THE BOIS DE LA TRAPPE. 183 



cathedral ; and by the interest of the cures has obtained per- 

 mission to shoot here." 



" Does he come often?" 



" Every time he has nothing to do at the cathedral." 



Whilst we were changing our clothes before a good fire, 

 our river god entered, well dressed, gay, and fresh, and carried 

 a bag full of wild ducks on his shoulders. 



" Well !" we said, " you seem to have had good sport." 



" Pretty well; but if you had not disturbed me this morn- 

 ing I should have had five or six ducks more. Your horrid 

 boat was the cause of it. It was just as bad as if you had 

 robbed me of them." 



"Come, come, you ought not to complain. You alone 

 have killed more than all of us put together." 



" I should think so. You shoot in a boat. Why don't 

 you go shooting in a cabriolet f ' 



"But you must confess, my friend, that very few men 

 could support what you are in the habit of doing." 



" Because they are afraid, and that is all. Try, and you 

 will find that you are all the better for it. At this moment 

 I have the appetite of a wolf. Hallo, my girl, bring me the 

 gigot, some bread, cheese, and, above all, some good wine." 



" What astonishes me is, that, after so many hours' immer- 

 sion in cold water, your voice is still clear." 



" Ah ! that is the misfortune; for, between ourselves, I was 

 in hopes to become hoarse." 



" Ah ! I remember you promised to tell us why you 

 desired so much to catch a cold, which most other people 

 would only be too glad to get rid of." 



" Because it annoys them ; but with me it is quite different. 

 I am very anxious to catch a cold at this moment, and am 

 not able to effect my purpose." 



" I cannot comprehend how any one can wish to become 

 unwell." 



