Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
`
` "In that case I am lost," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Not so bad yet," replied Athos; "for by this time she must `
` have quit the shores of France." `
` `
` D'Artagnan breathed again. `
` `
` "But after all," asked Porthos, "who is Milady?" `
` `
` "A charming woman!" said Athos, sipping a glass of sparkling `
` wine. "Villainous host!" cried he, "he has given us Anjou `
` wine instead of champagne, and fancies we know no better! `
` Yes," continued he, "a charming woman, who entertained kind `
` views toward our friend d'Artagnan, who, on his part, has `
` given her some offense for which she tried to revenge `
` herself a month ago by having him killed by two musket `
` shots, a week ago by trying to poison him, and yesterday by `
` demanding his head of the cardinal." `
` `
` "What! by demanding my head of the cardinal?" cried `
` d'Artagnan, pale with terror. `
` `
` "Yes, that is true as the Gospel," said Porthos; "I heard `
` her with my own ears." `
` `
` "I also," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Then," said d'Artagnan, letting his arm fall with `
` discouragement, "it is useless to struggle longer. I may as `
` well blow my brains out, and all will be over." `
` `
` "That's the last folly to be committed," said Athos, "seeing `
` it is the only one for which there is no remedy." `
` `
` "But I can never escape," said d'Artagnan, "with such `
` enemies. First, my stranger of Meung; then de Wardes, to `
` whom I have given three sword wounds; next Milady, whose `
` secret I have discovered; finally, the cardinal, whose `
` vengeance I have balked." `
` `
` "Well," said Athos, "that only makes four; and we are `
` four--one for one. Pardieu! if we may believe the signs `
` Grimaud is making, we are about to have to do with a very `
` different number of people. What is it, Grimaud? `
` Considering the gravity of the occasion, I permit you to `
` speak, my friend; but be laconic, I beg. What do you see?" `
` `
` "A troop." `
` `
` "Of how many persons?" `
` `
` "Twenty men." `
` `
` "What sort of men?" `
` `
` "Sixteen pioneers, four soldiers." `
` `
` "How far distant?" `
` `
` "Five hundred paces." `
` `
` "Good! We have just time to finish this fowl and to drink `
` one glass of wine to your health, d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "To your health!" repeated Porthos and Aramis. `
` `
` "Well, then, to my health! although I am very much afraid `
` that your good wishes will not be of great service to me." `
` `
` "Bah!" said Athos, "God is great, as say the followers of `
` Mohammed, and the future is in his hands." `
` `
` Then, swallowing the contents of his glass, which he put `
` down close to him, Athos arose carelessly, took the musket `
` next to him, and drew near to one of the loopholes. `
` `
` Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan followed his example. As to `
` Grimaud, he received orders to place himself behind the four `
` friends in order to reload their weapons. `
` `
` "Pardieu!" said Athos, "it was hardly worth while to `
` distribute ourselves for twenty fellows armed with pickaxes, `
` mattocks, and shovels. Grimaud had only to make them a sign `
` to go away, and I am convinced they would have left us in `
` peace." `
` `
` "I doubt that," replied d'Artagnan, "for they are advancing `
` very resolutely. Besides, in addition to the pioneers, `
` there are four soldiers and a brigadier, armed with `
` muskets." `
` `
` "That's because they don't see us," said Athos. `
` `
` "My faith," said Aramis, "I must confess I feel a great `
` repugnance to fire on these poor devils of civilians." `
` `
` "He is a bad priest," said Porthos, "who has pity for `
` heretics." `
` `
` "In truth," said Athos, "Aramis is right. I will warn `
` them." `
` `
` "What the devil are you going to do?" cried d'Artagnan, "you `
` will be shot." `
` `
` But Athos heeded not his advice. Mounting on the breach, `
` with his musket in one hand and his hat in the other, he `
` said, bowing courteously and addressing the soldiers and the `
` pioneers, who, astonished at this apparition, stopped fifty `
` paces from the bastion: "Gentlemen, a few friends and `
` myself are about to breakfast in this bastion. Now, you `
` know nothing is more disagreeable than being disturbed when `
` one is at breakfast. We request you, then, if you really `
` have business here, to wait till we have finished or repast, `
` or to come again a short time hence, unless; unless, which `
` would be far better, you form the salutary resolution to `
` quit the side of the rebels, and come and drink with us to `
` the health of the King of France." `
` `
` "Take care, Athos!" cried d'Artagnan; "don't you see they `
` are aiming?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes," said Athos; "but they are only civilians--very `
` bad marksmen, who will be sure not to hit me." `
` `
` In fact, at the same instant four shots were fired, and the `
` balls were flattened against the wall around Athos, but not `
` one touched him. `
` `
` Four shots replied to them almost instantaneously, but much `
` better aimed than those of the aggressors; three soldiers `
` fell dead, and one of the pioneers was wounded. `
` `
` "Grimaud," said Athos, still on the breach, "another `
` musket!" `
` `
` Grimaud immediately obeyed. On their part, the three `
` friends had reloaded their arms; a second discharge followed `
` the first. The brigadier and two pioneers fell dead; the `
` rest of the troop took to flight. `
` `
` "Now, gentlemen, a sortie!" cried Athos. `
` `
` And the four friends rushed out of the fort, gained the `
` field of battle, picked up the four muskets of the privates `
` and the half-pike of the brigadier, and convinced that the `
` fugitives would not stop till they reached the city, turned `
` again toward the bastion, bearing with them the trophies of `
` their victory. `
` `
` "Reload the muskets, Grimaud," said Athos, "and we, `
` gentlemen, will go on with our breakfast, and resume our `
` conversation. Where were we?" `
` `
` "I recollect you were saying," said d'Artagnan, "that after `
` having demanded my head of the cardinal, Milady had quit the `
` shores of France. Whither goes she?" added he, strongly `
` interested in the route Milady followed. `
` `
` "She goes into England," said Athos. `
` `
` "With what view?" `
` `
` "With the view of assassinating, or causing to be `
` assassinated, the Duke of Buckingham." `
` `
` D'Artagnan uttered an exclamation of surprise and `
` indignation. `
` `
` "But this is infamous!" cried he. `
` `
` "As to that," said Athos, "I beg you to believe that I care `
` very little about it. Now you have done, Grimaud, take our `
` brigadier's half-pike, tie a napkin to it, and plant it on `
` top of our bastion, that these rebels of Rochellais may see `
` that they have to deal with brave and loyal soldiers of the `
` king." `
` `
` Grimaud obeyed without replying. An instant afterward, the `
` white flag was floating over the heads of the four friends. `
` A thunder of applause saluted its appearance; half the camp `
` was at the barrier. `
` `
` "How?" replied d'Artagnan, "you care little if she kills `
` Buckingham or causes him to be killed? But the duke is our `
` friend." `
` `
` "The duke is English; the duke fights against us. Let her `
` do what she likes with the duke; I care no more about him `
` than an empty bottle." And Athos threw fifteen paces from `
` him an empty bottle from which he had poured the last drop `
` into his glass. `
` `
` "A moment," said d'Artagnan. "I will not abandon Buckingham `
` thus. He gave us some very fine horses." `
` `
` "And moreover, very handsome saddles," said Porthos, who at `
` the moment wore on his cloak the lace of his own. `
` `
` "Besides," said Aramis, "God desires the conversion and not `
`
` "In that case I am lost," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Not so bad yet," replied Athos; "for by this time she must `
` have quit the shores of France." `
` `
` D'Artagnan breathed again. `
` `
` "But after all," asked Porthos, "who is Milady?" `
` `
` "A charming woman!" said Athos, sipping a glass of sparkling `
` wine. "Villainous host!" cried he, "he has given us Anjou `
` wine instead of champagne, and fancies we know no better! `
` Yes," continued he, "a charming woman, who entertained kind `
` views toward our friend d'Artagnan, who, on his part, has `
` given her some offense for which she tried to revenge `
` herself a month ago by having him killed by two musket `
` shots, a week ago by trying to poison him, and yesterday by `
` demanding his head of the cardinal." `
` `
` "What! by demanding my head of the cardinal?" cried `
` d'Artagnan, pale with terror. `
` `
` "Yes, that is true as the Gospel," said Porthos; "I heard `
` her with my own ears." `
` `
` "I also," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Then," said d'Artagnan, letting his arm fall with `
` discouragement, "it is useless to struggle longer. I may as `
` well blow my brains out, and all will be over." `
` `
` "That's the last folly to be committed," said Athos, "seeing `
` it is the only one for which there is no remedy." `
` `
` "But I can never escape," said d'Artagnan, "with such `
` enemies. First, my stranger of Meung; then de Wardes, to `
` whom I have given three sword wounds; next Milady, whose `
` secret I have discovered; finally, the cardinal, whose `
` vengeance I have balked." `
` `
` "Well," said Athos, "that only makes four; and we are `
` four--one for one. Pardieu! if we may believe the signs `
` Grimaud is making, we are about to have to do with a very `
` different number of people. What is it, Grimaud? `
` Considering the gravity of the occasion, I permit you to `
` speak, my friend; but be laconic, I beg. What do you see?" `
` `
` "A troop." `
` `
` "Of how many persons?" `
` `
` "Twenty men." `
` `
` "What sort of men?" `
` `
` "Sixteen pioneers, four soldiers." `
` `
` "How far distant?" `
` `
` "Five hundred paces." `
` `
` "Good! We have just time to finish this fowl and to drink `
` one glass of wine to your health, d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "To your health!" repeated Porthos and Aramis. `
` `
` "Well, then, to my health! although I am very much afraid `
` that your good wishes will not be of great service to me." `
` `
` "Bah!" said Athos, "God is great, as say the followers of `
` Mohammed, and the future is in his hands." `
` `
` Then, swallowing the contents of his glass, which he put `
` down close to him, Athos arose carelessly, took the musket `
` next to him, and drew near to one of the loopholes. `
` `
` Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan followed his example. As to `
` Grimaud, he received orders to place himself behind the four `
` friends in order to reload their weapons. `
` `
` "Pardieu!" said Athos, "it was hardly worth while to `
` distribute ourselves for twenty fellows armed with pickaxes, `
` mattocks, and shovels. Grimaud had only to make them a sign `
` to go away, and I am convinced they would have left us in `
` peace." `
` `
` "I doubt that," replied d'Artagnan, "for they are advancing `
` very resolutely. Besides, in addition to the pioneers, `
` there are four soldiers and a brigadier, armed with `
` muskets." `
` `
` "That's because they don't see us," said Athos. `
` `
` "My faith," said Aramis, "I must confess I feel a great `
` repugnance to fire on these poor devils of civilians." `
` `
` "He is a bad priest," said Porthos, "who has pity for `
` heretics." `
` `
` "In truth," said Athos, "Aramis is right. I will warn `
` them." `
` `
` "What the devil are you going to do?" cried d'Artagnan, "you `
` will be shot." `
` `
` But Athos heeded not his advice. Mounting on the breach, `
` with his musket in one hand and his hat in the other, he `
` said, bowing courteously and addressing the soldiers and the `
` pioneers, who, astonished at this apparition, stopped fifty `
` paces from the bastion: "Gentlemen, a few friends and `
` myself are about to breakfast in this bastion. Now, you `
` know nothing is more disagreeable than being disturbed when `
` one is at breakfast. We request you, then, if you really `
` have business here, to wait till we have finished or repast, `
` or to come again a short time hence, unless; unless, which `
` would be far better, you form the salutary resolution to `
` quit the side of the rebels, and come and drink with us to `
` the health of the King of France." `
` `
` "Take care, Athos!" cried d'Artagnan; "don't you see they `
` are aiming?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes," said Athos; "but they are only civilians--very `
` bad marksmen, who will be sure not to hit me." `
` `
` In fact, at the same instant four shots were fired, and the `
` balls were flattened against the wall around Athos, but not `
` one touched him. `
` `
` Four shots replied to them almost instantaneously, but much `
` better aimed than those of the aggressors; three soldiers `
` fell dead, and one of the pioneers was wounded. `
` `
` "Grimaud," said Athos, still on the breach, "another `
` musket!" `
` `
` Grimaud immediately obeyed. On their part, the three `
` friends had reloaded their arms; a second discharge followed `
` the first. The brigadier and two pioneers fell dead; the `
` rest of the troop took to flight. `
` `
` "Now, gentlemen, a sortie!" cried Athos. `
` `
` And the four friends rushed out of the fort, gained the `
` field of battle, picked up the four muskets of the privates `
` and the half-pike of the brigadier, and convinced that the `
` fugitives would not stop till they reached the city, turned `
` again toward the bastion, bearing with them the trophies of `
` their victory. `
` `
` "Reload the muskets, Grimaud," said Athos, "and we, `
` gentlemen, will go on with our breakfast, and resume our `
` conversation. Where were we?" `
` `
` "I recollect you were saying," said d'Artagnan, "that after `
` having demanded my head of the cardinal, Milady had quit the `
` shores of France. Whither goes she?" added he, strongly `
` interested in the route Milady followed. `
` `
` "She goes into England," said Athos. `
` `
` "With what view?" `
` `
` "With the view of assassinating, or causing to be `
` assassinated, the Duke of Buckingham." `
` `
` D'Artagnan uttered an exclamation of surprise and `
` indignation. `
` `
` "But this is infamous!" cried he. `
` `
` "As to that," said Athos, "I beg you to believe that I care `
` very little about it. Now you have done, Grimaud, take our `
` brigadier's half-pike, tie a napkin to it, and plant it on `
` top of our bastion, that these rebels of Rochellais may see `
` that they have to deal with brave and loyal soldiers of the `
` king." `
` `
` Grimaud obeyed without replying. An instant afterward, the `
` white flag was floating over the heads of the four friends. `
` A thunder of applause saluted its appearance; half the camp `
` was at the barrier. `
` `
` "How?" replied d'Artagnan, "you care little if she kills `
` Buckingham or causes him to be killed? But the duke is our `
` friend." `
` `
` "The duke is English; the duke fights against us. Let her `
` do what she likes with the duke; I care no more about him `
` than an empty bottle." And Athos threw fifteen paces from `
` him an empty bottle from which he had poured the last drop `
` into his glass. `
` `
` "A moment," said d'Artagnan. "I will not abandon Buckingham `
` thus. He gave us some very fine horses." `
` `
` "And moreover, very handsome saddles," said Porthos, who at `
` the moment wore on his cloak the lace of his own. `
` `
` "Besides," said Aramis, "God desires the conversion and not `
`