A SENTENCE OF DEATH. 153 



and then a pheasant, 011 which we tired as best we could, 

 without always bringing down our game. 



Our two-barrelled rifles were loaded with ball in one 

 barrel, and fowling-shot in the other ; so that we were 

 prepared for every hazard. 



At the moment the bloodhounds were uncoupled and 

 let loose in the forest, the outrider discovered the carcass 

 of a hare, half-devoured, and still fresh, a proof that a 

 wild cat was somewhere in the neighbourhood. Almost 

 immediately the dogs discovered the scent, and a few 

 minutes afterwards started the animal, which flew past 

 us like an arrow, and disappeared in the middle of a 

 thicket impracticable for human beings. 



We hastened to encircle the bush, with our guns to 

 our shoulders, and endeavoured to penetrate the obscurity 

 of the leafage ; but this was not easy. The cat kept still 

 in his fastness, and would not budge ; the dogs made 

 numerous desperate efforts to force a passage through the 

 thorns. 



Suddenly, the report of a gun was heard, and then 

 another. " Ah," cried one of us, " is he dead 1 " 



A voice replied, " He has got some shot in him." 



" It is possible !" thought I to myself, but no one would 

 say anything, the dogs barked so lustily. 



Bang ! a third report ! " Who fired 1 " 



" Judge Daniel," replied the huntsman, who was stand- 

 ing a few paces from me. 



" A sentence of death, then, that means," I replied to 

 my neighbour ; " lawyers utter no other." 



But what is all this stamping ? It was Judge Daniel's 

 horse. Not accustomed to the reports of fire-arms, and 

 paying no attention to the oaths of his master the judge, 



