They carried the man to his bed and called Grimaud to dress
the wound. In the service of the four friends Grimaud had
had so frequent occasion to make lint and bandages that he
had become something of a surgeon.
In the meantime the fugitives had returned to the first
room, where they took counsel together.
“Now,” said Aramis, “we know how the matter stands. The king
and his escort have gone this way; we had better take the
opposite direction, eh?”
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Athos did not reply; he reflected.
“Yes,” said Porthos, “let us take the opposite direction; if
we follow the escort we shall find everything devoured and
die of hunger. What a confounded country this England is!
This is the first time I have gone without my dinner for ten
years, and it is generally my best meal.”
“What do you think, D’Artagnan?” asked Athos. “Do you agree
with Aramis?”
“Not at all,” said D’Artagnan; “I am precisely of the
contrary opinion.”
“What! you would follow the escort?” exclaimed Porthos, in
dismay.
“No, I would join the escort.”
Athos’s eyes shone with joy.
“Join the escort!” cried Aramis.
“Let D’Artagnan speak,” said Athos; “you know he always has
wise advice to give.”
“Clearly,” said D’Artagnan, “we must go where they will not
look for us. Now, they will be far from looking for us among
the Puritans; therefore, with the Puritans we must go.”
“Good, my friend, good!” said Athos. “It is excellent
advice. I was about to give it when you anticipated me.”
“That, then, is your opinion?” asked Aramis.
“Yes. They will think we are trying to leave England and
will search for us at the ports; meanwhile we shall reach
London with the king. Once in London we shall be hard to
find — without considering,” continued Athos, throwing a
glance at Aramis, “the chances that may come to us on the
way.”
“Yes,” said Aramis, “I understand.”
“I, however, do not understand,” said Porthos. “But no
matter; since it is at the same time the opinion of
D’Artagnan and of Athos, it must be the best.”
“But,” said Aramis, “shall we not be suspected by Colonel
Harrison?”
“Egad!” cried D’Artagnan, “he’s just the man I count upon.
Colonel Harrison is one of our friends. We have met him
twice at General Cromwell’s. He knows that we were sent from
France by Monsieur Mazarin; he will consider us as brothers.
Besides, is he not a butcher’s son? Well, then, Porthos
shall show him how to knock down an ox with a blow of the
fist, and I how to trip up a bull by taking him by the
horns. That will insure his confidence.”
Athos smiled. “You are the best companion that I know,
D’Artagnan,” he said, offering his hand to the Gascon; “and
I am very happy in having found you again, my dear son.”
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This was, as we have seen, the term which Athos applied to
D’Artagnan in his more expansive moods.
At this moment Grimaud came in. He had stanched the wound
and the man was better.
The four friends took leave of him and asked if they could
deliver any message for him to his brother.
“Tell him,” answered the brave man, “to let the king know
that they have not killed me outright. However insignificant
I am, I am sure that his majesty is concerned for me and
blames himself for my death.”
“Be easy,” said D’Artagnan, “he will know all before night.”
The little troop recommenced their march, and at the end of
two hours perceived a considerable body of horsemen about
half a league ahead.
“My dear friends,” said D’Artagnan, “give your swords to
Monsieur Mouston, who will return them to you at the proper
time and place, and do not forget you are our prisoners.”
It was not long before they joined the escort. The king was
riding in front, surrounded by troopers, and when he saw
Athos and Aramis a glow of pleasure lighted his pale cheeks.
D’Artagnan passed to the head of the column, and leaving his
friends under the guard of Porthos, went straight to