We will wait for a favorable moment, and during the night we will go to sea!" "That is a grand idea.

What shall we gain by it ?" "We shall gain this--nobody knows that grotto, or rather its issue, except ourselves and two or three hunters of the island; we shall gain this--that if the island is occupied, the scouts, seeing no bark upon the shore, will never imagine we can escape, and will cease to watch." "I understand." "Well! that weakness in the legs ?" "Oh! better, much, just now." "You see, then, plainly, that everything conspires to give us quietude and hope.

D'Artagnan will sweep the sea and leave us free.

No royal fleet or descent to be dreaded.

_Vive Dieu!_ Porthos, we have still half a century of magnificent adventure before us, and if I once touch Spanish ground, I swear to you," added the bishop with terrible energy, "that your brevet of duke is not such a chance as it is said to be." "We live by hope," said Porthos, enlivened by the warmth of his companion.
All at once a cry resounded in their ears: "To arms! to arms!" This cry, repeated by a hundred throats, piercing the chamber where the two friends were conversing, carried surprise to one, and uneasiness to the other.