Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas Chapter 25 Page 7

never turned his head, did not perceive it. Porthos told him of it in his calm manner.

“If only we two arrive,” said D’Artagnan, “it will be enough, since the duke’s troop are only four in number.”

“That is true,” said Porthos

And he spurred his courser on.

At the end of another two hours the horses had gone twelve leagues without stopping; their legs began to tremble, and the foam they shed whitened the doublets of their masters.

“Let us rest here an instant to give these poor creatures breathing time,” said Porthos.

“Let us rather kill them! yes, kill them!” cried D’Artagnan;