294 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



stationary, and only firing at such hares as pass through 

 their ranks on the other side. 



I really cannot say, as to the results, whether this form of 

 battue is preferable to the other, but all I can judge of, from 

 my own experience, is, that it is much more amusing, and 

 that the kessel is a vast amphitheatre where each performer 

 exhibits and takes a part in the drama. In these vast 

 plains, without trees, without hedges, or even bushes, every- 

 thing is visible. One observes the poor hares leap from 

 their forms upon the white surface of the ground, running 

 here and there within the circle by which they are en- 

 closed, crossing and jostling each other, and, at length, 

 making a last effort at full speed, with their ears thrown 

 back close to the skin, to break the line of their assailants. 

 Every shot is also coram populo, no resources for the brag- 

 gart, not even the usual excuses, " I have hit him !" " I 

 have fired at too long a distance !" " My gun hung fire !" 

 One can conscientiously admire the good shots, and laugh 

 at the bad ones. 



After one battue was finished another commenced, and so 

 on as long as our ground lasted and the sun shone on our 

 operations ; but in the middle of the day the party united 

 around another Vessel. An excellent luncheon awaited us 

 in a small pine plantation which crowned a gentle eminence. 

 Cold meat, pies, cakes, fruits, wines of France and Germany, 

 were spread upon a rustic table, an immense kettle smoked 

 hard-by, filled with potatoes en robe de cJiambre, the true 

 luxury of sportsmen, where each of us, furnished with 

 bread, butter, and salt, commenced the lining of his stomach ; 

 after which the beaters, each taking from his pocket a huge 

 slice of black bread, arranged themselves in their turn 

 around the inexhaustible kettle. The remains were thrown 

 to the dogs which always accompany these expeditions to 

 follow and retrieve the wounded hares that escape beyond 



