s so
useful when the breeze is slack. When Aramis had seen all these things,
and appeared satisfied with the result of his inspection, "Let us
consult, Porthos," said he, "to know if we must endeavor to get the bark
out by the unknown extremity of the grotto, following the descent and
the shade of the cavern, or whether it be better, in the open air, to
make it slide upon the rollers through the bushes, leveling the road of
the little beach, which is but twenty feet high, and gives at its foot,
in the tide, three or four fathoms of good water upon a sound bottom."

"It must be as you please, monseigneur," replied the patron Yves,
respectfully; "but I don't believe that by the slope of the cavern, and
in the dark, in which we shall be obliged to maneuver our boat, the road
will be so convenient as in the open air. I know the beach well, and can
certify that it is as smooth as a grass plat in a garden; the interior
of the grotto, on the contrary, is rough: without again reckoning,
monseigneur, that at the extremity we shall come to the trench which
leads into the sea, and perhaps the canoe will not pass down it."

"I have made my calculations," said the bishop, "and I am certain it
would pass."

"So be it; I wish it may, monseigneur," continued the patron; "but your
greatness knows very well that to make it reach the extremity of the
trench, there is an enormous stone to be lifted--that under which the
fox always passes, and which closes the trench up like a door."

"That can be raised," said Porthos, "that is nothing."

"Oh! I know that monseigneur has the strength of ten men," replied Yves;
"but that is giving monseigneur a great deal of trouble."

"I think the patron may be right," said Aramis; "let us try the open air
passage."

"The more so, monseigneur," continued the fisherman, "that we should not
be able to embark before day, it would require so much labor, and that
as soon as daylight appears, a good vedette placed outside the grotto
would be necessary, indispensable even, to watch the maneuvers of the
lighters or the cruisers that are upon the look-out for us."

"Yes, yes, Yves, your reasons are good; we will go by the beach."

And the three robust Bretons went to the boat, and were beginning to
place their rollers underneath it to put it in motion, when the distant
barking of dogs was heard, proceeding from the interior.

Aramis darted out of the grotto, followed by Porthos. Dawn just dinted
with pur