But then I must have no fractions; I cannot divide my troop in two, and act upon two points, at once, without another self, who--But what is the use of acting upon two points, as we have only one man to take?
What can be the use of weakening a corps by placing the right here, and the left there?
A single corps--_Mordioux!_ a single one, and that commanded by D'Artagnan.

Very well.

But twenty men marching in one band are suspected by everybody; twenty horsemen must not be seen marching together, or a company will be detached against them and the password will be required; the which company, upon seeing them embarrassed to give it, would shoot M.d'Artagnan and his men like so many rabbits.

I reduce myself then to ten men; in this fashion I shall act simply and with unity; I shall be forced to be prudent, which is half the success in an affair of the kind I am undertaking; a greater number might, perhaps, have drawn me into some folly.

Ten horses are not many, either, to buy or take.