One might have thought there was in that cellar one of those famished ogres--the gigantic heroes of popular legends, into whose cavern nobody could force their way with impunity.
There was a moment of silence; but at length the two Englishmen felt ashamed to draw back, and the angrier one descended the five or six steps which led to the cellar, and gave a kick against the door enough to split a wall.
"Planchet," said d'Artagnan, cocking his pistols, "I will take charge of the one at the top; you look to the one below.

Ah, gentlemen, you want battle; and you shall have it." "Good God!" cried the hollow voice of Athos, "I can hear d'Artagnan, I think." "Yes," cried d'Artagnan, raising his voice in turn, "I am here, my friend." "Ah, good, then," replied Athos, "we will teach them, these door breakers!" The gentlemen had drawn their swords, but they found themselves taken between two fires.

They still hesitated an instant; but, as before, pride prevailed, and a second kick split the door from bottom to top.
"Stand on one side, d'Artagnan, stand on one side," cried Athos.

"I am going to fire!" "Gentlemen," exclaimed d'Artagnan, whom reflection never abandoned, "gentlemen, think of what you are about.

Patience, Athos! You are running your heads into a very silly affair; you will be riddled.