Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
with a certain degree of inquietude, that it was leveled in `
` his direction; but as soon as he perceived that the orifice `
` of the barrel was motionless, he threw himself upon the `
` ground. At the same instant the gun was fired, and he heard `
` the whistling of a ball pass over his head. `
` `
` No time was to be lost. D'Artagnan sprang up with a bound, `
` and at the same instant the ball from the other musket tore `
` up the gravel on the very spot on the road where he had `
` thrown himself with his face to the ground. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was not one of those foolhardy men who seek a `
` ridiculous death in order that it may be said of them that `
` they did not retreat a single step. Besides, courage was `
` out of the question here; d'Artagnan had fallen into an `
` ambush. `
` `
` "If there is a third shot," said he to himself, "I am a lost `
` man." `
` `
` He immediately, therefore, took to his heels and ran toward `
` the camp, with the swiftness of the young men of his `
` country, so renowned for their agility; but whatever might `
` be his speed, the first who fired, having had time to `
` reload, fired a second shot, and this time so well aimed `
` that it struck his hat, and carried it ten paces from him. `
` `
` As he, however, had no other hat, he picked up this as he `
` ran, and arrived at his quarters very pale and quite out of `
` breath. He sat down without saying a word to anybody, and `
` began to reflect. `
` `
` This event might have three causes: `
` `
` The first and the most natural was that it might be an `
` ambuscade of the Rochellais, who might not be sorry to kill `
` one of his Majesty's Guards, because it would be an enemy `
` the less, and this enemy might have a well-furnished purse `
` in his pocket. `
` `
` D'Artagnan took his hat, examined the hole made by the ball, `
` and shook his head. The ball was not a musket ball--it was `
` an arquebus ball. The accuracy of the aim had first given `
` him the idea that a special weapon had been employed. This `
` could not, then, be a military ambuscade, as the ball was `
` not of the regular caliber. `
` `
` This might be a kind remembrance of Monsieur the Cardinal. `
` It may be observed that at the very moment when, thanks to `
` the ray of the sun, he perceived the gun barrel, he was `
` thinking with astonishment on the forbearance of his `
` Eminence with respect to him. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan again shook his head. For people toward whom `
` he had but to put forth his hand, his Eminence had rarely `
` recourse to such means. `
` `
` It might be a vengeance of Milady; that was most probable. `
` `
` He tried in vain to remember the faces or dress of the `
` assassins; he had escaped so rapidly that he had not had `
` leisure to notice anything. `
` `
` "Ah, my poor friends!" murmured d'Artagnan; "where are you? `
` And that you should fail me!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan passed a very bad night. Three or four times he `
` started up, imagining that a man was approaching his bed for `
` the purpose of stabbing him. Nevertheless, day dawned `
` without darkness having brought any accident. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan well suspected that that which was deferred `
` was not relinquished. `
` `
` D'Artagnan remained all day in his quarters, assigning as a `
` reason to himself that the weather was bad. `
` `
` At nine o'clock the next morning, the drums beat to arms. `
` The Duc d'Orleans visited the posts. The guards were under `
` arms, and d'Artagnan took his place in the midst of his `
` comrades. `
` `
` Monsieur passed along the front of the line; then all the `
` superior officers approached him to pay their compliments, `
` M. Dessessart, captain of the Guards, as well as the others. `
` `
` At the expiration of a minute or two, it appeared to `
` d'Artagnan that M. Dessessart made him a sign to approach. `
` He waited for a fresh gesture on the part of his superior, `
` for fear he might be mistaken; but this gesture being `
` repeated, he left the ranks, and advanced to receive orders. `
` `
` "Monsieur is about to ask for some men of good will for a `
` dangerous mission, but one which will do honor to those who `
` shall accomplish it; and I made you a sign in order that you `
` might hold yourself in readiness." `
` `
` "Thanks, my captain!" replied d'Artagnan, who wished for `
` nothing better than an opportunity to distinguish himself `
` under the eye of the lieutenant general. `
` `
` In fact the Rochellais had made a sortie during the night, `
` and had retaken a bastion of which the royal army had gained `
` possession two days before. The matter was to ascertain, by `
` reconnoitering, how the enemy guarded this bastion. `
` `
` At the end of a few minutes Monsieur raised his voice, and `
` said, "I want for this mission three or four volunteers, led `
` by a man who can be depended upon." `
` `
` "As to the man to be depended upon, I have him under my `
` hand, monsieur," said M. Dessessart, pointing to d'Artagnan; `
` "and as to the four or five volunteers, Monsieur has but to `
` make his intentions known, and the men will not be wanting." `
` `
` "Four men of good will who will risk being killed with me!" `
` said d'Artagnan, raising his sword. `
` `
` Two of his comrades of the Guards immediately sprang `
` forward, and two other soldiers having joined them, the `
` number was deemed sufficient. D'Artagnan declined all `
` others, being unwilling to take the first chance from those `
` who had the priority. `
` `
` It was not known whether, after the taking of the bastion, `
` the Rochellais had evacuated it or left a garrison in it; `
` the object then was to examine the place near enough to `
` verify the reports. `
` `
` D'Artagnan set out with his four companions, and followed `
` the trench; the two Guards marched abreast with him, and the `
` two soldiers followed behind. `
` `
` They arrived thus, screened by the lining of the trench, `
` till they came within a hundred paces of the bastion. `
` There, on turning round, d'Artagnan perceived that the two `
` soldiers had disappeared. `
` `
` He thought that, beginning to be afraid, they had stayed `
` behind, and he continued to advance. `
` `
` At the turning of the counterscarp they found themselves `
` within about sixty paces of the bastion. They saw no one, `
` and the bastion seemed abandoned. `
` `
` The three composing our forlorn hope were deliberating `
` whether they should proceed any further, when all at once a `
` circle of smoke enveloped the giant of stone, and a dozen `
` balls came whistling around d'Artagnan and his companions. `
` `
` They knew all they wished to know; the bastion was guarded. `
` A longer stay in this dangerous spot would have been useless `
` imprudence. D'Artagnan and his two companions turned their `
` backs, and commenced a retreat which resembled a flight. `
` `
` On arriving at the angle of the trench which was to serve `
` them as a rampart, one of the Guardsmen fell. A ball had `
` passed through his breast. The other, who was safe and `
` sound, continued his way toward the camp. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was not willing to abandon his companion thus, `
` and stooped to raise him and assist him in regaining the `
` lines; but at this moment two shots were fired. One ball `
` struck the head of the already-wounded guard, and the other `
` flattened itself against a rock, after having passed within `
` two inches of d'Artagnan. `
` `
` The young man turned quickly round, for this attack could `
` not have come from the bastion, which was hidden by the `
` angle of the trench. The idea of the two soldiers who had `
` abandoned him occurred to his mind, and with them he `
` remembered the assassins of two evenings before. He `
` resolved this time to know with whom he had to deal, and `
` fell upon the body of his comrade as if he were dead. `
` `
` He quickly saw two heads appear above an abandoned work `
` within thirty paces of him; they were the heads of the two `
` soldiers. D'Artagnan had not been deceived; these two men `
` had only followed for the purpose of assassinating him, `
` hoping that the young man's death would be placed to the `
` account of the enemy. `
` `
` As he might be only wounded and might denounce their crime, `
` they came up to him with the purpose of making sure. `
` Fortunately, deceived by d'Artagnan's trick, they neglected `
` to reload their guns. `
` `
` When they were within ten paces of him, d'Artagnan, who in `
` falling had taken care not to let go his sword, sprang up `
` close to them. `
` `
` The assassins comprehended that if they fled toward the camp `
` without having killed their man, they should be accused by `
` him; therefore their first idea was to join the enemy. One `
` of them took his gun by the barrel, and used it as he would `
` a club. He aimed a terrible blow at d'Artagnan, who avoided `
` it by springing to one side; but by this movement he left a `
` passage free to the bandit, who darted off toward the `
` bastion. As the Rochellais who guarded the bastion were `
` ignorant of the intentions of the man they saw coming toward `
` them, they fired upon him, and he fell, struck by a ball `
`
` his direction; but as soon as he perceived that the orifice `
` of the barrel was motionless, he threw himself upon the `
` ground. At the same instant the gun was fired, and he heard `
` the whistling of a ball pass over his head. `
` `
` No time was to be lost. D'Artagnan sprang up with a bound, `
` and at the same instant the ball from the other musket tore `
` up the gravel on the very spot on the road where he had `
` thrown himself with his face to the ground. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was not one of those foolhardy men who seek a `
` ridiculous death in order that it may be said of them that `
` they did not retreat a single step. Besides, courage was `
` out of the question here; d'Artagnan had fallen into an `
` ambush. `
` `
` "If there is a third shot," said he to himself, "I am a lost `
` man." `
` `
` He immediately, therefore, took to his heels and ran toward `
` the camp, with the swiftness of the young men of his `
` country, so renowned for their agility; but whatever might `
` be his speed, the first who fired, having had time to `
` reload, fired a second shot, and this time so well aimed `
` that it struck his hat, and carried it ten paces from him. `
` `
` As he, however, had no other hat, he picked up this as he `
` ran, and arrived at his quarters very pale and quite out of `
` breath. He sat down without saying a word to anybody, and `
` began to reflect. `
` `
` This event might have three causes: `
` `
` The first and the most natural was that it might be an `
` ambuscade of the Rochellais, who might not be sorry to kill `
` one of his Majesty's Guards, because it would be an enemy `
` the less, and this enemy might have a well-furnished purse `
` in his pocket. `
` `
` D'Artagnan took his hat, examined the hole made by the ball, `
` and shook his head. The ball was not a musket ball--it was `
` an arquebus ball. The accuracy of the aim had first given `
` him the idea that a special weapon had been employed. This `
` could not, then, be a military ambuscade, as the ball was `
` not of the regular caliber. `
` `
` This might be a kind remembrance of Monsieur the Cardinal. `
` It may be observed that at the very moment when, thanks to `
` the ray of the sun, he perceived the gun barrel, he was `
` thinking with astonishment on the forbearance of his `
` Eminence with respect to him. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan again shook his head. For people toward whom `
` he had but to put forth his hand, his Eminence had rarely `
` recourse to such means. `
` `
` It might be a vengeance of Milady; that was most probable. `
` `
` He tried in vain to remember the faces or dress of the `
` assassins; he had escaped so rapidly that he had not had `
` leisure to notice anything. `
` `
` "Ah, my poor friends!" murmured d'Artagnan; "where are you? `
` And that you should fail me!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan passed a very bad night. Three or four times he `
` started up, imagining that a man was approaching his bed for `
` the purpose of stabbing him. Nevertheless, day dawned `
` without darkness having brought any accident. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan well suspected that that which was deferred `
` was not relinquished. `
` `
` D'Artagnan remained all day in his quarters, assigning as a `
` reason to himself that the weather was bad. `
` `
` At nine o'clock the next morning, the drums beat to arms. `
` The Duc d'Orleans visited the posts. The guards were under `
` arms, and d'Artagnan took his place in the midst of his `
` comrades. `
` `
` Monsieur passed along the front of the line; then all the `
` superior officers approached him to pay their compliments, `
` M. Dessessart, captain of the Guards, as well as the others. `
` `
` At the expiration of a minute or two, it appeared to `
` d'Artagnan that M. Dessessart made him a sign to approach. `
` He waited for a fresh gesture on the part of his superior, `
` for fear he might be mistaken; but this gesture being `
` repeated, he left the ranks, and advanced to receive orders. `
` `
` "Monsieur is about to ask for some men of good will for a `
` dangerous mission, but one which will do honor to those who `
` shall accomplish it; and I made you a sign in order that you `
` might hold yourself in readiness." `
` `
` "Thanks, my captain!" replied d'Artagnan, who wished for `
` nothing better than an opportunity to distinguish himself `
` under the eye of the lieutenant general. `
` `
` In fact the Rochellais had made a sortie during the night, `
` and had retaken a bastion of which the royal army had gained `
` possession two days before. The matter was to ascertain, by `
` reconnoitering, how the enemy guarded this bastion. `
` `
` At the end of a few minutes Monsieur raised his voice, and `
` said, "I want for this mission three or four volunteers, led `
` by a man who can be depended upon." `
` `
` "As to the man to be depended upon, I have him under my `
` hand, monsieur," said M. Dessessart, pointing to d'Artagnan; `
` "and as to the four or five volunteers, Monsieur has but to `
` make his intentions known, and the men will not be wanting." `
` `
` "Four men of good will who will risk being killed with me!" `
` said d'Artagnan, raising his sword. `
` `
` Two of his comrades of the Guards immediately sprang `
` forward, and two other soldiers having joined them, the `
` number was deemed sufficient. D'Artagnan declined all `
` others, being unwilling to take the first chance from those `
` who had the priority. `
` `
` It was not known whether, after the taking of the bastion, `
` the Rochellais had evacuated it or left a garrison in it; `
` the object then was to examine the place near enough to `
` verify the reports. `
` `
` D'Artagnan set out with his four companions, and followed `
` the trench; the two Guards marched abreast with him, and the `
` two soldiers followed behind. `
` `
` They arrived thus, screened by the lining of the trench, `
` till they came within a hundred paces of the bastion. `
` There, on turning round, d'Artagnan perceived that the two `
` soldiers had disappeared. `
` `
` He thought that, beginning to be afraid, they had stayed `
` behind, and he continued to advance. `
` `
` At the turning of the counterscarp they found themselves `
` within about sixty paces of the bastion. They saw no one, `
` and the bastion seemed abandoned. `
` `
` The three composing our forlorn hope were deliberating `
` whether they should proceed any further, when all at once a `
` circle of smoke enveloped the giant of stone, and a dozen `
` balls came whistling around d'Artagnan and his companions. `
` `
` They knew all they wished to know; the bastion was guarded. `
` A longer stay in this dangerous spot would have been useless `
` imprudence. D'Artagnan and his two companions turned their `
` backs, and commenced a retreat which resembled a flight. `
` `
` On arriving at the angle of the trench which was to serve `
` them as a rampart, one of the Guardsmen fell. A ball had `
` passed through his breast. The other, who was safe and `
` sound, continued his way toward the camp. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was not willing to abandon his companion thus, `
` and stooped to raise him and assist him in regaining the `
` lines; but at this moment two shots were fired. One ball `
` struck the head of the already-wounded guard, and the other `
` flattened itself against a rock, after having passed within `
` two inches of d'Artagnan. `
` `
` The young man turned quickly round, for this attack could `
` not have come from the bastion, which was hidden by the `
` angle of the trench. The idea of the two soldiers who had `
` abandoned him occurred to his mind, and with them he `
` remembered the assassins of two evenings before. He `
` resolved this time to know with whom he had to deal, and `
` fell upon the body of his comrade as if he were dead. `
` `
` He quickly saw two heads appear above an abandoned work `
` within thirty paces of him; they were the heads of the two `
` soldiers. D'Artagnan had not been deceived; these two men `
` had only followed for the purpose of assassinating him, `
` hoping that the young man's death would be placed to the `
` account of the enemy. `
` `
` As he might be only wounded and might denounce their crime, `
` they came up to him with the purpose of making sure. `
` Fortunately, deceived by d'Artagnan's trick, they neglected `
` to reload their guns. `
` `
` When they were within ten paces of him, d'Artagnan, who in `
` falling had taken care not to let go his sword, sprang up `
` close to them. `
` `
` The assassins comprehended that if they fled toward the camp `
` without having killed their man, they should be accused by `
` him; therefore their first idea was to join the enemy. One `
` of them took his gun by the barrel, and used it as he would `
` a club. He aimed a terrible blow at d'Artagnan, who avoided `
` it by springing to one side; but by this movement he left a `
` passage free to the bandit, who darted off toward the `
` bastion. As the Rochellais who guarded the bastion were `
` ignorant of the intentions of the man they saw coming toward `
` them, they fired upon him, and he fell, struck by a ball `
`