A THUNDER-STOKM. 115 



approaching roar of an incoming tide, or the " bore " 

 in the river Severn. 



** I shall soon be as wet as you are, Jules ; for here 

 comes the thunder-storm." 



He had been throwing the casting-net for a couple 

 of hours in nothing but his shirt and trousers, so he 

 was as wet as if he had swum as well as fished the 

 stream. 



" Never mind ; let's send the first fellow we see for 

 some brandy and a bit of bread ; " and, one of the 

 labourers from the chateau coming in sight, we did 

 so ; and then down came the rain. 



As not a fish would run (and I do not believe there 

 are many there) Jules and myself took turn and turn 

 about with the casting-net, and caught some chub, 

 pike, and roach, but none of them of any size ; the 

 only fish I saw in any amount or of any size were 

 the crayfish, and they were in the most extraordinary 

 and plenteous perfection. 



It appears to me that nothing in the shape of game 

 or fish is preserved in France, and, as to the port 

 d^armes, it is never enforced. Every boy and man 

 from fifteen to ninety owns, and when he likes it, 

 carries a gun on his landlord's land, as well as in the 

 woods of his neighbours, and not a territorial right is 

 enforced. I had heard a good deal of French legis- 



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