Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

ya THE THREE GUARDSMEN. resuming his pious reading, » “But thatis not what I wanted to know, Aramis.”’ | in his arms. y continued Athos. ‘' Were you free, and did no one dis- ~ * turb you?” the landlord. “Why, I think that there were not many idlers,” re- lied Aramis. Yes, in fact, for what you want, Athos, think we shall do well enough at the Parpaillot. > ‘**Come, then; let us to the Puarpaillot,” said Athos, **Must I give you the chance. sir?’’ said mine host. ** for here the walls are like leaves of paper.” “No; but add a couple of bottles of champagne, and D’Artagnan, who was accustomed to his friend's man- | the difference will ay for the napkins.” ner, and understood by a word, agesture,oralookfrom} The landlord had not made nite such a good thing of him, that circumstances called for seriousness, took his | it as he at first expected; but he recompensed himself arm, and went ont with him, without uttering a word. | for it by palming off on his four guests two bottles of Porthos followed them, in talk with Aramis. | Anjou wine, instead of the two bottles of champagne. On their way they met Grimaud, and Athos beckoned *““M. de Busigny, will you regulate your watch by to him to attend them. Grimaud, according to custom, mine, or permit me to regulate mine by yours?” inquired ‘ obeyed in silence; the poor fellow had finished by | Athos. ~ almost forgetting how to speak. When they arrived atthe Parpaillot, it was seven in | drawing from his fob a very beautiful watch eucircled the morning, and the day was just beginning todawn. | with diamonds. “ Half-past seven,” added he. _. “The three friends ordered breakfast, and entered aroom, Five-and-thirty minutes after seven,” said Athos, Ay bee Ag landlord assured them that they would not be | “we shall remember that I am five minutes in advance, ur ° : sir.” The honr was, unfortunately, ill-chosen for a conven- Then bowing to the astonished party, the four young ticle, Themorning drum had just been beaten; every- | men took the road towards the bastion of St. Gervais, 4 one was busy skaking off the sleepiness of night, and, | followed by Grimaud, who carried ‘the basket, not to drive away the dumpness of the morning air, came to _ . takeadrop at the tavern. Dragoons Swiss, gnards, | obedience that was habitual to him, 1.01 thinking even hy eteers, and light cavalry, succeeded one another | of inqwmring. with a rapidity very beneficial to the business of mine | Having reached the bastion, the four friends looked ) host, but very unfavorabie to the designs of our four! behind them. More than three hundred soldiers, of _, friends, who replied but sullenly to the salutations, every kind, had assembled at the entrance of the camp; i “ What does it signify to you,’ rdplied Athos, “ pro- vided you are paid forit?’’ And he threw two pistoles mnajestically on the table. | | i I | | a q 1 a ee | | | | _ toasts, and jests of their companions. and, in a separate group, Soi saw M. de Busigny, the + “Come,” said Athos, “we shall bring some good |. quarrel on our hands ang ph and we do not want | te that justhow. D’Artagnan, tellus about your night's | pr work: we will tell you ours afterward.” dragoon, the Swiss, and the fourth wagerer. Athos took off his hat, raised it on the end of his sword, and waved it in the air. All the spectators returned his salutation, aceompa- nying this act of politeness with a loud hurrah, which reached their ears. After this occurrence they all four disappeared in =e bastion, where Grimaud had already preceded them. . “Infact,” said one of the light-cavalry, who whilst _ tocking himeelf, held in his hand a glass of brandy, - which he slowly sipped—*‘in fact you were in the TAN » you gentlemen of the guards, and it seems to me that you had a squabble with the Rochellois.” DA n looked at Athos, to see whether he ought _ oanswer this intruder who thrust himself into the _ conversation. ae ‘* Well,” said Athos, * did you not hear M. de Busigny, _ who did yeu the honor to address you? Tell us what __. took place in the night, as these gentlemen seem desir- gus to hear it.” oa ** Did you not take the bastion?’ asked a Swiss, who was drinking rum in a glass of beer. oe “Yes, sir,” replied d’Artagnan, bowing, “we had that honor. And also, as you have heard, we introduced a barrel of powder under one of the angles, which, on j= exploding, made a very pretty breach, without reckon- ‘Ing that, as the bastion is very old, all the rest of the ©» building is much shaken.” | that they have nothing in theic pockets,” — . * And what bastion is it?’ asked a dragoon, who | ‘** Yes,” replied Athos, “out that is Grimand’s busi- _ fiela, spitted on his sabre, a goose which he had brought | ness,” to be cooked. ‘Well, then,”’ said d’Artagnan, “let Grimaud search “The bastion Saint Gervais,” them, and throw them over the walls.” 4 : : ~~“. CHAPTER XLVI. THE COUNCIL OF THE MUSKETEERS. As Athos had foreseen, the oastion was ocenpied by abont a dozen dead bodies, French and Rochellois. ‘*Gentlemen,”? said Athos, who had taken the com- mand of the expedition, ‘whilst Grimand prepares the table, let us begin by collecting together the number of muskets and ammnnition, We can, moreover, converse whilst we are doing it. These gentlemen,” added he, pointing to the dead bodies, *‘do not heur us.” “But we may, nevertheless, throw them into the ditches,” said Porthos, “having first satisfied ourselves replied d'Artagnan, | “ from behind which the Rochellois annoyed our work-| ‘Not upon any account,” said Athos; “ they may be en . of use to us.” a ** And was it warm work?" f “These dead be of nse to ns?’ exclaimed Porthos, i “Yes, We lost five men, and the Rochellofs some | “Ah, nonsense! you are getting crazy, my dear friend!” eight or ten.” hay 4 *Balzamplen !"’ said the Swiss, who, in spite of the | admirable collection of oaths which the German lan- Py” ennge esses, hid got a habit of swearing in French. . “But itis probable, * said the light-horseman, ‘that FEN a send pioneers to repair tlie bastion this morn- NS Yea it ia probable,”’ said d’Artagnan. * Gentlemen,” said Athos, ‘* a wager!" * * Ahl a wager,” said the Swiss, “Do not judge rashly, say both the gospel and the cardinal,”’ fep ied Athos. ‘*How many muskets are there, gentlemen?” “Twelve.” ‘* How much ammunition?" ** A handred rounds.” **Itis quite asmany as we need: let ns load our mus- kets,”’ The four comranions set themselves to work: and Just as they had loaded the last gun, Grimaud made a =." <. “What is it?” asked the light-horseman. sign to them that breakfast was ready, _- * 8top,”? said the dragoon, laying his sabre like a spit; Athos indicated by a gesture that he was contented we ‘on the two great iron dogs which kept up the fire in the | with what was done, and then pointed ont to Grimaud ‘Say obimney. “Taminit! A Gripping-pan ere, instantly, | a sort of sheltered box, where he was to place himself -- you noodle of a landlord, that I may not lose one drop | as sentinel. But, to alleviate the annoyance of his aa of the fatof this estimable bird.” | guard, Athos allowed him to take with him a loaf, two “He is righ:,” said the Swiss, “the fat of a goose is | very ood with sweetmeats.”’ i ** There!” said the dragoon; “and now for the wager. We arelistening, M. Athos.” HU | “SO Wel, M. de Busigny,”’ said Athos, “I bet you that my three comrades, Messieurs Porthos, Aramis, and | afraid of being heard, I hope that you are going to let a an, and myself, will go and breakfast in the | us know your secret.”’ Bastion St. Gervais, and that we will stay there fir one| “I hope that I provide you at the same time with both hour by the clock, whatever the enemy may do to dis- | with amusement and glory, guntlemen’?” said Athos, ' dodge us.” | I have induced you to take charming little excursion: orthos and Aramis looked at each other, for they _ here isa most nutritious breakfast; and below tnere, are i NER to understand, | five hundred persons, as yon may perceive through the <_< y,” said d’Artagnan, stooping to Athos’s ear, | embrasures, who take us for madmen or heroes—two Tf “you are going to get us all killed without mercy.” _ classes of fools who very much resemble each other.” / —-s ** We shall be more certainly killed if we do not go,” | ‘But this secret?” i ~—s- replied Athos, \ | ‘* L saw her ladyship last night,’ said Athos, i ee AD pe, gentlemen,” said Porthos, throwing him- |. D*Artagnan was just carrying his glass to his lips; ma self in his chair, and twisting his moustache, but at the sound of her ladyship’s name, his hand trem- eee that is a fine on t, I hope.”’ bled so that he placed his glasg on the ground, in order — _ — “And T accept t, Said M, “Now we | that he might not spillits confents. ' Moust fix the stakes.” ‘*You have seen your wi—”’ ave seen y “ ‘You are four, gentlemen,” said Athos, ‘and we are cutlets, and a bottle of wine. ‘* And now, to breakfast!’’ said Athos. The four friends seated themselves upon the ground, with their legs crossed, like Turks or tailors. ‘** And now,” said d’Artagnan, ‘*as you are no longer ae ’ de Busigny. r * . . . “Which ever you please,”’ said the light-dragoon, | ing drives the fish ont into the open sea,”’ said Aramis, _ to breakfast on the grass, took the basket, packed up | he, “ who _ the eatables, put in the bottles, and took the basket up | thinks we s ' knowing where he was going, and, from the passive | j | | } TY aa “Hush, then!” interrupted Athos; ‘‘you forget, my re, four: a dinner for eight—will that suit yon. dear fellow, that these gentlemen are not, like you, in- Hn “Just the thing!*’ replied M. de Busigny. itiated in the privacies of my family affairs. I have + “Exactly,” said the dragoon. seen her ladyship.” _ “That will do!’ exclaimed the Swiss. Thefourth! “And where happened that?" demanded d'Ar.- | & auditor, who had remained silent throughout the con- tagnan., : a fie pee soph his head, as a sign that he acquiesced | “About two leagues from hence, at the Red Dove- ee | roposition, cot.” . | ~ 4 Phe dejeuner of these gentlemen is ready,” sdid the | “In that case. Iam a lost man,” satd d’Artagnan. “. Intidlora. “Not just yet," replied Athos; “ for, by this time, Ais Well, then, bring it here," said Athos, she must have qnitted the shores of France.” ) . | The landlort obeyed. Athos called Grimatid, showed D’Artagnan breathed again, ___ him a large basket, which was lying in a corner, and| ‘But, after all,” inquired Porthos, “who is this ' made him a sign to wrap up in the napkins all the eat- | ladyy” les which had been brought. * Grimaud, comprehending at once that they were going *% sparkling wine. “hu, ue gree us Anjou for champagne, and who iall be deceived by the subterfuge! Yes,” continued he, “a charming woman, to whom our But where are you going to eat this breakfast?"’ said | friend d’Artagnan has done something unpardonable, for which she is endeavoring toavenge herscif—a month ago, by trying to get him shot: a week ago by sending him some poison; and yesterday by demanding his head of the cardinal.”’ ‘*What! demanding my head of the cardinal?” cried d’Artaynan;: pale with terror.” a Yes,” said Porthos, 7? if ix true as gospel; fol heard her with my own ears.” ** And [also,”’ said Aramis, ‘* Then, said d’Artignan, letting his arm fall in a des- | ponding manner, ‘it is useless to struggle longer; I may as well blow out my brains at once, and have dune with it.” ‘That is the last folly to be perpetrated.” said Athos, * seeing it is the only one which wiil not admit of remedy.”’ * But with snch enemies, I shall never escape,” said d*Artagnan. ‘ First, my unknown antagonist of Metung; then, de Wardes, on whom I inflicted four wounds; next, this lady, whose secret I found out; and, lastly the cardinal, whose revenge I defeated.*’ ** Well!” said Athos,“ and all this makes only fonr, and we are four—one against one. Egad! if we may trust to Grimaud's signs, we are now about to engage witha far greater number of foes. What's the matter Gri- maud? Considering the seriousness of the circumstance, [ permit you to speak, my friend; but be laconic I be- seech you. What do you see?” ‘* A troop,”’ ‘* How many persons?”’ “Twenty men.” ‘*What sort of men?” “Sixteen pioneers and four soldiers,” ‘* How far are they off?’ ‘*Five hundred paces.” ‘*Good! We have still time to finish our fowl, and to drink a glass of wine. To your health, d’Artagnan.” ‘** Your bealth,’’ repeated Aramis and Porthos. ‘* Well, then, to my health; although I do notimagine that your good wishes will be of much benefit to me.”’ Bah!” said Athos, ‘* God is great, as the Mahome- tans say, and the futureis in his hands.” Then, having swallowed his wine, and put the glass down, Athos carelessly arose, took the firet musket which came to his hand, and went towards an em- brasure. The three others did the same. As for Grimand, he had orders to place himself behind them and to reload their muskets. . An instant afterwards, they saw the troop appearing. Tt came along a kind of branch trench, which formed a communication between the bastion and the town. “*Zounds!” said Athos, ‘‘it is scarcely worth while to disturb ourselves for a score of fellows armed with vyick-axes, mattocks and FS gemepy Grimaud ought to eee quietly beckoned to them to go about their busi- ness, aud Tam quite convinced that they would hays left us to ourselves.” “I much doubt it,” said d'Artagnan, “ for they come forward with great resolution. Besides, in addition to the workmen, there are four soldiers, anda brigadier, armed with muskets,” , That i8 because they have not seen us,’ rephod Athos. ‘* Faith,”’ said Aramis, “I confess that I am -o! ctani to flre upon these poor devils of citizens.”’ ‘He is a bad priest,’’ said Porthos, ‘who pities heretics.” ‘*Upon my word,’’ said Athos, ‘‘ Aramisis right. I will give them a caution,” * Whatthe plague are you doing?” cried d'Artagnan; ‘* vou will get yourself shot, my dear fellow.” But Athos paid no attention to this warning; and mounting on the breech, his fusee in one hand, and his hatin the other: ‘*Gentleman,”’’ said he, bowing courteously, and ad- dressing himself to the soldiers and pioneers who, as- tonished by this apparition, halted at about filty paces from the bastion; ‘‘gentlemen, we are, some of my friends and myself, engaged at breakfast in this bastion Now you know that oe is more disagreeable than to be disturbed at breakfast; so we entreat of you, T you really have business here, to wait till we have fin shed our repast, or to come back in a little while; un less, indeed, you experience the salntary desire of for saking the ranks of rebellion, and coming to drink with us to the health of the king of France.” “Take care, Athos, said d’Artagnan; ‘‘ don't you see that they are taking aim at you?” ‘Yes, yes,’ said Athos; “but these are citizens, who are shocking bad marksmen, and will take care not to hit me.” In fact, at that moment four shots were fired, and the a whistled around Athos, but without touching lim. Four shots were instantaneously returned; but with a far better aim than that of the three sol. diers fell dead, and one of the pioneers was wounded, ‘‘Grimaud,”’ said Athos, from the breach, ** anothe musket.’’ Grimaud obeyed immediately. The three friends had also reloaded their arms, A second discharge soon followed the first, and the briga- dier and two pioneers fell dead. The rest of the troop took to flight. . “6 Come, géitleien, a sortie!’ said Athos, The four friends rushed out of the fort; reached the field of battle, picked up the muskets of the soldiers, and the half-pike of the brigadier: and, satisfied that the fugitives would never stop till they reached the town, they returned to the bastion, bearing with them the trophies of their victory. “Reload the muskets, Grimand,” said Athos, ‘ ané ‘A charming woman,"’ said Athos, tasting a glass of | let us, hme continue our breakéast and convers*- “Scamp of a landlord!’ exclaimed | tion. here were we?" 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