Belle-Rose — page 357: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

846 | ‘THE RHINE. ‘“Where are you going?’’ exclaimed the count. “Over there!’’ replied Belle-Rose, pointing out to him the Tower of Tolhus with the end of his sword. ‘“Do you wish to pass the Rhine?’’ ‘*Certainly.’’ “On horseback?”’ ‘*Parbleu!’’ | “But it is impossible!’’ exclaimed two or three centlemen. ‘‘Come first, and you will see.’ ‘In fact, if it were easy, it fond not be worth while trying it!’’ exclaimed the count. ‘*Let us go!’’ said the others, unsheathing. Monsieur de Pomereux rode near Belle-Rose. The little troop threw itself into the water. Among them were Mon- sieur de Meaurevert, Comte de Saulx, the Marquis de Thermes, the Duc de Coislin, the Prince de Marcillac, and several others of the first nobility of the kingdom. Upon the opposite shore they perceived three Dutch squadrons ranged in line of battle; in the tower of Tolhus, the can- noneers were at their pieces, with matches lighted. Scarcely had they made ten steps in the river, when Dé- route struck himself on the forehead. ‘““Good!’’ he exclaimed, ‘‘it is a ford.’’ He had understood the parable. ‘‘Well,’’ Belle-Rose said to him, ‘‘do you believe that the Evangelist is right?’’ The troop, which was composed of forty persons, ad- vanced with bursts of laughter. “Tf we die, we shall at least die gayly,’’ said Monsieur de Pomereux. The cuirassiers, more heavily armed, remained some- what in the rear; the volunteers, ardent and well mounted, marched first. Sometimes the water came up to the girths of the saddles; sometimes it even reached the belts of the soldiers. Monsieur de Revel’s squadrons ranged themselves upon the shore, ready to leave at the first signal. Toward the middle of the river a cuirassier suddenly lost footing and disappeared with the current; a little later it was the turn of a garde du corps. ‘Ten steps farther on the horse of a volunteer rolled over in the water, the river passed over them, and nothing more was seen of them. “RPorward!” cried Monsieur de Pomereux. “Forward!’’ repeated the gentlemen, with swords raised. ‘‘Eh!’’ said Grippard, ‘‘I believe that we are one against | twenty, and they have the position in their favor.’ comicbooks.con