A SPORTING TRIP TO FRANCE. 191 



I took hold of the reins and put the misera- 

 ble horse along, and in due time reached the 

 rendezvous. Here were assembled such a motley 

 group as I had never seen before, at least not 

 in the hunting field. There were about thirty 

 there, and most of them dressed in the most 

 extraordinary fashion. Nearly to a man they 

 carried a cor de chasse (which to be once heard 

 badly played will never be forgotten), ox skin 

 coats and breeches, large boots, and such cou- 

 teaux de chasse ! small cimeters in fact. They 

 laughed at Our mishap and the valour of our 

 driver, and looked somewhat curiously at our 

 well got up tops and buckskins. 



" So, sir," said one, " this is your famous 

 horse, Saltfishes ? and yours" (turning to Deben- 

 ham), " Top-sails ? Mon Dieu ! good horses for 

 sport smans." 



We soon had a good boar up, and not- 

 withstanding the row of the infernal hounds, 

 halloaing, yelling, and heading the unfortu- 

 nate animal, he at last actually broke cover, 

 which they do not often do unless hard pressed. 

 However, our sanglier got a good start. It 

 was far from being a complete pack, griffons, 



