The farmer took a gun and went out to his two labourers:
"Anything fresh?"
"No, Farmer Goussot, not yet."
"We sha'n't have long to wait. Unless old Nick carries him over the walls...."
From time to time, they heard the four brothers hailing one another in the distance. The old bird was evidently making a fight for it, was more active than they would have thought. Still, with sturdy fellows like the Goussot brothers....
However, one of them returned, looking rather crestfallen, and made no secret of his opinion:
"It's no use keeping on at it for the present. It's pitch dark. The old chap must have crept into some hole. We'll hunt him out to-morrow."
"To-morrow! Why, lad, you're off your chump!" protested the farmer.
The eldest son now appeared, quite out of breath, and was of the same opinion as his brother. Why not wait till next day, seeing that the ruffian was as safe within the demesne as between the walls of a prison?
"Well, I'll go myself," cried old Goussot. "Light me a lantern, somebody!"