30 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



had made a desperate rush from the rear 

 at Francois' spindle-shanks ; and he may- 

 thank his leanness for having got off with 

 only a scratch. He was thrown off his 

 equilibrium, and fell, but in a trice was 

 on his legs again, and scampered back to 

 his old quarters at my side — the fallen 

 chevreuil, however, had his ribs and chest 

 perforated and torn, but this was all : 

 the brutes had vented their spleen upon 

 the carcass, and were making off at the 

 top of their speed. 



I had barely time to give them a part- 

 ing salute, and hit the hindermost in the 

 buttock, — this was subsequently ascer- 

 tained, for Mr. W killed him as he 



was skulking out of the wood. I sent 

 Belcher after them, but he arrived too 

 late, and was sent back to me by Mr. 



W 's attendant, who informed me 



that " Monsieur T Anglais" had done the 

 needful. 



