."

"'Tis settled," said Aramis; "at the cry 'Jesus Seigneur' we go out,
upset all that stands in our way, run to our horses, jump into our
saddles, spur them; is that all?"

"Exactly."

"See, Aramis, as I have told you, D'Artagnan is first amongst us all,"
said Athos.

"Very true," replied the Gascon, "but I always run away from
compliments. Don't forget the signal: 'Jesus Seigneur!'" and he went out
as he came in, whistling the self-same air.

The soldiers were playing or sleeping; two of them were singing in a
corner, out of tune, the psalm: "On the rivers of Babylon."

D'Artagnan called the sergeant. "My dear friend, General Cromwell has
sent Monsieur Mordaunt to fetch me. Guard the prisoners well, I beg of
you."

The sergeant made a sign, as much as to say he did not understand
French, and D'Artagnan tried to make him comprehend by signs and
gestures. Then he went into the stable; he found the five horses
saddled, his own amongst the rest.

"Each of you take a horse by the bridle," he said to Porthos and
Mousqueton; "turn to the left, so that Athos and Aramis may see you
clearly from the window."

"They are coming, then?" said Porthos.

"In a moment."

"You didn't forget my purse?"

"No; be easy."

"Good."

Porthos and Mousqueton each took a horse by the bridle and proceeded to
their post.

Then D'Artagnan, being alone, struck a light and lighted a small bit of
tinder, mounted his horse and stopped at the door in the midst of the
soldiers. There, caressing as he pretended, the animal with his hand,
he put this bit of burning tinder in his ear. It was necessary to be as
good a horseman as he was to risk such a scheme, for no sooner had the
animal felt the burning tinder than he uttered a cry of pain and reared
and jumped as if he had been mad.

The soldiers, whom he was nearly trampling, ran away.

"Help! help!" cried D'Artagnan; "stop--my horse has the staggers."

In an instant the horse's eyes grew bloodshot and he was white with
foam.

"Help!" cried D'Artagnan. "What! will you let me be killed? Jesus
Seigneur!"

No sooner had he uttered this cry than the door opened and Athos and
Aramis rushed out. The coast, owing to the Gascon's stratagem, was
clear.

"The prisoners are escaping! the prisoners are escaping!" cried the
sergeant.

"Stop! stop!" cried D'Artagnan, giving rein to his famous steed, who,
darting forth, overturned several men.

"Stop! stop!" cried the soldiers, and ra