CHAPTER IV.
_Reflections on Saint Hubert's stag--Shoots a stag with cherry-stones; the wonderful effects of it--Kills a bear by extraordinary dexterity; his danger pathetically described--Attacked by a wolf, which he turns inside out--Is assailed by a mad dog, from which he escapes--The Baron's cloak seized with madness, by which his whole wardrobe is thrown into confusion._ You have heard, I dare say, of the hunter and sportsman's saint and protector, St.Hubert, and of the noble stag, which appeared to him in the forest, with the holy cross between his antlers.

I have paid my homage to that saint every year in good fellowship, and seen this stag a thousand times, either painted in churches, or embroidered in the stars of his knights; so that, upon the honour and conscience of a good sportsman, I hardly know whether there may not have been formerly, or whether there are not such crossed stags even at this present day.

But let me rather tell what I have seen myself.

Having one day spent all my shot, I found myself unexpectedly in presence of a stately stag, looking at me as unconcernedly as if he had known of my empty pouches.

I charged immediately with powder, and upon it a good handful of cherry-stones, for I had sucked the fruit as far as the hurry would permit.