Chapter 1 Marseilles--The Arrival
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ON
THE 24th of February, 1810, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde
signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples. As
usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Chateau d'If, got on
board the vessel between Cape Morgion and Rion island. Immediately,
and according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with
spectators; it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into
port, especially when this ship, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged,
and laden at the old Phocижe
docks, and belongs to an owner of the city. The
ship drew on and had safely passed the strait, which some volcanic shock
has made between the Calasareigne and Jaros islands; had doubled Pomииgue, and approached the harbor
under topsails, jib, and spanker, but so slowly and sedately that the
idlers, with that instinct which is the forerunner of evil, asked one
another what misfortune could have happened on board. However, those
experienced in navigation saw plainly that if any accident had occurred,
it was not to the vessel herself, for she bore down with all the evidence
of being skilfully handled, the anchor a-cockbill, the jib-boom guys
already eased off, and standing by the side of the pilot, who was steering
the Pharaon towards the narrow entrance of the inner port, was a young
man, who, with activity and vigilant eye, watched every motion of the
ship, and repeated each direction of the pilot. The
vague disquietude which prevailed among the spectators had so much
affected one of the crowd that he did not await the arrival of the vessel
in harbor, but jumping into a small skiff, desired to be pulled alongside
the Pharaon, which he reached as she rounded into La Rииserve basin. When
the young man on board saw this person approach, he left his station by
the pilot, and, hat in hand, leaned over the ship's bulwarks. He
was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black
eyes, and hair as dark as a raven's wing; and his whole appearance bespoke
that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle
to contend with danger. "Ah,
is it you, Dantииs?"
cried the man in the skiff. "What's the matter? and why have you such
an air of sadness aboard?" "A
great misfortune, M. Morrel," replied the young man,--"a great
misfortune, for me especially! Off Civita Vecchia we lost our brave
Captain Leclere." "And
the cargo?" inquired the owner, eagerly. "Is
all safe, M. Morrel; and I think you will be satisfied on that head. But
poor Captain Leclere--" "What
happened to him?" asked the owner, with an air of considerable
resignation. "What happened to the worthy captain?" "He
died." "Fell
into the sea?" "No,
sir, he died of brain-fever in dreadful agony." Then turning to the
crew, he said, "Bear a hand there, to take in sail!" All
hands obeyed, and at once the eight or ten seamen who composed the crew,
sprang to their respective stations at the spanker brails and outhaul,
topsail sheets and halyards, the jib downhaul, and the topsail clewlines
and buntlines. The young sailor gave a look to see that his orders were
promptly and accurately obeyed, and then turned again to the owner. "And
how did this misfortune occur?" inquired the latter, resuming the
interrupted conversation. "Alas,
sir, in the most unexpected manner. After a long talk with the
harbor-master, Captain Leclere left Naples greatly disturbed in mind. In
twenty-four hours he was attacked by a fever, and died three days
afterwards. We performed the usual burial service, and he is at his rest,
sewn up in his hammock with a thirty-six pound shot at his head and his
heels, off El Giglio island. We bring to his widow his sword and cross of
honor. It was worth while, truly," added the young man with a
melancholy smile, "to make war against the English for ten years, and
to die in his bed at last, like everybody else." "Why,
you see, Edmond," replied the owner, who appeared more comforted at
every moment, "we are all mortal, and the old must make way for the
young. If not, why, there would be no promotion; and since you assure me
that the cargo--" "Is
all safe and sound, M. Morrel, take my word for it; and I advise you not
to take 25,000 francs for the profits of the voyage." Then,
as they were just passing the Round Tower, the young man shouted:
"Stand by there to lower the topsails and jib; brail up the
spanker!" The
order was executed as promptly as it would have been on board a
man-of-war. "Let
go--and clue up!" At this last command all the sails were lowered,
and the vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards. "Now,
if you will come on board, M. Morrel," said Dantииs, observing the owner's
impatience, "here is your supercargo, M. Danglars, coming out of his
cabin, who will furnish you with every particular. As for me, I must look
after the anchoring, and dress the ship in mourning." The
owner did not wait for a second invitation. He seized a rope which Dantииs flung to him, and with an
activity that would have done credit to a sailor, climbed up the side of
the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to
Danglars, who now came towards the owner. He was a man of twenty-five or
twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his
superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his
position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the
sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantииs was beloved by them. "Well,
M. Morrel," said Danglars, "you have heard of the misfortune
that has befallen us?" "Yes--yes:
poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man." "And
a first-rate seaman, one who had seen long and honorable service, as
became a man charged with the interests of a house so important as that of
Morrel & Son," replied Danglars. "But,"
replied the owner, glancing after Dantииs, who was watching the anchoring of his vessel,
"it seems to me that a sailor needs not be so old as you say,
Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to
understand it thoroughly, and not to require instruction from any
one." "Yes,"
said Danglars, darting at Edmond a look gleaming with hate. "Yes, he
is young, and youth is invariably self-confident. Scarcely was the
captain's breath out of his body when he assumed the command without
consulting any one, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the
Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct." "As
to taking command of the vessel," replied Morrel, "that was his
duty as captain's mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of
Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs." "The
vessel was in as good condition as I am, and as, I hope you are, M. Morrel,
and this day and a half was lost from pure whim, for the pleasure of going
ashore, and nothing else." "Dantииs," said the shipowner,
turning towards the young man, "come this way!" "In
a moment, sir," answered Dantииs, "and I'm with you." Then calling to the
crew, he said--"Let go!" The
anchor was instantly dropped, and the chain ran rattling through the
port-hole. Dantииs
continued at his post in spite of the presence of the pilot, until this
manoeuvre was completed, and then he added, "Half-mast the colors,
and square the yards!" "You
see," said Danglars, "he fancies himself captain already, upon
my word." "And
so, in fact, he is," said the owner. "Except
your signature and your partner's, M. Morrel." "And
why should he not have this?" asked the owner; "he is young, it
is true, but he seems to me a thorough seaman, and of full
experience." A
cloud passed over Danglars' brow. "Your pardon, M. Morrel," said
Dantииs, approaching, "the vessel
now rides at anchor, and I am at your service. You hailed me, I
think?" Danglars
retreated a step or two. "I
wished to inquire why you stopped at the Island of Elba?" "I
do not know, sir; it was to fulfil the last instructions of Captain
Leclere, who, when dying, gave me a packet for Marshal Bertrand." "Then
did you see him, Edmond?" "Who?"
"The
marshal." "Yes."
Morrel
looked around him, and then, drawing Dantииs on one side, he said suddenly--"And how is
the emperor?" "Very
well, as far as I could judge from the sight of him." "You
saw the emperor, then?" "He
entered the marshal's apartment while I was there." "And
you spoke to him?" "Why,
it was he who spoke to me, sir," said Dantииs, with a smile. "And
what did he say to you?" "Asked
me questions about the vessel, the time she left Marseilles, the course
she had taken, and what was her cargo. I believe, if she had not been
laden, and I had been her master, he would have bought her. But I told him
I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel & Son.
'Ah, yes,' he said, 'I know them. The Morrels have been shipowners from
father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment with
me when I was in garrison at Valence.'" "Pardieu!
and that is true!" cried the owner, greatly delighted. "And that
was Policar Morrel, my uncle, who was afterwards a captain. Dantииs, you must tell my uncle that
the emperor remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears into the
old soldier's eyes. Come, come," continued he, patting Edmond's
shoulder kindly, "you did very right, Dantииs, to follow Captain Leclere's instructions, and
touch at Elba, although if it were known that you had conveyed a packet to
the marshal, and had conversed with the emperor, it might bring you into
trouble." "How
could that bring me into trouble, sir?" asked Dantииs; "for I did not even know
of what I was the bearer; and the emperor merely made such inquiries as he
would of the first comer. But, pardon me, here are the health officers and
the customs inspectors coming alongside." And the young man went to
the gangway. As he departed, Danglars approached, and said,-- "Well,
it appears that he has given you satisfactory reasons for his landing at
Porto-Ferrajo?" "Yes,
most satisfactory, my dear Danglars." "Well,
so much the better," said the supercargo; "for it is not
pleasant to think that a comrade has not done his duty." "Dantииs has done his," replied the
owner, "and that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave
orders for this delay." "Talking
of Captain Leclere, has not Dantииs given you a letter from him?" "To
me?--no--was there one?" "I
believe that, besides the packet, Captain Leclere confided a letter to his
care." "Of
what packet are you speaking, Danglars?" "Why,
that which Dantииs
left at Porto-Ferrajo." "How
do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?" Danglars
turned very red. "I
was passing close to the door of the captain's cabin, which was half open,
and I saw him give the packet and letter to Dantииs." "He
did not speak to me of it," replied the shipowner; "but if there
be any letter he will give it to me." Danglars
reflected for a moment. "Then, M. Morrel, I beg of you," said
he, "not to say a word to Dantииs
on the subject. I may have been mistaken." At
this moment the young man returned; Danglars withdrew. "Well,
my dear Dantииs,
are you now free?" inquired the owner. "Yes,
sir." "You
have not been long detained." "No.
I gave the custom-house officers a copy of our bill of lading; and as to
the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave
them." "Then
you have nothing more to do here?" "No--everything
is all right now." "Then
you can come and dine with me?" "I
really must ask you to excuse me, M. Morrel. My first visit is due to my
father, though I am not the less grateful for the honor you have done
me." "Right,
Dantииs,
quite right. I always knew you were a good son." "And,"
inquired Dantииs,
with some hesitation, "do you know how my father is?" "Well,
I believe, my dear Edmond, though I have not seen him lately." "Yes,
he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room." "That
proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your
absence." Dantииs smiled. "My father is
proud, sir, and if he had not a meal left, I doubt if he would have asked
anything from anyone, except from Heaven." "Well,
then, after this first visit has been made we shall count on you." "I
must again excuse myself, M. Morrel, for after this first visit has been
paid I have another which I am most anxious to pay." "True, Dantииs, I forgot that there was at the
Catalans some one who expects you no less impatiently than your
father--the lovely Mercижdииs." Dantииs blushed. "Ah,
ha," said the shipowner, "I am not in the least surprised, for
she has been to me three times, inquiring if there were any news of the
Pharaon. Peste! Edmond, you have a very handsome mistress!" "She
is not my mistress," replied the young sailor, gravely; "she is
my betrothed." "Sometimes
one and the same thing," said Morrel, with a smile. "Not
with us, sir," replied Dantииs. "Well,
well, my dear Edmond," continued the owner, "don't let me detain
you. You have managed my affairs so well that I ought to allow you all the
time you require for your own. Do you want any money?" "No,
sir; I have all my pay to take--nearly three months' wages." "You
are a careful fellow, Edmond." "Say
I have a poor father, sir." "Yes,
yes, I know how good a son you are, so now hasten away to see your father.
I have a son too, and I should be very wroth with those who detained him
from me after a three months' voyage." "Then
I have your leave, sir?" "Yes,
if you have nothing more to say to me." "Nothing."
"Captain
Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?" "He
was unable to write, sir. But that reminds me that I must ask your leave
of absence for some days." "To
get married?" "Yes,
first, and then to go to Paris." "Very
good; have what time you require, Dantииs. It will take quite six weeks to unload the cargo,
and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be
back again in three months, for the Pharaon," added the owner,
patting the young sailor on the back, "cannot sail without her
captain." "Without
her captain!" cried Dantииs,
his eyes sparkling with animation; "pray mind what you say, for you
are touching on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your
intention to make me captain of the Pharaon?" "If
I were sole owner we'd shake hands on it now, my dear Dantииs, and call it settled; but I
have a partner, and you know the Italian proverb--Chi ha compagno ha
padrone--'He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at least
half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on me to procure you the
other; I will do my best." "Ah,
M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in his eyes, and
grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my
father and of Mercижdииs." "That's
all right, Edmond. There's a providence that watches over the deserving.
Go to your father: go and see Mercижdииs, and afterwards come to
me." "Shall
I row you ashore?" "No,
thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have
you been satisfied with him this voyage?" "That
is according to the sense you attach to the question, sir. Do you mean is
he a good comrade? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I
was silly enough, after a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop
for ten minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the dispute--a
proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse. If
you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe
there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the
way in which he has performed his duty." "But
tell me, Dantииs,
if you had command of the Pharaon should you be glad to see Danglars
remain?" "Captain
or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the greatest respect for those who
possess the owners' confidence." "That's
right, that's right, Dantииs!
I see you are a thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go,
for I see how impatient you are." "Then
I have leave?" "Go,
I tell you." "May
I have the use of your skiff?" "Certainly."
"Then,
for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand thanks!" "I
hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you." The
young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the stern sheets, with
the order that he be put ashore at La Canebiииre. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the
little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst of the
thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which leads between the two
rows of ships from the mouth of the harbor to the Quai d'Orleans. The
shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he saw him spring out
on the quay and disappear in the midst of the throng, which from five
o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock at night, swarms in the famous
street of La Canebiииre,--a
street of which the modern Phocaeans are so proud that they say with all
the gravity in the world, and with that accent which gives so much
character to what is said, "If Paris had La Canebiииre, Paris would be a second Marseilles." On
turning round the owner saw Danglars behind him, apparently awaiting
orders, but in reality also watching the young sailor,--but there was a
great difference in the expression of the two men who thus followed the
movements of Edmond Dantииs.
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