Part 77 (1/2)

”What is the neur,” replied the patron of the bark, ”that it is a truly re like a hurricane”

Gourville started, and mounted to the deck, in order to obtain a better view

Fouquet did not go up with him, but said to Gourville, with restrained hter had just passed the elbow It caht be plainly seen the white wake illuo,” repeated the skipper, ”how they go! They must be well paid! I did not think,” he added, ”that oars of wood could behave better than ours, but yonder oarsmen prove the contrary”

”Well they ht”

”Twelve rowers!” replied Gourville, ”twelve! ihter had never been exceeded, even for the king This honor had been paid to monsieur le surintendant, more for the sake of haste than of respect

”What does it uish beneath the tent, which was already apparent, travelers which the

”They ,” said the patron

Fouquet shuddered

”By what sign do you know that it is not the king?” said Gourville

”In the first place, because there is no white flag with fleurs-de-lis, which the royal lighter always carries”

”And then,” said Fouquet, ”because it is i was still in Paris yesterday”

Gourville replied to the surintendant by a look which said: ”You were there yourself yesterday”

”And by what sign do you aining time

”By this, monsieur,” said the patron; ”these peoplewhile after us, and they have already nearly overtaken us”

”Bah!” said Gourville, ”who told you that they do not coency or frohter of that shape, except at Orleans It coreat haste”

Fouquet and Gourville exchanged a glance The captain remarked their uneasiness, and, to mislead him, Gourville ier he would catch us; let us win the wager, and not allow him to come up with us”

The patron opened his mouth to say that it was quite impossible, but Fouquet said with much _hauteur_,--”If it is any one ishes to overtake us, let hineur,” said the th; ro!”

”No,” said Fouquet, ”on the contrary; stop short”