D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

208 To the Rescue. “Stay! my friend, Don Juan has not lived so long in the Spanish Court to learn nothing. The garrison 1s simply vacating the fort and the gate towers!” “But I heard no sound of battle!” objected Porthos, lazily rising, and looking down the Vintners’-Ward street, which commanded a view of the wall by the river side. ‘“Clarions, but not a shot, not a petard!” “You have forgotten. We are fighting the Spaniards, not so much with Captain Pedro’s thousands as with Richelieu’s millions!’ “Oh, you think , “IT know that the Lisbon garrison ought to retire, not before leaden bullets but with those of gold in their knap- sacks !” “But I hear marching—not very regular, but it is marching, and of a numerous troop!” “It is coming this way! I do not know what they are; but I stick to my opinion: there will be no fighting for the fortress ; you know how it occurred at Oporto.” “Surely, it is a column coming,” went on Du Vallon, standing up so as to look over all heads. “T can tell you, masters,’ Quaqua said, grinning, as she stowed away in her apron the proceeds of her illicit trade, and rolled it up into a girdle which she suspended around her vast waist; “it is just the trainband going on guard-mounting as the regulars come off.” “She is correct, this model hostess,” cried the of- ficer, standing upon the stool to rise to a level with his friend’s head. “See, the citizens are relieving the arch- ers at the gates, not only of their duty, but of their parti- sans and arquebuses!”’ “Tf this be their way of conquering towns, I do not see why men of the sword are sent to take the place of your only victors, these money-grubbing Soleimans,” grum- bled the other. “Oh, I daresay, we shall nick our blades yet!’ amended the swordsman, who respected others in their lines; “the sons of Cortez and Pizarro inherit brave souls and will _ do all honor dares.” “Do you know what they are cheering about now, you who seem to follow all tongues? Is it whooping over this purchased victory ?” | Gomicbooks (E(0) im