n for their arms.

But the prisoners were in their saddles and lost no time hastening to
the nearest gate.

In the middle of the street they saw Grimaud and Blaisois, who were
coming to find their masters. With one wave of his hand Athos made
Grimaud, who followed the little troop, understand everything, and they
passed on like a whirlwind, D'Artagnan still directing them from behind
with his voice.

They passed through the gate like apparitions, without the guards
thinking of detaining them, and reached the open country.

All this time the soldiers were calling out, "Stop! stop!" and the
sergeant, who began to see that he was the victim of an artifice, was
almost in a frenzy of despair. Whilst all this was going on, a cavalier
in full gallop was seen approaching. It was Mordaunt with the order in
his hand.

"The prisoners!" he exclaimed, jumping off his horse.

The sergeant had not the courage to reply; he showed him the open door,
the empty room. Mordaunt darted to the steps, understood all, uttered
a cry, as if his very heart was pierced, and fell fainting on the stone
steps.

59. In which it is shown that under the most trying Circumstances noble
Natures never lose their Courage, nor good Stomachs their Appetites.

The little troop, without looking behind them or exchanging a word, fled
at a rapid gallop, fording a little stream, of which none of them knew
the name, and leaving on their left a town which Athos declared to be
Durham. At last they came in sight of a small wood, and spurring their
horses afresh, rode in its direction.

As soon as they had disappeared behind a green curtain sufficiently
thick to conceal them from the sight of any one who might be in pursuit
they drew up to hold a council together. The two grooms held the horses,
that they might take a little rest without being unsaddled, and Grimaud
was posted as sentinel.

"Come, first of all," said Athos to D'Artagnan, "my friend, that I may
shake hands with you--you, our rescuer--you, the true hero of us all."

"Athos is right--you have my adoration," said Aramis, in his turn
pressing his hand. "To what are you not equal, with your superior
intelligence, infallible eye, your arm of iron and your enterprising
mind!"

"Now," said the Gascon, "that is all well, I accept for Porthos and
myself everything--thanks and compliments; we have plenty of time to
spare."

The two friends, recalled by D'Artagnan to what was also due