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Books
The Three Musketeers
Twenty Years Later
The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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Twenty Years Later 249 at Prostate Health
with him. He found the wharf too completely
deserted, the night too dark, the captain too accommodating.
He had reported to Aramis what had taken place, and Aramis,
not less distrustful than he, had increased his suspicions.
A slight click of the tongue against his teeth informed
Athos of the Gascons uneasiness.
"We have no time now for suspicions," said Athos. "The boat
is waiting for us; come."
"Besides," said Aramis, "what prevents our being distrustful
and going aboard at the same time? We can watch the
skipper."
"And if he doesnt go straight I will crush him, thats
all."
"Well said, Porthos," replied DArtagnan. "Let us go, then.
You first, Mousqueton," and he stopped his friends, directing
the valets to go first, in order to test the plank leading
from the pier to the boat.
The three valets passed without accident. Athos followed
them, then Porthos, then Aramis. DArtagnan went last, still
shaking his head.
"What in the devil is the matter with you, my friend?" said
Porthos. "Upon my word you would make Caesar afraid."
"The matter is," replied DArtagnan, "that I can see upon
this pier neither inspector nor sentinel nor exciseman."
"And you complain of that!" said Porthos. "Everything goes
as if in flowery paths."
"Everything goes too well, Porthos. But no matter; we must
trust in God."
As soon as the plank was withdrawn the captain took his
place at the tiller and made a sign to one of the sailors,
who, boat-hook in hand, began to push out from the labyrinth
of boats in which they were involved. The other sailor had
already seated himself on the port side and was ready to
row. As soon as there was room for rowing, his companion
rejoined him and the boat began to move more rapidly.
"At last we are off!" exclaimed Porthos.
"Alas," said Athos, "we depart alone."
"Yes; but all four together and without a scratch; which is
a consolation."
"We are not yet at our destination," observed the prudent
DArtagnan; "beware of misadventure."
"Ah, my friend!" cried Porthos, "like the crows, you always
bring bad omens. Who could intercept us on such a night as
this, pitch dark, when one does not see more than twenty
yards before one?"
"Yes, but to-morrow morning ---- "
"To-morrow we shall be at Boulogne."
"I hope so, with all my heart," said the Gascon, "and I
confess my weakness. Yes, Athos, you may laugh, but as long
as we were within gunshot of the pier or of the vessels
lying by it I was looking for a frightful discharge of
musketry which would crush us."
"But," said Porthos, with great wisdom, "that was
impossible, for they would have killed the captain and the
sailors."
"Bah! much Monsieur Mordaunt would care. You dont imagine
he would consider a little thing like that?"
"At any rate," said Porthos, "I am glad to hear DArtagnan
admit that he is afraid."
"I not only confess it, but am proud of it," returned the
Gascon; "Im not such a rhinoceros as you are. Oho! whats
that?"
"The Lightning," answered the captain, "our felucca."
"So far, so good," laughed Athos.
They went on board and the captain instantly conducted them
to the berth prepared for them -- a cabin which was to serve
for all purposes and for the whole party; he then tried to
slip away under pretext of giving orders to some one.
"Stop a moment," cried DArtagnan; "pray how many men have
you on board, captain?"
"I dont understand," was the reply.
"Explain it, Athos."
Groslow, on the question being interpreted, answered,
"Three, without counting myself."
DArtagnan understood, for while replying the captain had
raised three fingers. "Oh!" he exclaimed, "I begin to be
more at my ease, however, whilst you settle yourselves, I
shall make the round of the boat."
"As for me," said Porthos, "I will see to the supper."
"A very good idea, Porthos," said the Gascon. "Athos lend me
Grimaud, who in the society of his friend Parry has perhaps
picked up a little English, and can act as my interpreter."
"Go, Grimaud," said Athos.
DArtagnan, finding a lantern on the deck, took it up and
with a pistol in his hand he said to the captain, in
English, "Come," (being, with the classic English oath, the
only English words he knew), and so saying he descended to
the lower deck.
This was divided into three compartments -- one which was
covered by the floor of that room in which Athos, Porthos
and Aramis were to pass the night; the second was to serve
as the sleeping-room for the servants, the third, under the
prow of the ship, was under the temporary cabin in which
Mordaunt was concealed.
"Oho!"
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