"Take care, Athos!" cried d'Artagnan; "don't you see they are aiming?"
"Yes, yes," said Athos; "but they are only civilians—very bad marksmen, who will be sure not to hit me."
In fact, at the same instant four shots were fired, and the balls were flattened against the wall around Athos, but not one touched him.
Four shots replied to them almost instantaneously, but much better aimed than those of the aggressors; three soldiers fell dead, and one of the pioneers was wounded.