1 88 WOLF-HUNTING. 



hounds would follow him to the chase, and there is a herd of fine, 

 fat chevreuil now lying in the forest of Conveau. Why not up and 

 at them ? " 



The suggestion was a tempting one ; and, followed as it was 

 by a goutte or two of brandy, timely administered to the bracon- 

 nier, he expressed himself quite ready to join the sabottiers in this 

 daring adventure. In two minutes from that time the whole party, 

 leaving the piqueurs still snoring on the ground like a lot of swine, 

 were off to Conveau with no less than eight couple of Kergoorlas's 

 hounds ; and, as that cover lies within a league of Gourin, they 

 were soon in hot pursuit of the chevreuil roused in its mazes. 



Louis Trefarreg, however, St. Prix's ever-steady and expe- 

 rienced piqueur, was speedily informed of the circumstance ; and, 

 rushing to the auberge, managed to stir Gastel to his legs, and to 

 make him understand the magnitude of the mischief occasioned 

 by his absence and inebriety. " Death and hell follow the 

 villain/' said the still half-drunken piqueur. " If I can only 

 overtake him, he'll never steal hound of mine more. So say- 

 ing, he and the rest of the piqueurs staggered off in pursuit. 

 The hounds' tongues and a few random shots soon brought the 

 two parties together; and before the braconnier could defend 

 himself, Gastel, with his iron-shod hunting-pole, felled him sense- 

 less to the ground. Then were the gendarmes summoned; and 

 all on whom they could lay hands, save Louis Trefarreg, were 

 at once secured, and brought to the gendarmerie. 



The assault had occurred some sixteen hours before our arrival 

 at Gourin, but the poor braconnier was still insensible ; and the 

 hounds, which Louis Trefarreg had in vain attempted to call off, 

 were supposed to be still running in the forest of Conveau. 



