202 EXPERIENCES OF SPORT. 



Brittany, fastening the dog-cart behind, harness- 

 ing and putting Saltfish and Toprail in the van, 

 as leaders, and two strong Breton nags as 

 wheelers, we one fine morning, at five o'clock, 

 took our departure from Eennes. 



" There, my boy," said Debenham, as we 

 emerged from the streets into the open country. 

 " There, my boy," he repeated, lighting his briar- 

 root, " this is what I call prime ; thoroughly free 

 and independent. None of your long hotel 

 bills, and noisy fellows at dinner, but comfort. 

 Here we have six dozen of capital claret, which 

 beats all your Bass, though there is plenty of 

 that for a time, brandy, whiskey, and gin 

 what more can a fellow want ?" 



We were sitting in front, with his man driving, 

 for there was lots of room for three. I should 

 mention I had sent my servant home, as I had 

 lent him to my brother, who was coming to 

 France for the winter, in his yacht. The horses 

 got along famously in harness, the trap was not 

 too heavy, and we were as jolly as sand-boys. 



We had permission for a few days' chevreuil 

 (roebuck) hunting or shooting in the Foret de la 

 Hardouhnqy, about thirteen or fourteen lieues 



