Now, even in England, toads are not looked upon with much favour, and a party of English children would have been startled by such a discovery.

But with French people, the dread of toads is ludicrous in its intensity.

In France toads are believed to have teeth, to bite, and to spit poison; so my hero and his young guests must be excused for taking flight at once with a cry of dismay.

On the next terrace, however, they paused, and seeing no signs of the enemy, crept slowly back again.

The little Viscount (be it said) began to feel ashamed of himself, and led the way, with his hand upon the miniature sword which hung at his side.