“Eh! because the chalands (barges) are fresh-water boats, and take the sea badly,” replied the fisherman.
“That is not sufficient reason.”
“Pardon me, monsieur, one may see that you have never been a sailor,” added the fisherman, not without a sort of disdain.
“Explain to me, if you please, my good man. It appears to me that to come from Paimboeuf to Piriac, and go from Piriac to Belle-Isle, is as if we went from Roche-Bernard to Nantes, and from Nantes to Piriac.”
“By water that would be the nearest way,” replied the fisherman imperturbably.
“But there is an elbow?”
The fisherman shook his head.
“The shortest road from one place to another is a straight line,” continued D’Artagnan.
“You forget the tide, monsieur.”
“Well! take the tide.”