“Ah! I comprehend!” said Porthos.
“Yes, monseigneur,” replied Jonathan; “but if the captain should refuse to come to Belle-Isle?”
“If he refuses, as we have cannon, we will make use of them.”
“What! against D’Artagnan?”
“If it is D’Artagnan, Porthos, he will come. Go, Jonathan, go!”
“Ma foi! I no longer comprehend anything,” murmured Porthos.
“I will make you comprehend it all, my dear friend; the time for it has come; sit down upon this gun-carriage, open your ears, and listen well to me.”
“Oh! pardieu! I will listen, no fear of that.”
“May I depart, monseigneur?” cried Jonathan.
“Yes, begone, and bring back an answer. Allow the canoe to pass, you men there!” And the canoe pushed off to regain the fleet.