pects, and
not to devour one another."

Instantly all hesitation ceased; the men breathed as if they had been
taken out of a coffin, and examined each other complacently. After this
examination they turned their eyes towards their leader, who had long
been acquainted with the art of speaking to men of that class, and who
improvised the following little speech, pronounced with an energy truly
Gascon:

"Gentlemen, you all know who I am. I have engaged you from knowing
you to be brave, and willing to associate you with me in a glorious
enterprise. Imagine that in laboring for me you labor for the king. I
only warn you that if you allow anything of this supposition to appear,
I shall be forced to crack your skulls immediately, in the manner most
convenient to me. You are not ignorant, gentlemen, that state secrets
are like a mortal poison: as long as that poison is in its box and the
box is closed, it is not injurious; out of the box, it kills. Now draw
near and you shall know as much of this secret as I am able to tell
you." All drew close to him with an expression of curiosity. "Approach,"
continued D'Artagnan, "and let not the bird which passes over our heads,
the rabbit which sports on the downs, the fish which bounds from the
waters, hear us. Our business is to learn and to report to monsieur
le surintendant of the finances to what extent English smuggling is
injurious to the French merchants. I shall enter every place, and see
everything. We are poor Picard fishermen, thrown upon the coast by a
storm. It is certain that we must sell fish, neither more nor less, like
true fishermen. Only people might guess who we are, and might molest
us; it is therefore necessary that we should be in a condition to defend
ourselves. And this is why I have selected men of spirit and courage. We
shall lead a steady life, and not incur much danger; seeing that we
have behind us a powerful protector, thanks to whom no embarrassment
is possible. One thing alone puzzles me; but I hope that after a short
explanation, you will relieve me from that difficulty. The thing which
puzzles me is taking with me a crew of stupid fishermen, which crew will
annoy me immensely, whilst if, by chance, there were among you any who
have seen the sea----"

"Oh! don't let that trouble you," said one of the recruits; "I was a
prisoner among the pirates of Tunis three years, and can maneuver a boat
like an admiral."

"See," said D'Artagnan, "what an admirab