THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 65 



which I knew he would not face if he 

 could help it The great difficulty I had 

 now to contend with was, to restrain the 

 ardour of the uninitiated foreigners, who, 



if Captain P , Mr. W and myself 



had not interfered, would have ridden over 

 our dogs. 



The boar was now taking to some 

 rising ground, and when I conceived that 

 the pack had plenty of field-room, I gave 

 the word en avant, and helter-skelter we 

 went across the memorable meadow. It 

 had been my original intention to ride 

 up with the pack, and keep them well 

 together. Before quitting my companions 

 therefore, I begged of my fellow-country- 

 men to keep an eye upon our French 

 allies, and to check their vivacity. With 

 this parting caution I gave the garde du 

 corps quadruped a touch of the cold steel, 

 and rammed him at the ditch, which he 

 cleared gallantly. 



