“‘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.”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After
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 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.
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Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After
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