"The fact is Jean Pierre had dragged the old thing along at such a pace that the hubs were smoking.
"'Hope you've got the worth of your money, not'-bourgeois,' said Jean Pierre, in a furious voice to the old berlingot.
"'There'll be four francs for the guide, won't there?' said I to Jean Pierre, who was unhitching his horses and swearing like a pagan.
"'Four francs! Not much! Ah, no, not much; the old beast only pays twenty-five sous.'
"'Twenty-five cents? The tariff? And you galloping him along as though he were a prince?'
"'Yes; and the only thing I'm sorry for is that I couldn't jounce him any faster.'
"'You are a great stupid,' said I to Jean Pierre.
"'You'll do just as I did.'
"'Not much,' said I to Jean Pierre.
"Well, they finally brought me my mount. I had named him Devastator because he was continually committing injuries to others. It was a way he had, that beast; man or horse, 'twas all the same to him, so that he could get in a bite or a kick, in front or behind, anywhere in fact. Poor Devastator!" added my guide, with a sad sigh.