From this moment there was only one shout all along the line.
'Hold in your dog, confound him!'
'Keep in your Pritchard, can't you! He's sending all the birds out of shot!'
'Look here! Would you mind my putting a few pellets into your brute of a dog? How can anybody shoot if he won't keep in?'
'Michel,' said I, 'catch Pritchard again.'
'I told you so, sir. Luckily we are not far from the house; I can still take him back.'
'Not at all. I have a second idea. Catch Pritchard.'
'After all,' said Michel, 'this is nearly as good fun as if we were shooting. '
And by-and-by he came back, dragging Pritchard by his stake. Pritchard had a partridge in his mouth.
'Look at him, the thief!' said Michel. 'He has carried off M. Gaignez's partridge—I see him looking for it.'
'Put the partridge in your game-bag, Michel; we will give him a surprise.'
Michel hesitated. 'But,' said he, 'think of the opinion this rascal will have of you!'
'What, Michel? do you think Pritchard has a bad opinion of me?'
'Oh, sir! a shocking opinion.'
'But what makes you think so?'
'Why, sir, do you not think that Pritchard knows in his soul and conscience that when he brings you a bird that another gentleman has shot, he is committing a theft?'
'I think he has an idea of it, certainly, Michel.'
'Well, then, sir, if he knows he is a thief, he must take you for a receiver of stolen goods. Look at the articles of the Code; it is said there that receivers are equally guilty with thieves, and should be similarly punished.'
'Michel, you open my eyes to a whole vista of terrors.
