70. The Skiff "Lightning."
D'Artagnan had judged correctly; Mordaunt felt that he had no time tolose, and he lost none. He knew the rapidity of decision and action thatcharacterized his enemies and resolved to act with reference to that.This time the musketeers had an adversary who was worthy of them.
After closing the door carefully behind him Mordaunt glided into thesubterranean passage, sheathing on the way his now useless sword, andthus reached the neighboring house, where he paused to examine himselfand to take breath.
"Good!" he said, "nothing, almost nothing--scratches, nothing more; twoin the arm and one in the breast. The wounds that I make are better thanthat--witness the executioner of Bethune, my uncle and King Charles.Now, not a second to lose, for a second lost will perhaps save them.They must die--die all together--killed at one stroke by the thunder ofmen in default of God's. They must disappear, broken, scattered,annihilated. I will run, then, till my legs no longer serve, till myheart bursts in my bosom but I will arrive before they do."
Mordaunt proceeded at a rapid pace to the nearest cavalry barracks,about a quarter of a league distant. He made that quarter of a league infour or five minutes. Arrived at the barracks he made himself known,took the best horse in the stables, mounted and gained the high road. Aquarter of an hour later he was at Greenwich.
"There is the port," he murmured. "That dark point yonder is the Isle ofDogs. Good! I am half an hour in advance of them, an hour, perhaps. Foolthat I was! I have almost killed myself by my needless haste. Now," headded, rising in the stirrups and looking about him, "which, I wonder,is the Lightning?"
At this moment, as if in reply to his words, a man lying on a coil ofcables rose and advanced a few steps toward him. Mordaunt drew ahandkerchief from his pocket, and tying a knot at each corner--thesignal agreed upon--waved it in the air and the man came up to him. Hewas wrapped in a large rough cape, which concealed his form and partlyhis face.
"Do you wish to go on the water, sir?" said the sailor.
"Yes, just so. Along the Isle of Dogs."
"And perhaps you have a preference for one boat more than another. Youwould like one that sails as rapidly as----"
"Lightning," interrupted Mordaunt.
"Then mine is the boat you want, sir. I'm your man."
"I begin to think so, particularly if you have not forgotten a certainsignal."
"Here it is, sir," and the sailor took from his coat a handkerchief,tied at each corner.
"Good, quite right!" cried Mordaunt, springing off his horse. "There'snot a moment to lose; now take my horse to the nearest inn and conductme to your vessel."
"But," asked the sailor, "where are your companions? I thought therewere four of you."
"Listen to me, sir. I'm not the man you take me for; you are in CaptainRogers's post, are you not? under orders from General Cromwell. Mine,also, are from him!"
"Indeed, sir, I recognize you; you are Captain Mordaunt."
Mordaunt was startled.
"Oh, fear nothing," said the skipper, showing his face. "I am a friend."
"Captain Groslow!" cried Mordaunt.
"Himself. The general remembered that I had formerly been a navalofficer and he gave me the command of this expedition. Is there anythingnew in the wind?"
"Nothing."
"I thought, perhaps, that the king's death----"
"Has only hastened their flight; in ten minutes they will perhaps behere."
"What have you come for, then?"
"To embark with you."
"Ah! ah! the general doubted my fidelity?"
"No, but I wish to have a share in my revenge. Haven't you some one whowill relieve me of my horse?"
Groslow whistled and a sailor appeared.
"Patrick," said Groslow, "take this horse to the stables of the nearestinn. If any one asks you whose it is you can say that it belongs to anIrish gentleman."
The sailor departed without reply.
"Now," said Mordaunt, "are you not afraid that they will recognize you?"
"There is no danger, dressed as I am in this pilot coat, on a night asdark as this. Besides even you didn't recognize me; they will be muchless likely to."
"That is true," said Mordaunt, "and they will be far from thinking ofyou. Everything is ready, is it not?"
"Yes."
"The cargo on board?"
"Yes."
"Five full casks?"
"And fifty empty ones."
"Good."
"We are carrying port wine to Anvers."
"Excellent. Now take me aboard and return to your post, for they willsoon be here."
"I am ready."
"It is important that none of your crew should see me."
"I have but one man on board, and I am as sure of him as I am of myself.Besides, he doesn't know you; like his mates he is ready to obey ourorders knowing nothing of our plan."
"Very well; let us go."
They then went down to the Thames. A boat was fastened to the shore by achain fixed to a stake. Groslow jumped in, followed by Mordaunt, and infive minutes they were quite away from that world of houses which thencrowded the outskirts of London; and Mordaunt could discern the littlevessel riding at anchor near the Isle of Dogs. When they reached theside of this felucca, Mordaunt, dexterous in his eagerness forvengeance, seized a rope and climbed up the side of the vessel with acoolness and agility very rare among landsmen. He went with Groslow tothe captain's berth, a sort of temporary cabin of planks, for the chiefapartment had been given up by Captain Rogers to the passengers, whowere to be accommodated at the other end of the boat.
"They will have nothing to do, then at this end?" said Mordaunt.
"Nothing at all."
"That's a capital arrangement. Return to Greenwich and bring them here.I shall hide myself in your cabin. You have a longboat?"
"That in which we came."
"It appeared light and well constructed."
"Quite a canoe."
"Fasten it to the poop with a rope; put the oars into it, so that it mayfollow in the track and there will be nothing to do except to cut thecord. Put a good supply of rum and biscuit in it for the seamen; shouldthe night happen to be stormy they will not be sorry to find somethingto console themselves with."
"Consider all this done. Do you wish to see the powder-room?"
"No. When you return I will set the fuse myself, but be careful toconceal your face, so that you cannot be recognized by them."
"Never fear."
"There's ten o'clock striking at Greenwich."
Groslow, then, having given the sailor on duty an order to be on thewatch with more than usual vigilance, went down into the longboat andsoon reached Greenwich. The wind was chilly and the jetty was deserted,as he approached it; but he had no sooner landed than he heard a noiseof horses galloping upon the paved road.
These horsemen were our friends, or rather, an avant garde, composed ofD'Artagnan and Athos. As soon as they arrived at the spot where Groslowstood they stopped, as if guessing that he was the man they wanted.Athos alighted and calmly opened the handkerchief tied at each corner,whilst D'Artagnan, ever cautious, remained on horseback, one hand uponhis pistol, leaning forward watchfully.
On seeing the appointed signal, Groslow, who had at first crept behindone of the cannons planted on that spot, walked straight up to thegentlemen. He was so well wrapped up in his cloak that it would havebeen impossible to see his face even if the night had not been so darkas to render precaution superfluous; nevertheless, the keen glance ofAthos perceived at once it was not Rogers who stood before them.
"What do you want with us?" he asked of Groslow.
"I wish to inform you, my lord," replied Groslow, with an Irish accent,feigned of course, "that if you are looking for Captain Rogers you willnot find him. He fell down this morning and broke his leg. But I'm hiscousin; he told me everything and desired me to watch instead of him,and in his place to conduct, wherever they wished to go, the gentlemenwho should bring
me a handkerchief tied at each corner, like that onewhich you hold and one which I have in my pocket."
And he drew out the handkerchief.
"Was that all he said?" inquired Athos.
"No, my lord; he said you had engaged to pay seventy pounds if I landedyou safe and sound at Boulogne or any other port you choose in France."
"What do you think of all this?" said Athos, in a low tone toD'Artagnan, after explaining to him in French what the sailor had saidin English.
"It seems a likely story to me."
"And to me, too."
"Besides, we can but blow out his brains if he proves false," said theGascon; "and you, Athos, you know something of everything and can be ourcaptain. I dare say you know how to navigate, should he fail us."
"My dear friend, you guess well. My father meant me for the navy and Ihave some vague notions about navigation."
"You see!" cried D'Artagnan.
They then summoned their friends, who, with Blaisois, Mousqueton andGrimaud, promptly joined them, leaving Parry behind them, who was totake back to London the horses of the gentlemen and of their lackeys,which had been sold to the host in settlement of their account with him.Thanks to this stroke of business the four friends were able to takeaway with them a sum of money which, if not large, was sufficient as aprovision against delays and accidents.
Parry parted from his friends regretfully; they had proposed his goingwith them to France, but he had straightway declined.
"It is very simple," Mousqueton had said; "he is thinking of Groslow."
It was Captain Groslow, the reader will remember, who had broken Parry'shead.
D'Artagnan resumed immediately the attitude of distrust that washabitual with him. He found the wharf too completely deserted, the nighttoo dark, the captain too accommodating. He had reported to Aramis whathad taken place, and Aramis, not less distrustful than he, had increasedhis suspicions. A slight click of the tongue against his teeth informedAthos of the Gascon's uneasiness.
"We have no time now for suspicions," said Athos. "The boat is waitingfor us; come."
"Besides," said Aramis, "what prevents our being distrustful and goingaboard at the same time? We can watch the skipper."
"And if he doesn't go straight I will crush him, that's all."
"Well said, Porthos," replied D'Artagnan. "Let us go, then. You first,Mousqueton," and he stopped his friends, directing the valets to gofirst, in order to test the plank leading from the pier to the boat.
The three valets passed without accident. Athos followed them, thenPorthos, then Aramis. D'Artagnan went last, still shaking his head.
"What in the devil is the matter with you, my friend?" said Porthos."Upon my word you would make Caesar afraid."
"The matter is," replied D'Artagnan, "that I can see upon this pierneither inspector nor sentinel nor exciseman."
"And you complain of that!" said Porthos. "Everything goes as if inflowery paths."
"Everything goes too well, Porthos. But no matter; we must trust inGod."
As soon as the plank was withdrawn the captain took his place at thetiller and made a sign to one of the sailors, who, boat-hook in hand,began to push out from the labyrinth of boats in which they wereinvolved. The other sailor had already seated himself on the port sideand was ready to row. As soon as there was room for rowing, hiscompanion rejoined him and the boat began to move more rapidly.
"At last we are off!" exclaimed Porthos.
"Alas," said Athos, "we depart alone."
"Yes; but all four together and without a scratch; which is aconsolation."
"We are not yet at our destination," observed the prudent D'Artagnan;"beware of misadventure."
"Ah, my friend!" cried Porthos, "like the crows, you always bring badomens. Who could intercept us on such a night as this, pitch dark, whenone does not see more than twenty yards before one?"
"Yes, but to-morrow morning----"
"To-morrow we shall be at Boulogne."
"I hope so, with all my heart," said the Gascon, "and I confess myweakness. Yes, Athos, you may laugh, but as long as we were withingunshot of the pier or of the vessels lying by it I was looking for afrightful discharge of musketry which would crush us."
"But," said Porthos, with great wisdom, "that was impossible, for theywould have killed the captain and the sailors."
"Bah! much Monsieur Mordaunt would care. You don't imagine he wouldconsider a little thing like that?"
"At any rate," said Porthos, "I am glad to hear D'Artagnan admit that heis afraid."
"I not only confess it, but am proud of it," returned the Gascon; "I'mnot such a rhinoceros as you are. Oho! what's that?"
"The Lightning," answered the captain, "our felucca."
"So far, so good," laughed Athos.
They went on board and the captain instantly conducted them to the berthprepared for them--a cabin which was to serve for all purposes and forthe whole party; he then tried to slip away under pretext of givingorders to some one.
"Stop a moment," cried D'Artagnan; "pray how many men have you on board,captain?"
"I don't understand," was the reply.
"Explain it, Athos."
Groslow, on the question being interpreted, answered, "Three, withoutcounting myself."
D'Artagnan understood, for while replying the captain had raised threefingers. "Oh!" he exclaimed, "I begin to be more at my ease, however,whilst you settle yourselves, I shall make the round of the boat."
"As for me," said Porthos, "I will see to the supper."
"A very good idea, Porthos," said the Gascon. "Athos lend me Grimaud,who in the society of his friend Parry has perhaps picked up a littleEnglish, and can act as my interpreter."
"Go, Grimaud," said Athos.
D'Artagnan, finding a lantern on the deck, took it up and with a pistolin his hand he said to the captain, in English, "Come," (being, with theclassic English oath, the only English words he knew), and so saying hedescended to the lower deck.
This was divided into three compartments--one which was covered by thefloor of that room in which Athos, Porthos and Aramis were to pass thenight; the second was to serve as the sleeping-room for the servants,the third, under the prow of the ship, was under the temporary cabin inwhich Mordaunt was concealed.
"Oho!" cried D'Artagnan, as he went down the steps of the hatchway,preceded by the lantern, "what a number of barrels! one would think onewas in the cave of Ali Baba. What is there in them?" he added, puttinghis lantern on one of the casks.
The captain seemed inclined to go upon deck again, but controllinghimself he answered:
"Port wine."
"Ah! port wine! 'tis a comfort," said the Gascon, "since we shall notdie of thirst. Are they all full?"
Grimaud translated the question, and Groslow, who was wiping theperspiration from off his forehead, answered:
"Some full, others empty."
D'Artagnan struck the barrels with his hand, and having ascertained thathe spoke the truth, pushed his lantern, greatly to the captain's alarm,into the interstices between the barrels, and finding that there wasnothing concealed in them:
"Come along," he said; and he went toward the door of the secondcompartment.
"Stop!" said the Englishman, "I have the key of that door;" and heopened the door, with a trembling hand, into the second compartment,where Mousqueton and Blaisois were preparing supper.
Here there was evidently nothing to seek or to apprehend and they passedrapidly to examine the third compartment.
This was the room appropriated to the sailors. Two or three hammockshung upon the ceiling, a table and two benches composed the entirefurniture. D'Artagnan picked up two or three old sails hung on thewalls, and meeting nothing to suspect, regained by the hatchway the deckof the vessel.
"And this room?" he asked, pointing to the captain's cabin.
"That's my room," replied Groslow.
"Open the door."
The captain obeyed. D'Artagnan stretched out his arm in whi
ch he heldthe lantern, put his head in at the half opened door, and seeing thatthe cabin was nothing better than a shed:
"Good," he said. "If there is an army on board it is not here that it ishidden. Let us see what Porthos has found for supper." And thanking thecaptain, he regained the state cabin, where his friends were.
Porthos had found nothing, and with him fatigue had prevailed overhunger. He had fallen asleep and was in a profound slumber whenD'Artagnan returned. Athos and Aramis were beginning to close theireyes, which they half opened when their companion came in again.
"Well!" said Aramis.
"All is well; we may sleep tranquilly."
On this assurance the two friends fell asleep; and D'Artagnan, who wasvery weary, bade good-night to Grimaud and laid himself down in hiscloak, with naked sword at his side, in such a manner that his bodybarricaded the passage, and it should be impossible to enter the roomwithout upsetting him.