gth, obliged to beat a
retreat before superior numbers, they formed an intrenchment behind the
large table, which they raised by main force; whilst the two others,
arming themselves each with a trestle, and using it like a great
sledge-hammer, knocked down at a blow eight sailors upon whose heads
they had brought their monstrous catapult in play. The floor was already
strewn with wounded, and the room filled with cries and dust, when
D'Artagnan, satisfied with the test, advanced, sword in hand, and
striking with the pommel every head that came in his way, he uttered a
vigorous hola! which put an instantaneous end to the conflict. A great
backflood directly took place from the center to the sides of the room,
so that D'Artagnan found himself isolated and dominator.

"What is all this about?" then demanded he of the assembly, with the
majestic tone of Neptune pronouncing the Quos ego.

At the very instant, at the first sound of his voice, to carry on
the Virgilian metaphor, D'Artagnan's recruits, recognizing each his
sovereign lord, discontinued their plank-fighting and trestle blows. On
their side, the sailors, seeing that long naked sword, that martial
air, and the agile arm which came to the rescue of their enemies, in the
person of a man who seemed accustomed to command, the sailors picked up
their wounded and their pitchers. The Parisians wiped their brows, and
viewed their leader with respect. D'Artagnan was loaded with thanks by
the host of "Le Grand Monarque." He received them like a man who knows
that nothing is being offered that does not belong to him, and then said
he would go and walk upon the port till supper was ready. Immediately
each of the recruits, who understood the summons, took his hat, brushed
the dust off his clothes, and followed D'Artagnan. But D'Artagnan whilst
walking and observing, took care not to stop; he directed his course
towards the downs, and the ten men--surprised at finding themselves
going in the track of each other, uneasy at seeing on their right,
on their left, and behind them, companions upon whom they had not
reckoned--followed him, casting furtive glances at each other. It was
not till he had arrived at the hollow part of the deepest down that
D'Artagnan, smiling to see them outdone, turned towards them, making a
friendly sign with his hand.

"Eh! come, come, gentlemen," said he, "let us not devour each other; you
are made to live together, to understand each other in all res