# The Skiff Lightning explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Mordaunt, having escaped the musketeers, rushes to Greenwich to board the Lightning, a felucca commanded by Captain Groslow under Cromwell's orders, intending to ambush and kill the four friends. Meanwhile, d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis arrive at the port and board the same vessel. D'Artagnan, suspicious, conducts a thorough search of the ship, finding barrels of port wine and the crew's quarters, but fails to discover Mordaunt hidden in a temporary cabin. Exhausted, the friends settle in for the night, unaware of the danger lurking aboard.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Justice

Mordaunt's relentless pursuit of revenge against the musketeers drives the chapter's tension.

### Friendship and Loyalty

The four musketeers remain united, trusting each other as they board the Lightning together.

## Character check-ins

### Mordaunt

Flees to Greenwich after the fight, boards the Lightning to ambush the musketeers.

### D'Artagnan

Leads the group onto the Lightning, conducts a search of the ship, then settles to sleep.

### Athos

Boards the Lightning with the others, lends Grimaud to d'Artagnan, then falls asleep.

### Porthos

Boards the Lightning, attempts to find supper but falls asleep from fatigue.

### Aramis

Boards the Lightning, speaks with d'Artagnan, then falls asleep.

### Groslow

Commands the Lightning under Cromwell's orders, assists Mordaunt in the ambush plan.

## Key lines

> They must die—die all together—killed at one stroke by the thunder of men in default of God’s.

Mordaunt vows to kill the musketeers all at once, using human force since divine justice has failed.

_Mordaunt's determination to annihilate his enemies in a single blow._

> I not only confess it, but am proud of it,” returned the Gascon; “I’m not such a rhinoceros as you are.

D'Artagnan admits he is afraid and is proud of his fear, unlike the fearless Porthos.

_D'Artagnan's humorous self-awareness about his caution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxx-the-skiff-lightning
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters