登陆注册
5287000000183

第183章 58(5)

"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 Musqueton; "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 Musqueton 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 ran 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.

同类推荐
  • 金师子章云间类解

    金师子章云间类解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 燕北录

    燕北录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 玉清上宫科太真文

    玉清上宫科太真文

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 摩登伽经

    摩登伽经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 圆觉经道场略本修证仪

    圆觉经道场略本修证仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 孝敬父母的故事(崇尚品德的故事)

    孝敬父母的故事(崇尚品德的故事)

    美德是“1”,任何名誉、财富等都是“0”,只有写好了前面的“1”,后面才可以有无数个“0”,否则一切都只是“0”。植根于爱的土壤,吸取古今中外伟大先贤的美德智慧,致力于帮助父母、老师和儿童,为中国培育有品格的下一代而努力。
  • 快穿之宿主也崩坏

    快穿之宿主也崩坏

    她时而魅惑、时而逗比又时而冷血。可就是这样的人被系统选中,进入了那三千众小世界中里,不知又会兴起怎样的腥风血雨来?(雨宝宝更新慢,喜欢的可以养肥肥再看哦!)
  • 夏日嬷嬷茶:我们恋爱吧

    夏日嬷嬷茶:我们恋爱吧

    这个学校叫科技学院,乖学生简称它为“科院”,而发子所在寝室,却管称它为“技院”!发子所在的“B栋432”是一个极健康和谐的寝室,寝室所有...
  • 王牌婚约,总裁聘金12亿

    王牌婚约,总裁聘金12亿

    陌生的触感伴随着强烈的羞耻感从体内撤离,严颜颤抖着紧抓住冰冷的检查床扶手。“不错,很干净!”男人凉薄的声音,带着满意的口吻,无关赞赏与欣喜。一纸契约,她成为他的代孕新娘。她的存在,只为给他生下孩子!她是个好的商品,而他是她的买家。她的肚子一天天隆起,一切感官也随之退化,一同随之迷失的,依稀还有那颗沉沦的心。十月怀胎,他终于如愿以偿。那个华丽高贵的女子归来,她尚处在产后痛中没能恢复。而他,再没踏进他为她打造的家,当初的一纸婚约,换成了面前的离婚协议!颠沛流离,她尝尽了辛酸与落魄……三年后,他再度进入她的生活。“我找了你这么多年……”男人的话语温情四溢,听在她耳里却是无比讽刺。咬紧牙,指甲嵌入手心,刺破皮肉,严颜笑着说:“啊,对了,当年的钱款,你还没有付清!”
  • 自救常识悦读(健康快乐悦读)

    自救常识悦读(健康快乐悦读)

    自救就是在一个危险环境中,没有他人的帮助扶持下,靠自己的力量脱离险境。本书是包罗生活万象的、有趣的书,向读者介绍了不可不知的自救常识。收录了“预防食物中毒、应急食物的储存与使用、安置点食堂卫生要求、灾区水源分类及水源保护、居民家中饮用水安全”等等自救常识,快来了解这些常识吧!
  • 最亮的一颗星

    最亮的一颗星

    每一个星星都要努力地发着光,要成为别人的渴望不可及
  • 天降大任

    天降大任

    作品以苏南农村为背景,描述了兰花村新中国成立以来的史诗般的奋斗历程,塑造了许多活灵活现、真实可信的典型人物,尤其颂扬了带头人柴运旺执著坚定,奋斗不息的可贵精神。作品文字有豪气,有血性,有独特的感受,书写出时代的最强音。
  • 太阳系危机

    太阳系危机

    在一次任务中,一支倒霉的雇佣军遭遇了一股极为强悍的敌人的伏击,全军覆没……杨炜在一股神秘的力量的帮助之下侥幸生还,成为唯一的幸存者。敌人仍在苦苦相逼,他别无选择,只能奋起反击,一场场惊心动魄的较量就此展开。一次次险死还生的交锋中,对手的神秘面纱渐渐被揭开……真相却是出人意料的恐怖————歌舞升平之下,毁灭的阴影已经蔓延至全球的每一个角落,全人类的命运,命悬一线!
  • 或许是我吧

    或许是我吧

    因为懒,因为单纯,因为不懂,因为感性,因为敏感,因为我不聪明,所以你不要骗我。因为勤,因为复杂,因为明白,因为理性,因为无谓,因为我很聪明,所以你不要骗我。因为这些都是我,所以一个个故事,或许,都是我吧。
  • 人性的优点全集

    人性的优点全集

    人类历史上最伟大的成功励志经典。美国现代成人教育之父、世界最伟大的成功学家——卡耐基一生中最重要、最生动的人生经验的汇集。这是一本关于人类如何征服忧虑走向成功的书,发掘人性的优点,拓成功幸福的新生活之路,享受快乐的人生!