This is not confined to the Basque, but occurs to all the mountaineers of Bearn.
One instance will show this feeling; the story was related by a guide to the Breche de Roland, who knew the circumstances.

A young man had been forced by the conscription to join Napoleon's army: he was very young at the time, and went through all the dangers, hardships, and privations like a mountaineer and a man of courage; but, as soon as he saw an opportunity, he deserted, and sought the land where all his wishes tended.

He was pursued and traced from place to place; but, generally favoured by his friends and assisted by his own ingenuity, he always eluded search, and, with the precaution of never sleeping two nights in the same village, he managed for several years to continue free.

He was in love with a young girl, and on one occasion, at a _fete_, had come far over the mountains to dance with her: he was warned by a companion that emissaries had been seen in the neighbourhood; but he determined nothing should interfere with the pleasure he anticipated in leading out the lass he loved.

He had a rival, however, in the company, who gave notice to the officers of justice that the deserter would be at the dance, and, accordingly, in the midst of the revel--as they were executing one of those agile dances, called _Le Saut Basque_--the object of pursuit became aware that, amidst the throng, were several persons whom he had no difficulty in guessing were his pursuers.