260 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



In one of our rambles, we approached 

 a French gentleman's chateau near Ros- 

 pordon, who sent one of his servants to 

 request we would honour him by par- 

 taking of some refreshment under his 

 roof. We instantly complied with the 

 mandate, and were most kindly received 



by the proprietor. Monsieur de G . 



He was very proud of his campagne, 

 and shewed us round his grounds, and 

 pointed out some improvements he was 

 about to make. 



Having learnt that Captain P was 



an old dragooner, we were conducted to 

 the stables, where the stud were paraded 

 for our inspection. One of the horses 

 w^hich was led out had been purchased 

 a few days before, and he was certainly 

 a very likely-looking animal ; he had 

 but one fault, rather an unpleasant one 

 certainly — nobody could ride him; and but 

 half an hour before our unexpected ap- 



