62 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



As soon as we were clear of the 

 outer walls of Rennes, we pushed on at a 

 good round gallop, as I was desirous of 

 drawing the wood before the boars were 

 on the move. On arriving at our friend's 

 chateau, I hinted at the propriety of 

 despatching the morning meal with all 

 expedition, just allowing breathing time 

 for the nags ; my proposal was seconded 

 and carried, although some two or three 

 of the chosen band would have preferred 

 a regular set-to at the cold viands. 



In about half an hour, with some diffi- 

 culty, I mustered the recruits, and in- 

 spected their stirrup leathers, which, with 

 only two exceptions, were about a foot 

 too long for going across country. I 

 had no easy task in persuading these 

 novices to follow my advice ; I had to 

 contend against long habit and deep- 

 rooted prejudice. The holsters even 

 were reluctantly relinquished ; and it was 

 only when convinced of the dangerous 



