234 WOLF-HUNTING. 



March were not yet over, and a desperate struggle awaited the 

 horse-dealer in that narrow cross-road leading direct to Carhaix. 



" Forward to Hengoet !" said St. Prix to his chief piqueur, in 

 a curt and decisive tone. " It is now past mid-day, and we have 

 two long leagues before us ere we reach the outskirts of that 

 forest." 



Louis Trefarreg's knowledge of the Louvetier's temper did 

 not encourage him at that moment to suggest any difficulty a 

 practice to which, from his long experience with hounds, thorough 

 knowledge of the country, and, above all, his acquaintance with 

 the habits of the wild animals he hunted, he was somewhat too 

 prone. He now, however, most prudently said nothing, but at 

 once accepting the order, dashed off, hounds and all, towards 

 Hengoet, taking the Rostrenen road in that direction. Close in 

 his wake followed the field of chasseurs, peasants, piqueurs, and 

 cavaliers all save one, our facetious friend, the parti-coloured 

 Johnson, whose horse, having no fancy for the Rostrenen route, 

 and preferring much the one leading straight to his stable, had 

 suddenly become a fixture. At first the dealer did what he could 

 to coax the beast forward by gentle measures, stroking and patting 

 his neck, and talking to him in the mildest of tones ; but by such 

 means he might as well have hoped to move an equestrian statue 

 into action. Not a leg did he stir ; but he cropped both ears 

 close back viciously, while the white of his wicked eye indicated 

 a temper ripe for a row. 



Keryfan and myself dropped instantly back, hoping, by the 

 example of our willing steeds, to induce the "Lunatique" to follow 

 them towards Rostrenen. But not a bit of it ; his head was 

 turned towards Carhaix, and if not permitted to travel in that 

 direction, not a yard would he go on the Rostrenen road. But 

 the man on his back had a firm seat and a resolute will ; and, 

 finding gentle treatment of no avail, he brought down his heavy 

 whip with a whack that sounded like a pistol-shot on the horse's 



