d the cable with the dignity of a very triton.

In a few minutes Porthos had rejoined his companions, who were already
in the boat; but when, after they had all got in, it came to his turn,
there was great danger that in putting his huge leg over the edge of the
boat he would upset the little vessel. Athos was the last to enter.

"Are you all here?" he asked.

"Ah! have you your sword, Athos?" cried D'Artagnan.

"Yes."

"Cut the cable, then."

Athos drew a sharp poniard from his belt and cut the cord. The felucca
went on, the boat continued stationary, rocked only by the swashing
waves.

"Come, Athos!" said D'Artagnan, giving his hand to the count; "you are
going to see something curious," added the Gascon.

73. Fatality.

Scarcely had D'Artagnan uttered these words when a ringing and sudden
noise was heard resounding through the felucca, which had now become dim
in the obscurity of the night.

"That, you may be sure," said the Gascon, "means something."

They then at the same instant perceived a large lantern carried on a
pole appear on the deck, defining the forms of shadows behind it.

Suddenly a terrible cry, a cry of despair, was wafted through space; and
as if the shrieks of anguish had driven away the clouds, the veil which
hid the moon was cleated away and the gray sails and dark shrouds of the
felucca were plainly visible beneath the silvery light.

Shadows ran, as if bewildered, to and fro on the vessel, and mournful
cries accompanied these delirious walkers. In the midst of these screams
they saw Mordaunt upon the poop with a torch in hand.

The agitated figures, apparently wild with terror, consisted of Groslow,
who at the hour fixed by Mordaunt had collected his men and the sailors.
Mordaunt, after having listened at the door of the cabin to hear if the
musketeers were still asleep, had gone down into the cellar, convinced
by their silence that they were all in a deep slumber. Then he had run
to the train, impetuous as a man who is excited by revenge, and full of
confidence, as are those whom God blinds, he had set fire to the wick of
nitre.

All this while Groslow and his men were assembled on deck.

"Haul up the cable and draw the boat to us," said Groslow.

One of the sailors got down the side of the ship, seized the cable, and
drew it; it came without the least resistance.

"The cable is cut!" he cried, "no boat!"

"How! no boat!" exclaimed Groslow; "it is impossible."