Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

_ ‘ep the servants in anything of this kind; a secret may, eye be betrayed by gentlemen; but is almost always sotd by servants."’ . ** The plan of Porthos ap ‘bdle,” said d’Artagnan, *‘ as ee) 4 uctions 1 could give you. I am the bearer of a fetter—thatisall. Ihave not, and Il cannot make, three copies of this letter, since it is sealed, We must, there- fore, in my opinion, travel in company. This letter is _ ‘here, in this pocket;” and he pointed out the pocket which contained the letter. ‘“ If lam killed, one of you will take it, and will continue the journey; if he is killed, it willbe another's turn; and so on. Provided - only one should arrive, itis all that is necessary."’ _ . “Brave, d’Artagnan, Your advice is also mine,” said Athos, ‘* Nevertheless, we must be consistent. I am 4 to take the waters, and you will accompany me; ve ut instead of going to Forges, I am going tothe sea- side; I may do which L like. Ti anybody wants to arrest ‘) me, { show M. de Treville's letter, and you wiilshow your _, leaves of absence; if they attack us, we will defend our- . elves; if they examine us, we must maintain sharply that we had no other intention than to dip ourselves a - in number oftimesin the sea, They would have _, to easy a conquest over four separate men; whilst four «men united make atroop. We will arm our four serv- ants with musquetcens and pistols; and if they send an army against us, we will give battle, and the survivor, as Siete meee has said, will deliver the letter.” _. Well done,"’ said Aramis; *‘ you do not speak often, Athos; but when you do speak, itis like St. John with the golden mouth. 1a ‘opt the plan of Athos.” , , ‘*And you, Porthos?” :, feat ** And IL also,’’ sa.d Porthos, ‘if it suits d’Artagnan. | Ags the bearer of the letier, he is naturally the leader of _ ss the enterprise. Let him decide, and we will obey.” Well, then,” said d’Artagnan, “I decide that we 1 ae pont pian of Athos, and that we set out in half an ur r jr a en, Agreed” exclaimed the three musketeers in Lieey.- Sherus. | Le Ve And each, plunging his hand into the bag, took from It ~~ @eventy-five pistoles, and made his preparations to de- _ ‘part at the appointed time. 4 \ "% | Pal ral 5 £ Ue ars to me to be impractica- do not myself know what 7 hes ral - aS 4 . ihe a rtd S rift 7 mn ¥ CHAPTER XX. _ THE JOURNEY. ae Ar two o'clock in the morning, our four adventurers _ ‘eft Paris, by the barrier St. Denis, Whilst the dark- _ mess lasted, they continued silent. In spite of them- ‘gs or Font they felt the influence of the obscurity, and sus- 11h to the teeth. 7! an ambuscade at every step. i y hg gh ay i arined oi ae went on well as far as Chantilly, where they ar- id Bae = sed at about eight in the morning, and where they is Were obliged to breakfast. They dismounted at a tav- which was recommended by the sign of St. Martin, gh @ half bis cloak toa beggar. They ordered their ervants not to unsaddle their horses, and te be ready at a moment's notice. y entered the common room of the inn, and placed he selves at a table. A gentleman, who had arrived ii ioe Derepemartin road, was seated at the table, break- . He entered into conversation, concerning the AS of F a a 4 , 4 Nt i \e * Wi 4h i 1 \ “ === — ~~ assur agmmengilll roe An — eat item rain ae the fine weather. The travellers replied: he eee a & to their healths, and they returned the co npli- _ ment. But at the moment when Mousqueton came to ko). _ announce that the horses were ready, and as they arose to Ogee 9 table, the stranger proposed to Porthos, to } - drink cardinal’s he orthos replied, that he oh the cardinal’s health. Porth lied, that h des nothing better, prowded the stranger would, in | turn, drink the health of the king. The stranger ex- is os aoe that he knew no other king than his eminence. On this, Porthos called him a drunken fellow, and the Se drew his sword. _ “¥ou have done a foolish thing,” said Athos, ‘‘ but ] = — , | Y¥ ie ‘never mind you cannot draw back now; kill the fellow, and come after us as quick as you can.”’ _ And all three mounted their horses, and departed at full speed; whilst Porthos promised his adversary to rforate him in all the fashions known to the fencing “There's an end of one,” said Athos, after they had -_. traveled five hundred paces, ee A * But why did that man attack Porthos, rather than the others?"’ said Aramis. | “Because from Porthos speaking louder than the st of us, he took him for the leader of the party, said an Pe uees ays said,’’ muttered Athos, ‘‘ that the Gascon _ youth was a well of wisdom.” _ ~ The travellers proceeded on their way. I ae a - r, 7 wd + * -“ . i <2 =: = - ° —— — — > = ~ ath * - i << _ i‘ *. s > Bon Gee 2 * ~~ ~" ee has “sr fv _-- w At Beauvais they stopped two hours, partly te breathe Tee pt 2 - horses, and partly to wait for Porthos. At the ti _ —s nd of that time, as neither Porthos, nor any intelli- ‘ioe aay er him, had arrived, they resumed their journey. | ar a league from Beauyais, at a point where the |. way was narrowed between two banks, they met eight or vot peng who, taking advantage of the road being Bae at his place, seemed to be engaged in digging Poe Diolas and making muddy ruts. aan Aramis fearing to dirty his boots in this artificial Sak lough, apostrop ized them rndely. Athos wished to hee. ON m, but it was too late. é workmen began 4 ‘to _rail at the travellers; and, by their insolence, even Bho, ruffled the temper of the cool Athos, who urged his ipa. wainst one of them. ae . & ¢ a - io eed ¥ ‘is ' j lg ssion, each of these men drew back to - took from it a concealed musket. The that our seven travellers were literally rid- | Aramis received a ball through the and Mousqueton another in the a part of the Toins. But Mousqueton alone fell rse; not that he was seriously wounded, but * —_— | ‘ THE THREE GUARDSMEN. ee eee ee ee ee “This is an ambnscade,” said d’Artagnan: “let us not burn priming, but away.”’ Aramis, wounded as he waa, seized the mane of his horse, which carried him off with the others. That of Mousqueton had rejoined them, and galloped without a rider by their side. ** That will give us a spare horse,”’ said Athos. **7T should much prefer a hat,”’ said d'Artagnan mine has been carried off by a ball. It is very faith, that my Ictter was not within it.”’ ‘* Ah! but they will kill poor Porthos, when he comes up,’’ said Aramis. ‘* If Porthos were upon his legs, he would have rejoin- ed us ere this,” said Athos; oe is my opinion that, in the combat, the drunkard grew sober.”’ They galloped on for two more hours, althongh the horses were so fatigued, that it was to be feared they would break down on the way. The travelers had taken a cross-road, hoping thereb to be leas molested; but at Crevocceur, Aramis declarec that he could go no farther. In fact it had required all the courage which he concealed beneath his elegant § *in and polished manners, to proceed so far. Ateach mvve- ment he grew paler; and they were at la-t obliged to support him on his horse. Putting him down at the door of a wine-s' op, and leaving with him Bazin, who was more hindrance than help in a skirmish, they set off again, in hopes of reaching Amiens to yore **Zounds!" said Athos, when they found themselves once more gs the way, reduced to two masters, with Grimaud and Planchet, *‘ Zounds I will be their dupe no more. [I promise you that t shall not make me open my month, or draw my sword, between here and Calais, I ewear— r ‘*Don’t swear,” said d’Artagnan, “‘ but gallop, that is, if our horses will consent to it.” And the travelers dug th ir spurs into the flanks of their horses, which, thus urged, recovered some degree of strength. They reached Amiens at midnight, and dismounted at ee of the Golden Lily. The ht pass uickly enough. Some one at- tempted about two o'clock, to open the door; but, as Planchet awoke with a start,and cried out “who is there?”’’ he was answered that it was a mi > and then the footsteps retreated. At four in the sphtny os ges noise was heard from the stables, Grimaud endeavored to awake the ostlers, and they had made an attack upon him, en the window was opened, they saw the pvor fellow lying senseless, with his head split open by the blow of a broom handle. ° Planchet went into the court-yard, and wanted to sad- dle the horses, but the horses were completely foundered. That of Grimaud, which had traveled for five or six hours without arider, the evening before, might have continued its journey; but, by an inconceivable mis- take, the veterinary surgeon, whom they had brought, as it pe ea to bleed the landlord’s horse, had bled that of Grimand. This began to be vexatious. All theae successive accidents were ~~ the resnlt of chance; but they mightalso be the effect of design. Athos and d’Ar- tagnan stepped out, whilst Planchet went to inquire whether there was three horses to be sold in the neigh- borhood. Atthe door were two horses ready saddled, fresh, and vigorous. Thiswasjustthe thing. He asked where their masters were; and wasinformed that the ge the night there, and were now paying their Athos went down to settle their account whilst d’- Artagnan and Plunchet remained at the door, The inn- keeper was in adistant lower room, which Athos was requested to enter, thos went in without distrust, and took out two pistoles to pay. The host was alone, and seated at his desk, one of the drawers of which was partly open. He took the mony which Athos ae him, turned it over in his hands, and suddenly exclaiming that the pieces were bad, declared tht he wonld have him and his companion arrested as passers of false coin. **You rascal!l’’ said Athos, as he went towards him, ‘“*T will cut off your ears.” But the host stooped down, and taking two pistols from the drawer, aimed them at Athos, vociferating, at the same time, for help. At that very moment, four men, armed to the teeth, rushed in through the side doors, and fell upon Athos. “Tam seized!” bawled Athos, with the utmost strength of his lungs: ‘‘away with you d’Artagnan. spur on! spur on!” and he fired off his two pistols. ** for lucky, D'Artagnan and Planchet did not wait to be twice warned. They unfastened the two horses which were standing at the door, jumped upon them, dug the spurs into their sides, and went off at full gallop. ‘*Do you know what has become of Athos?’ asked d’Artagnan, as they hurried on. “Oh, sir,” said Planchet, ‘‘ [I saw two men fall at his two shots, and it seemed to me, through the window, as if he were working away at the others with his sword.’ ‘* Brave Athos!”* ejaculated d’Artagnan. ‘* And then to feel that [must abandon you! Well! the samethin awaits us, perhaps, at ten paces hence. Forward Planchet, forward! You are a brave fellow.’ “Ttold you so, sir,’ replied Planchet; ‘the Picards are only known by being used, Besides, I am in my own country here, and that excites me.” And both of them spurring on as fast as possible, ar- rived at St. Omer without a moment's stay. At St. Omer they breathed their horses, with their bridles hanging on their arms for fear of accident, and ate a morsel standing in the street; after which they again set off. At a hundred paces fromthe gates of Calais, d’Artag- nan’s horse fell, and could by no means be got up again! the blood gushed from his eyes and nose. That of Planchet still remained; but he had chosen to halt, and nothing could induce him to continue his exertions. Fortunately, as we have said, they were only a hun- dred pacesfrom the town. They therefore left the two ———— = rag se , Sa a P be wry i4e A Salt Dene: ee P pai ee Be ae 7 I Fe IRS ey -- wu a. ee ae Te ee Vee Mec. ee 4 . J , ‘ . a. i) Ta eo. a Ss >. i Lee ot f) ‘read J a ,d.¢ 5 ft te o he oe . . a ae OF & » at gh , d <> Ste aay Diam k A on Reger gulp ene FY TE ye reer SRR A NORA IRD F cautery, AMR hes iE Hee eR Ge RE aR ak. cat Laie Tee Se OM LO Re. Perey es oy Pa _¥ fs j >» . p ae iS - nit a’ re _¥ om. ee ry yta q h< ™ " ant De ety - +4 ds ed 5 yy v "ap es " ae 4 > wee ¢ oh. 3% ws ug ‘ “y : K ‘ i “= ' ues - é gt} 3 roAe .™ 1 a Zui? . 7a" *” - 3 P 4 Sa, 7 ' 2’, hat. Sma * - . ee ni, , oe ¥ ' + Sa. % Vi ca ‘ e a th, ’ « a’ ; agate a fo Se ah Mg eae he / F oe, eke es Wyle rate q cir re oy Faoat tke tote CA Ee eee et ; - i. : . i Ae , * I 4 : 4 , * ( ‘ . 9 ’ , 7 : ‘ ; >. : . ~~ : J . . 3 \ j ‘ . he 4 atecds upon the high road, and ran to the harbor, Pian- chet made his master remark @ gentiemaa who had just arrived with his servant, and was not above fifty : yards before them. = They hastily drew near this gentleman, who appeared uy to be exceedingly busy. His boots were covered with : dust, and he inquired whether he could not pass over to England instantaneously, ) ‘* Nothing could be more easy,”’ replied the master of a& vessel then ready for sailing, ** but an order arrived thia morning to let no one leave without perta.ssios from the cardinal.”’ ‘‘T have got that permission,” said the pee. **there it is.” drawing a paper from his oe Sop? y the governor of the pert,’ ‘Get it countersigned — aeid the master of the vessel, ‘‘and give me the firs / chance.” ot ‘‘ Where shall I find the governor?” ** At his country house.’ ‘‘ And his country house is sitnated-——”" ‘At a quarter of a learue from the town: you may distinguish it from here—the slated roef, at the foot of that little hill.” ) ‘‘ Very well,” said the gentleman; and, follewed by Hika servant, he took the road to the governor's eeuntry ouse. thes pn and Planchet followed him, at the dis- tance of five hundred yards, | Ouce out of the town, d'Artagnan hurried forwards, Y and joined the g-ntleman as he entered a sunall wood. r ee ir,”” said d'Artagnan, ‘“‘you appear in paréicular 4 ite?’ ‘* No one can be more 80, sir.”” | **T am very sorry for it,’* said d’A for, as | am ina hurry also, I want you to render me aservice."’ . “ olen ta the straits bef ” | ** To let me pasa the 8 ore you. | ‘‘Tmposeible |’ said the gentleman. “I have don: sixty l.agues in’ forty-four hours, and I must be i. \ 4 London by noon to-morrow.” ‘And 1” said d'Artagnan, ** have the game di.- tance in forty hours, and must be In Lendea by ten “4 o'clock to-morrow.” a | “Tam grieved, sir; but I have got here first, and wi)! “ not go over second.” am grieved also, sir,’ said d’Artagnan, “but i have got here second, and mean to go over - “The king's service?’ said the gentlemam, ‘* My own service!” replied d'Artagnan. A ‘* But, it seems to me that this is a poor quarrel which . | you are seeking to make?” a ‘*Zounds! what would you have it?** i “What do you want!” - - td Ate want to know?" } ** Certainly.” “* Very welll I want the order wah yee tere im your — ‘e pocket, as Lhave none, and you must ons.” 3 ‘| presume you are a | ‘*T never joke.”’ = | “Let me pass, sir.” . “You shall not pass."” oD ‘*My brave young man, I will blow your brates out. 7 | Hollo! Lubin, my pistols.” Yt ‘*Planchet,” ga d'Artagnan, “take caro of the man. le I will manage the master.’ ia Planchet, encourag:d by what had already ed, rushed upon Lubin, and as he was strong and ‘ [ laid him on his back, and pat his knee upon his breast. a: ‘Do yeur business, sir,’ said Planchet to his master. a ‘*T have settled mine.” A Sceing this, the gentleman drew his sword, and fell on — ; but he had to do with rather a pewerful hand. In three seconds d’Artagnan gave him three wounds, baying, at each thrust— | ‘One for Athos, one for Porthos, and one for Aramis.” At the third stroke the gentleman fell like a clod. "| D’Artagnan thought he was dead, or at least that he | had fainted, and approached him to seize the order; but, at the moment that he stretched out his hand to feel for | it, the wounded man, who had not dropped his sword, } stabbed him with it on the chest, saying— ‘ ‘*One for you!” ‘‘And one more for you! and the best last!” cried 4 d’Artagnan, pareusly inning him to the earth with a fourth wound thro 6 stomach. ; F This time the gentleman closed his eyes, and fainted. > | D'Artagnan fe't in the pocket where he had seen him BB place the order for his passage, and took it, It was in | the name of the Count de Wardes. Then, throwing a last glance on the handsome young man, Who was scarcely twenty-five years old, and whom he left lying there senseless, and perhaps dead, he breathed a sigh at the strange destiny which leads men to destroy each other for the interests of those they acarcely know, and who often are not even aware of their existence. : But he was soon disturbed in these reflections by | Lain, who was howling and crying for aid with all hi) might. - Planchet put his hand upon his throat, and squeezei Py it as hard as he could. . Sir,” said he, ‘‘as long as I hold him 60, he will no: i F cry out; but the moment I leave go, he will Nn again. } I can see he is a Norman, and the Normans are mou- strously obstinate.”’ In fant: eezed as he was, Lubin still endeavored tu sound his pipes. ‘‘Stop!? said d'Artagnan; and taking his handker- ; 3 chief, he gagged him. . F ‘‘Now,’’ said Planchet, ‘‘ let us bind him to a tree.” . F The thing was properly done. Theythen placed the , | Count near his servant; and, as the night to fall, and as both the bound man and the wounded one were some paces in the wood, it was clear that they must re- - | main there till the next morning. ’ ‘** And now,” said d’A , “*for the or." ) ‘You are wounded, I fear?’’ said Planchet. : ~~ > » | ‘A 5 (G| eye) ae