The Count of Monte Cristo

On the 24th of February, 1815, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon, from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples. As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Chateau d’If, got on board the vessel between Cape Morgion and Rion island.

Edmond Dantès sprang lightly up the ladder, and, as the pilot came on board, he grasped his hand warmly, crying, “Here I am, my old friend!” And the young man who made these words his first greeting was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of nineteen or twenty, with black eyes and hair, and a dark, sun-burnt complexion, denoting a hardy, resolute spirit. “Your orders, captain?” said the pilot, turning to the young man.