"As we now rode slowly along between the trees, a desire seized me to show him one of my sanctuaries.
"'I want to dismount,' I called out to him; 'help me out of my saddle.'
"He jumped off his horse and did as I had bid.
"'What do you intend to do?' he then asked.
"'You will see shortly.' said I. 'First of all, let the horses go.'
"'I should think so, indeed,' he laughed. 'You seem to be one of those who catch their hares by putting salt on their tails.'
"And he set about tying the bridles to a tree.
"'Let loose,' I commanded; and as he did not obey, I gave the horses a lash of the whip, so that before he thought of catching hold of the reins tighter, they were already galloping about at liberty in the wood.
"'What now?' said he, and put his hands in his pockets. 'Do you think they will let themselves be caught?'
"'Not by you!' laughed I, for I was sure of my favourites.