224 A FRENCH SPORTSMAN. 



did he hold back, for they were endeavouring to break out 

 on the west : Tortoise and his men, however, turned them 

 without difficulty ; and, after some hard running and 

 considerable maneuvering, they took precisely the desired 

 direction. 



But the drive, upon the whole, did not proceed with 

 the usual alacrity ; there was a sportsman (so called by 

 courtesy) upon whose pace the hill-men on the east 

 waited, and it was unfortunately a slow one ; he had 

 several shots, which were so injudiciously taken, that the 

 success of the general sport seemed to be in jeopardy : the 

 deer, I believe, were in none at all. 



" Why, now, Peter, what on earth can that apparition 

 be ? Take your glass, and see what like it is." 



" I see the mon plain eneuch, for it is na wraith ; but I 

 can no joost say what like he is, for I never kent the like 

 o' him afore ; he's na Scotchman, and he has no the tread 

 of an English, for he aye gangs forrat on his toes wi' a 

 wee bit jerk. Haw, haw, haw, I never saw sic a dress on 

 the hills : do tak a gliff o' him through the prospect, yer 

 honour." 



" Ah, I see him, Peter, and I guess he is a Frenchman ; 

 but, with all his capering, he is as slow as a soldier 

 marking time. Merciful he is, evidently, for not a beast 

 has he touched as far as I can see. Surely he must be 

 firing with blank cartridge ; but the deer are going right 

 in spite of him, so I hope he enjoys himself; but, at any 

 rate, if he spoils sport in one way. I am sure he shows 

 enough in another. I wonder what he thinks he is 

 doing?" 



And now the stately herd began to crown the summits, 



