English
Onthe24thofFebruary,1815,thelook–outatNotre–DamedelaGardesignalledthethree–master,thePharaonfromSmyrna,Trieste,andNaples.
Asusual,apilotputoffimmediately,androundingtheChateaud’If,gotonboardthevesselbetweenCapeMorgionandRionisland.
Immediately,andaccordingtocustom,therampartsofFortSaint–Jeanwerecoveredwithspectators;itisalwaysaneventatMarseillesforashiptocomeintoport,especiallywhenthisship,likethePharaon,hasbeenbuilt,rigged,andladenattheoldPhoceedocks,andbelongstoanownerofthecity.
Theshipdrewonandhadsafelypassedthestrait,whichsomevolcanicshockhasmadebetweentheCalasareigneandJarosislands;haddoubledPomegue,andapproachedtheharborundertopsails,jib,andspanker,butsoslowlyandsedatelythattheidlers,withthatinstinctwhichistheforerunnerofevil,askedoneanotherwhatmisfortunecouldhavehappenedonboard.
However,thoseexperiencedinnavigationsawplainlythatifanyaccidenthadoccurred,itwasnottothevesselherself,forsheboredownwithalltheevidenceofbeingskilfullyhandled,theanchora–cockbill,thejib–boomguysalreadyeasedoff,andstandingbythesideofthepilot,whowassteeringthePharaontowardsthenarrowentranceoftheinnerport,wasayoungman,who,withactivityandvigilanteye,watchedeverymotionoftheship,andrepeatedeachdirectionofthepilot.
Thevaguedisquietudewhichprevailedamongthespectatorshadsomuchaffectedoneofthecrowdthathedidnotawaitthearrivalofthevesselinharbor,butjumpingintoasmallskiff,desiredtobepulledalongsidethePharaon,whichhereachedassheroundedintoLaReservebasin.
Whentheyoungmanonboardsawthispersonapproach,helefthisstationbythepilot,and,hatinhand,leanedovertheship’sbulwarks.
Hewasafine,tall,slimyoungfellowofeighteenortwenty,withblackeyes,andhairasdarkasaraven’swing;andhiswholeappearancebespokethatcalmnessandresolutionpeculiartomenaccustomedfromtheircradletocontendwithdanger.
“Ah,isityou,Dantes?”criedthemanintheskiff.“What’sthematter?andwhyhaveyousuchanairofsadnessaboard?”
“Agreatmisfortune,M.Morrel,”repliedtheyoungman,—”agreatmisfortune,formeespecially!OffCivitaVecchiawelostourbraveCaptainLeclere.”
“Andthecargo?”inquiredtheowner,eagerly.
“Isallsafe,M.Morrel;andIthinkyouwillbesatisfiedonthathead.ButpoorCaptainLeclere—”
“Whathappenedtohim?”askedtheowner,withanairofconsiderableresignation.“Whathappenedtotheworthycaptain?”
“Hedied.”
“Fellintothesea?”
“No,sir,hediedofbrain–feverindreadfulagony.”Thenturningtothecrew,hesaid,“Bearahandthere,totakeinsail!”
Allhandsobeyed,andatoncetheeightortenseamenwhocomposedthecrew,sprangtotheirrespectivestationsatthespankerbrailsandouthaul,topsailsheetsandhalyards,thejibdownhaul,andthetopsailclewlinesandbuntlines.
Theyoungsailorgavealooktoseethathisorderswerepromptlyandaccuratelyobeyed,andthenturnedagaintotheowner.
“Andhowdidthismisfortuneoccur?”inquiredthelatter,resumingtheinterruptedconversation.
“Alas,sir,inthemostunexpectedmanner.
Afteralongtalkwiththeharbor–master,CaptainLeclereleftNaplesgreatlydisturbedinmind.
Intwenty–fourhourshewasattackedbyafever,anddiedthreedaysafterwards.
Weperformedtheusualburialservice,andheisathisrest,sewnupinhishammockwithathirty–sixpoundshotathisheadandhisheels,offElGiglioisland.
Webringtohiswidowhisswordandcrossofhonor.
Itwasworthwhile,truly,”addedtheyoungmanwithamelancholysmile,“tomakewaragainsttheEnglishfortenyears,andtodieinhisbedatlast,likeeverybodyelse.”
“Why,yousee,Edmond,”repliedtheowner,whoappearedmorecomfortedateverymoment,“weareallmortal,andtheoldmustmakewayfortheyoung.
Ifnot,why,therewouldbenopromotion;andsinceyouassuremethatthecargo—”
“Isallsafeandsound,M.Morrel,takemywordforit;andIadviseyounottotake25,000francsfortheprofitsofthevoyage.”
Then,astheywerejustpassingtheRoundTower,theyoungmanshouted:“Standbytheretolowerthetopsailsandjib;brailupthespanker!”
Theorderwasexecutedaspromptlyasitwouldhavebeenonboardaman–of–war.
“Letgo—andclueup!”Atthislastcommandallthesailswerelowered,andthevesselmovedalmostimperceptiblyonwards.
“Now,ifyouwillcomeonboard,M.Morrel,”saidDantes,observingtheowner’simpatience,“hereisyoursupercargo,M.Danglars,comingoutofhiscabin,whowillfurnishyouwitheveryparticular.
Asforme,Imustlookaftertheanchoring,anddresstheshipinmourning.”
Theownerdidnotwaitforasecondinvitation.
HeseizedaropewhichDantesflungtohim,andwithanactivitythatwouldhavedonecredittoasailor,climbedupthesideoftheship,whiletheyoungman,goingtohistask,lefttheconversationtoDanglars,whonowcametowardstheowner.
Hewasamanoftwenty–fiveortwenty–sixyearsofage,ofunprepossessingcountenance,obsequioustohissuperiors,insolenttohissubordinates;andthis,inadditiontohispositionasresponsibleagentonboard,whichisalwaysobnoxioustothesailors,madehimasmuchdislikedbythecrewasEdmondDanteswasbelovedbythem.
“Well,M.Morrel,”saidDanglars,“youhaveheardofthemisfortunethathasbefallenus?”
“Yes—yes:poorCaptainLeclere!Hewasabraveandanhonestman.”
“Andafirst–rateseaman,onewhohadseenlongandhonorableservice,asbecameamanchargedwiththeinterestsofahousesoimportantasthatofMorrel&Son,”repliedDanglars.
“But,”repliedtheowner,glancingafterDantes,whowaswatchingtheanchoringofhisvessel,“itseemstomethatasailorneedsnotbesooldasyousay,Danglars,tounderstandhisbusiness,forourfriendEdmondseemstounderstanditthoroughly,andnottorequireinstructionfromanyone.”
“Yes,”saidDanglars,dartingatEdmondalookgleamingwithhate.
“Yes,heisyoung,andyouthisinvariablyself–confident.
Scarcelywasthecaptain’sbreathoutofhisbodywhenheassumedthecommandwithoutconsultinganyone,andhecausedustoloseadayandahalfattheIslandofElba,insteadofmakingforMarseillesdirect.”
“Astotakingcommandofthevessel,”repliedMorrel,“thatwashisdutyascaptain’smate;astolosingadayandahalfofftheIslandofElba,hewaswrong,unlessthevesselneededrepairs.”
“ThevesselwasinasgoodconditionasIam,andas,Ihopeyouare,M.Morrel,andthisdayandahalfwaslostfrompurewhim,forthepleasureofgoingashore,andnothingelse.”
“Dantes,”saidtheshipowner,turningtowardstheyoungman,“comethisway!”
“Inamoment,sir,”answeredDantes,“andI’mwithyou.”Thencallingtothecrew,hesaid—”Letgo!”
Theanchorwasinstantlydropped,andthechainranrattlingthroughtheport–hole.
Dantescontinuedathispostinspiteofthepresenceofthepilot,untilthismanoeuvrewascompleted,andthenheadded,“Half–mastthecolors,andsquaretheyards!”
“Yousee,”saidDanglars,“hefancieshimselfcaptainalready,uponmyword.”
“Andso,infact,heis,”saidtheowner.
“Exceptyoursignatureandyourpartner’s,M.Morrel.”
“Andwhyshouldhenothavethis?”askedtheowner;“heisyoung,itistrue,butheseemstomeathoroughseaman,andoffullexperience.”
AcloudpassedoverDanglars’brow.“Yourpardon,M.Morrel,”saidDantes,approaching,“thevesselnowridesatanchor,andIamatyourservice.Youhailedme,Ithink?”
Danglarsretreatedasteportwo.“IwishedtoinquirewhyyoustoppedattheIslandofElba?”
“Idonotknow,sir;itwastofulfilthelastinstructionsofCaptainLeclere,who,whendying,gavemeapacketforMarshalBertrand.”
“Thendidyouseehim,Edmond?”
“Who?”
“Themarshal.”
“Yes.”
Morrellookedaroundhim,andthen,drawingDantesononeside,hesaidsuddenly—”Andhowistheemperor?”
“Verywell,asfarasIcouldjudgefromthesightofhim.”
“Yousawtheemperor,then?”
“Heenteredthemarshal’sapartmentwhileIwasthere.”
“Andyouspoketohim?”
“Why,itwashewhospoketome,sir,”saidDantes,withasmile.
“Andwhatdidhesaytoyou?”
“Askedmequestionsaboutthevessel,thetimesheleftMarseilles,thecourseshehadtaken,andwhatwashercargo.
Ibelieve,ifshehadnotbeenladen,andIhadbeenhermaster,hewouldhaveboughther.
ButItoldhimIwasonlymate,andthatshebelongedtothefirmofMorrel&Son.‘Ah,yes,’hesaid,‘Iknowthem.
TheMorrelshavebeenshipownersfromfathertoson;andtherewasaMorrelwhoservedinthesameregimentwithmewhenIwasingarrisonatValence.’”
“Pardieu,andthatistrue!”criedtheowner,greatlydelighted.
“AndthatwasPolicarMorrel,myuncle,whowasafterwardsacaptain.
Dantes,youmusttellmyunclethattheemperorrememberedhim,andyouwillseeitwillbringtearsintotheoldsoldier’seyes.
Come,come,”continuedhe,pattingEdmond’sshoulderkindly,“youdidveryright,Dantes,tofollowCaptainLeclere’sinstructions,andtouchatElba,althoughifitwereknownthatyouhadconveyedapackettothemarshal,andhadconversedwiththeemperor,itmightbringyouintotrouble.”
“Howcouldthatbringmeintotrouble,sir?”
askedDantes;“forIdidnotevenknowofwhatIwasthebearer;andtheemperormerelymadesuchinquiriesashewouldofthefirstcomer.
But,pardonme,herearethehealthofficersandthecustomsinspectorscomingalongside.”Andtheyoungmanwenttothegangway.
Ashedeparted,Danglarsapproached,andsaid,—
“Well,itappearsthathehasgivenyousatisfactoryreasonsforhislandingatPorto–Ferrajo?”
“Yes,mostsatisfactory,mydearDanglars.”
“Well,somuchthebetter,”saidthesupercargo;“foritisnotpleasanttothinkthatacomradehasnotdonehisduty.”
“Danteshasdonehis,”repliedtheowner,“andthatisnotsayingmuch.ItwasCaptainLeclerewhogaveordersforthisdelay.”
“TalkingofCaptainLeclere,hasnotDantesgivenyoualetterfromhim?”
“Tome?—no—wasthereone?”
“Ibelievethat,besidesthepacket,CaptainLeclereconfidedalettertohiscare.”
“Ofwhatpacketareyouspeaking,Danglars?”
“Why,thatwhichDantesleftatPorto–Ferrajo.”
“HowdoyouknowhehadapackettoleaveatPorto–Ferrajo?”
Danglarsturnedveryred.
“Iwaspassingclosetothedoorofthecaptain’scabin,whichwashalfopen,andIsawhimgivethepacketandlettertoDantes.”
“Hedidnotspeaktomeofit,”repliedtheshipowner;“butiftherebeanyletterhewillgiveittome.”
Danglarsreflectedforamoment.“Then,M.Morrel,Ibegofyou,”saidhe,“nottosayawordtoDantesonthesubject.Imayhavebeenmistaken.”
Atthismomenttheyoungmanreturned;Danglarswithdrew.
“Well,mydearDantes,areyounowfree?”inquiredtheowner.
“Yes,sir.”
“Youhavenotbeenlongdetained.”
“No.Igavethecustom–houseofficersacopyofourbilloflading;andastotheotherpapers,theysentamanoffwiththepilot,towhomIgavethem.”
“Thenyouhavenothingmoretodohere?”
“No—everythingisallrightnow.”
“Thenyoucancomeanddinewithme?”
“Ireallymustaskyoutoexcuseme,M.Morrel.Myfirstvisitisduetomyfather,thoughIamnotthelessgratefulforthehonoryouhavedoneme.”
“Right,Dantes,quiteright.Ialwaysknewyouwereagoodson.”
“And,”inquiredDantes,withsomehesitation,“doyouknowhowmyfatheris?”
“Well,Ibelieve,mydearEdmond,thoughIhavenotseenhimlately.”
“Yes,helikestokeephimselfshutupinhislittleroom.”
“Thatproves,atleast,thathehaswantedfornothingduringyourabsence.”
Dantessmiled.“Myfatherisproud,sir,andifhehadnotamealleft,Idoubtifhewouldhaveaskedanythingfromanyone,exceptfromHeaven.”
“Well,then,afterthisfirstvisithasbeenmadeweshallcountonyou.”
“Imustagainexcusemyself,M.Morrel,forafterthisfirstvisithasbeenpaidIhaveanotherwhichIammostanxioustopay.”
“True,Dantes,IforgotthattherewasattheCatalanssomeonewhoexpectsyounolessimpatientlythanyourfather—thelovelyMercedes.”
Dantesblushed.
“Ah,ha,”saidtheshipowner,“Iamnotintheleastsurprised,forshehasbeentomethreetimes,inquiringiftherewereanynewsofthePharaon.Peste,Edmond,youhaveaveryhandsomemistress!”
“Sheisnotmymistress,”repliedtheyoungsailor,gravely;“sheismybetrothed.”
“Sometimesoneandthesamething,”saidMorrel,withasmile.
“Notwithus,sir,”repliedDantes.
“Well,well,mydearEdmond,”continuedtheowner,“don’tletmedetainyou.
YouhavemanagedmyaffairssowellthatIoughttoallowyouallthetimeyourequireforyourown.Doyouwantanymoney?”
“No,sir;Ihaveallmypaytotake—nearlythreemonths’wages.”
“Youareacarefulfellow,Edmond.”
“SayIhaveapoorfather,sir.”
“Yes,yes,Iknowhowgoodasonyouare,sonowhastenawaytoseeyourfather.Ihaveasontoo,andIshouldbeverywrothwiththosewhodetainedhimfrommeafterathreemonths’voyage.”
“ThenIhaveyourleave,sir?”
“Yes,ifyouhavenothingmoretosaytome.”
“Nothing.”
“CaptainLecleredidnot,beforehedied,giveyoualetterforme?”
“Hewasunabletowrite,sir.ButthatremindsmethatImustaskyourleaveofabsenceforsomedays.”
“Togetmarried?”
“Yes,first,andthentogotoParis.”
“Verygood;havewhattimeyourequire,Dantes.
Itwilltakequitesixweekstounloadthecargo,andwecannotgetyoureadyforseauntilthreemonthsafterthat;onlybebackagaininthreemonths,forthePharaon,”addedtheowner,pattingtheyoungsailorontheback,“cannotsailwithouthercaptain.”
“Withouthercaptain!”criedDantes,hiseyessparklingwithanimation;“praymindwhatyousay,foryouaretouchingonthemostsecretwishesofmyheart.
IsitreallyyourintentiontomakemecaptainofthePharaon?”
“IfIweresoleownerwe’dshakehandsonitnow,mydearDantes,andcallitsettled;butIhaveapartner,andyouknowtheItalianproverb—Chihacompagnohapadrone—’Hewhohasapartnerhasamaster.’
Butthethingisatleasthalfdone,asyouhaveoneoutoftwovotes.
Relyonmetoprocureyoutheother;Iwilldomybest.”
“Ah,M.Morrel,”exclaimedtheyoungseaman,withtearsinhiseyes,andgraspingtheowner’shand,“M.Morrel,IthankyouinthenameofmyfatherandofMercedes.”
“That’sallright,Edmond.There’saprovidencethatwatchesoverthedeserving.Gotoyourfather:goandseeMercedes,andafterwardscometome.”
“ShallIrowyouashore?”
“No,thankyou;IshallremainandlookovertheaccountswithDanglars.Haveyoubeensatisfiedwithhimthisvoyage?”
“Thatisaccordingtothesenseyouattachtothequestion,sir.Doyoumeanisheagoodcomrade?
No,forIthinkheneverlikedmesincethedaywhenIwassillyenough,afteralittlequarrelwehad,toproposetohimtostopfortenminutesattheislandofMonteCristotosettlethedispute—apropositionwhichIwaswrongtosuggest,andhequiterighttorefuse.
Ifyoumeanasresponsibleagentwhenyouaskmethequestion,Ibelievethereisnothingtosayagainsthim,andthatyouwillbecontentwiththewayinwhichhehasperformedhisduty.”
“Buttellme,Dantes,ifyouhadcommandofthePharaonshouldyoubegladtoseeDanglarsremain?”
“Captainormate,M.Morrel,Ishallalwayshavethegreatestrespectforthosewhopossesstheowners’confidence.”
“That’sright,that’sright,Dantes!Iseeyouareathoroughlygoodfellow,andwilldetainyounolonger.Go,forIseehowimpatientyouare.”
“ThenIhaveleave?”
“Go,Itellyou.”
“MayIhavetheuseofyourskiff?”
“Certainly.”
“Then,forthepresent,M.Morrel,farewell,andathousandthanks!”
“Ihopesoontoseeyouagain,mydearEdmond.Goodlucktoyou.”
Theyoungsailorjumpedintotheskiff,andsatdowninthesternsheets,withtheorderthathebeputashoreatLaCanebiere.
Thetwooarsmenbenttotheirwork,andthelittleboatglidedawayasrapidlyaspossibleinthemidstofthethousandvesselswhichchokeupthenarrowwaywhichleadsbetweenthetworowsofshipsfromthemouthoftheharbortotheQuaid’Orleans.
Theshipowner,smiling,followedhimwithhiseyesuntilhesawhimspringoutonthequayanddisappearinthemidstofthethrong,whichfromfiveo’clockinthemorninguntilnineo’clockatnight,swarmsinthefamousstreetofLaCanebiere,—astreetofwhichthemodernPhocaeansaresoproudthattheysaywithallthegravityintheworld,andwiththataccentwhichgivessomuchcharactertowhatissaid,“IfParishadLaCanebiere,PariswouldbeasecondMarseilles.”
OnturningroundtheownersawDanglarsbehindhim,apparentlyawaitingorders,butinrealityalsowatchingtheyoungsailor,—buttherewasagreatdifferenceintheexpressionofthetwomenwhothusfollowedthemovementsofEdmondDantes.
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