The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-25


verified himself with hunting. 1t was
during this visit that the Court credited
him with seeing-I think, on the Friday
before the Feast of the Virgin-the Great
Huntsman; and even went so far as to
specify the part of the forest in which he
came upon it and the form-that of q
gigantic black horseman, surrounded by
hounds-which it assumed. The specteT
had not been seen since the year 1893:
nevertheless, the story spread widely,
those who whispered citing in its support
not only the remarkable agitation into
which the Queen fell publicly on the
evening of that day but also some strange
particulars that attended the Kings re-
turn from the forest; and, being taken
up and repeated, and confirmed, as
many thought, by the unhappy sequence
Of his death, the fable found a little later
almost universal credence, so that it may
now be found even in books.
AS it happened, however | was that
day at F0ntainebleau, and hunted with
the King; and, favored both by chance
and the confidence with which my mas
ter never failed to honor me, am able
not only to refute this story, but to par
rate the actual facts from which it took
it's rise. And though there are some, ]
know, who boast that they had the tale
from the Kings own mouth, | under.
take to prove either that they are ro-
mancers who seek to add an inch to their
stature, or dull fellows who placed their
own Interpretation on the hasty words
he vouchsafed such chatterers.
As a fact, the King, on that day wish
ing to discuss with me the preparations
for the Queens entry, babe me keep
close to him, since he had more inclina
ton for my company than the chase.
But the crowd that attended him was SC
large, the day being fine and warm and
comprised, besides, so many ladies,
whose badinage and gaiety he could
never forego-that found him insensi.
bly, drawn from me. Far from being
displeased, was glad to see him forget
the moodiness which had of late OPP
pressed him; and beyond keeping within
sight of him, gave up, for the time, all
thought of affairs, and found in the
beauty of the spectacle sufficient compen
sation. The bright dresses and waving
feathers of the party showed to the
greatest advantage as the long cavalcade
wound through the heather and rocks of
the valley below the Agreements; and
whether looked to the front or rear
on the huntsmen, with their great
horns, or the hounds straining in the
leashes-I was equally charmed with a
sight at once joyous and gallant, and
one to which the calls of duty had of
late made me stranger.
On a sudden a quarry was started, and
the company, galloping off pell-mell,
with merry burst of music, were in a
moment dispersed, some taking this
track, and others that, through the rocks
and debris that make that part of the
forest difficult. Singing out the King,
L kept as near him as possible until the
chase led us into the Apremont coverts.
where, the trees growing thickly, and
the rides cut through them being intri-
cate, I caught sight of him flying down
q ride bordered by dark green box trees,
against which his white hunting coat
showed wildly: but now he was alone,
and ri \g in direction which each
momenty carried him farther from the
ef-the chase, and entangled him
more deeply in the forest.
Surprising that he had made a bad
cast and was in error, dashed the spurs
into my horse, and galloped after him;
then, finding that he still held his own,
and that | did not oyertaAe him, but
that, on the contrary, he was riding al
the top of his speed, | called to him.
<sYou are in error, sire, | think"
cried. THE hounds are the other way!'
He heard, for he raised his hand, and,
without turning his head. made me q
sign; bat whether of assent or denial, ]
could not tell. And he still held on his
course. Then, for moment, fancied
that his horse had got the better of him,
and was running away; but no sooner
had the thought occurred to me than /
saw that he was squirting it, and exciting
it to its utmost speed, SO that We reached
the end of that ride, and rushed through
another and still another, always max
ing, / did not fail to note, for the most
retired part of the forest.
We had proceeded in this way about a
mile, and the sound of the hunt had
quite died away behind US, and / was
beginning to chafe. as well as mar
vel, at conduct so singular, when at
last / saw that he was slackening his
pace. My horse, which was on the
point of failing, began, in turn, to
overhaul his, while / looked out with
sharpened curiosity for the object of
pursuit. I could ssee nothing, how
ever, and no one; and had just satisfied
myself that this was one Of the droll
freaks in which he would sometimes in
dulge, and that in second or two he
would turn and laugh at my discomfit-
ure, when, on a sudden, with final pull
of the reins, he did turn, and showed
me a face flushed with passion and
clagrin.
was so taken aback that / cried out
ssMon Dieu SIRE / said. "What is it 2
What is the matter r.
"Matter enough = he cried with an
oath. And on that, hating his horse he
looked at me as if he would read my
heart. "Ventre de Saint Girls, " he said
in voice that made me tremble. - II /
we're sure that there was no mistake,
would would never see your face
again !"
/ uttered an exclamation.
3tHave you not deceived me?' quoth
he.
"oh, sire, / am weary Of these sas
melons u ! ans gered, affecting an in
difference | did MT feel If your
Majesty does not
But he cut me short cans yer me y
he said, harsAly, his month working in