126 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



the employes', but before each had received these marks of 

 his majesty's liberality, the dogs claimed their share of the 

 spoil, and at least a little of the game, which they received 

 from the hands of persons employed to disembowel the 

 different animals, and give the entrails to the hounds. 



" Generally the chasse was not terminated after the first 

 lattue } but several others were arranged in different parts of 

 the forest. The king always expressed his satisfaction when 

 the results of the day had equalled the expectations and 

 efforts of his officers. On this occasion he observed that he 

 had never seen a more brilliant battue than the one which 

 had just taken place, and that it had far surpassed his 

 expectations. 



"' Sire,' I remarked to him, ' Simon 1' Archer, I will engage, 

 has a good deal to do with this success, and has redoubled his 

 zeal.' 



" ' Apropos, Compte, it was arranged that you should pre- 

 sent this man to me. Let him appear.' 



" We had arrived at the Chataigneraie-Bignon, which, as its 

 name indicates, is a plantation of chestnut- trees, symmetri- 

 cally arranged like fruit trees in an orchard. Each tree is 

 separated by a considerable interval, so that the light and 

 shade is distributed in a picturesque and charming manner. 

 It was here that Simon approached to meet the king, not 

 without feelings of visible intimidation; but the kind re- 

 ception he met with put him at his ease, and he soon 

 excited the interest of his majesty. 



" Questioned upon his skill and address as a marksman, 

 Simon answered with confidence, that on that point he feared 

 no competitors. 



"The king asked him if he had any objection to try his 

 skill against one of the royal keepers, to which he answered 

 that he should like nothing better, particularly if it would 

 afford any amusement to his majesty, and he cared not who 



