"If we are not careful," said Athos, rousing himself, "we shall find ourselves landed in some quarrel, which would be highly inconvenient at this moment. D'Artagnan, tell us about your night's work, and then we will tell you about ours." "Ah yes," said a light-horse soldier, who was slowly sipping a glass of brandy, "you were down at the trenches last night, I think, and I believe you had a brush with the Rochellois." D'Artagnan looked at Athos, to see if he ought to answer or not. "My dear fellow," replied Athos, "I don't think you are aware that M. De Busigny did you the honor to address you! Since these gentlemen are interested in last night's affair, tell them about it." "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. "I bet you, M. De Busigny, that I and my three friends Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan, will breakfast in the Bastion Saint-Gervais, and will hold it an hour by the clock, against all comers." Porthos and Aramis looked at each other. They were beginning to understand what Athos had in his head. "But," objected D'Artagnan, leaning over to whisper to Athos, "we shall be killed without a chance of escape." "We shall be killed a great deal more certainly if we don't go," replied Athos. "Ah!" ejaculated Porthos, twirling his mustache, "that is a grand bet." "I take it," said M. De Busigny; "let us fix the stakes." "That is easily done," replied Athos. "We are four and you are four. The loser shall give the whole eight a dinner." "Very well, let us agree to that," said M. De Busigny and the dragoon. "Your breakfast is ready, gentlemen," broke in the landlord at this instant. "Then bring it here," answered Athos. The landlord obeyed, and Athos, making a sign to Grimaud, pointed out a large basket standing in a corner, which he was to fill with wine and food. "But where are you going to eat it?" asked the landlord. "What does that matter to you as long as you are paid?" replied Athos, throwing two pistoles on the table. Then, turning to M. De Busigny, he observed:--