448 The Hunting Grounds 



douane (head of the customs), but, as the first one 

 had proved useless, we had no faith that ours would 

 prove of more avail. 



All our traps were still at the custom-house, and 

 10 A.M. was the time appointed for the examination. 

 The hour was fast approaching, and as yet no plan 

 had been fixed upon to elude the vigilance of the 

 gendarmes, when I proposed to reconnoitre the 

 ground ; and accordingly got into a trap, drove down 

 to the custom-house, and demanded a portmanteau 

 containing uniform, clothes, &e. This, with several 

 gun-cases, was given up after a slight examination, 

 and carried off in triumph to the hotel. I then 

 donned my uniform, which is decorated with sundry 

 bits of H. M.'s " Silver," and, accompanied by our 

 worthy President in full Highland costume, and the 

 other members of the Association, with chasseurs 

 and gillies in Lincoln-green and kilts, we started off 

 in a body to the " Douane." 



On entering the railway station we evidently 

 caused some excitement, for the officials seemed 

 rather taken aback at our appearance. I asked at 

 once for the chef, and, acting as spokesman for the 

 rest, demanded that all our baggage might be de- 

 livered up as soon as possible. The officials were all 

 extremely polite, and in a few moments it was before 

 us. Then came the momentous period bunches of 

 keys were presented, which were most courteously 



