THE LAST CHASSE OF CHAKLES X. 167 



dences. The public curiosity, and a disposition to assist at 

 the hunting parties, was manifested in a much greater degree. 

 It was true the king only visited it four or five times during 

 the year, but the dauphin, during the hunting season, went 

 there every fifth day regularly. 



The king is surrounded by a crowd of men and women, of 

 all ranks and conditions. The reports are made by the 

 valets des limiers. First, a stag of four years' growth is 

 known to be in the wood of La Pommeraie. 



Another, of ten branches, in the taillis de Villarceau, a 

 daguet in the wood of La Chamoise. 



And lastly, a stag of ten branches, lately in the vicinity of 

 the Poteau du Chene du JKoi. 



The reader will remember the Poteau du Chene du Roi, 

 where we introduced the valet de limier and his sleuth- 

 hound at the beginning of this sketch. 



The commandant of the ckasse has read these different 

 reports, and has transmitted them to the first huntsman, 

 who has made himself acquainted with their contents, before 

 communicating them to the king. 



M. de Girardin, whose mind is agitated by sombre augu- 

 ries, has only one thought that of returning to St. Cloud. 

 He is vexed at the tranquillity and quiet conscience of the 

 king, whose place, at such a moment, he considers should not 

 be at Hambouillet. But the self-confidence of his majesty is 

 invincible. 



He whispered in the ear of the commandant of the royal 

 chasse, then M de Hybonville, these remarkable words : 



"Ilfaut mener cette chasse a la Diable" 



The king having heard the reports, had intended to attack 

 the stag of ten branches in the taillis de Villarceau, but from 

 some observations of his first huntsman, his majesty had 

 decided to hunt the one near the Poteau du Chene du Roi. 



The different relays of dogs are posted, and the old hounds 

 uncoupled. 



