When they had rested a bit and got their land-legs well on again, Pantagruel, who, even in sea-sickness,—and he had, in fact, been very sick,—had been thinking of the perils in which his father's kingdom had been placed, remarked: "My children, it is lucky that those rascals have not occupied this port, and it is just as strange as lucky, because the city is not more than three leagues off. But, before we march to its relief, it would be wise to consider what is best to be done. Are you all resolved to live or die with me?"
"Yes, Your Highness, yes!" responded all. "Count on us as you might count on your fingers."
"I have somehow a trouble on my mind," Pantagruel went on to say. "I know neither in what order nor in what number are my enemies who besiege the city. If I could once know this, we should more surely be able to help my poor people."
Then all the four companions cried out together: "Leave that to us! This day shall not pass before we bring Your Highness news."
Panurge, as was to be expected, was the first to step forward.
"I undertake, my lord," he said, "to enter into their camp in spite of their guards. What is more, I shall dine with them at their own expense,—not one of them knowing who I am; visit their artillery; count the number of tents of their captains; and strut at my will through the bands without ever being once detected. For I am of the lineage of Zopyrus."
Then Master Epistemon came forward:—
"I know all the stratagems of the ancient captains and champions of Antiquity; and all the ruses and artifices of the camps. Your Highness need have no fear of my being caught, as I shall make them believe of you what I please. For I am of the lineage of Sinon."
Then Eusthenes:—
"I shall get through their trenches under the noses of their sentinels; for I shall pass through them, and—in spite of them, even though each one were as strong as a bull—break their legs and wrench their arms for them as I pass. For I am of the lineage of Hercules."