256 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



All these elegant vituperations were lis- 

 tened to with perfect composure ; and the 

 silence we imposed upon ourselves was 

 only broken by the jingling of certain 

 forty-sous pieces in the breeches -pocket 

 of my friend Mr. Croft, the musical chink 

 of which seemed as if by magic to soften 

 the brute ; for by degrees his savage 

 looks and gestures mellowed down, and 

 his countenance began to assume an 

 amiable expression ; whilst his eyes 

 twinkled at the silvery sound. 



Without noticing his wrathful address, 

 we expressed the deepest interest in a 

 wretched looking dog which had accom- 

 panied the exasperated keeper; for the 

 poor animal appeared to be lingering in 

 the last and worst stage of the distemper. 

 We had no sooner offered our condolence 

 than the fellow said, " Je donnerais Men 

 vingt francs pour lefaire guerir.'' 



Mr. Croft instantly undertook to cure 



