n
their side, the sailors, seeing that long naked sword, that martial
air, and the agile arm which came to the rescue of their enemies, in the
person of a man who seemed accustomed to command, the sailors picked up
their wounded and their pitchers. The Parisians wiped their brows, and
viewed their leader with respect. D'Artagnan was loaded with thanks by
the host of "Le Grand Monarque." He received them like a man who knows
that nothing is being offered that does not belong to him, and then said
he would go and walk upon the port till supper was ready. Immediately
each of the recruits, who understood the summons, took his hat, brushed
the dust off his clothes, and followed D'Artagnan. But D'Artagnan,
whilst walking and observing, took care not to stop; he directed
his course towards the downs, and the ten men--surprised at finding
themselves going in the track of each other, uneasy at seeing on their
right, on their left, and behind them, companions upon whom they had not
reckoned--followed him, casting furtive glances at each other. It was
not till he had arrived at the hollow part of the deepest down that
D'Artagnan, smiling to see them outdone, turned towards them, making a
friendly sign with his hand.

"Eh! come, come, gentlemen," said he, "let us not devour each other; you
are made to live together, to understand each other in all respects, and
not to devour one another."

Instantly all hesitation ceased; the men breathed as if they had been
taken out of a coffin, and examined each other complacently. After this
examination they turned their eyes towards their leader, who had long
been acquainted with the art of speaking to men of that class, and who
improvised the following little speech, pronounced with an energy truly
Gascon:

"Gentlemen, you all know who I am. I have engaged you from knowing
you to be brave, and willing to associate you with me in a glorious
enterprise. Imagine that in laboring for me you labor for the king. I
only warn you that if you allow anything of this supposition to appear,
I shall be forced to crack your skulls immediately, in the manner most
convenient to me. You are not ignorant, gentlemen, that state secrets
are like a mortal poison: as long as that poison is in its box and the
box is closed, it is not injurious; out of the box, it kills. Now draw
near, and you shall know as much of this secret as I am able to tell
you." All drew close to him with an expression of curiosity. "Appr