WILD SPORT IN BRITTANY. 125 



Kergoorlas was with St. Prix, the latter would have chucked the 

 money at the other's head. Then the inevitable result would 

 have been a sword duel not usually a fatal affair, but always a 

 bloody one. But a Dens ex machind, appeared and averted the 

 danger at once : a peasant messenger, in wild haste, rushed up to 

 announce that a single hound had been all along in chase of the 

 two hunted pigs, and had driven them to bay in a pool of the 

 river, about half a league from the spot on which we then stood. 



In an instant all personal aggravations were cast to the winds ; 

 Kergoorlas deliberately unwound his horn and commenced playing 

 " La sortie de 1'eau " with a fervour that, if he had been nearer to 

 his game, would have been certainly more suitable ; while, the 

 peasants, impatient of delay, dashed off to the scene of action 

 with an impetus that knew no control. Nor did the hounds, 

 which stood round their master, lifting their heads on high and 

 solemnly joining 'in the wild melody, move a yard from the spot 

 before he had finished that formal announcement on his horn. 

 The peasants seemed to be well aware they had no need of their 

 services, and that the one hound, having brought the pigs to bay 

 in water, was amply sufficient to keep them there, until they could 

 come to his aid ; so, without hesitation, away they all scurried, 

 leaving the hounds and their master to their present enjoyment. 



I felt for the moment somewhat embarrassed, longing to scurry 

 away too and see the finale to this unusual day's sport; but, 

 observing the studious composure of Keryfan and the fiery St. 

 Prix, neither of whom stirred a step while Kergoorlas and his 

 choir were executing this piece of music, I became aware, if I 

 did so, that I should be guilty of a breach of etiquette which 

 would degrade me at once in the estimation of these high-class 

 Breton chasseurs ; so I submitted to my fate and waited a long 

 three minutes for the conclusion of this strange ceremony. The 

 horn being re-slung into its usual place, we then followed the 

 peasants. 



