Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/48

 from Paris to St Cloud. That must be enough to dissipate all fears. I might add a variety of delights; I might talk of the chase, sporting, fishing; imagine to yourself forests, where the game is so tame that it never thinks of running away, and so timid that if you only call to it, it falls down; imagine rivers and lakes, where fish are so abundant that they choke the waters. This is all very wonderful, but perfectly true.

"'I had nearly forgotten to talk to you of horses. Horses, gentlemen; you cannot take a step without meeting with thousands of them; you might call them flocks of sheep, only that they are larger; are you fond of them? do you like riding? Only take a rope in your pocket, which should be rather long, and you must make a running knot in it; you seize the moment when the animals are grazing, and afraid of nothing, you then approach quietly, and make your choice; and when your choice is made, you throw the cord, the horse is your's, you have only to back him and lead him where you please and think proper; for, remember, that here every man is uncontrolled in his actions.

"'Yes, gentlemen, I repeat it, it is all true, very true; the proof is, that the king of France, his majesty Louis XVI, who can almost hear me in his palace, authorizes me on his part to offer you these advantages. Should I dare to he so near to him?

"'The king desires to clothe you, the king wishes to support you, he wishes to make you rich men; in return, he asks but little from you; no labour, and good pay; good nourishment; to rise up and lie down at pleasure; exercise once a month, at the parade of St Louis; this, for I will conceal nothing, cannot be dispensed with, unless you get leave, which is never refused. These obligations done, your time is your own. What more can you desire? a good engagement? you shall have it: but hasten, I advise you, tomorrow will perhaps be too late, the ships are about to start, and