Part 101 (1/2)

At the same moment, as if the vessel was responsive to the appeal of Aramis, a second cloud of smoke mounted slowly to the heavens, and from the bosom of that cloud sparkled an arrow of flame, which described a parabola like a rainbow, and fell into the sea, where it continued to burn, illuue in diameter

The Bretons looked at each other in terror ”You see plainly,” said Aramis, ”it will be better to wait for them”

The oars dropped fro to ht cained it redoubled its speed with darkness From time to time, as a vulture rears its head out of its nest, the formidable Greek fire darted from its sides, and cast its flame upon the ocean like an incandescent snowfall At last it came within musket-shot All the uns, the ht they were about to board a frigate and to fight a crew superior in number to their own, not to attempt the capture of a canoe manned by four people

”Surrender!” cried the co-trun with his head Yves waved a white cloth at the end of a gaff This was like striking their flag The pursuer came on like a race-horse It launched a fresh Greek fire, which fell within twenty paces of the little canoe, and threw a light upon then of resistance,” cried the coht their muskets to the present

”Did we not say we surrendered?” said Yves

”Alive, alive, captain!” cried one excited soldier, ”they ,” said the captain Then turning towards the Bretons, ”Your lives are safe, my friends!” cried he, ”all but the Chevalier d'Herblay”

Aramis stared imperceptibly For an instant his eye was fixed upon the depths of the ocean, illu the sides of the waves, played on the crests like pluulfs they covered

”Do you hear, neur?” said the sailors

”Yes”

”What are your orders?”

”Accept!”

”But you, neur?”

Ara white fingers in the green limpid waters of the sea, to which he turned with smiles as to a friend

”Accept!” repeated he

”We accept,” repeated the sailors; ”but what security have we?”

”The word of a gentleman,” said the officer ”By my rank and by my name I swear that all except M le Chevalier d'Herblay shall have their lives spared I aate the 'Pony”

With a rapid gesture, Aramis--already bent over the side of the bark towards the sea--drew hi eye, and a smile upon his lips, ”Throw out the ladder, ed to hi the rope ladder, walked straight up to the con to hiht of which the officer turned pale, trembled, and bowed his head, the sailors were profoundly astonished Without a word Aramis then raised his hand to the eyes of the co he wore on the ring-finger of his left hand

And while htyhis hand to be kissed The commandant, who for a moment had raised his head, bowed a second ti his hand out, in his turn, towards the poop, that is to say, towards his own cabin, he drew back to allow Arao first The three Bretons, who had come on board after their bishop, looked at each other, stupefied The creere awed to silence Five minutes after, the commander called the second lieutenant, who returned i the head to be put towards Corunna

Whilst this order was being executed, Aramis reappeared upon the deck, and took a seat near the _bastingage_ Night had fallen; the moon had not yet risen, yet Aramis looked incessantly towards Belle-Isle Yves then approached the captain, who had returned to take his post in the stern, and said, in a low and humble voice, ”What course are we to follow, captain?”

”We take what course neur pleases,” replied the officer

Arae_ Yves, on approaching hiht must have been a very damp one, for the wood on which the bishop's head had rested was soaked with dew” Who knows?--that deas, it may be, the first tears that had ever fallen from the eyes of Araood Porthos?