WILD SPORT IN BRITTANY. 187 



" and probably the law may require his detention for a yet longer 

 period." 



A murmur of applause burst from the crowd on hearing these 

 words. 



" Pleasant prospect for the hunting to-morrow," groaned out 

 Shafto aloud. 



" Ah, Monsieur," said the gendarme, " if you depend on M. 

 Kergoorlas's hounds for your sport, I fear me you'll be greatly 

 disappointed." 



Then came out the whole history of the affair from beginning 

 to end. It appeared that no sooner had Kergoorlas and St. Prix 

 departed on the excursion to Concarneau than Gastel and two or 

 three other piqueurs, birds of a feather, had assembled together 

 in a small auberge on the outskirts of the town ; and then, not 

 satisfied with the day's debauch, had prolonged it through the 

 night, finally falling asleep in the chimney-corner of this miserable 

 den. The next day (Friday) had originally been the one fixed 

 for the hunting at Kilvern but, in consequence of the visit to 

 Carnac, it was postponed to the following day, and due notice 

 thereof proclaimed aloud in the streets of Gourin. 



However, some half-a-dozen sabottiers, who had not heard of 

 the change, calling early in the morning at the auberge, and find- 

 ing the piqueurs fast asleep, and, at the same time, being informed 

 by the aubergiste that the hunting at Kilvern had been deferred 

 to the next day, exhibited the utmost vexation and vowed they 

 would have their day's sport in the neighbouring covers, come 

 what would of it. But, although bearing a musket or two, not 

 a dog of any kind had accompanied them ; and, while perplexed 

 on this point, the braconnier Cantref, at whose cottage the piqueur 

 Gastel and several couple of hounds were billeted, entered the 

 auberge, seeking that individual. 



" The very man to your hand," suggested the aubergiste, in a 

 subdued tone, lest he should disturb the sleeping piqueurs ; " the 



