A SPORTING TRIP TO FRANCE. 237 



and their contents lay smashed on the ground. 

 The place was in ruins, and had evidently 

 not been entered for many many years. We 

 tapped bin after bin, and all was as sour as 

 verjuice. 



" What a shame," remarked Debenham, "to 

 let such a glorious cellar go to decay, and the 

 liquor spoil." 



We were quitting Ihe place when my brother's 

 attention was drawn to a little bin with some 

 fifteen or sixteen bottles in it. I uncorked one r 

 and from the delicious bouquet knew in an 

 instant we had come on the right thing at last. 

 It was Burgundy, and such Burgundy as I have- 

 never tasted before or since. 



The cups from our flasks were taken off, and 

 we speedily buzzed bottle No. 1. The rest we 

 filched, and packed them securely away in the 

 cart, along with some four or five bottles of 

 brandy I discovered. 



We agreed to dine at the auberge close tc* 

 our van the next day, and finish up with the 

 filched wine. The brandy went to our cellar, 

 and we invited a few friends to join us next 

 evening. 



