110 A MONTH IN THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



in the worst possible condition, all stunted in growth 

 and "with no symptoms of thriving, and eaten up with 

 the worst of all vermin, the louse. Malwood's two 

 enormously-limbed whelps by Druid, in hue and 

 sleekness when compared to their tiny playfellows, 

 looked like gigantic moles, w^iile her two foster 

 children, both by Druid, the dam in the possession 

 of Lord Bath, were equally healthful and happy. 

 Having prescribed a wash and more nourishing food 

 for the smaller whelps, it was not long before they 

 got the better of their complaints, but not till they 

 had badly infected the Druid puppies. 



The kennel inspection concluded, and entreaties 

 persisted in that, as we were to hunt roe-deer on the 

 following morning, all feeding on this, the previous 

 day, might be over early — 



" Now, Jules," I cried, ^^ where is your minnow- 

 net, and how shall we catch the live bait ? " 



" You shall have some directly ; come along." 



We went then into the kitchen ; and, on coming 

 there, I exclaimed, in raptures, on viewing as hand- 

 some a yellow English setter as ever I wish to see, 



*^ Oh, Jules, what a perfect setter ! " 



" Oh, no, it is not a setter." 



'* Not a setter ! Why, I never saw a more perfect 

 one, to look at. There, if you please, you have 



