The Count of Monte Cristo

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simultaneously without splashing a drop of water, and the boat, yielding
to the impulsion, glided forward. In an instant they found themselves
in a little harbor, formed in a natural creek; the boat grounded on the
fine sand.

"Will your excellency be so good as to mount the shoulders of two of our
men, they will carry you ashore?" The young man answered this invitation
with a gesture of indifference, and stepped out of the boat; the sea
immediately rose to his waist. "Ah, your excellency," murmured the
pilot, "you should not have done so; our master will scold us for it."
The young man continued to advance, following the sailors, who chose
a firm footing. Thirty strides brought them to dry land; the young man
stamped on the ground to shake off the wet, and looked around for some
one to show him his road, for it was quite dark. Just as he turned,
a hand rested on his shoulder, and a voice which made him shudder
exclaimed,--"Good-evening, Maximilian; you are punctual, thank you!"