than I
can afford but one man."

"Yes; but he is a good one."

Chicot found the preparations much less sumptuous than those of Henri
III. A dozen or fifteen gentlemen only, among whom he recognized the
Vicomte de Turenne, formed the whole suite. And as they were none of
them rich, they all wore, instead of the usual hunting dress, their
helmets and cuirasses, which made Chicot ask if the wolves in Gascony
used muskets and artillery.

"No," said Henri; "but they are fierce beasts, who have claws and
teeth, and draw hunters into places where they are likely to tear their
clothes on the thorns, if they wear silk and velvet, or even cloth and
buff, but not if they wear cuirasses."

"That is a reason, but not a good one, sire."

"What would you have? I have no other."

"Then I must be content with this."

"You had better."

"So be it."

"You are angry at being disturbed for this chase."

"Ma foi! yes."

"So you find fault?"

"Is it forbidden?"

"Oh no."

"You understand, sire, I am no hunter, and have nothing to do, so I must
amuse myself, while you are thinking of all the wolves that a dozen men
are going to kill."

"Ah, yes, laugh away, Chicot; first it was the clothes, now the number
of wolves."

"Oh, sire!"

"But I must say you are not indulgent, for Bearn is not as large as
France; so the king goes there with two hundred huntsmen, I with a
dozen, as you see."

"Yes, sire."

"But," said Henri, "sometimes the country gentlemen, hearing I am going,
quit their chateaux and join me, which sometimes makes up a good escort
for me."

When they had ridden about half an hour--

"Look," said Henri to Chicot, "are not those cavaliers that I see
there?"

Chicot looked and said, "Yes, sire, cavaliers, but not huntsmen."

"Why not?"

"Because they are armed like Amadis or Rolando," replied Chicot.

"Ah! what matters the dress, my dear Chicot? you see we are not
particular as to that."

"But I see at least two hundred men there."

"Ah! that is a good number."

Chicot began to feel very curious. He had really named too low a number,
for the group before them consisted of two hundred men, who came
silently and joined their party; each man was well armed and mounted,
and they were led by a gentleman who came and kissed Henri's hand with
much devotion.

They passed the river Gers, and then came on a second troop of one
hundred men; the chief approached, and seemed to be making excuses for
not br