Twenty Years After · Chapter
The Skiff Lightning explained
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.
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and political reversal of Madame de Longueville…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.
Characters to notice
- 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 passages
“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.
