But the time really to admire him--to see the head gamekeeper in all his splendour--was in winter, in a hard frost, when, covered with skins and motionless, he lay in ambush in a black ravine, waiting for a boar. Oh! then, for certain, the sight of him was anything but encouraging; for he looked like some unknown animal, some variety of the species _Bonassus_, a crocodile on end, a crumpled-up elephant, or a great bear on the watch. And when he loaded his rifle--a sort of culverin or wall-piece, which no one but himself knew how to manage--gracious powers! he was something to see. His first movement was to seize the gigantic weapon in the middle, as a policeman would fasten upon a favourite thief; and then he set himself to blow into the barrel with such fury, that had there been an ounce of wadding left, the blast would have blown it all through the enormous touch-hole. Being well assured after this that neither an adder nor a slow-worm had taken up his domicile within the barrel, he began to load. One charge--two charges--then a third, "as a compliment," and after this, a fourth, "for good luck." On this infernal charge--imperial, as he called it--this Vesuvius, this volcano of saltpetre, he threw half-a-dozen balls, or, if he was out of them, a handful of nails; and then he rammed--rammed--rammed away, like a pavior. My hair stood on end, and every limb trembled when he fired it off--holy St. Francis!--the very forest bent, and coughed, and sighed; and it made as much flame, smoke, noise, and carnage, as a battery of horse artillery. One might have heard it all over Burgundy, or Provence for what I know; and hence, no doubt, his _sobriquet_ of "the Four-Pounder." I always thought his shoulder must be made of heart of oak. On one occasion he did me the incomparable favour of loading my gun in this fashion, but luckily for me, informed me of this piece of civility before we started; and greatly was he chagrined when I declined to fire it. In the common occurrences of life, Navarre was a right good fellow; he had great good sense, could take a joke, was simple and modest in his manners, and very kind-hearted and retiring. But once in the forest, the dogs uncoupled, and the business of the chase commenced, he bounded to the front; his eyes flashed, his nostrils dilated, he took a deep breath, listened, and snuffed the air; he limped no longer; and as his courage was unequalled, and his knowledge of wood-craft profound, the proudest of every rank were content to follow where he led. CHAPTER VI. Bird's-eye view of the forests--The student's visit to his uncle in the country--Sallies forth in the early morning--Meets a cuckoo--Follows him--The cuckoo too much for him--Gives up the pursuit--Finds he has lost his way--Agreeable vespers--Night in the forest--Wolves--Up a beech tree--A friend in need--The student bids adieu to Le Morvan.