"Is it true that you captured a bastion?" asked a Swiss, who had filled his beer up with rum.
"Yes, monsieur," replied D'Artagnan, "we had that honor. We also introduced a barrel of powder into a corner, which in exploding opened a really beautiful breach; and as the bastion was not built yesterday, the whole building was severely shaken."
"What bastion was it?" said a dragoon, who was holding a goose on the point of his sword, and cooking it at the fire.
"The Bastion Saint-Gervais," replied D'Artagnan; "the Rochellois behind it were always annoying our men."
"And there was a good deal of sharp-shooting?"
"A good deal. We lost five men, and the Rochellois eight or ten."
"But this morning," went on the light-horseman, "they will probably send down some pioneers to rebuild the bastion."
"Yes, probably," answered D'Artagnan.
"Gentlemen," broke in Athos, "I want to propose a bet."
"What bet?" asked the light-horseman.