Part 65 (1/2)
”It is right,” said Athos; ”he has served youroverheard these words and turned around with tears in his eyes
”Wait a moment, sir,” said he; ”I have an order for each of you also”
He turned to a closet where his own orders were locked up, and took out two ribbons of the Order of the Garter
”These cannot be for us,” said Athos
”Why not, sir?” asked Charles
”Such are for royalty, and we are simple cost thereat hearts as yours No, no, you do yourselves injustice; but I am here to do you justice On your knees, count”
Athos knelt down and the king passed the ribbon down froht as usual, raised his sword, and instead of pronouncing the custoht Be brave, faithful and loyal,” he said, ”You are brave, faithful and loyal I knight you,to Aramis, he said: ”It is now your turn, monsieur le chevalier”
The same ceremony recommenced, with the same words, whilst Winter unlaced his leather cuirass, that heproceeded with Aramis as with Athos, embraced theency felt all his strength and energy fire up, ”we are ready”
The king looked at the three gentleh an army, sire,” said Athos, ”in all countries in the world is called charging”
”Then I shall die, sword in hand,” said Charles ”Monsieur le co----”
”Sire, you have already done us entleratitude is on our side But we must not lose tiain shook hands with all three, exchanged hats with Winter and went out
Winter's regi, followed by the three friends, turned his steps that way The Scotch camp seemed as if at last awakened; the soldiers had come out of their tents and taken up their station in battle array
”Do you see that?” said the king ”Perhaps they are penitent and preparing to march”
”If they are penitent,” said Athos, ”let the, ”what shall we do?”
”Let us examine the eneroup were fixed on the sa and which thesun now plainly shoas an arenerally is at that early hour of the iments, the standards, and even the colors of the horses and unifor ground, a little in advance of the ene lass toward the little group a stood
”Does this man know your majesty personally?” inquired Aramis
Charles smiled
”That man is Cromwell,” said he
”Then dran your hat, sire, that he may not discover the substitution”
”Ah!” said Athos, ”how ive the word and let us start”
”Will you not give it, sire?” asked Athos
”No; I
”Listen, then, Lord Winter Proceed, sire, I beg What we are going to say does not concern your , turned a few steps back
”This is what I propose to do,” said Athos ”We will divide our regiments into two squadrons You will put yourself at the head of the first We and his majesty will lead the second If no obstacle occurs ill both charge together, force the enemy's line and throw ourselves into the Tyne, which we ; if, on the contrary, any repulse should take place, you and yourproceed on our road Once arrived at the brink of the river, should we even find theiment do your duty, ill look to the rest”
”To horse!” said Lord Winter
”To horse!” re-echoed Athos; ”everything is arranged and decided”
”Now, gentle, ”forward! and rally to the old cry of France, 'Montjoy and St Denis!' The war cry of England is too often in theon Winter's horse and Winter on that of the king; then Winter took his place at the head of the first squadron, and the king, with Athos on his right and Aramis on his left, at the head of the second
The Scotch arht of these preparations
Some of the chieftains left the ranks and broke their swords in two
”There,” said the king, ”that consoles me; they are not all traitors”
At this moment Winter's voice was raised with the cry of ”Forward!”
The first squadron moved off; the second followed, and descended froiment of cuirassiers, nearly equal as to nuallop toward it
The king pointed this out
”Sire,” said Athos, ”we foresaw this; and if Lord Winter's men but do their duty, we are saved, instead of lost”
At thisof the horses Winter's voice crying out: ”Sword in hand!”
At these words every sas drawn, and glittered in the air like lightning
”Now, gentleht, ”coentlemen, sword in hand!”