Moreover, in defending ourselves, we shall cover ourselves with glory. You see that everything is to our advantage.”
“Yes,” said d’Artagnan; “but we shall indubitably attract a ball.”
“Well, my dear,” replied Athos, “you know well that the balls most to be dreaded are not from the enemy.”
“But for such an expedition we surely ought to have brought our muskets.”
“You are stupid, friend Porthos. Why should we load ourselves with a useless burden?”
“I don’t find a good musket, twelve cartridges, and a powder flask very useless in the face of an enemy.”
“Well,” replied Athos, “have you not heard what d’Artagnan said?”
“What did he say?” demanded Porthos.
“D’Artagnan said that in the attack of last night eight or ten Frenchmen were killed, and as many Rochellais.”
“What then?”
“The bodies were not plundered, were they? It appears the conquerors had something else to do.”
“Well?”
“Well, we shall find their muskets, their cartridges, and their flasks; and instead of four musketoons and twelve balls, we shall have fifteen guns and a hundred charges to fire.”
“Oh, Athos!” said Aramis, “truly you are a great man.”