Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

a ee eee ——EEE . = a i / = = ¢ —— THE THREE GUARDSMEN, length began to obtain a clearer view of his situation, By means of the sincere apology which he contem- plated, he hoped to make a friend of Athos, whose aris- tocratic airand austere manner quite delighted him. Then he flattered himself that he might intimidate Porthos by the adventure of the belt, which, if he were not instantaneously killed, he might relate to every one, and by an adroit management of the story, overwhelm him with ridicule, Lastly, as regarded the quiet Ara- mis, he entertained very slight apprehensions; for, supposing that he should survive to fight him, he en- tertained no doubt of his ability to dispatch him hand- somely, or, at all events, by wounding him in the face, (as recommended his men to do with Pom- pey’s soldiers), to spoil forever that beauty of which he was so vain. In fine, d’Artagnan now brought into action those principles of un- conquerable and steady resolve which the counsels of his fdther had implanted in his heart—counsels which, as we know, had instructed him to submit to nothing like indignity unless it proceeded from the king, the cardinal, or M. de Treville. Full of these ideas, he flew rather than walked to- wards the convent des Carmes des Chasses, as it was then called—a building without windows, ttre Ma chapel of ease of the aux-Clercs, and surrounded by dry meadows, which generally served as a rendezyous for those combatants who had no time to lose. As d’Artagnan came in sight of the small open space in front of the convent, it struck the hour of noon, and Athos had already been about five minutes on the ground. He waa, therefore, most punctual, and the most rigor- ous casuist in the laws of dueling could have found nothing to censure. Athos, who continued to suffer severely from his wound, although it had again been dressed by M. de Treville’s surgeon, had seated himself on a large stone, where he awaited his adversary with that air of calm- ness and dignity which never forsook him. As d’Artag- nan approached, he arose, and politely advanced some stepe to meet him, whilet d’Artagnan, on his part, went towards his antagonist, hat in hand, the plume trailing on the ground. “Sir,”’ said Athos, “I expected two of my friends who are to act as my seconds, but they are not yet arrived. Iam surprised that they should be Bo late, as it is con- trary to their usual custom.” “T have no second sir,” said d’Artagnan. “T only arrived in Paris yesterday; consequently I am unknown to any one here except M. de Treville, to whom I was introduced by my father, who has the honor to claim his friendship.”’ Athos mused for an instant, and then said: “So you know no one except M. de Treville ?” **No, sir; I know no one but him.” “Oh, then,”’ continued Athos, partly speaking to him- self, and partly to d’Artagnan, “if I should kill you, I shall acquire the reputation of a child-eater.” “Not entirely so,’’ answered d’Artagnan, with a bow, which was not devoid of dignity; “not quite so, since you do ine the honor to draw your sword against me whilst sufferlng from a wound which must cause you great inconvenience.” “Inconvenience! Upon my honor, I assure you that you gave me excessive pain. But I will use my left hand, as I usually do under such circumstances. Yet dio not imagine that by this means I do you a fayor, as I fight equally well with either hand. Indeed, it will be rather a disadvantage to you, a left-handed man bein a very trying opponent to one who is not used to it. regret, therefore, that I did not sooner apprise you of this circumstance,” “ Really, sir,”’ said d’Artagan, again bowing, “ you are 80 1ea courteous that I cannot be sufficiently grateful.” “You quite confuse me,’”’ replied Athos, with the air ofa well-bred man; “if it be not disagreeable to you, pray let us converse upon some other subject. Ah! how you did hurt me! How my shoulder s@#ll burus!”’ “Would you permit me?’’——said d'Artagnan, some- what timidly. “To do what, sir?’ inquired Athos. “I have a salve which is quite a panacea for wounds —a salve which my mother gave me, and the virtues of which I have tried upon myself.”’ “And what of it?” continued Athos. “ Why, sir, lam certain that in less than three days this salve would cure you; and at the end of that time, when your cure is completed, it would be a great honor for me te meet you.” D'Artagnan uttered these words with a simplicity which did honor to his courtesy, without in the slightest degree detracting from his courage. By my faith!” exclaimed Athos, “this is a proposi- tion which much pleases me; and not that I should think of accepting it, but it savors of the perfect gentleman, and it was thus that in the days of Charlemagne, those brave men spoke whom every man of honor should make his model, Unfortunately, how- ever, we do not live in the time of the great ig teed but in those of the cardinal; and three days hence, however well we might preserve our secret, it would be known that we were going to fight, and it would be prevented, But,” he added, with some impatience, ‘these lazy fellows do not come.” “If you are in haste, sir,” said d’Artagnan, with the same Simplicity that had the moment before character- ized his proposition to put off the duel for three days,— “if you are in haste, and should wish to dispose of me at once, do not hesitate, I beseech you.” , “This speech of yours pleases me still more,’’ said Athos, gracefully bowing to a’ nan; ‘it does not soem that of a man who lacks either head or heart. I admire men of quid Hey & and should we not kill each other, I shall hereafter have great pleasure in your acquaintance. Meantime let us wait for these gentle- men, I pray you, Ihave plenty of time, and it will be more according to rule, Ah! see, here comes one of them.’’ And as he spoke, the gigantic form of Porthos was seen at the end of the Rue de Vaugirard. “What!” exclaimed d@’Artagnan, “‘is M. Porthcs one of your seconds ?”” “Yes, is that unpleasant to you?’ “Oh, certainly not!” “And here is the other.”’ D’A an looked in the direction indicated by Athos, and beheld Aramis. “ What!" cried he, in atone of yet greater astonish- ment, “is M, Aramis also one of your seconds ?”’ “Certainly : you are not aware that one is rarely seen without the other, and that amongst the musketeers and guards, at court and in town we are known as Athos, Porthos and Aramis, or the three inseparables ? But as you come from Dax or Paix ""—— “From Tarbes,” said d’A an. “You may very naturally be ignorant of all this.’’ “ Really, gentlemen,” said d'Artagnan, “you are well named; and should my adventure become known, it will at least prove that our union is not founded on contrasts.”” In the meantime Porthos approached, shook hands with Athos, and turning towards d’Artagnan, he seemed lost in astonishment. We may mention, in passing, that he had changed his belt, and laid aside his cloak. “Itis with this gentleman thatI am about to fight,”’ said Athos, pointing towards d’Artagnan, and at the same time saluting him, “And Lalso am going to fight him,” replied Porthos. “ But not till one o'clock,” interrupted d’Artagnan. “And I also—it is with him that J am to fight,” said Aramis, who at the moment had arrived on the ground, “Our appointment, however, is for two o’clock,”’ re- plied d’Artagnan, with the same coolness. “But what are you going to fight about, Athos?’ demanded Aramis, “Upon my faith, Ido not well know, except that he hurt my shoulder.” “ And you, Porthos ?” “T fight because I fight,” replied Porthos, coloring. Athos, whom nothing escaped, perceived a slight smile curling the lips of the Gascon. “ We had a dispute about dress,” said d’Artagnan. “And you, Aramis?’ demanded Athos. “Me? I fight on account of a theological dispute,” answered Aramis, making a sign to d’Artagnan that oe him to conceal the true cause of their duel. ‘* Really |’ said Athos, who observed a second smile play upon the lips of d'Artagnan. ‘Yes, a point of St. Augustine, on which we could not agree,” said the Gascon. ‘Decidedly he is a man of sense,’ murmured Athos. “And now that you are all arrived, gentlemen,”’ said d’Artagnan, “permit me to offer my apologies.” A cloud passed over the features of Athos, a haughty smile glided over those of Porthos, and a negative sign was the reply of Aramis. “You do not rightly understand me, gentlemen,” Said d'Artagnan, elevating his head, on which a sunbeam played, gilding ita fine and manly lines. “I wish to apologize because itis improbable that I shall be able to pay my debt to all three; for M. Athos has the right to kill me first, which greatly decreases the value of your debt, M. Porthos, whilst it renders yours, M. Aramis, of scarcely the slightest value. Thereforé; gen- tlemen, on that account alone, I again repeat my offer of apology. And now upon your guard!” And with the most gallant and fearless mien he drew his sword. His blood was fairly roused, and at that moment he would have drawn his sword against all the musketeers in the kingdom with as little hesitation as he then did against Athos, Porthos and Aramis. It was a quarter past twelve, thesun was at meridian, and the situation chosen for the renconter was exposed to all its influence. “It is very hot,” said Athos, drawing his sword, “ and yet I cannot take off my doublet, for just now I per- ceived that my wound bled, and I fear to distress this gentleman by showing him blood which he has not drawn from me himself,” “As for that,” replied d’Artagnan, “I assure you that, whether drawn by myself or by any other person, I shall always see with regret the blood of so brave a gentleman ; I will, therefore, follow your example, and fight in my doublet.’’ ‘**Come,”’ said Porthos, “a truce to these compliments. Remember that we also await our turn.” , “Speak for yourself only, Porthos, when you choose to utter such nonsense,’ interposed Aramis. “As for me, I consider the courtesies which have passed be- tween these gentlemen as worthy of men of the highest honor.” ‘“ When you please, sir,’’ said Athos, placing himself on his guard. “I waited your orders,” said d’Artagnan, crossing his sword. But the two rapiers had scarcely met, when a party of the cardinal’s guards, commanded by M. de Jussac, appeared at the corner of the convent. “The cardinal’s guards!" exclaimed Porthos and Aramis, at the same moment. “Your swords to their scabbards, gentlemen—your swords to their scab- bards !"’ But it was too late. The combatants had been seen in a position which left no doubt of their intentions. “ Halloo !"' cried Jussac, advancing towards them, and giving asignal tohis men todo the same. “ Halloo, musketeers! What, fighting here? And the edicts— are they forgotten—eh ?” “You are extremely generous, gentlemen of the guards,” said Athos,in a tone of the most bitter ani- mosity, for Jussac had been one of the aggressors on the night before last. “If we saw you fighting, I promise you that we should not prevent it ; therefore i let us alone, and you will reap the pleasure without: any of the pain.” “Gentlemen,” answered Jussac, “it is with regret, I declare, that what you request is impossible. Duty must take precedence of everything else. Put up your swords, therefore, if you please, and follow us.” “Sir,” said Aramis, parodying Jussac’s manner, “ if it depended upon ourselves, we should accept your polite invitation with the utmost pleasure; but unfor- tunately the thing is impossible. M. de Treville has forbidden it. Move on, therefore; it is the best thing you can do.” “ We will charge This mockery exasperated Jussac, you,” said he, “if you disobey.” “They are five,”’ said Athos, in a low voice, ‘and we are only three ; we shall be beaten again, and we must die here ; for I positively swear that I will not again appear before the captain a vanquished man!” Athos, Porthos, and Aramis closed up to each other whilst Jussac drew up his men. This moment of sufficed for d’Artagnan to form his resolution. It was one of those moments which decide the whole of a man's future life; it was a choice between the king and the cardinal, and his choice, once made, must be adhered tov To fight was to disobey the law, to risk his head, and by one blow, to make an enemy of a minister more power- ful than the king himself. All this the young man plainly perceived, and we must do him the justice to declare that he did not hesitate a single instant. 7 “Gentlemen,” said he, “‘ you must allow me to cor- rect one thing which you have said. You affirmed that you were but three ; but it appears to me that there are four of us.”’ ** You are not one of us,” said Porthos. lo “True,” replied d’ n, “I have not the dress, but I have the heart and soul of a musketeer ; I feel ity sir, and it impels me along, as it were, by force." “Hark ye, young man!”’ cried Jussac, who doubtless from d’Artagnan’s tures and the expression of his countenance, had divined his intentions; “ you. ma retire ; we permit you: begone then, and that quickly,” | But. d’Artagnan moved not a step. ie: “You are unquestionably a brave lad,’’ said Athos, pressing the young man’s hand. Se ‘‘Come, come; decide, decide !'’ exelaimed Jussae, “Let us do something,’ said Porthos and Aramis. “ You are truly generous,’’ said Athos. But all three thought of d’Artagnan's youth, and feared his inexperience. : fe ‘We are but three, and one of us wounded, exclusive of this boy,’”’ remarked Athos ; “and yet it will be said that we were four men.” J ‘*Ay, but to retreat !"’ said Porthos. “ It is dificult,’ said Athos. * Quite impossible,” said Aramis. D’Artagnan seemed to comprehend the cause of ‘their irresolution. ‘‘Gentlemen,"’ said he, “only try me, and I pledge you my honorthat I will not leave thie spot if we are conquered.” 1 ‘What is your name, my fine fellow ?” said Athos. “D'Artagnan, sir.’”’ “Well, then, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d’Artagnan, forward !"’ exclaimed Athos. ‘*So, you have made up your minds, gentlemen!” cried Jussac, for the third time. “Quite so,’’ replied Athos, ‘‘And what is your resolve?’ demanded Jussac. ‘* We are about to have the honor of charging you,” replied Aramis, raising his hat with one hand, and draw- ing his sword with the other, wit “Ab! you resist!" cried Jussac. And the nine combatants rushed upon each other - with a fury which did not, however, exclude a kind of method. Athos took Cahusac, one of the cardinal’s favorites ; Porthos selected Biscarrat ; and Aramis found himself opposed to two adversaries. As for d’Arta he discovered he had to contend against Jussac - self. The heart of the — Gaseon throbbed violently, not with fear, but with eagerness. He fought with the fury of an enraged tiger, turning round his adversary, and every moment changing his guard and position. Jussac, as we have before said, was a most skillful swordsman, in constant practice; neverthéless he found the utmost difficulty in defending himself against his adversary, who, active and nimble, perpetually devi- ated from all the received rules of fencing, now attack- ing on all sides at once, and yet at the same time guard- ing himself like one who had the greatest respect im the world for his own person. At length the struggle was brought toa conclusion by Jussac’s loss of ons, Furious at being thus held at bay by one whom he regarded as aa mere boy, he became less cautious, and committed various indiscre- tions; whilst d’Artagnan, who, although deficient mm practice, had a, profound knowledge of the theory of the art, redoubled his agility. Jussac, eager to dispatch him, made a tremendous lunge, at the same time breaking ground; but d’Artag- nan parried the thrust, and whilst Jussac recovered himself, he glided like a serpent wnder his weapon, and passing his sword through his body, Jussac fell heavily on the ground, : D’Artagnan now cast a rapid glance over the field of battle. Aramis had already killed one of his adver saries, but the other pressed him sharply: he was, how- ever, in very good trim, and could well defend himself, Biscarrat and Porthos had both received wounds, Por- thos in the arm, and his adversary in the thigh; but as neither of these wounds was severe, they only fought the more fiercely. Athos, wounded afresh by Cahnsac, looked very pate, but did not yield an inch; he had merely changed a hands, and fought with his left. According to the laws of dueling at that period, d’Artag- nan was at liberty to assist any one of his compan and whilst he sought to ascertain which of them required his aid, he canght a glance from Athos, which was eloquence itself. Athos would have died sooner 0)(0\(6) <S com