“Velcome! velcome! goot friend; glad to see you back,” said he, riding up, and waving his hand as he wheeled his horse about “You look ver well by Jhobs.”
“Thankyee, thankyee, Monsieur; all’s right with me, but what have you been doing in this part of the world?”
“Oh, de old vay. Ve have had de jodge down, and one of his amis, abote some cochery affairs; had him out for a day after de hogue; killed two, tree—one old boar give fine sport—ver fine; near kill us though, by Jhobs; ha! ha!—but who that wid you, Capsicome?”
“Oh! a young friend of my father’s come to see how we carry on the war down here. Let me introduce him to you—Gernon, Mons. De la Chasse, &c.”
“Appi see you amongst us, Sare.—By de vay, I not tell a-you I have had ’noder kick ope with dat Bobberygunge talookdar: d—m fellow, his bulloke spoil twenty beegah my plant. I shall him have ope to de jodge, by Jhobs—he is a—a—a (casting about for a suitable expression, and setting his teeth) a frightful shackass.”
This moved my risibles, in spite of a gentle poke from Augustus’s elbow, and a reproving look compounded of gravity and laughter. Fortunately, at this juncture, a dismal yell broke on our ears, and we perceived ahead of us, slinking across the plain, two animals somewhat larger than foxes.
“What are they?” I asked.
“Oh! a couple of jackals,” said my companion. “Would you like to see a run?”
I eagerly expressed my assent.
“De la Chasse,” said Mr. Augustus, “take a gallop after those jackals; our friend here wants to see a hunt.”