# How Mousqueton, After Being Very Nearly Roasted, Had a Narrow Escape of Being Eaten explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

After the harrowing scene at sea, the group finds a supply of food and wine on their boat, restoring their spirits. They are rescued by a Dunkirk craft and land in France. D'Artagnan and Porthos decide to separate from Athos and Aramis to avoid compromising them, as they are at greater risk for having betrayed Mazarin's mission. The friends part emotionally, with D'Artagnan and Porthos heading toward Paris.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

The four musketeers show deep loyalty to each other, parting reluctantly to protect one another from political danger.

### Class and Ambition

D'Artagnan's strategic plan to see Mazarin and Porthos's hope for a baronial coronet reflect their ambitions despite risks.

### Revenge and Justice

The relief over Mordaunt's death and the sense of justice served pervades the chapter, with Porthos celebrating the 'late Monsieur Mordaunt.'

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Leads the group after landing, proposes separation to avoid Mazarin's wrath, and reassures Porthos of their plan.

### Porthos

Expresses relief after Mordaunt's death, jokes about Mousqueton's fears, and is initially reluctant to abandon Athos and Aramis.

### Athos

Remains pensive and watchful at the helm, guides the boat, and later embraces D'Artagnan with emotion before parting.

### Aramis

Jokes about eating Blaisois instead of Mousqueton, and agrees to separate from D'Artagnan and Porthos.

### Mousqueton

Fears being eaten by his companions due to his fat, but discovers provisions on the boat, saving the group from hunger.

### Grimaud

Remains silent during the jokes, later tenders twenty guineas to the captain of the rescue craft.

## Key lines

> “Chevalier,” said d’Artagnan, laughing, “you could eat a piece of Mouston, couldn’t you, especially after two or three days of fasting?” “Oh, no,” replied Aramis, “I should much prefer Blaisois; we haven’t known him so long.”

D'Artagnan jokingly suggests they might eat Mousqueton if starving, but Aramis says he'd rather eat Blaisois, whom they've known less time.

_Dark humor about cannibalism lightens the mood after the traumatic sea escape._

> “Egad! how strong one feels here!” said Porthos, almost burying his large feet in the sands. “Zounds! I could defy a nation!”

Porthos exclaims how powerful he feels on French soil, claiming he could challenge an entire nation.

_Porthos's relief and confidence upon returning to France._

> “Isn’t this fox a genius, Athos?” asked the Gascon. “No! he knows how to crunch fowls, to dodge the huntsman and to find his way home by day or by night, that’s all.”

D'Artagnan calls himself a clever fox, but Athos says he's just good at surviving and finding his way.

_D'Artagnan's self-deprecating humor about his cunning nature._

> “Zounds!” said Porthos, sobbing, “I believe I’m crying; but how foolish all this is!”

Porthos admits he is crying at the parting, but calls it foolish.

_Emotional farewell between the musketeers._

## Links

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