Shouts of laughter arose along the whole line at this last pleasantry, and while three or four boats pulled toward the harbor, the rest of the force disembarked. "I see how it is," said Ravailly; "Canolles prefers to have it appear that he was taken by surprise in order not to get into trouble at court. Let us return him courtesy for courtesy, messieurs, and kill no one. Once in the fort, mercy for all, except for the women, who may not ask it, _sarpejeu!_ Don't forget that this is a war between friends, boys; I '11 run through the first man who unsheathes his sword." The merriment broke out afresh at this command, which was given with true French gayety, and the soldiers joined in with the officers. "Ah! my friends," said the lieutenant, "it does one good to laugh, but we mustn't let it interfere with what we have to do. Ladders and grappling-hooks!" The soldiers thereupon drew forth long ladders from the boats, and advanced toward the wall. At that, Canolles rose with his cane in his hand, and his hat on his head, like a man who was taking the fresh morning air for pleasure, and approached the parapet, which reached only to his waist. It was light enough for him to be recognized. "Ah! good-morning, Navailles," he said to the regiment; "good-morning, Ravailly; good-morning, Remonenq." "Look, it's Canolles!" exclaimed the young officers; "are you awake at last, baron?" "Why, yes! what would you have? we live like the King of Yvetot here,--early to bed, and late to rise; but what the devil are you doing at this time of night?" "_Pardieu!_" said Ravailly, "I should think that you might see. We are here to besiege you, that's all." "Well, why are you here to besiege me?" "To take your old fort." Canolles began to laugh. "Come," said Ravailly, "you surrender, don't you?" "But I must know first to whom I am surrendering. How happens it that Navailles is serving against the king?" "Faith, my dear fellow, because we have turned rebels. On thinking it over we concluded that Mazarin was a downright rascal, unworthy to be served by gallant gentlemen; so we went over to the princes. And you?" "My dear fellow, I am an enthusiastic Épernonist." "Pshaw! leave your people there and come with us." "Impossible--Ho! hands off the drawbridge chains down there! You know that those things are to be looked at from a distance, and it brings bad luck to touch them. Ravailly, bid them not touch the chains, or I'll fire on them," continued Canolles, frowning; "and I warn you, Ravailly, that I have some excellent marksmen." "Bah! you are joking!" rejoined the captain. "Let yourself be taken; you are not in force." "I am not joking. Down with the ladders! Ravailly, beware, I beg you, for it's the king's house you are besieging!" "Saint-Georges the king's house!"