# An Adventure on the High Road explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

D'Artagnan, Porthos, and Mousqueton pursue the escaped Duc de Beaufort, commandeering horses from Monsieur de Montbazon's stable and following the trail through the night, despite their own mounts collapsing from exhaustion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

D'Artagnan and Porthos ride together in pursuit, supporting each other despite the physical toll on their horses and themselves.

### Revolution and Rebellion

The escape of Beaufort, a key rebel leader, and the royal pursuit highlight the tensions of the Fronde rebellion.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Leads the pursuit of the Duc de Beaufort, using the king's order and force to commandeer horses and extract information from the sergeant.

### Porthos

Accompanies d'Artagnan on the chase, showing endurance and loyalty, though his horse Bayard eventually founders.

### Mousqueton

Follows his master Porthos; his horse Phoebus collapses during the pursuit, and he continues on foot.

### Beaufort

The escaped duke being pursued; his escape from Vincennes is the object of the chase.

### Madame de Montbazon

Mentioned as the mistress of the Duc de Beaufort, who arranged the relay horses used by the fugitives.

## Key lines

> In the time of the cardinal people fired better than that, do you remember the road to Crêvecoeur, Mousqueton?

D'Artagnan remarks that the grooms' shooting is poor compared to the marksmanship of Cardinal Richelieu's era, recalling a past adventure.

_A nostalgic reference to earlier musketeer exploits, contrasting past and present dangers._

> Let us rather kill them! yes, kill them!

D'Artagnan insists on riding their horses to death rather than resting, in order to catch the fugitives.

_Highlights d'Artagnan's relentless determination in the pursuit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxv-an-adventure-on-the-high-road
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters