Surprise, shame, horror, and confusion began to dance a polka in the banker's brain, and made him utter the hoarse cry which we had heard. While we were yet gazing at each other the poor creature, by a last effort, raised his bleeding head once more above the water, and collecting all the strength he had left, scrambled from the _Mare_, gave a half-suffocating and plaintive bray, and casting a look full of reproach upon the gasping banker, which seemed to say, "I die, but I forgive you," fell dead at our feet. A convulsion of laughter from the party, now all assembled, followed; even the birds, awakened from their slumbers, began to sing and partake of the general hilarity. "Halloo! Mr. Three per Cent.," said one, "this is what you call sporting, is it--killing starved woodcocks? Fie! sir." "You are three infamous vagabonds," replied the Parisian, catching his breath, and picking up his hat. "What! sir." "Why, you are a trinity of rascals, I repeat." "Why, what's the matter?" "Abominable hypocrites, I say; this is a piece of acting, a trick which you have kindly put upon me--this ass was driven here by you, or by some one at your suggestion; I see clearly how it is." "See clearly, do you? it is a pity, then, you did not a few minutes ago." "It is an infernal plot, I say; think you that I came into this wretched country of forests to kill donkeys?" "Well! but whose fault is it, sir; why did you not bring your eye-glass?" "My eye-glass; I don't require one, gentlemen, to enable me to see that you have made a fool of me." "My dear sir, reflect for a moment." "No, gentlemen, I feel indignant at the paltry joke you have played upon me--you knew that my sight was weak, and on that infirmity you have practised a very shameful trick; you have said to yourselves, 'Send an ass to this Parisian, he will no doubt take it for a wild boar.' Be off, gentlemen, depart; let me have a clear horizon, or I shall proceed to extremity." "Monsieur le Banquier, if you do not become a little more reasonable, we shall leave you to your reflections and to yourself, and pretty pickings you will be for the wolves." "So much the better; I wish to remain, I desire it; and after the gross insult you have offered me, I shall certainly not be beholden to you as a guide, or return to the town in your company." And he kicked the dead carcass before him in his rage. "But, Monsieur le Banquier, the night is getting chilly and damp, and remember you are only just convalescent; come, let us be off." "Gentlemen, I have already told you I shall not accompany you." "Why, this is madness, sir."