WILD SPORT IN BRITTANY. 89 



sheets of water that covered the road, so terrified my horse, that 

 twenty times did he stop short, wheel on his haunches, and refuse 

 to advance a yard further. In the interval of the flashes, the 

 darkness around was that of Erebus itself; and, but for my 

 thorough knowledge of the road through the forest of Conveau, 

 the best wolf-cover in the Black Mountains, I should have 

 despaired of finding my way to Gourin on that terrible night. 

 The road is a broad one, however ; and the wind, as it blew 

 furiously in my teeth from the moment I quitted Carhaix, kept 

 me well posted as to the direction I was required to keep. 



On arriving at the Cheval Blanc, where the chasseurs had 

 their mess, I found a party of ten or twelve gentlemen all seated 

 at table, and the supper nearly at an end; and never shall I 

 forget the hearty welcome I received on making my appearance, 

 in a half-drowned state, at that festive board. My carpet-bag had 

 been left for the diligence, which would not reach Gourin till the 

 following day ; so, discovering this fact, two or three of the com- 

 pany instantly rose and rushed off for a complete set of dry 

 clothes for me ; and there and then (they would have it) before 

 the huge log-fire of their salk-a-manger, I was divested of my wet 

 garment's, and speedily reclothed in the dry and comfortable 

 apparel brought me by those kind friends. Need I add that a 

 pleasanter evening I never spent in my life ? 



