satisfied. He then explained that I must dress up like a bear, and that
he would show me off as a wonder. As I had no help for it, I consented.
He at once made me get into the bear-skin which you, Mr Terence, cut
me out of, and showed me how I was to behave myself. After I had had
some days' practice, he sent round to let it be known that he had picked
up a bear at sea, which could talk and play all sorts of tricks; and in
a short time people came to look at me. At first I thought it a good
joke, but at last he treated me so like a real bear, for he chained me
up at night and never let me get out of my skin, that I began to grow
heartily tired of the fun; and it's my belief, if you hadn't found me
out, he'd have been after making away with me, lest the people should
discover the trick he had played them."

I translated Larry's story to the mayor, who, being a humane man, was
very indignant, but said that he had no power to punish Chacot, as Larry
confessed that he had consented to be dressed up.

When I told this to Larry, he said that he should be very sorry to have
Chacot suffer, as, whatever his motive, he had certainly saved his life.

In a couple of days Larry was fit to set out. With the aid of Monsieur
Pontet, I purchased two horses. They were sorry steeds to look at, but
had more go in them than I expected from their appearance. Larry
carried my valise, and I had my sword and a brace of pistols, though
Monsieur Pontet assured me I should have no necessity for their use. I
had become intimate with him, and he kindly gave me a letter of
introduction to a friend of his at Vernon, a Monsieur Planterre, who, he
said, would dispose of my horses for me, and afford me any other
assistance I might require, in case La Touche should be absent from
home.

Bidding farewell to Monsieur Pontet, I started on my journey at an early
hour in the morning, fully expecting to enjoy the trip, as all was new
and strange to me. The people I met with were primitive in their
habits, and invariably treated me with civility. The inns I stopped at
were small, and not over comfortable, but as they afforded sufficient
accommodation for man and beast, I did not complain.

I must pass over the incidents of the journey. It was towards evening
when the towers of Vernon, situated on the banks of the Seine, appeared
in sight, and, passing across the boulevards which surrounded the town,
I entered the narrow, crooked streets, with tim