“You are very generous,” said Athos.But all three were thinking of the youthfulness of D’Artagnan, and dreaded his inexperience.

“We would be only three, one of whom is wounded, with the addition of a boy,” resumed Athos, “and yet they will say none the less that we were four men.”

“Yes, but to yield!” said Porthos.

“That’s rather difficult,” replied Athos.

D’Artagnan understood their hesitancy.

“Try me, gentlemen,” said he, “and I swear to you by my honour that I will not go hence if we are conquered.”

“What is your name, my brave fellow?” said Athos.

“D’Artagnan, sir.”

“Well, then, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D’Artagnan, forward!” cried Athos.

“Come, gentlemen, have you made your minds up?” cried Jussac for the third time.

“It is done, gentlemen,” said Athos.

“And what do you mean to do?” asked Jussac.

“We are about to have the honour of charging you,” replied Aramis, lifting his hat with one hand and drawing his sword with the other.

“Oh! you resist, do you?” cried Jussac.

“’Sblood! does that astonish you?”

And the nine combatants rushed at one another with a madness which, however, did not exclude a certain amount of method.

Athos fixed upon Cahusac, a favourite of the cardinal’s, Porthos had Bicarat, and Aramis found himself opposed to two adversaries. As to D’Artagnan, he sprang towards Jussac himself.

The heart of the young Gascon beat as though it would burst its fetters—not from fear, God be thanked (he had not the shade of it), but with emulation. He fought like a mad tiger, turning ten times round his adversary, and changing his ground and his guard twenty times. Jussac was, as they said then, fond of the sword, and had had much practice; nevertheless it required all his skill to defend himself against an adversary who, active and energetic, departed every instant from received rules, attacking him on all sides at once, and yet parrying like a man who had the greatest respect for his own epidermis.

This contest at length exhausted Jussac’s patience. Furious at being held in check by one whom he had considered a boy, he grew angry and began to make mistakes. D’Artagnan, who, though wanting in practice, had a profound theory, redoubled his agility. Jussac, anxious to put an end to this, springing forward, aimed a terrible thrust at his adversary, but the latter parried it; and while Jussac was recovering himself, glided like a serpent beneath his blade, and passed his sword through his body. Jussac fell in a heap.

D’Artagnan then cast an anxious and rapid glance over the field of battle.Aramis had already killed one of his adversaries, but the other was pressing him warmly. Nevertheless Aramis was in a good situation and still able to defend himself.