Part 65 (2/2)
But Aramis and Athos were the only ones to obey this co's exa in a low voice
”Wait a nize your majesty's voice, and await the order of their captain”
”Have they not heard that of their colonel? But look! look!” cried the king, drawing up his horse with a sudden jerk, which threw it on its haunches, and seizing the bridle of Athos's horse
”Ah, cowards! traitors!” screamed Lord Winter, whose voice they heard, whilst histheir ranks, dispersed all over the plain
About fifteen e of Croo and die with theo,” said Athos and Aramis
”All faithful hearts with me!” cried out Winter
This voice was heard by the two friends, who set off, full gallop
”No quarter!” cried a voice in French, answering to that of Winter, which made them tremble
As for Winter, at the sound of that voice he turned pale, and was, as it were, petrified
It was the voice of a cavalierat the head of the English regiment, of which, in his ardor, he was ten steps in advance
”'Tis he!” lazed and he allowed his sword to fall to his side
”The king! the king!” cried out several voices, deceived by the blue ribbon and chestnut horse of Winter; ”take hi!” exclai; you are my uncle”
At the same moment Mordaunt, for it was he, leveled his pistol at Winter; it went off and the ball entered the heart of the old cavalier, ith one bound on his saddle fell back into the ared!”
”Think of ed and darted off at full gallop
”Wretch!” exclai his pistol as he passed by hio off
At this iment came up and they fell upon the fewthe two French sure that Lord Winter was really dead, let fall the corpse and said: ”Colishmen ere nearest to them fell, mortally wounded
At the salittered about their heads
Suddenly a lish ranks, fell upon Athos, twined ar his sword from him, said in his ear: ”Silence! yield--you yield to iant had seized also Araled in vain to release hirasp
”D'Art----” exclaimed Athos, whilst the Gascon covered his mouth with his hand
”I a up his sword to Porthos
”Fire, fire!” cried Mordaunt, returning to the group surrounding the two friends
”And wherefore fire?” said the colonel; ”every one has yielded”
”It is the son of Milady,” said Athos to D'Artagnan
”I recognize him”
”It is the monk,” whispered Porthos to Araan to open D'Artagnan held the bridle of Athos's horse and Porthos that of Aramis Both of them attempted to lead his prisoner off the battle-field
This movement revealed the spot where Winter's body had fallen Mordaunt had found it out and was gazing on his dead relative with an expression of h now cool and collected, put his hand to his belt, where his loaded pistols yet renan
”Let esture you discover that you recognize hi man he exclaimed: ”A fine prize! a fine prize, friend Mordaunt; we have both hts of the Garter, nothing less”
”But,” said Mordaunt, looking at Athos and Araine”
”I'faith, I don't know Are you French, sir?” said he to Athos
”I aravely
”Very well, my dear sir, you are the prisoner of a fellow country?” exclaiorously seized his prisoner's hand, saying: ”Eh! the king? We have secured hih an infamous act of treason”
Porthos pressed his friend's hand and said to hiem as well as force; look yonder!”
At this instant the squadron, that ought to have protected Charles's retreat, was advancing to , as entirely surrounded, walked alone in a great empty space He appeared calhty effort Drops of perspiration trickled down his face, and from time to time he put a handkerchief to his mouth to wipe away the blood that rilled from it
”Behold Nebuchadnezzar!” exclaiht of the man they called the tyrant
”Do you call him Nebuchadnezzar?” said Mordaunt, with a terrible s Charles, who despoils his subjects to enrich hilanced a moment at the insolent creature who uttered this, but did not recognize hinity of his countenance abashed Mordaunt
”Bon jour, entlenan and Porthos ”The day has been unfortunate, but it is not your fault, thank God! But where is my old friend Winter?”