At the head of these men was an officer, whom Athos and Raoul recognized as the one who had fired the first musket.

The man ordered the soldiers to "make ready." "We are going to be shot!" cried Raoul; "but, sword in hand, at least, let us leap the ditch! We shall kill at least two of these scoundrels, when their muskets are empty." And, suiting the action to the word, Raoul was springing forward, followed by Athos, when a well-known voice resounded behind them, "Athos! Raoul!" "D'Artagnan!" replied the two gentlemen.
"Recover arms! _Mordioux!_" cried the captain to the soldiers.

"I was sure I could not be mistaken!" "What is the meaning of this ?" asked Athos.

"What! were we to be shot without warning ?" "It was I who was going to shoot you, and if the governor missed you, I should not have missed you, my dear friends.

How fortunate it is that I am accustomed to take a long aim, instead of firing at the instant I raise my weapon! I thought I recognized you.