Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/222

210 passed his left arm, safe and unwounded, round his body, and raised him up. The wave ascended to his middle, but could not move him. The duke immediately began to walk toward the shore. He had hardly gone ten paces, when a second wave, rushing onward higher, more furious, more menacing than the former, struck him at the height of his chest, threw him over, and buried him beneath the water. At the reflux, however, the duke and De Wardes were discovered lying on the strand. De Wardes had fainted. At this moment four of the duke's sailors, who comprehended the danger, threw themselves into the sea, and in a moment were close beside him. Their terror was extreme when they observed how their master became covered with blood, in proportion as the water, with which it was impregnated, flowed toward his knees and feet; they wish to carry him away.

"No, no," exclaimed the duke; "take the marquis on shore first."

"Death to the Frenchman!" cried the English sullenly.

"Wretched knaves!" exclaimed the duke, drawing himself up with a haughty gesture, which sprinkled them with blood; "obey directly! Monsieur de Wardes on shore! Monsieur de Wardes' safety to be looked to first, or I will have you all hanged."

The boat had by this time reached them; the secretary and intendant leaped into the sea, and approached the marquis, who no longer showed any sign of life.

"I commit him to your care, as you value your lives," said the duke. "Take Monsieur de Wardes on shore." They took him in their arms, and carried him to the dry sand, where the tide never rose so high. A few idlers and five or six fishermen had gathered on the shore, attracted by the strange spectacle of two men fighting with the water up to their knees. The fishermen, observing a group of men approaching, carrying a wounded man, entered the sea until the water was up to the middle of their bodies. The English transferred the wounded man to them, at the very moment the latter began to open his eyes again. The salt water and the fine sand had got into his wounds, and caused him the acutest pain. The duke's secretary drew out a purse filled with gold from his pocket, and handed it to the one among those present who appeared of most importance, saying: "From my master. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham, in order that every conceivable care may be taken of the Marquis de Wardes."