accuracy of the aim. So in twelve times you thrice
missed the mark."

"Which you, sir, struck twelve times," answered Raoul, smiling.

"Because I bent my arm and rested my hand on my elbow--so; do you
understand what I mean?"

"Yes, sir. I have fired since in that manner and have been quite
successful."

"What a cold wind!" resumed Athos; "a wintry blast. Apropos, if you
fire--and you will do so, for you are recommended to a young general
who is very fond of powder--remember that in single combat, which often
takes place in the cavalry, never to fire the first shot. He who fires
the first shot rarely hits his man, for he fires with the apprehension
of being disarmed, before an armed foe; then, whilst he fires, make your
horse rear; that manoeuvre has saved my life several times."

"I shall do so, if only in gratitude----"

"Eh!" cried Athos, "are not those fellows poachers they have arrested
yonder? They are. Then another important thing, Raoul: should you be
wounded in a battle, and fall from your horse, if you have any strength
left, disentangle yourself from the line that your regiment has formed;
otherwise, it may be driven back and you will be trampled to death by
the horses. At all events, should you be wounded, write to me that
very instant, or get some one at once to write to me. We are judges of
wounds, we old soldiers," Athos added, smiling.

"Thank you, sir," answered the young man, much moved.

They arrived that very moment at the gate of the town, guarded by two
sentinels.

"Here comes a young gentleman," said one of them, "who seems as if he
were going to join the army."

"How do you make that out?" inquired Athos.

"By his manner, sir, and his age; he's the second to-day."

"Has a young man, such as I am, gone through this morning, then?" asked
Raoul.

"Faith, yes, with a haughty presence, a fine equipage; such as the son
of a noble house would have."

"He will be my companion on the journey, sir," cried Raoul. "Alas! he
cannot make me forget what I shall have lost!"

Thus talking, they traversed the streets, full of people on account of
the fete, and arrived opposite the old cathedral, where first mass was
going on.

"Let us alight; Raoul," said Athos. "Olivain, take care of our horses
and give me my sword."

The two gentlemen then went into the church. Athos gave Raoul some of
the holy water. A love as tender as that of a lover for his mistress
dwells, undoubtedly, in some patern