idly.

"At last we are off!" exclaimed Porthos.

"Alas," said Athos, "we depart alone."

"Yes; but all four together and without a scratch; which is a
consolation."

"We are not yet at our destination," observed the prudent D'Artagnan;
"beware of misadventure."

"Ah, my friend!" cried Porthos, "like the crows, you always bring bad
omens. Who could intercept us on such a night as this, pitch dark, when
one does not see more than twenty yards before one?"

"Yes, but to-morrow morning----"

"To-morrow we shall be at Boulogne."

"I hope so, with all my heart," said the Gascon, "and I confess my
weakness. Yes, Athos, you may laugh, but as long as we were within
gunshot of the pier or of the vessels lying by it I was looking for a
frightful discharge of musketry which would crush us."

"But," said Porthos, with great wisdom, "that was impossible, for they
would have killed the captain and the sailors."

"Bah! much Monsieur Mordaunt would care. You don't imagine he would
consider a little thing like that?"

"At any rate," said Porthos, "I am glad to hear D'Artagnan admit that he
is afraid."

"I not only confess it, but am proud of it," returned the Gascon; "I'm
not such a rhinoceros as you are. Oho! what's that?"

"The Lightning," answered the captain, "our felucca."

"So far, so good," laughed Athos.

They went on board and the captain instantly conducted them to the berth
prepared for them--a cabin which was to serve for all purposes and for
the whole party; he then tried to slip away under pretext of giving
orders to some one.

"Stop a moment," cried D'Artagnan; "pray how many men have you on board,
captain?"

"I don't understand," was the reply.

"Explain it, Athos."

Groslow, on the question being interpreted, answered, "Three, without
counting myself."

D'Artagnan understood, for while replying the captain had raised three
fingers. "Oh!" he exclaimed, "I begin to be more at my ease, however,
whilst you settle yourselves, I shall make the round of the boat."

"As for me," said Porthos, "I will see to the supper."

"A very good idea, Porthos," said the Gascon. "Athos lend me Grimaud,
who in the society of his friend Parry has perhaps picked up a little
English, and can act as my interpreter."

"Go, Grimaud," said Athos.

D'Artagnan, finding a lantern on the deck, took it up and with a pistol
in his hand he said to the captain, in English, "Come," (being, with the
classic English oath, the o