100 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



sisted upon inspecting. I knew perfectly 

 well that he had no right to do so on the 

 high road, so I determined to punish 

 him, as his aim was evidently to extort 

 money. 



I had the required document in my 

 pocket, hut I had made up my mind not 

 to shew it him. I pretended to he very 

 much alarmed, and told the gentleman 

 that I had left it at home. This he affected 

 not to heheve, and began to bully, adding 

 that he should accompany me to my 

 domicile. 



This was exactly what I wished ; for 

 although not quite equal to a Barclay, 

 a Drinkwater, or a Mountjoy, I am 

 a tolerably fast walker for an amateur, 

 and am good for thirty miles in seven 

 hours any day in the week ; so I pulled 

 foot at my best pace, and gave the 

 Frenchman a regular breather. I walked 

 all the wind out of the old fellow's body, 



