` and by their insolence disturbed the equanimity even of the cool `
` Athos, who urged on his horse against one of them. `
` `
` Then each of these men retreated as far as the ditch, from which `
` each took a concealed musket; the result was that our seven `
` travelers were outnumbered in weapons. Aramis received a ball `
` which passed through his shoulder, and Mousqueton another ball `
` which lodged in the fleshy part which prolongs the lower portion `
` of the loins. Therefore Mousqueton alone fell from his horse, `
` not because he was severely wounded, but not being able to see `
` the wound, he judged it to be more serious than it really was. `
` `
` "It was an ambuscade!" shouted d'Artagnan. "Don't waste a `
` charge! Forward!" `
` `
` Aramis, wounded as he was, seized the mane of his horse, which `
` carried him on with the others. Mousqueton's horse rejoined `
` them, and galloped by the side of his companions. `
` `
` "That will serve us for a relay," said Athos. `
` `
` "I would rather have had a hat," said d'Artagnan. "Mine was `
` carried away by a ball. By my faith, it is very fortunate that `
` the letter was not in it." `
` `
` "They'll kill poor Porthos when he comes up," said Aramis. `
` `
` "If Porthos were on his legs, he would have rejoined us by this `
` time," said Athos. "My opinion is that on the ground the drunken `
` man was not intoxicated." `
` `
` They continued at their best speed for two hours, although the `
` horses were so fatigued that it was to be feared they would soon `
` refuse service. `
` `
` The travelers had chosen crossroads in the hope that they might `
` meet with less interruption; but at Crevecoeur, Aramis declared `
` he could proceed no farther. In fact, it required all the `
` courage which he concealed beneath his elegant form and polished `
` manners to bear him so far. He grew more pale every minute, and `
` they were obliged to support him on his horse. They lifted him `
` off at the door of a cabaret, left Bazin with him, who, besides, `
` in a skirmish was more embarrassing than useful, and set forward `
` again in the hope of sleeping at Amiens. `
` `
` "MORBLEU," said Athos, as soon as they were again in motion, `
` "reduced to two masters and Grimaud and Planchet! MORBLEU! I `
` won't be their dupe, I will answer for it. I will neither open `
` my mouth nor draw my sword between this and Calais. I swear `
` by--" `
` `
` "Don't waste time in swearing," said d'Artagnan; "let us gallop, `
` if our horses will consent." `
`