THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 11 



stream was gushing from his side, but 

 still he fled from his um^elenting pursuers 

 as fast as his remaining strength would 

 allow him. As he passed me, I sent so 

 sharp a messenger after him, that he was 

 fain compelled to obey the summons. A 

 death-like sound of agony escaped him — 

 he staggered, fell, and died on the spot. 

 He was a fine plump boar, about three 

 parts grown ; and certainly so fat a gentle- 

 man at large I never saw. 



My garde de chasse, whose shoulders 

 were ornamented with a huge hunting- 

 horn, now sounded the death ; and before 

 his lungs had completed half the mourn- 

 ful dirge, the pack were with us, the 

 guide and Collins following soon after- 

 wards ; and we were presently joined by 

 three or four more of the party. 



A French gentleman claimed the honour 

 of having first hit the boar ; to which dis- 

 tinction I believe he was justly entitled ; 



