The moment I saw it fall I kicked my neighbour's nag in the ribs; it started, and he, turning in a rage, hit it.

The next instant he pulled it almost on to its haunches.
'SAINT GRIS!' he cried; and sat glaring at the bit of yellow satin, with his face turned purple and his jaw fallen.
'What is it!' I said, staring at him in turn, 'What is the matter, fool ?' 'Matter ?' he blurted out.

'MON DIEU!' But Clon's excitement surpassed even his.

The dumb man no sooner saw what had attracted his comrade's attention, than he uttered an inarticulate and horrible noise, and tumbling off his horse, more like a beast than a man threw himself bodily on the precious morsel.
The innkeeper was not far behind him.

An instant and he was down, too, peering at the thing; and for an instant I thought that they would fight over it.