66 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



I hereby disclaim any mischievous in- 

 tention in having so done ; whether 



Captain P and Mr. W were 



equally innocent, it is not for me to say ; 

 nevertheless, they followed my example, 

 and got well over, and so did the owner 

 of the horse I was on, and one more 



gentleman, Mons. de St.H . But how 



shall I describe the fate of some of the 

 more adventurous, who, in emulation of 

 ourselves, charged the yawning dyke? 

 Such a submersion of quadrupeds and 

 bipeds never before was seen. 



As good fortune would have it, no 

 serious consequences ensued, although 

 one unfortunate wight was nearly 

 drowned, by reason of his foot catching 

 in the stirrup ; he was dragged out by 

 his less venturesome comrades, and made 

 the best of his way back to the chateau 

 in a most crest-fallen condition. 



Captain P , Mr. W , and our 



