tions that a bark should be rolled upon rollers to the mouth of the
great cavern of Locmaria, which you know, where we have so often laid
wait for the foxes."

"Yes, and which terminates at the little creek by a trench which we
discovered the day that splendid fox escaped that way."

"Precisely. In case of misfortunes, a bark is to be concealed for us in
that cavern; indeed, it must be there by this time. We will wait for a
favorable moment, and, during the night, to sea!"

"That is a good idea; what shall we gain by it?"

"We shall gain by it--that nobody knows that grotto, or rather its
issue, except ourselves and two or three hunters of the island; we shall
gain by it--that if the island is occupied, the scouts, seeing no bark
upon the shore, will never imagine we can escape, and will cease to
watch."

"I understand."

"Well! the legs?"

"Oh! excellent, just now."

"You see then, plainly, that everything conspires to give us quietude
and hope. D'Artagnan will clear the sea and make us free. No more royal
fleet or descent to be dreaded. Vive Dieu! Porthos, we have still half a
century of good adventures before us, and if I once touch Spanish
ground, I swear to you," added the bishop with a terrible energy, "that
your brevet of duke is not such a chance as it is said to be."

"We will live in hope," said Porthos, a little enlivened by the
renovated warmth of his companion.

All at once a cry resounded in their ears:--"To arms! to arms!"

This cry, repeated by a hundred voices, brought, to the chamber where
the two friends were conversing, surprise to the one, and uneasiness to
the other. Aramis opened the window: he saw a crowd of people running
with flambeaux. Women were seeking places of safety, the armed
population were hastening to their posts.

"The fleet! the fleet!" cried a soldier, who recognized Aramis.

"The fleet?" repeated the latter.

"Within half cannon-shot," continued the soldier.

"To arms!" cried Aramis.

"To arms!" repeated Porthos, formidably. And both rushed forth toward
the mole, to place themselves within the shelter of the batteries.
Boats, laden with soldiers, were seen approaching; they took three
directions, for the purpose of landing at three points at once.

"What must be done?" said an officer of the guard.

"Stop them; and if they persist, fire!" said Aramis.

Five minutes after, the cannonade commenced. These were the shots that
D'Artagnan had heard as he landed i