D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 245: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

230 For the King. While they were making themselves at home, Don Juan had the same task as regarded all Portugal. He seemed to be “laying on his oars” at the great seaport. If his naval scouts had penetrated the capital, as we know, their presence was not published. Daily, the Spanish officials flocked into town, report- ing monotonously that the provinces were gone over to the Pretender, and that resistance was a farce since the soldiers had been bought. If the garrison had vacated the citadel, it was to remove any fear of the citizens that its cannon would be used to demolish the place in case of a rising. But the loyalty of the Lisbonese was not doubted; at least, to let the inhabitants guard their own walls was in witness. ‘This liberation of the troops al- lowed the generals to march out and give battle to the revolutionists in event of their showing a menacing front. In the meantime, the guards of the public buildings and the vice-regal palace were doubled, and the monasteries fortified, it was said. With the soldiers, then, outside the wall or confined to the palaces used as barracks, never was the town more quiet, save for the everlasting babbling over the news and rumors. The two Frenchmen had had a sumptuous breakfast, which 'was really an early dinner—beef soup thickened with rice and vegetables, a saddle of mutton roasted be- fore the fire, lean but desirable game which Porthos could not have bettered out of his own warrens. “My father,” explained the count, “was high game- keeper to the old king.” He had preferred the camp to the court and passed most of his years in the campaigns. “So, my dear Gannarta,” said the host to the muske- teer captain, as the steward filled the rock-crystal cups with a wine equal to Quaqua’s, “you come to Lisbon to uphold the old royalty and, like us, oppose any attempt to overthrow fixed order in favor of this self-constituted king ?” 2 “Tl am always for order, dear Knight Hospitaller, and I am hoping that you will furnish the chance to display my zeal.” Porthos had on his fork a redolent teal, fed before its GEomicbooks.co - ~~ —« " — aa SR PE, gp Ni '